As a piano teacher we see first-hand every day the many positive effects that music instruction has on our students… but how much do you know about the research behind the cognitive benefits of music education?
Today we’re talking with the perfect person to speak on this topic. Dr. Frances Rauscher is a Cognitive Scientist studying the effects of music on cognitive abilities. She has her Ph.D in Experimental research and was a professor at the University of Wisconsin. You may have instantly recognized her name, and that is because she was one of the researchers who created the 1993 study that resulted in the well-known term “The Mozart Effect”. However, Dr. Rauscher has done much more research than this one study, including researching the effects of piano instruction on the cognition of preschoolers.
What Piano Lessons Can Do For Your Brain
Listen as Dr. Rauscher shares her expertise on:
- What is the “Mozart Effect”?
- Music listening vs. Music instruction – which produces the brain benefits?
- How early childhood piano lessons can affect spacial temporal reasoning
- Why children should start piano lessons before the age of 6 or 7
- How piano teachers can maximize the cognitive benefits of piano lessons
- … and much, much more!
Cognitive Effects Direct From An Expert
Dr. Rauscher is one of the most well-known researchers in the field of music and cognition and we were so privileged to have the opportunity to talk with her on today’s podcast. Her research on the benefits of music instruction specific to preschoolers, and that precious “window of opportunity” to take advantage of these cognitive benefits for young children were one of the key things that inspired Trevor and I to develop a piano program that was specifically designed to meet the unique needs of preschool-aged children. Find out about WunderKeys Piano for Preschoolers here.
For more further reading on Dr. Rauscher’s research click here.
Listen In Now
Click the player below to listen or visit our iTunes page to download it to your iPod.
Nicole says
great episode, thanks!:)
Beth says
This was great! So interesting to learn about the cognitive ties between music, math and spatial skills. I also appreciated her clarification of the “Mozart Effect”.
Andrea says
It was wonderful to talk directly to “the source” 🙂
Lori says
This was very helpful as I am moving accepting younger students this year. Thank you for the information.
Beth Yantz says
Very informative, helpful and thought provoking. Is there a way to “preview” in detail your preschool materials? I keep getting younger students at the music store I teach, and they prefer me to use stock music with my students. Is it possible for them to offer it for sale in their shop? I have been using a preschool curriculum, but it doesn’t always work as well as I would like it to, and seems geared for 5-6 years old, and also seems to assume some pre-schooling experience.
Andrea says
Hi Beth – yes, you can preview the program in its entirety by accessing the “member’s page” of the site (which is a simple sign-up with no obligation or cost). The books can be ordered from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. If you have any questions let me know 🙂
Mary Loch says
This was very interesting, I’ve started several 5-6 yr olds, and they have done well and enjoy playing. The one five year old I started this year is very wiggly and has trouble focusing, she is a challenge but is surprising me by what she can do. They have so much energy!
Louise says
Thank you for these. I’m in Ireland and happened upon this website. It’s great.
LiPing Hudson says
Thank you, Andrea, for this podcast! It is great to quantify the benefits of piano instruction in a way that everyone can understand and appreciate.
Macy says
Awesome Andrea! Thank you so much for providing this. I feel it’s very important to have research to back up claims. Parents need to feel confidant that the big cognitive benefits we boast about are really based in science, not wishful thinking. I’m also glad to hear the truth about the Mozart Effect!