Comments on: Musical training as mental exercise for cognitive performance http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/ Brain Fitness and Cognitive Health news Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:50:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Pat http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/#comment-135703 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:27:13 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/#comment-135703 I may not be able to send my students to a music school but we also listen and learn to appreciate different genres of music in my class. I believe that music connects information to our brain in some way. I may not be able to send my students to a music school but we also listen and learn to appreciate different genres of music in my class. I believe that music connects information to our brain in some way.

]]> by: Alvaro http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/#comment-133661 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:53:17 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/#comment-133661 Lisa: personal interest/ motivation is critical. If a person (kid, adult) resists doing something, that can be counterproductive. The key is to ensure constant challenge and growth. The art, for parents and teachers, is to nurture that interest...but, in the end, it is the kid's brain, not ours, who does the work and must be engaged. Daniel and Helene: thank you for your comments. Helene, feel free to share with us the experiences of that lifelong learner and Ph. D. in psych! Lisa: personal interest/ motivation is critical. If a person (kid, adult) resists doing something, that can be counterproductive. The key is to ensure constant challenge and growth. The art, for parents and teachers, is to nurture that interest...but, in the end, it is the kid's brain, not ours, who does the work and must be engaged.

Daniel and Helene: thank you for your comments. Helene, feel free to share with us the experiences of that lifelong learner and Ph. D. in psych!

]]> by: Helene Zemel http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/#comment-133433 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:51:41 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/#comment-133433 As a piano teacher, I appreciate this article. The fact that music study has a postivie effect on cognitive ability has prompted some of my 50+ students to get started as an Alzheimer's preventative including one adult who is a Ph.D. psychologist. Although he is a music lover, he cited the studies as one of the reasons that he got started. As a piano teacher, I appreciate this article. The fact that music study has a postivie effect on cognitive ability has prompted some of my 50+ students to get started as an Alzheimer's preventative including one adult who is a Ph.D. psychologist. Although he is a music lover, he cited the studies as one of the reasons that he got started.

]]> by: Daniel E. Friedman http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/#comment-133122 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:14:51 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/#comment-133122 The 'Suzuki' test results are not really surprising. Imitation does have a positive effect on memory. Interesting post. The 'Suzuki' test results are not really surprising. Imitation does have a positive effect on memory.

Interesting post.

]]> by: Lisa http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/#comment-132706 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:50:11 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/07/musical-training-as-mental-exercise-for-cognitive-performance/#comment-132706 I would be interested to know what the effect of personal interest is. That is, what if a child does not want to learn a musical instrument, but prefers sports instead, or some other pursuit. Are we doing things just to improve the function of the brain? And if so, does it really improve our brain if we actually don't find things like playing a musical instrument interesting or fun? I personally play a few different musical instruments and enjoy it. Just curious how a person's interest and desire plays into this type of research. I would be interested to know what the effect of personal interest is. That is, what if a child does not want to learn a musical instrument, but prefers sports instead, or some other pursuit. Are we doing things just to improve the function of the brain? And if so, does it really improve our brain if we actually don't find things like playing a musical instrument interesting or fun? I personally play a few different musical instruments and enjoy it. Just curious how a person's interest and desire plays into this type of research.

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