Memory And Music

Music has been proved to help increase memory in a variety of different ways. The first relates to learning and playing music. The next major area is learning new material while listening to music. And the third is using music to remember things.

Studies have shown that children who have had musical training have on average higher grades. Part of this is due to their ability to focus and concentrate. Children who study music, learn to break things down into smaller parts and to focus on those specific areas. Studies have shown that most people cannot remember more than seven pieces of information at a time. Music students learn this through their studies. They know that in order to turn something into a useable long term memory it is necessary to break down large pieces of information.

While learning to play an instrument they have also been building memory techniques that they can use in other areas of their life. They have learned how to sit and to focus. Most children who learn to play music realise the importance of eliminating distractions, and sitting down to really concentrate and learn.

Another technique is to use music while you are learning. Scientist have been looking for a correlation to music and learning for many years. What they have discovered for certain is that people who hear music in the background, have a reduced stress level. People who are relaxed and calm have a much higher rate of recall than a person who is agitated.

They have also shown that music does effect mood and alter behaviour. In order to create the right kind of mood for learning the choice of music is very important. Classical music has been found to be the most relaxing and calming. In terms of memory people who listen to classical music are often able to concentrate better. This means that they are putting themselves in the best possible frame of mind to begin creating memories.

You can also use music to help remember things. But this means incorporating what you are trying to recall and the music. Many people find it easier to remember songs than various lists of numbers and facts. Part of this has to do with rhyming, many songs are written using rhyming techniques which makes it easy for us to remember. Using rhymes to help remember things is a method that has been around for years.

The use of background music also helps us to incorporate different senses while we are learning. The more senses you incorporate into the learning process the greater chance of creating long term memories. If you can directly connect new memories with a piece of music you will have a much greater chance of learning it. However listening to pieces that you have heard forever will not directly help increase memory. If you are really creative you might come up with your own ‘lyrics’ to go along with the music.

Music can help with memory improvement. And it is a great way to relax and focus. So go ahead and listen to some calming music while you learn.