Theres more to why we like music than just a catchy beat or an easy karaoke tune.

Dozens of receptors in our brain respond to different musical components like tone,
rhythm and lyrics, determining the qualities we personally like and dislike. Dont let music
MXVWJRLQRQHHDUDQGRXWWKHRWKHUOHDUQKRZWRLQWHUSUHW\RXUEUDLQVUHVSRQVHWR
PXVLFWKHEHQHWVRIOLVWHQLQJWRLWDQGWKHLPSRUWDQFHRIPXVLFHGXFDWLRQ

HOW DOES MUSIC ENTER THE BRAIN?

The outer ear catches the sound
waves and directs them into the ear
canal where they meet the eardrum
before passing into the middle ear.

Music originates as vibrations,

which form sound waves as
they propagate through the air.

Three tiny bones in

the middle ear amplify
the sound waves
before they enter the
inner ear.

The movement of the

XLGVWLPXODWHVWLQ\QHUYH
cells which convert
sound waves into
electrical impulses

Inside the inner ear,

sound waves enter the
XLGOOHGFRFKOHD

The auditory nerve transmits the

electrical impulses to the
brain, where they will be
interpreted as sound.

PARTS OF THE BRAIN AFFECTED BY MUSIC

Music involves more parts of the brain than any
other function that people perform.

TONALITY

TONALITY

Prefrontal cortex
Cerebellum
Temporal lobe

LYRICS
Wernickes area
Brocas area

(depending upon the music)

Visual cortex

(imagining parts of the music)

RHYTHM

Motor cortex
(tapping toes)

Left frontal cortex

Left parietal cortex
Right cerebellum

Emotional responses

OTHER EFFECTS OF MUSIC ON THE BRAIN

Over time, listening to
music can improve:

LANGUAGE SKILLS
CREATIVITY
HAPPINESS

healing powers
of music:

DECREASE ANXIETY
SPEED HEALING
INCREASE OF OPTIMISM
DECREASE PAIN

Music is known
to help heal some
neurological disorders

ALZHEIMERS
PARKINSONS
TOURETTES
AUTISM

SUPER MIND MUSIC

6SHFLFEUDLQZDYHUK\WKPVDUHDVVRFLDWHGZLWKVSHFLFHPRWLRQDO
and cognitive outcomes. Matching music with brain waves to induce
a particular response or state of mind.

GAMMA WAVES

+] (cycles per second)

The brains optimal frequency and brain function
Associated with increased compassion
Greater awareness of reality
and increased mental abilities
Found in every part of the brain,
serve as a binding mechanism
between all parts of the brain.

BETA WAVES

+] (cycles per second)

Low Beta waves: Concentration, Alertness
Lack of low Beta activity associated with disorders: ADD,
addiction, OCD and anxiety disorders
High Beta waves: Stress, Anxiety, Flight reactions

ALPHA WAVES

%+](cycles per second)

Occur during relaxation and daydreams

Effortless state of consciousness

Occurs when watching some television

Children play in Alpha
Serotonin release occurs at
an Alpha frequency of 10Hz

THETA WAVES

+](cycles per second)

Occur when the conscious mind is disengaged
REM sleep,'HHSPHGLWDWLRQ+\SQRVLV
The planet Earth resonates at a
Theta frequency of 7.83Hz

DELTA WAVES

+] (cycles per second)

Slowest brain wave activity
Occur during deep dreamless sleep
Observed predominantly in newborns and infants
Rarely occur in adults

THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC TO EDUCATION

Students taking courses in music performance and music

appreciation scored higher on the SAT than students who didnt
points higher
on verbal

points higher
on verbal
points higher
on math

points higher
on math

MUSIC PERFORMANCE STUDENTS

Music students receive more

academic honors and awards

WKDQQRQPXVLFVWXGHQWV

Music training is far better

than computer instruction
in improving childrens

MUSIC APPRECIATION STUDENTS

Music majors comprise the

highest percentage of
accepted medical students

With music instruction in schools,

teachers found that students
were less aggressive

abstract reasoning skills

The psychology of music makes it clear

how profoundly important music education
is to the success of individuals