The Connection Between Music and Math - By: Nigel Joneston

The patterns that exist between math, language, and music have prompted numerous studies to be commissioned to establish their inter- relationship. We all know that music is a series of notes that are played in accordance to a pattern and maths too works in a similar way. In maths to result always remains finite despite the various ways in which you can add, multiply, subtract, and divide numbers.

The same can be said about music. Notes can be combined in an endless variety of groupings but the number of notes and sounds that exist are finite. It is these patterns and combinations that make music and math very similar. Our brain seems to process the data from music and math much differently than it computes other information that is derived from other forms of the thought process.

Babies are attracted to the spoken work when it sounds rhythmic and melodic. Talk to a baby in a normal tone of voice and then change your words to a nursery rhyme that has melodic and bold sounding words throughout. You may find that the baby pays more attention to you when you are saying words that have a poetic, mathematical stride to them much more than when your words are mundane and spoken in a normal tone of voice.

Observational studies have established that small children like to listen to music that has patterns and repetitive lines. It is felt that their brain computes music messages in a fashion that interests them immensely. As with exercises, the more you exercise the better it gets - similarly more we make children think, sharper their brains would become and they would be able to learn and absorb more.

Give a child anything in their hand and they start creating musical patterns and rhythms. Al the music they make has a definitive pattern and beat. Children have the unique capability to create patterns out of random sounds. How well they create music and how tuned they are establishes the mathematical powers of the child that evolve later in their adult lives.

As a child grows it's important to continue to have music as a part of their life. Studies show that children who are active in music, whether playing an instrument or listening to a wide variety of music, do better in math. This is because their brains have developed in such a way that they are able to discern patterns and repetition among the musical notes.

Math is essentially following known patterns until you arrive at a conclusion. For example, once you know that formula to find an answer, such as the simple formula of addition or something as complex as determining the degrees of an angle, you'll be able to use that pattern to get an answer.

The connection between music and math works both ways: those children who do well in math class are also extremely successful when it comes to playing an instrument and reading musical notes. The combination of both these skills can lead to better overall performance in school.

Making music an integral part of our lives right from birth places us on the fast track and gives us an advantage that can not be disputed. Increasingly, studies have confirmed the relationship between music and math and the benefits that accrue.

The patterns that exist between math, language, and music have prompted numerous studies to be commissioned to establish their inter- relationship. We all know that music is a series of notes that are played in accordance to a pattern and maths too works in a similar way. In maths to result always remains finite despite the various ways in which you can add, multiply, subtract, and divide numbers.

Nigel Joneston is the chief editor for For Very Good Music, the #1 source on the internet for information about music, For questions or comments about this article visit: http://www.fvgmusic.com/articles