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🎶 Music: Not Just Fun—It’s Good for Your Brain

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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At Janesville Academy of Music, we know that making music is fun—but did you know it’s also one of the best workouts you can give your brain? Whether you’re singing, playing piano, writing songs, or strumming guitar, you’re engaging nearly every region of your brain at once.

“Music is more than an art form—it’s a full-brain experience that supports memory, focus, creativity, and emotional well-being.”

A Whole-Brain Activity

When you make music, your brain lights up like a symphony of neural connections. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Listening to or playing music provides a total brain workout,” activating areas responsible for movement, emotion, memory, and language processing (Johns Hopkins Medicine, Keep Your Brain Young with Music).


Your left hemisphere processes structure, rhythm, and timing, while the right hemisphere handles creativity and emotion. Your motor cortex helps you move your fingers or control your breath, your auditory cortex processes pitch and tone, and your prefrontal cortex allows for interpretation and expression.


This integrated brain activity makes music uniquely powerful for cognitive development.


Boosting Memory and Learning

Numerous studies show that music education strengthens memory and learning skills. Research published in Frontiers in Psychology found that musical training enhances working memory and auditory processing across age groups (Talamini et al., 2017).


When students memorize lyrics, sight-read, or learn new chords, they’re activating the same brain regions responsible for organization and recall.

“Musical training doesn’t just make better musicians—it makes stronger learners.”

This neural strengthening extends beyond music—improving attention, verbal memory, and even mathematical reasoning.The American Psychological Association notes that children who study music often outperform peers in academic achievement, thanks in part to improved executive functioning and focus.


Supporting Neurodiverse Minds

Music also provides meaningful benefits for neurodiverse learners. Because music engages multiple systems in the brain—sensory, motor, auditory, emotional—it creates rich opportunities for connection and communication.


The National Institutes of Health (NIH) highlights music therapy as an effective tool for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and other neurodiverse profiles, improving language skills, social interaction, and emotional regulation (NIH, Music as Medicine).


For some learners, rhythm supports speech development; for others, melody offers a nonverbal path for self-expression.


At its best, music creates an inclusive environment where every brain type can thrive—celebrating strengths and supporting growth in a way that feels natural and joyful.


So, Why Music?

It’s simple: music brings joy and strengthens the mind.Whether you’re a child learning your first notes or an adult returning to your musical roots, every practice session is an investment in your cognitive health and emotional well-being.


At Janesville Academy of Music, we believe music isn’t just something you do—it’s something that transforms you.


🎵 Ready to experience the brain-boosting power of music for yourself? Explore lessons at JAM and see what your brain—and your creativity—can do.


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