April 03, 2020

TC184: Dr Anita Collins on the Neuroscience of Music Lessons and the Brain

26 minutes

Learn why the brains of musicians are 30% denser and more connected, due to the high cognitive load of creating music. In this podcast episode, we'll hear from leading neuroscience educator Dr Anita Collins on music lessons and the brain.

Dr Collins' work is based on neuroscience data and research findings. She explains how the brain lights up like fireworks when playing music, creating a denser, more connected neural network, resulting in innovative thinkers.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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In this episode, you’ll learn how music lessons positively affects the brain:

[06:05] Learning how the brain responds to music like fireworks.

[08:44] How and why it works.

[09:17] The workings of a reward system on the brain.

[12:50] Music education in Australia today and why it’s so important.

[16:20] Don’t Stop The Music documentary.

[18:34] The link between music and innovative thinking.

[19:44] The brain of music learners.

[21:21] Suggestions for teaching children to enjoy learning piano or music.

Links Mentioned

Don’t Stop The Music Trailer

Piano Pivot Live Virtual Ticket

About our Guest

Dr Anita Collins is an award-winning educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning. She is internationally recognized for her unique work in translating the scientific research of neuroscientists and psychologists to the everyday parent, teacher and student. Over the last two years, Anita has interviewed close to 100 researchers in labs across the US, Canada, Europe and Australia so she can share the most up to date research with educators. She is also well-known as a TedX and Ted Talks speaker. Anita is founder of Bigger Better Brains, an education program for the global music education community about the application of neuromusical research.

Thank you for tuning in!

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Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

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