RRJ#4

Reference:

Schmid, R. (2010, February 20). Research finds brain link for words, music ability; finding may lead to better stroke care. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 22, 2010,from http://www.latimes.com/news/science/wire/sns-ap-us-sci-words-and-music,0,5341031.story

Summary:

Natural partners such as words and music work together obviously. Scientists are thinking that these abilities are connected in the brain. Also, a new study mentions that extensive musical therapy may help stroke patients to improve their speech. In addition, music education can give a good speech for children who have developmental dyslexia or autism. A long time ago, there were some reports about stroke patients who couldn’t talk but could sing. Today, researchers are trying to find the answer if music can help them as a therapy. According to director of the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, new studies mention that musical training can improve the ability to do other things in the brain. Musical experience enhances important abilities such as understanding the nuances of language more accurately in our life. When people learn to talk and talk to babies, they usually use musical things. Many years’ musical training will be able to improve how sounds are developed in language and emotion. Also, music involves large parts on both sides of the brain. Some scientists think that musical ability in humans may be developed before language.

Reaction:

I’m listening to music almost every day. I can hear many kinds of sounds in daily life. Before I read the article, I heard about music therapy just a little. I was thinking that it is just for relaxing, but it has many abilities to improve speech skills. I was surprised that playing an instrument has some benefits, and it involves our brain. Also, I was interested in that some people can’t talk, but can sing. They have some problems with speaking in their brain or mind; however, they can communicate by using music. It is an amazing research because I didn’t know music has such great power. People have to have some experience with musical instruments for many abilities in future. According to the article, we can get a good hearing system if we have these experiences. Therefore, it is good for learning language. It will be good to hear the different words as music, not as just words.