After being a critical listener for 40+ years, a question abuptly presented itself to me after a listening session at home. Does listening to music make us smarter? Here I sat, in my favorite listening chair, listening to my favorite music, on my favorite system, comprised of my favorite components. But, the session was bland, unfulfilling, and relatively unemotional. But, why? Then I recalled that this was not a new phenomenon. All of my listening sessions for quite some time have adopted these characteristics. Being hearing inpaired in one ear, and compromised in the other ear can do that to you. It's just the way it is. The listening experience is not what it used to be. My brain still enjoys processing complex information. The problem is that there's just not as much information there for the brain to process. Which got me thinking about the good 'ol days. The days before drag racing, competition car audio, and one-too-many live concerts took their toll. I really got into my music. My love for music, and the equipment required to reproduce it, lead me to a career in audio. I owned an audio store and sold "decent" hifi gear for many decades. I "taught" myself to be a critical listener, not just for my passion for the music itself, but being a good steward of my customer's money was high on my list of life's priorities. It will come as no suprise to this group that there's a lot going on in those musical performances. When you're fully engaged your brain is doing some fairly energetic gymnastics. Taking in the scope of the general presentation of the performance is quite a bit in itself. Then there's grasping the nuances, extracting the subtleties, and hearing what is there now that wasn't there 2 seconds ago. And, what's missing. Why is the voicing of this instrument different than a similar instrument I heard on a previous recording? Is it the recording technique, the electronic pickup, or is my system messing with it? And, is the aggregate of all I'm observing translating to an enjoyable experience? Or, why not? Listening, processing, and reflecting at this level gives us the opportunity to use 100% of our brains -- at least for a short period of time. These mental calisthenics have better conditioned us to simultaneouosly mock up multiple problems or scenarios we are presented with in life -- and, solve problems better, in my view. You see, the current "dumbed down" version of what I experience today is, quite literally, a dimishished intellectual exercise from it's "peak" a few years ago. There's simply less data to process. And, processing less data never gets my brain out of 3rd gear (in a vehicle equipped a 6-speed tranny with overdrive). Which brings me to the conclusion that the action of being fully engaged with musical performances, whether simple or complex, makes you smarter.
@waytoomuchstuff If you still have one good ear, then your problem of "My brain still enjoys processing complex information. The problem is that there’s just not as much information there for the brain to process. " should be easily resolved by listening to different music. Have you deciphered the counterpoint and fugal plays on musical themes, harmonies, and melodies in any of Bach’s pieces? Maybe try following along in a score, then decipher why a melody ended where it did? I suppose there should be no lack of information to process, but just looking at different information. Perhaps start with the St Matthew Passion... A few ideas may be gleaned from the Hilliard Ensemble’s recording, called "Morimur".
I'm thinking of it in reverse: the muscle memory to play the tune and do the lead parts on guitar as well as Glen Campbell did on that bittersweet final tour as his brain got more and more lost..... IQ is a test of something. But there is some connection between music and player and perhaps for a listener too. One could search the studies done; probably not an obscure field at all in terms of study.
Depends on if you prescribe to the mind body spirit theory of health. I heard an npr story on how music which overlays melody with rhythm has the effect of putting the brain in a meditative state. Meditation has been clinically proven to allow the brain to function at a higher level, likely due to less cortisol production induced by stress of the modern world, so yes absolutely. And I will continue to reach audio nirvana in the evening as I practice engineering during the day. Thank you very much.
Kind of frustrating to see so many posts being removed.
If only there there was some way of recovering them for those that still might want to see them whilst ’protecting’ those deemed that might not.
@cmariner, Interesting article.
The links between available IQ/intelligence and memory seem self evident. It’s also fairly obvious that music can obviously play a major part in the stimulation of memory.
In fact until the early 2000s most of my life seemed to be running alongside with whatever was happening either in the music charts or various sporting events.
I know it’s been said before, but there’s no getting away from the fact that LP sleeve artwork was a major contributing factor to the charm of vinyl.
Heck, even the 7 inch 45 had a larger picture than the rather diminutive CD!
Listening to music increases your IQ in the same way that reading millercarbon's posts decreases it. Just having a little fun with you millercarbon, don't get bent.
Music increasing IQ is not going to happen. You need to work the brain; you need to exercise it; you need to challenge it. Sitting back with a glass of wine listening to music is relaxing - you may lose IQ. Here is how to increase your IQ if you are interested:
As first coined by Alfred Binet, a Frenchman, more than 100 years ago, the concept of IQ referred to the 'intelligence' or, possibly, brainpower that is inherent in an individual ignoring education and training and, in particular, learning how to succeed in the tests that were created to establish the level of IQ in an individual.
So as envisaged by Binet, it is impossible to increase a person's IQ. Like many others, OP misuses the term.
Binet's concept was to provide a level playing field for all, but it is of course impossible to eliminate the effects of learning and education. And it is possible to apply learning to ensure success at any test that may be applied. Once subjects are tested, knowledge of the tests will quickly spread. So the concept must remain theoretical.
The great thing about age is getting to rediscover what you forgot. Also it's true that using your brain creatively (play an instrument, paint, do crossword puzzles...) keeps it working.
Very interesting topic, indeed, and mostly due to the responses. It is remarkable there are quite few opinions, stating you could do nothing to increase your IQ as it is set within the first whatever months after your birth and then you are done for live. Really?! Determinism is a nice thing to use for excusing one’s lack of motivation to put efforts in personal development. And just as a matter of fact it is still a million dollar question whre the IQ comes from - number of neurons, the ways of their interaction, else. So back to the topic - I believe every intellectual exercise, that involves intensive processing of any kind of information could contribute to your IQ. Simple as that.
Seriously though, the art of actively listening engages my mind in a way few things can ( I believe someone else already mentioned masturbation, seriously though…).
I have read that learning to play music instruments help kid's intelligence development. It stimulates brain activity while reading, processing the score, and controling other body part movement (eyes, hands, feet, mouth etc...) at the same time is a very complex task.
I am not sure just listening to music will increase any brain activity unless it reminds you some past memories. But it may stimulates your emotion and feel relax that could be good for your health.
Music and IQ? Can't see the comparison. The OP definitely has some worthy points as to what music means to him. Music means a lot of different things to a lot of individuals. Relaxation, inspiration, energy, and some others. Rather than delving into what IQ is exactly, does music have any effect on it? Maybe.....Maybe not. Whatever effect music has on anyone that would depend on the individual and the conditions at a particular moment. I sympathize with the OP. I too have a hearing loss from conditions experienced in earlier years. IQ is already there. How to cope with challenges relies on personal actions.
Saw King Crimson a few weeks ago. WOW. If triple drumming was an olympic sport, they would win the gold every time. And keep an ear on Levin, oh my! Other than that, while music listening may make you smarter, talking about it can easily make you dumber.
When I read that home theatre systems are crap (it was not just a personal view, which would have been entirely acceptable, but an irrefutable blanket statement), it seems it helps some to foolishly believe they are smarter than everyone else. Not being able to get a good sound after two years really makes me wonder what the hell was going on.
Equipment mismatch, speaker distance and balance (both absolutely critical - ignore room correction and do the measurements yourself), fine tuning room correction...
There's just so much to consider.
If you start with a brilliant two channel system but add inferior surround speakers and amplifiers, it's always going to be a disaster. Every channel must compliment the others, if not, then they can easily ruin the overall sound. It's easy to contemplate crappy sound from a surround channel destroying the sound from a quality stereo setup.
@waytoomuchstuff said: "My brain still enjoys processing complex information. The problem is that there’s just not as much information there for the brain to process."
What about teaching at a local college? Is there something you can do outside of the house that will give you the mental stimulation you want? I find music listening at home to be very dependent on mood. I am not a "background" music listener, but like to devote my attention to it. However, there are times when I’m not mentally prepared for a listening session and rather than feel frustration, I have other outlets. Physical exercise is also really good--much as I find going to the gym tedious (and since Covid, stopped that), I was forced to come up new ways to stay in shape. It is, as you probably know, a natural mood elevator. And gives you more, not less energy in the process. Aging for me hasn’t been too bad, but I haven’t hit 70 yet. When the wheels fall off, I may take a different view. Carpe Diem! PS: the most difficult thing for me was doing nothing. Still is-- I like being active in some way, mind always whirling-- the exercise helps quiet the overactive mind for me. Bill
you are welcome Sir !,, reach out if you ever get down, join us on the Whats on your Turntable thread ( in the music section ) Lots of good people there…
Sorry for your hearing loss and diminished enjoyment of music. Forgive some the lack of compassion. You might try learning to read music so parts of your brain work to identify notes as you listen. Add video as visual cortex then must work. Play a simple instrument in accompaniment…. dont give up. read about the audiophile who listens thru an inflated ball - Stereophile I think.
The limits of intelligence are more or less determined within the first 24 months of life as the brains neural connections multiply at incomprehensible levels.
After that they gradually begin to decrease, accelerating with age.
Music, by helping to clear any superfluous noise in your head, can definitely help make the best use of what you have left.
Bach is often mentioned in this regard.
But then so can reading interesting material, watching films, engaging conversations, exercise etc.
No it does not. But studies have shown that it is related to a longer life span! This is an association, causation has never been proven. It might just be that people who listen to music are more prone to exercising or some other related factor. But it is most definitely true.
There is a body of research that establishes the playing of Mozart music to babies increases brain activity, leading to early intellectual development. When presented with information it doesn't understand (Mozart music), the brain works to make sense of that information.
Everyone's hearing takes a dive as they age. Same with the mental processing. Sounds like you may just need another moment or two to continue overthink this question.
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