Social Justice More Evidence That Music Talent Is Largely Innate New research on twins finds nature and nurture interact to produce accomplished musicians. A second study suggests chimps might be among their fans. Tom Jacobs
Social Justice How to Motivate a Young Musician Inspiring school and home environments help students develop a sense of themselves as musicians, which prompts them to keep practicing. Tom Jacobs
Social Justice Music Lessons Boost Emotional, Intellectual Development German researchers report learning to play a musical instrument is associated with higher grades and superior cognitive skills. Tom Jacobs
Social Justice No Need to Speak Slowly: I Took Music Lessons as a Kid New research suggests music training as a youngster can lead to faster processing of sounds in senior citizens. Tom Jacobs
Social Justice Want Quick, Accurate Thinking? Ask a Musician New research finds musical training appears to sharpen our ability to detect our own mistakes, and rapidly make needed adjustments. Tom Jacobs
Social Justice New Evidence Links Music Education, Higher Test Scores Research from Canada finds high-performing students do even better if they are enrolled in ongoing music classes. Tom Jacobs
Economics More Evidence Music Training Boosts Brainpower A German study finds young children who took instrumental music lessons did better than their peers on verbal memory tests. Tom Jacobs
Education Duets and Diapers: Music Lessons Benefit Babies New Canadian research finds music training in the second six months of life can enhance infants’ emotional development and communication skills. Tom Jacobs