Music Facts

"Did you know that 82 percent of Americans who don't currently play an instrument wish they had learned to play one?” (Gallup Poll)

For decades, NAMM has funded scientific research to explore the relationship between music making and health, wellness, and the brain. Music making has been scientifically proven to:

exercise the brain
inspire creativity
increase productivity
fight memory loss
reduce stress
lower blood pressure
stave off depression
enhance cognitive development in children
build confidence
create social connections/bonds 

“95 percent of Americans believe that music is part of a well-rounded education. "
(Gallup Survey of American Attitudes Towards Music, Music Making, and Music Education, 2000)

“96 percent of public school principals believe that participating in music education encourages and motivates students to stay in school longer.”
 (Harris Poll)

 “Students in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math than students with no arts participation, according to The College Entrance Examination Board.”
(College-Bound Seniors National Report)

 “Students in the arts are found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self confident and better able to express ideas, according to a Columbia University study.”
(The Arts Education Partnership)

 “78 percent of Americans feel learning a musical instrument helps students perform better in other subjects.”
(Gallup Poll)

 “High school music students have been shown to hold higher grade point averages (GPA) than non-musicians in the same school.”
(National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988)

"88 percent of people with a post-graduate education were involved in school music, and 83 percent of people earning $150,000 or more had a music education."
(Harris Interactive Poll)

"90 percent of Americans believe music brings a family closer together. "
(Gallup Survey of American Attitudes Towards Music, Music Making, and Music Education, 2000)

"Mean IQ scores of 132 six-year-olds who participated in weekly music lessons for 36 weeks were higher than those of six-year-olds who did not participate in any lessons. Students who took voice lessons had mean IQ scores 8.1 points higher, and keyboard students had mean IQ scores 5.4 points higher than students who did not participate. "
(Schellenberg, E.G. (2004). Music lessons enhance IQ. Psychological Science, 15, 511-514.)

"University of California at Irvine researchers found that after six months of piano lessons, preschoolers performed 34 percent higher on spatial-temporal testing than those preschoolers who had received no music training, and those who had received computer training. "
(Neurological Research, February 28th, 1997)

"Offering music lessons to older adults provides benefits for students and teachers alike. Researches at the University Of Florida concluded that 'Individuals who engage in new games or skills reduce the potential for age-related cognitive decline.' In this study, students who completed six months of individual 30-minute piano lessons increased the speed with which they completed cognitive tests. Researchers were particularly encouraged that cognitive benefits transferred beyond music-specific activities, something which is rare in literature on aging. Additionally, evidence suggested that these cognitive benefits continued even after piano lessons were discontinued. "
(Chris Madden, article titled 'Baby Boomers / An Increasing Segment of Your Studio.' American Music Teacher Magazine, August/September 2019 issue, page 8 - A publication of MTNA.)

"I'm convinced that creative expression is one of the principal elements for staying young and healthy. As a physician dedicated to whole personal care, I've enjoyed the unique opportunity to observe the fascinating spark that magically returns to our patients who are engaged in the process of making music. "
(Barry Bitman, M.D., Author of 'Maze of Life')

"Music is exciting. It is thrilling to be sitting in a group of musicians playing (more or less) the same piece of music. You are part of a great, powerful, vibrant entity. And nothing beats the feeling you get when you've practiced a difficult section over and over and finally get it right. (Yes, even on the wood block) ... Music is important. It says things your heart can't say any other way, and in a language everyone speaks. Music crosses borders, turns smiles into frowns, and vice versa. These observations are shared with a hope: that, when schools cut back on music classes, they really think about what they're doing - and don't take music for granted."
(Dan Rather of CBS News -Syndicated Column Titled 'Silencing The Sound Of Music')

 “I love being a musician because you can express all of your emotions in one note. What would the world be without music? I would never want to ever imagine that. When you're feeling down and there is no one there to give at least a hug, your music can do that for you. It can remind you of better times with the one you love the most. It can remind you of a happier place. Times of sadness and times of greatness! If I were to be re-incarnated, I would want to be a musician again.”
(David R. - Magic Music Teacher)

 “I highly recommend music lessons to anyone, of any age, who loves music, enjoys learning and desires a new challenge. Learning to play the cello as an older adult has been a challenging and rewarding experience, though I am quite sure that without the guidance and encouragement of a good teacher I would not have been able or willing to progress to this point. I look forward to practicing each day and find that playing the cello has helped to reduce the stress produced by the demands of my career. I plan to continue developing my skills and hope to eventually play with others, perhaps in an orchestra or ensemble.”
(Gail W. - Magic Music Student)