Musical Training Can Improve Communication Skills
American scientists say musical training seems to improve communication skills and language retardation. They found that developing musical skills involves the same process in the brain as learning how to speak. The scientists believe that could help children with learning disabilities.
(46) She says musical training involves putting together different kinds of information, such as hearing music, looking at musical notes, touching an instrument and watching other musicians. This process is not much different from learning how to speak. (47)
She further explains musical training and learning to speak each make us think about what we are doing. She says speech and music pass through a structure of the nervous system called the brain stem. (48) Until recently, experts have thought the brain stem could not be developed or changed. But Professor Krauss and her team found that musical training can improve a person’s brain stem activity.
The study involved individuals with different levels of musical ability. They were asked to wear an electrical device that measures brain activity. The individuals wore the electrode while they watched a video of someone speaking and a person playing a musical instrument—the cello. (49) The study found that the more years of training people had, the more sensitive they were to the sound and rhythm of the music. Those who were involved in musical activities were the same people in whom the improvement of sensory s was the strongest. (50) She says using music to improve listening skills could mean they hear sentences and understand facial expressions better.
A. Both involve different senses.
B. Nina Kraus is a neurobiologist (神经生物学家) at Northwestern University in Illinois.
C. Some disabled children attended the musical training Class.
D. It shows the importance of musical training to children with learning disabilities.
E. Professor Krauss says cellos have sound qualities similar to some of the sounds that are important with speech.
F. The brain stem controls our ability to hear.
Musical Training Can Improve Communication Skills