Macht Musik schlau?

"Music makes you smart" is a typical press release that gives the layperson the impression that listening to and making music mysteriously enhances learning. However, the effects of music on learning are much more nuanced than these simplistic press releases suggest. For the first time, this book presents and evaluates findings from the last 20 years regarding the neuroscientific and cognitive foundations of making and listening to music. In addition to the famous "Mozart effect," it discusses current longitudinal and cross-sectional studies that explore the relationships between music training and academic performance or general cognitive abilities. Special attention is given to the topic of music and the brain, as understanding the physiological foundations of the brain is essential for better comprehending the effects of music on other functions. A significant focus of this section is on brain plasticity in relation to making music and the associated training. Finally, two important and relatively new aspects are discussed. First, the newly developed connection between music and language is examined, along with its potential implications for clinical and therapeutic applications. Lastly, the possible uses of music and making music in relation to aging are addressed.