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Similarity in Music and Math 
By: Nigel Joneston
There have been several studies recently that confirm a connection between music and math. There seems to be a strong pattern between math, language, and music. Music is essentially a series of notes played in a pre-established pattern. Math works in a similar way. There is a finite number of ways that you can add, multiply, subtract, and divide numbers, the ultimate combination is still finite.
Music too works in a similar fashion and pattern. There is an endless variety of groupings between notes, but the number of notes and sounds that exist is finite. Music and math similar to each other owing to the similarity in patterns and combinations. The processing of data about music and maths by our brain is diverse when compared to any other data or inputs.
It has been observed that babies too respond to melodies and rhythms. To check this out, talk to a baby in a normal tone of voice and then change your words to a nursery rhyme that has melodic and bold sounding words throughout. You will find that the baby responds in a more positive fashion and pays more attention to you. Therefore, their response improves to a large extent when you are saying words that have a poetic, mathematical bend. This is against words that are mundane and spoken in a normal tone.
Small children love to listen to music that with repetitive patterns to it. Perhaps this is because their brain is computing the music message in way that catches their interest and makes them think. Hopefully, as a result children learning different methods to think, they are more willing to learn and absorb.
Many young children start by making their own music, usually with anything they can get their hands on. As you listen to the sounds that they are making you will discern some kind of a pattern emerging. It is this ability to establish patterns out of random sounds that determines how well the child will do at math skills later in life.
As a child grows it's important to continue to have music as a part of their life. Studies show that children who are active in music, whether playing an instrument or listening to a wide variety of music, do better in math. This is because their brains have developed in such a way that they are able to discern patterns and repetition among the musical notes.
Math is essentially following known patterns until you arrive at a conclusion. For example, once you know that formula to find an answer, such as the simple formula of addition or something as complex as determining the degrees of an angle, you'll be able to use that pattern to get an answer.
The inter-relationship between maths and music works both ways. Children who are good in maths are also competent when they take up music. Music may be in the form of playing an instrument or reading musical notes. Therefore, a combination of these two skills leads to better overall performance in school and better learning and skills.
Making music an integral part of our lives right from birth places us on the fast track and gives us an advantage that can not be disputed. Increasingly, studies have confirmed the relationship between music and math and the benefits that accrue.
Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles
Nigel Joneston is the owner and operator of For Very Good Music, the #1 source on the internet for information about music. For questions or comments about this article visit: www.fvgmusic.com/articles
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