Does playing an instrument help you get into uni?
In many ways, playing an instrument can absolutely give you an advantage when it comes to getting into colleges. All major arts, of which music is one, are recognized as areas of study that can help students succeed.
Your instrument alone isn't going to get you into an Ivy League school, unless that particular school has a special need for that instrument and only top talents or certified musicians would get in. But playing well an instrument would definitely show skills, leadership and commitment.
Learning a musical instrument not only sustains and feeds the brain, but it also improves so many other cognitive and physical aspects of the human body. It's been widely studied and proven that learning a musical instrument improves memory; it not only improves your cognitive memory but also muscle memory as well.
The truth is that depending on your goals in music, you don't have to know how to play an instrument to write songs. But no matter who you are or what music you want to make, having some basic knowledge of how music works and where an instrument comes into play will help you in huge ways.
Playing musical instruments is not only fun; it is also a great brain exercise. Learning how to play an instrument positively influences your I.Q. Research shows that the activity raised general I.Q. by an average of 7 points.
- Harp. ...
- Tuba. ...
- Oboe. ...
- Bassoon. ...
- Cello. ...
- Guitar. ...
- Flute. ...
- Piano.
What Music Instruments Get the Most Scholarships? The rarer the instrument, the higher the chances are for a student musician to win a scholarship. Instruments like the harp, oboe, tuba, and bassoon have the best scholarships. It is harder to find students who play these instruments.
"The students who learned to play a musical instrument in elementary and continued playing in high school not only score significantly higher, but were about one academic year ahead of their non-music peers with regard to their English, mathematics and science skills, as measured by their exam grades, regardless of ...
The ages 4-7 are usually the most ideal for starting to learn an instrument. Not only are kids' hands and minds functional enough to play, but they can actually begin to understand the basics of music.
(And How Parents Can Prevent It)
The student is not musically talented (or at least thought they weren't). The student is too busy with other activities. The student hates practicing (or the parents grow weary of begging the child to practice). The student doesn't like their teacher.
What percentage of humans play an instrument?
The results show that two-thirds of Americans (66%) have learned to play a musical instrument at some point in their lives, with younger adults (71%) even more likely than older adults to have played some sort of musical device.
- Recorder.
- Bongos. In pop culture, most people might think of bongo drums as the kind of instrument that would accompany a beat poet or something that might play in the background of an odd alternative theatre piece. ...
- Tambourine. ...
- Keyboard. ...
- Castanets. ...
- Harmonica. ...
- DJ Controller. ...
- The Harp.

- Violin. The violin is a wooden stringed instrument that's part of a larger family of similar instruments. ...
- The French Horn. ...
- The Organ. ...
- Bagpipes. ...
- Accordion. ...
- Oboe. ...
- Harp. ...
- Guitar.
Science suggests that the ideal age to start learning an instrument is between the ages of four and seven. However, science also shows that it's never too late to learn an instrument. If you are consistent and have a good instructor you can master an instrument no matter what age you are!
Living up to its present-day nickname, “the world's deadliest instrument,” Franklin's glass armonica allegedly began killing people. The complexity of the armonica overstimulated the brain, which ultimately caused dizziness, nervousness, hallucinations, and cramps amongst performers.
It might surprise you to know that 21 million Americans play the piano! No wonder it is number 1 on our list. The piano is possibly the most versatile of all instruments because it is played in almost every genre and can be accompanied or played solo.
Violin Has A Stiffer Learning Curve
Both instruments are difficult to master, but when it comes to the start violin is much tougher. There are all sorts of awkward positions that you would need to learn. Things like how to hold the bow, placing the chin rest at just the right angle and more.
The highest IQ increase came from the music-makers, averaging a score increase of 9.71 percent. Before they took up an instrument, the new musicians' average IQ score was 103. When they were tested again, six months later, it had increased to 113.
The Guitar
It is considered to be the smartest and the coolest of all musical instruments. As compared to various other band members, guitar players get the most attention during a performance.
Classical Music
Researchers have long claimed that listening to classical music can help people perform tasks more efficiently. This theory, which has been dubbed "the Mozart Effect," suggests that listening to classical composers can enhance brain activity and act as a catalyst for improving health and well-being.
What are the top 6 things colleges look for?
- Good Grades.
- Challenging High School Curriculum.
- Strong Standardized Test Scores.
- A Well-Written Essay.
- Extracurricular Participation and Leadership Skills.
- Diversity.
- Enthusiasm for the School.
- Letters of Recommendation.
Bassoon,Oboe and French Horn are the easiest instruments to get scholarships on. Of course you will need to take lessons to actually be good at these instruments but it will be worth it. Colleges are looking for good Bassoon,Oboe and French Horn players because not many people play them.
According to a 2019 report from the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the top factors for admissions are overall high school GPA, grades in Advanced Placement or other college-prep classes and the difficulty of the student's curriculum.
The most popular instruments they sell are the saxophone, flute and clarinet, with the least popular being the tuba, French horn and the bassoon. We caught up with them to find out more about these endangered instruments.
- Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship. ...
- Doodle for Google Scholarship. ...
- Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship. ...
- Tall Clubs International Foundation Scholarship. ...
- The American Society for Enology and Viticulture Scholarships. ...
- Create a Greeting Card Scholarship. ...
- John Kitt Memorial Scholarship.
- Piano/Keyboard. Some experts separate the two, and they do have different uses, but the basics are very similar. ...
- Guitar. The rise of rock music has lifted the popularity of the guitar. ...
- Violin. ...
- Drums. ...
- Saxophone.
However, according to the results of a new study, high intellect may be far more common among musicians than many assume. After analyzing how a group of beginning pianists honed their craft, researchers say that intelligence may play a role in how quickly an individual can learn how to play music.
Performing music, therefore, reinforces parts of the brain used when doing math. Studies even show that children who play instruments are able to complete complex mathematical problems better than peers who do not play instruments.
The researchers at Boston Children's Hospital conclude that children and adults with extensive musical training show enhanced executive function when compared to non-musicians, especially for cognitive flexibility, working memory, and processing speed.
HARMONICA
One of the easiest instruments you can take up, which is also very popular in a variety of styles, is the harmonica. The great thing about harmonicas is that no matter what note you play, it will be in key, which means even complete beginners can sound good.
What instrument should a 13 year old learn?
Recommended Instruments: Piano and Drums are the most common choices for this age range, as children tend to flourish best when they do not have to lift or hold an instrument at first. We do not recommend ukulele*, guitar or brass/woodwind (school band) or larger string instruments yet for this reason.
The simple answer to this question is NO, you are never too old to learn music or to play an instrument. Assuming you can still use your hands to hold a fork and knife or catch a ball, there are two main things you need to learn to play an instrument.
- The Kazoo.
- Didgeridoo.
- The Vuvuzela.
- Recorder.
- The Bagpipes.
- The Triangle.
- The Banjo.
- The Saxophone.
Of course, if you are older than 9, you can still learn to play an instrument. Teenagers and adults who attend music lessons experience many of the same benefits as younger children. It's never too late to learn.
So the answer is, it's never too late to start learning to play a musical instrument. You're only as old as you feel.
Abstract. Nonvocal musical instruments like the oboe, cello, and violin, have been described as resembling the human voice.
85% of students who begin learning an instrument quit within two years. While it may take as much as a decade to set in, between the waste of time, money, and lack of an important life skill (not to mention the absence of the ability to create music), regret invariably follows the music-lover's decision to quit.
Edith Auner, coordinator of performance and director of outreach activities for the Tufts music department, also says that it is never too late to learn to play an instrument. “All that is required is a good teacher and lots of practice,” she told me.
As a violin teacher, one question I get very often is “Am I too old to learn the violin!?” A short answer is: yes, of course, you can learn the violin as an adult! On the other hand: it's not without reason that some even believe it's not even possible to learn the violin as an adult.
Yes, one hour is enough. You can practice more than one hour but just don't run out of steam. Consistency is a much bigger factor - one hour each day for one year is much better than 3-4 hours each day for for a month followed by a week or a month pause.
Is 40 too old to learn violin?
You are never too old and it is never too late to start learning the violin. While learning the violin can be a lot of fun at any age, there are some important reasons why learning the violin as an adult is even more fun, making right now the perfect time to learn! Let's take a look at why adults should learn violin.
- Earn Good Grades in Challenging Courses. ...
- Get a High SAT/ACT Score. ...
- Write a Compelling Personal Statement. ...
- Demonstrate Interest. ...
- Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation. ...
- Apply to a Diverse Selection of Colleges. ...
- Opt for an Early Admission Plan. ...
- Manage Your Online Reputation.
Improves Coordination
Reading music is converted in the brain to the physical motion of playing the instrument. Those who play instruments have improved hand eye coordination over those who do not. Learning to play an instrument can help kids grow socially and academically.
Playing a musical instrument requires passion, talent, and determination – and plenty of scholarship providers recognize this skill as worthy of an award. From piano to violin to other instruments, here are a sampling of available scholarships for high school and college musicians.
- Harp. ...
- Tuba. ...
- Oboe. ...
- Bassoon. ...
- Cello. ...
- Guitar. ...
- Flute. ...
- Piano.
- Organize Your Class Materials. ...
- Never Miss a Class. ...
- Sit at the Front. ...
- Participate. ...
- Review Notes Immediately After Class. ...
- Set Up a Distraction-Free Study Area. ...
- Form a Study Group. ...
- Avoid Cramming for Exams.
- Grades in college prep courses. ...
- Strength of curriculum. ...
- Admission test scores. ...
- Grades in all courses. ...
- Extracurricular commitment. ...
- Letters of recommendation. ...
- Essay or writing sample. ...
- Demonstrated interest.
- Attend Class Regularly. It sounds simple, but going to class is the obvious first step if you want to improve your grades. ...
- Review the Syllabus. ...
- Take Good Notes. ...
- Go to Office Hours. ...
- Avoid Late Penalties. ...
- Join Review Sessions. ...
- Take Advantage of Extra Credit.
Participants were asked to complete several tests, one of which was the WAIS-II intelligence test. Musicians had a higher IQ than amateur musicians, who, in turn, had a higher IQ than non-musicians. However, only the higher IQ of musicians was substantially larger than that of non-musicians.
- HARMONICA. One of the easiest instruments you can take up, which is also very popular in a variety of styles, is the harmonica. ...
- GUITAR. ...
- UKULELE. ...
- KEYBOARD. ...
- DRUMS.
What instrument gets the most scholarships?
What Music Instruments Get the Most Scholarships? The rarer the instrument, the higher the chances are for a student musician to win a scholarship. Instruments like the harp, oboe, tuba, and bassoon have the best scholarships. It is harder to find students who play these instruments.
- Don't Wing It.
- Don't Let Others Do the Work.
- Don't Simply Reuse Essays.
- Don't Submit Before Checking the Details.
- Don't Spend Money to Make Money.
- Don't Wait Until the Last Minute.
4. Continuous enrollment in music is valued by colleges and universities much more highly than extra years of foreign language classes. Students having to choose between music and extra language classes at the Junior High level should ALWAYS choose music, according to admissions officers of several universities.
College Major | Time Spent Preparing for Class per Week |
---|---|
1. Architecture | 22.20 hrs |
2. Chemical Engineering | 19.66 hrs |
3. Aero and Astronautical Engineering | 19.24 hrs |
4. Biomedical Engineering | 18.82 hrs |
References
- https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/intelligence/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritability_of_IQ
- https://mussila.com/the-11-easiest-musical-instruments-to-learn/
- https://lahabramusic.com/5-popular-music-instruments-people-play/
- https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/disability-benefits-low-iq-brain-injury.html
- https://www.sociosite.net/famous-person-iq/lady-gaga
- https://www.thetech.org/ask-a-geneticist/intelligence-and-genetics
- https://www.test-guide.com/iq-test-for-kids.html
- https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-grades/
- https://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20111019/iq-scores-of-teens-may-change-over-time
- https://musicathopkins.com/wordpress/about/what-do-universities-say-about-music/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/piano/comments/iz83fx/is_one_hour_a_day_enough_practice_time/
- https://blog.reverbnation.com/2021/08/10/play-an-instrument-to-write-music/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190624111504.htm
- https://cognitiontoday.com/signs-of-high-intelligence/
- https://alexaanswers.amazon.com/question/4ZvDx3IH9iIDIOQyOaat6C
- https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/piano-beginner/regret-quitting-musical-instrument-heres-can/
- https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/these-6-types-of-music-are-known-to-dramatically-improve/325492
- https://www.vancopayments.com/education/blog/most-popular-musical-instruments
- https://lessonsinyourhome.net/blog/what-instrument-most-often-translates-into-a-scholarship/
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-aging-brain-affects-thinking
- https://www.healthline.com/health/average-iq
- https://routenote.com/blog/how-old-is-too-old-to-start-learning-a-musical-instrument/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/12/heres-the-iq-score-warren-buffett-says-is-all-you-need-to-succeed.html
- https://www.quora.com/What-s-the-best-instrument-to-learn-in-Band-to-get-scholarships-for-college
- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-average-iq-2795284
- https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-increase-iq
- https://www.theplumtree.net/can-you-improve-your-childs-iq/
- https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/benefits-of-reading-real-books
- https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2021/08/12/ben-franklins-killer-instrument-the-glass-armonica/
- https://stagemusiccenter.com/music-school-blog-winchester-acton-ma/playing-music-to-enter-ivy-league
- https://www.science.org/content/article/slow-visual-processing-may-lower-iq-we-age
- https://scholarshipowl.com/blog/apply-for-scholarships/music-scholarships/
- https://www.millcreekofmagee.com/disorders/intellectual-disability/signs-causes-symptoms/
- https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/learning-musical-instrument-increases-iq-10-percent/
- https://www.verywellfamily.com/at-what-age-does-giftedness-appear-1449120
- https://now.tufts.edu/2013/12/17/it-ever-too-late-learn-instrument-if-not-whats-best-way-do-it
- https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/interactives/four-question-iq-test-can-14837705
- https://studyfinds.org/melodic-minds-smart-people-learn-music-faster-study-indicates/
- https://www.spring.org.uk/2022/12/when-does-iq-peak.php
- https://www.quora.com/How-intelligent-am-I-if-my-IQ-is-95
- https://www.xcode.life/genes-and-personality/are-geniuses-born-or-made/
- https://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/why-students-quit/
- https://www.britannica.com/science/IQ
- https://accessscholarships.com/blog/weird-scholarships
- https://www.science.org/content/article/iq-not-fixed-teenage-brain
- https://today.yougov.com/topics/society/articles-reports/2022/08/23/young-americans-increasingly-exposed-music
- https://www.learntoplaymusic.com/blog/am-i-too-old-to-learn-music-and-play-an-instrument/
- https://www.edweek.org/leadership/study-adolescents-can-see-dramatic-iq-changes/2011/10
- https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-colleges-choose-which-students-to-admit
- https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/tips-to-increase-college-admission-chances/
- https://musictimeacademy.com/getting-started/age-guidelines/
- https://violinspiration.com/too-old-to-learn-violin/
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0276237418763657
- https://www.wikihow.com/Increase-Your-IQ
- https://www.asvabprogram.com/media-center-article/54
- https://blog.prepscholar.com/hardest-college-majors
- https://post.edu/blog/strategies-for-becoming-a-straight-a-student/
- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-genius-iq-score-2795585
- https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/annoying-instruments/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-considered-a-high-iq
- https://www.creativesoulmusic.com/blog/what-is-the-most-popular-instrument-to-play
- https://www.creativesoulmusic.com/blog/what-is-a-good-age-to-start-music-lessons
- https://www.livescience.com/36143-iq-change-time.html
- https://med.emory.edu/departments/pediatrics/divisions/neonatology/dpc/dev-iq-testing.html
- https://blog.mindvalley.com/average-iq-score-by-age/
- https://time.com/5311672/iq-scores-decline-environment/
- https://www.myriadmusic.net/its-never-too-late-to-learn-an-instrument/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=its-never-too-late-to-learn-an-instrument
- https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/music-and-intelligence-can-music-make-you-smarter/0/steps/266283
- https://www.sociosite.net/famous-person-iq/elon-musk
- https://www.onlineschoolscenter.com/can-learning-musical-instrument-raise-iq/
- https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/correlation-between-math-and-music-ability
- https://mussila.com/the-11-hardest-musical-instruments-to-learn/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29911926/
- https://petersonfamilyfoundation.org/music-therapy/10-benefits-children-learning-musical-instrument/
- https://news.mit.edu/2015/brain-peaks-at-different-ages-0306
- https://sonomusic.com.au/5-reasons-why-you-should-learn-a-musical-instrument/
- https://www.science.org/content/article/genes-dont-just-influence-your-iq-they-determine-how-well-you-do-school
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13803610701786038
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201406/does-playing-musical-instrument-make-you-smarter
- https://liverpoolacademyofmusic.com.au/music-lessons-ideal-age-learn-instrument/
- https://takelessons.com/blog/2021/01/why-adults-should-learn-violin-youre-never-too-old
- https://joshuarosspiano.com/piano-vs-violin/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IQ_classification
- https://www.savethemusic.org/blog/easy-instruments-to-learn/
- https://www.collegedata.com/resources/getting-in/what-do-colleges-look-for-in-students
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6504531/
- https://www.usnews.com/education/scholarship-search-insider/articles/2016-10-20/make-practice-pay-off-with-musical-instrument-scholarships
- https://takeitaway.org.uk/endangered-instruments/
- https://www.usnews.com/education/scholarship-search-insider/articles/2016-09-22/tips-to-avoid-7-common-scholarship-application-pitfalls
- https://www.ensembleschools.com/grace-music/does-playing-an-instrument-look-good-for-colleges/
- https://www.mentalup.co/blog/free-online-iq-test
- https://www.livescience.com/17918-humans-intelligent.html