The Brain Benefits of Playing an Instrument

What tools have neuroscientists used to monitor brain activity in real time?

• CT scans

• Ultrasound

• fMRI and PET scanners

• X-ray machines

What happens in the brain when people listen to music?

• Multiple areas of the brain light up

• Only the auditory cortex is activated

• The brain remains inactive

• Only the visual cortex is activated

How does playing music compare to listening to music in terms of brain activity?

• Playing music engages fewer brain areas

• Listening to music engages more brain areas

• Playing music is like a full-body workout for the brain

• Listening to music is more complex

Which areas of the brain are especially engaged when playing a musical instrument?

• Visual, auditory, and motor cortices

• Only the auditory cortex

• Only the motor cortex

• Only the visual cortex

What is the most obvious difference between listening to music and playing it?

• Playing requires fine motor skills

• Playing is less complex

• Listening is more engaging

• Listening requires more brain power

How does playing music affect the brain's corpus callosum?

• It has no effect

• It increases its volume and activity

• It only affects the left hemisphere

• It decreases its volume

What category of tasks do musicians often excel in due to their musical training?

• Basic arithmetic

• Executive function

• Simple memorization

• Physical endurance

How do musicians' memory functions compare to non-musicians?

• Musicians have worse memory functions

• Non-musicians have better memory functions

• Musicians have enhanced memory functions

• There is no difference

What unique aspect of learning to play a musical instrument has been found by neuroscientists?

• It has no unique aspects

• It is similar to painting

• It is different from any other activity studied

• It is similar to learning sports

What did randomized studies find about participants exposed to music learning?

• They showed enhancement in multiple brain areas

• They had decreased cognitive function

• They had no neural processing changes

• They showed no change in brain areas