Have you ever wondered why a minor chord feels “sad” or why your foot starts tapping instinctively to a steady beat? The bridge between the notes on a page and the feelings in your heart is a fascinating field called music cognition.
At McMusic Lessons, we believe that learning music theory isn’t just about memorizing rules—it’s about understanding how your brain processes the world. Lessons focus on a study of music that constructs a three-dimensional world using abstract and multi-tasked thought processes. “We study the nature of music to nurture a lifetime of creativity that reaches light years beyond your average music lesson today.” Watch a short video about guitar, piano, bass and ukulele lessons and features at McMusic Lessons & Performances. Then scroll down to read more about how music cognition is used to advance the studies of any level of play.
1. Pattern Recognition: The Brain’s Favorite Game in Music Cognition
Music theory is essentially the study of patterns. The study of music trains your brain to categorize sounds.
- Expectation: Our brains are constantly predicting the next note.
- Resolution: When a melody returns to the “home” note (the tonic), your brain releases a small hit of dopamine, rewarding you for solving the musical puzzle.
2. The “Language” of Emotion
Music cognition shows that our brains process music similarly to language.
- Syntax: Just as a sentence needs a verb, a musical phrase often needs a specific chord progression to feel “correct.”
- Universal Spacing: Research suggests that the mathematical ratios found in music theory intervals mimic the tonal patterns of human speech, which is why music can communicate emotion even without lyrics.
3. Neuroplasticity and Practice in the Study of Music
Studying the structural side of music—like counterpoint or complex rhythms—strengthens the corpus callosum, the bridge between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
- Left Brain: Handles the logical, mathematical timing and theory.
- Right Brain: Manages the creative expression and melody.
- The Result: Musicians often show improved memory, better spatial reasoning, and faster reaction times.
Why It Matters for Your Lessons
Understanding how you hear allows you to play with more intention. When you know why a dominant seventh chord creates tension, you can perform it with the exact touch needed to make your audience feel that suspense.
Ready to see your brain in a new light? Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, exploring the “why” in your study of music will transform the way you play. Focusing on abstract thought processes and multitask thinking will act as a catalyst to your progress. Contact Kevin McClain of McMusic Lessons & Performances to learn how his approach can save you years of time and money.
