by Bill Realbuto, founder of Key Music Center, 10/11/07

A tremendous amount of research has been done through the years on the effects of learning a musical instrument. With that research more and more scientists are coming to the same conclusion. There are effects on brain development that impact IQ levels in music students. Children of any age who study a musical instrument perform better in school than children who don’t.

When comparing SAT scores of students that studied music to those who didn’t study music, researchers found that music students scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math.

So does music make you smarter? With all the benefits that have been shown to stem from studying music, it’s safe to say that studying music is at the very least a smart choice.

Here are a few tips to get your child started on a musical path:

1. Let Your Child Decide - Let your child decide what instrument they are interested in. The benefits of music lessons aren’t limited to a few instruments. The choices are tremendous and no matter what they choose they will reap the rewards.

2. Lead By Example - Try playing an instrument yourself. Kids mimic their parents and seeing you might inspire and motivate them.

3. Employ a Professional - Don’t just take lessons from anyone. Just because your neighbor’s nephew can play the guitar doesn’t mean he’s qualified to teach it. Look for private music schools in your area that employ professional musicians.

4. You Don’t Have To Spend a Lot - No need to buy a new instrument, try renting first to test the waters and give yourself time to get educated on what to buy. Your instructor can give you advice on what to look for.

5. Have Fun - Most importantly don’t forget that even though music studies help with academics it still should be fun. Music is a social hobby and builds self esteem so enjoy it and have a good time while you learn.

Bill Realbuto is the founder of Key Music Center in Norcross GA. He is signed to Focal Point Records and has worked with Grammy-nominated songwriters. His musical experience has lead him to teach over 20,000 lessons to students of all ages. Bill can be contacted through his website www.KeyMusicCenter.com.