Music is deeply connected to various brain functions, making it an ideal tool for studying neuroplasticity. A research study led by Christo Pantev and Sibylle C. Herholz, Plasticity of the Human Auditory Cortex Related to Musical Training, found that musical training significantly influences both functional and structural brain plasticity.

The example used to introduce their research was playing a musical instrument, such as the violin—a personal connection for me, as I have played the violin since sixth grade. Playing an instrument is considered a highly complex task (Zatorre et al., 2007) that engages nearly all sensory systems. However, even listeners’ brains exhibit heightened activity alongside the musician.

Structurally, studies by Bermudez, Gaser, Schlaug, Schneider, Bangert and Hutchinson have shown that musicians have larger brain volumes in areas associated with auditory processing, right superior parietal gyrus(visuospatial processing, motor control (precentral gyrus, cerebellum, and corpus callosum), and coordination. MEG studies measuring stimulus-related neuronal activity revealed remarkable plasticity in musicians’ brains, leading to superior performance. One study found that musicians showed 21–28% greater brain activity when hearing piano tones compared to pure tones, whereas non-musicians exhibited no difference. (Pantev et al., 1998) This suggested that musical training increases the number and synchronization of neurons processing musical sounds, enhancing auditory perception. However, later research found conflicting results, leaving some debate on the extent of these effects.

(Pantev et al., 1998)

Rather than examining cortical source strength on instrumental tones, a follow-up study tested whether musicians develop timbre-specific enhancements in brain responses. Results showed that musicians have stronger neural activity in response to tones from their trained instrument compared to unfamiliar ones. Violinists and trumpeters, for instance, exhibited heightened brain responses when hearing their own instrument. Similar effects were observed in pianists and flutists. Interestingly, young children demonstrated these brain changes after just one year of piano training, suggesting that training duration and instrument familiarity may explain discrepancies in earlier studies.

(Pantev et al., 2001)

Beyond innate musical talent, socioeconomic background, and individual learning abilities (Monaghan et al., 1998), researchers questioned whether short-term training alone could induce plastic changes in the brain. Studies found that three weeks of pitch discrimination training led to increased brain activity in auditory regions and improved perception. However, these effects faded after three more weeks without continued training, suggesting that changes may not be permanent without reinforcement.

Ultimately, playing an instrument proves to be a powerful driver of brain plasticity because it consistently engages multiple sensory and motor functions. These findings underscore the profound impact of musical training on the brain, both in structure and function. Playing the violin has not only strengthened my appreciation for music but it has strengthened my cognitive abilities. I have experienced firsthand how musical training enhances memory, attention to detail, and coordination. The process of sight-reading, interpreting sheet music and synchronizing finger placement with bow movements requires intense concentration and neural processing. These skills were overwhelming as a beginner but with the progression of consistent practice they became somewhat of a second nature, supporting the neuroplastic changes described in the study. Similarly to the continued pitch discrimination practice, a halt of practicing leads to a loss of certain skills showing the temporary changes of the evoked responses.

(Schulte et al., 2002)

WORK CITED

Christo Pantev, Sibylle C. Herholz. 2010. Plasticity of the human auditory cortex related to musical training, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews [Internet][updated 2011 June 21; cited 2025 February 20]; 35(Issue 10): 2140-2154. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.06.010 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763411001205)