The human brain has the remarkable ability to adapt in response to changes in the environment over the course of a lifetime. This is the mechanism for learning, growth, and normal development. In the past few decades, scientists have made enormous advancements in understanding how the human brain functions. Neurologists have concluded that playing music is the brain’s equivalent of a full-body workout; playing an instrument engages every area of the brain at once, especially the visual, auditory, and motor cortices. In addition, as in any other workout, disciplined, structured practice in playing music strengthens those brain functions, allowing us to apply that strength to other activities. Furthermore, playing music has been found to increase …show more content…
Einstein portrays how learning an instrument helps to develop the cognitive skills. To illustrate, Albert Einstein is recognized as one of the smartest men who has ever lived. “He was a poor student, and some of his teachers thought he might be retarded (mentally handicapped); he was unable to speak fluently (with ease and grace) at age nine.”(Albert Einstein Biography). The school suggested that his parents get Einstein an easy, manual labor job as soon as they could. Instead of following the school's advice, Einstein’s parents bought him a violin. He began playing the violin at age six and continue to play throughout his life. Einstein second wife Esa said, “Music helps him when he is thinking about his theories. He goes to his study, comes back, strikes a few chords on the piano, and jots something down, returns to his study.” (Foster). In addition, a friend of Einstein, G.J. Withrow, said that the way Einstein figured out his problems and equations was by improvising on the violin. Music was the key that assisted Albert Einstein become one of the smartest men who has ever lived, his investment in music assisted Einstein's develop a sense of