The Magic Flute

Music is the only art form that activates our entire brain. Our limbic system, which handles emotions and memories, kicks into gear when our ears pick up music. Last time, Pachelbel’s Canon got a mention. This time around, let’s crank up some Mozart. He was also a mathematician. His music has a deep mathematical structure to it. Listen to the Magic Flute. You’ll hear a repeated three-note pattern.

But doesn’t all music have a mathematical structure? Of course, it does. On the most superficial level, you count the beat.

Although listening to Mozart won’t solve every study problem, one scientific study found students performed 10% better when Mozart played while they worked. Try classical music if you have a child who baulks at studying because it’s (insert reason here). It won’t do any harm, but it might do some good. Suggest it or play it while they engage with study.

I’d love to know how it goes. You have to be on board with it yourself. Mozart’s music might be the last item you want to add to a playlist. If you’ve tried many other things to get kids into study, maybe Mozart is the answer.