Music Training and Mathematics Achievement

Cheek, Joyce M., Smith, Lyle R., Adolescence

ABSTRACT

Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) mathematics scores of eighth graders who had received music instruction were compared according to whether the students were given private lessons. Comparisons also were made between students whose lessons were on the keyboard versus other music lessons. Analyses indicated that students who had private lessons for two or more years performed significantly better on the composite mathematics portion of the ITBS than did students who did not have private lessons. In addition, students who received lessons on the keyboard had significantly higher ITBS mathematics scores than did students whose lessons did not involve the keyboard. These results are discussed in relation to previous research on music training and mathematics achievement.

The association of music with mathematics has been noted. For example, Nisbet (1991) has pointed out that there is a close relationship …

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Publication information: Article title: Music Training and Mathematics Achievement. Contributors: Cheek, Joyce M. - Author, Smith, Lyle R. - Author. Journal title: Adolescence. Volume: 34. Issue: 136 Publication date: Winter 1999. Page number: 759. © 1999 Libra Publishers, Inc. COPYRIGHT 1999 Gale Group.

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