Behavioural and neural differences in cognitive abilities between musicians and non-musicians

Musicians are believed to have enhanced cognitive abilities such as working memory and creativity compared to nonmusicians, due to the skills needed to play music. Research has shown that musicians tend to be more open and extroverted and possess slight differences in brain structure compared to non-musicians. This is not just limited to musicians and nonmusicians, but musicians of different genres have also been seen to have differences. For example, due to its improvisational nature, jazz musicians tend to have a larger working memory capacity compared to classical musicians. These differences can be due to a number of factors: predisposition leading them to choose the specific genre, the genre’s teaching style, and the genre’s values. Further, benefits of playing music can be implemented into the healthcare system as music therapy. Research has demonstrated positive effects of music as a therapy as an adjunct treatment for individuals suffering from Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyslexia, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.