Playing a musical instrument like the guitar has many benefits beyond just entertainment. Some research suggests that learning to play the guitar can actually make you smarter. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the potential link between playing guitar and increased intelligence.
What does it mean to increase your IQ?
IQ stands for intelligence quotient and is a score derived from standardized tests designed to assess human intelligence and cognitive abilities. While there is some debate around how accurately IQ tests measure true intelligence, IQ scores are widely used as a general benchmark for cognitive function.
An increased IQ implies that someone has improved their cognitive abilities like memory, problem-solving, spatial awareness, and processing speed. Even small IQ gains of just a few points can signify growth in mental skills.
How playing guitar may improve cognitive abilities
Learning to play guitar involves developing a wide range of skills that could potentially boost overall intelligence:
- Memorization – Learning guitar requires memorizing chord shapes, musical scales, songs, and more. Memorizing this much information engages the brain and may improve memory capacity.
- Hand-eye coordination – Strumming the strings while fingering complex chords and playing by reading musical notation requires precise hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
- Multitasking – Playing guitar involves simultaneously keeping tempo, forming chords, altering fingering, and more. This kind of musical multitasking forces the brain to rapidly shift between mental tasks.
- Creativity – Mastering guitar allows for greater creative expression through improvisation and songwriting. Thinking creatively recruits broad neural pathways that may increase overall cognitive function.
- Perseverance – Learning to play guitar takes patience and practice. Sticking with the process and not giving up in the face of difficulty is a mental exercise that may transfer to other areas of life.
- Pattern recognition – Reading and analyzing musical patterns may help strengthen connections in the brain responsible for recognizing patterns in other domains.
Research on music training and IQ
A number of scientific studies have investigated the potential cognitive benefits of music education and practice. Here is some of the research on how learning an instrument like the guitar could increase IQ:
- A study published in Psychological Science found that giving children 6 months of music lessons significantly improved their IQ compared to children who did not receive lessons. These IQ gains persisted even a full year after lessons stopped.
- Research in the Journal of Neuroscience showed that learning to play the keyboard led to structural brain changes and improved neural activity in adults after just a few weeks. Enhanced brain connectivity could underlie intelligence gains.
- A study in Frontiers in Psychology demonstrated that regular musical practice strengthened connections in brain regions linked to executive function, working memory, and language processing – cognitive skills integral to IQ.
- One study revealed that master musicians who practiced intensely from a young age had significantly higher IQ scores compared to non-musicians. Their IQ gains were correlated with early and consistent musical training.
While promising, it’s important to note that most studies focus on classical instrumental training starting in early childhood. The cognitive benefits of learning guitar specifically later in life require more research.
Key takeaways on guitar playing and intelligence
Here are some key summary points on the potential IQ boosting effects of playing guitar:
- Learning guitar engages multiple cognitive skills like attention, memory, planning and problem-solving.
- Mastering the guitar requires complex hand-eye coordination that may strengthen brain connectivity.
- Research shows musical training can increase IQ, especially when started early in childhood.
- More study is needed on the specific neuropsychological benefits of learning guitar versus other instruments.
- Playing guitar has many physical and psychological benefits separate from any potential IQ gains.
Does increased IQ persist even after stopping guitar practice?
An important question is whether any IQ increases from playing guitar persist even after someone stops practicing. The research indicates that:
- IQ gains from short-term musical training (6-12 months) can persist for at least several months after practice stops.
- Longer-term training (5+ years) during childhood has IQ benefits that last into adulthood, decades later.
- Quitting guitar as an adult after many years of diligent practice may lead to some IQ decline over time as brain networks revert to pre-training levels.
- However, adults who previously played guitar extensively tend to maintain cognitive advantages compared to non-musicians.
So in children especially, guitar practice can have lasting IQ effects. But even in adults, past musical training still confers some residual cognitive benefits that decline slowly after quitting.
Other brain benefits of playing guitar
Beyond potential IQ gains, learning guitar may provide other cognitive advantages:
- Enhanced executive function – Playing guitar challenges planning, focus, multi-tasking and working memory.
- Improved visual-spatial processing – Reading sheet music activates visual-spatial networks in the brain.
- Increased grey matter volume – Musical training can increase grey matter which enhances cognition.
- Delayed age-related decline – Playing guitar may help delay dementia, memory loss and cognitive aging.
So while the IQ evidence is mixed, playing guitar seems to provide undeniable cognitive stimulation that may ward off age-related neurological decline.
Non-cognitive benefits of learning guitar
Beyond just making you smarter, playing guitar offers many other psychological and physical perks:
- Stress relief and improved mood from musical enjoyment.
- Increased patience, discipline and determination to master a skill.
- Enhanced creativity and personal self-expression.
- Sense of achievement and self-confidence from new skills.
- Social bonding through group music participation.
- Better motor coordination and timing.
Even if the IQ gains are small, learning to play guitar can be extremely rewarding and beneficial overall.
Final conclusions – should you learn guitar to boost your IQ?
The evidence suggests that learning to play guitar can indeed increase intelligence under the right conditions:
- Musical training works best for increasing IQ in children under 10 years old.
- Training duration matters – at least 1 year is needed for meaningful IQ gains.
- More complex instruments like guitar provide greater cognitive benefits than simple training like recorder or xylophone.
- IQ improvements are greatest for consistent daily practice over many years.
- Higher intelligence before starting and innate musical talent boost IQ results.
While the IQ boost for an adult beginner may be modest, learning guitar provides many other cognitive perks through challenging mental and physical skill development. With patience and practice, playing guitar can be a rewarding hobby that keeps your brain sharp and flexible.