Musical education has a beneficial effect on higher cognitive functions, but
questions arise whether associations between music lessons and cognitive
abilities are specific to a domain or general. We tested 194 boys in Grade 3 by
measuring reading and spelling performance, non verbal intelligence and asked
parents about musical activities since preschool. Questionnaire data showed that
53% of the boys had learned to play a musical instrument. Intelligence was
higher for boys playing an instrument (p < .001). To
control for unspecific effects we excluded families without instruments. The
effect on intelligence remained (p < .05).
Furthermore, boys playing an instrument showed better performance in spelling
compared to the boys who were not playing, despite family members with
instruments (p < .01). This effect was observed
independently of IQ. Our findings suggest an association between music education
and general cognitive ability as well as a specific language link
