Singing Improves Brain's Ability To Learn

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Are you someone who likes to sing? If not - perhaps you should start!

Learning to sing promotes structural changes in the brain that help you learn.

The classic case was found years ago in songbirds. High-resolution imaging revealed structural changes to the brain within 24 hours of learning their first song. Cells related to learning in the brain became larger and more stable. Researchers have found a similar process in people.

So you see, music can be good for you and it makes sense to take advantage of this. It doesn't matter if you sing off key. This appears to have no effect.