Music & Intelligence

 

    

    Intelligence has been interpreted in different ways by different psychologists. Those who studied subjects such as mathematics and science were initially recognized as being more intelligent than those involved in music. Psychologists such as Alfred Bine first introduced to the world a test called the 'intelligence test', which had only questions that could measure reasoning ability. But in the modern world intelligence is accepted differently. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences is accepted worldwide today.

 

    The mediums of music are "Nada" and "Swara". That is why music is a very delicate art. "Nada" and "Swara" cannot be touched and hand. They are also not easy to handle. This requires separate training. The person must engage in a rapid mental process in recognizing the correct vowel points. Music is recognized as an intellectual craft according to the concept of multiple intelligences. Music will be able to develop the abstract intelligence that develops in any subject, such as mathematics and science, quantitatively as well as qualitatively. Intelligence is, then, is "a set of skills and abilities gained through learning and experience."

 

    Take the play of violin, for example. Keeping the violin easy to play, producing the right tones by placing your hands on the vocal cords, making melodious tones pleasing to the listener, using a variety of techniques as and when required, subtle, and intense to suit different Psychological and kinetic activities such as the release of tones, the melodious play evokes the sweet qualities of the raga, and the use of different vocal compositions, reproducing the various vowel patterns that arise in the mind and with the help of the hands, are performed as intellectual activities. The same is true of singing. Because of this, a person of a low intellectual level cannot present the sweetness of music.

 

Multiple Intelligence

    Howard Gardner, an American psychologist who pioneered the theory of multiple intelligences, introduced seven types of intelligence to the world in 1984, but in 1997 introduced eight types. In 1998, Gardner published a statement on the Internet commenting on his findings. "Human intelligence consists of a vast and widespread body of talent. I have already calculated eight of them. There may be many more."

  

Below are 8 skills he calculated.

 

1. Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence

2. Music-Rhythmic Intelligence

3. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

4. Visual-Spatial Intelligence

5. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

6. Inter-Personal Intelligence

7. Intra-Personal Intelligence

8. Naturalist Intelligence

 

In addition, another intellectual skill has recently been introduced. It is known as Existential and Moral Intelligence.

 

Let us examine how multifaceted intelligence develops in different parts of the subject of music.

 

1. Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence

Lyrics or linguistic composition are important in singing. In singing "Simple songs", "Folk songs", "Nurti songs", etc., one is interested in evoking the emotional taste by also focusing on the idea expressed in the vocabulary. The linguistic potential is also high in many musicians. Songs by musicians such as Ananda Samarakoon and Sunil Santha were composed by them. Singing shows that Pandit Amaradeva has good linguistic intelligence.

 

2. Music-Rhythmic Intelligence

Understanding of the "Nada", "Swara" and "Swarasthana" is due to musical intelligence. Musical intelligence is also developed through "Raga", "Thala" as well as rhythm.

 

3. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

Logical-mathematical intelligence is formed by harmonies, chords, melody, counters, bits, etc. This intelligence is also developed through the study of the physical basis of sound.

 

4. Visual-Spatial Intelligence

This intelligence is developed through the musical activities performed on stage. This intelligence is also developed by charting different vowel parts (Melody, Harmony Parts, Counters, Chords) to the vowel chart.

 

5. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

This intelligence is developed through the musical activities performed on stage. Physical movement is the handling of the body comfortably. Playing an instrument such as a violin requires flexibility of the hands, fingers, elbows, as well as the flexibility of the body to sit on the floor. Correct posture in a song creates Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence.

 

6. Inter-Personal Intelligence

Without this intelligence, group singing cannot be performed. Relationships are very important, especially in a group of music play.

 

7. Intra - Personal Intelligence

Self-concept and determination, as well as self-confidence, are essential in solo singing. This intellect is developed especially by the Ragadhari singing instruments by spending more time presenting their singing instruments correctly.

 

8. Naturalist Intelligence

Birth, life, death, etc. are studied through the inevitable dharma songs of nature.

    Thus, music is one of the skills of multiple intelligence and it must be acknowledged that this subject develops all 8 skills related to multiple intelligence.