The human being has many ways of using his mind. Learning is one of the things that, as human beings, distinguishes us from animals; It is true that they also have the ability to learn, but we have a more developed capacity, and the range of options we have when it comes to learning new things is almost infinite.
Therefore, when learning new things, personal intelligence comes into play. That ability we have to process information and work with it to achieve new things; know where to apply it and how to use it to get ahead in a very difficult and ruthless world.
However, intelligence has been fragmented several times, and although we are daily commanded to be as intelligent as we can, in schools it is still taught with archaic methods that highly value one or two types of intelligence, among which the most outstanding is the logical-mathematical, causing the other types of intelligence to be relegated, and in the same way the people who employ them to a greater extent are relegated to being called "fools."
When we talk about the theory of multiple intelligences, we deduce that one of the most undervalued at the school level is musical intelligence. In order to learn more about how to apply intelligences to create a world in which you can work better with them, we will study in this post how to learn with music, and to enjoy great musical arrangements.
Learning about multiple intelligences
The theory of multiple intelligences was born due to the existing disagreement in the educational system, where the type of intelligence applied and valued was logical-mathematical, with some slight emphasis on linguistics when working. In these systems, the students least advantaged in these hierarchical intelligences were, and still are, treated as fools and sent to slower programs, because teachers do not take the time to work on the intelligences they handle properly.
This theory tells us that Intellect is not measured solely by one or two types of intelligence, but it tells us that, since each person is a world in itself, we do not all function with the same measure, and what may be valid for one person, may not be the same for another.
By applying this concept to intellectual theory we can denote that not all of us are affected in the same way by logical intelligence; some people are more linguistic, and others with naturalistic, others work or feel more in contact with spatial intelligence, and others find it easier to get along with the musical.
Currently, work is being done so that in schools and secondary schools in different countries this archaic system is put aside and new education techniques are implemented that allow working in a wider range with those children who have other types of needs, in this way , improve education systems and work better with each person individually.
Musical intelligence and its factors
This type of intelligence, as we have already mentioned, belongs to the theory of multiple intelligences that was disclosed by the American psychologist Howard Gardner.
It is a concept that was very novel, and refers to those capacities and sensitivities that have to do with musical ability, when producing and perceiving it with all the nuances available.
What defines this type of intelligence is the ability and freedom to create and appreciate musical pieces.
It is totally independent of the hearing capacity, and therefore it concerns only the way of processing the information of musical pieces, whether they are simple or very complex.
Characteristic of people with musical intelligence
A person who handles musical intelligence will be very skilled at detecting the deep nuances present in melodies, he can think in terms of rhythm, timbre and tone. You can distinguish musical sounds that sound separately or together; They will be able to work more easily when it comes to expressing themselves in a musical way, either by making musical pieces on their own or by working together on the elaboration of a symphony.
Musical intelligence can be broken down into various latent abilities in the people who manifest it. These skills have a relative degree and do not have to do with the perfect or absolute ability to carry them out. To take an example:
- People with this type of intelligence can recognize masked pieces of music, even when they appear to be simple noise.
- They can create melodies simply by playing various objects on the fly.
- They can easily find resources with which to express emotions in a musical way.
- They have a great sensitivity when it comes to finding the tones, rhythms, melodies and timbres in a certain piece of music.
- They are able to recognize the different musical genres that influence any piece.
- They have a relative facility to compose and to work musical pieces.
Musical intelligence and education
As mentioned before, musical intelligence provides an ability in the composition, function and consideration of musical patterns, encompassing the ability to recognize and compose musical rhythms and tones.
If what you want is to help the child develop this intelligence, it is important, according to the experts, to start from pregnancy early, because this is the most ideal stage for it. For this it is also important to keep the child in a prosperous environment for the music to develop, and that the child can work frequently with her, so that she can constantly improve her skills in her own environment.
All children, from an early stage in their development, are known to have the abilities to learn about music and many other factors. One of the reasons this intelligence is usually neglected is because parents do not place a significant emphasis on it.
It is good to know that, if you do not work correctly with a type of intelligence, by not using it, the child stagnates in this area, because you do not take the trouble to develop it. It is because of that most people develop logical-mathematical intelligence and only a few can work with the others; because the institutions have cared little about promoting the other intelligences.
In these times schools and educational establishments should pay more attention to promoting education based on other intelligences, also promoting an environment in which music is an important part. It is also a time when things have changed, and music has already become an art form.
Enhance this intelligence
To enhance musical intelligence, work can be done first by putting music in the background at work or when doing any activity that requires relaxation, because in this way they not only enhance your ability to educate, but you can also enhance the ability to focus on more than one thing at a time.
Another activity that can be carried out is to write familiar songs, or if you do not feel capable of composing a song yourself with all that it implies, you can change the lyrics of an existing song, which will teach you to manage the times and the voice.
You can create or make musical instruments with recyclable household items (this is plus an activity for the kids). With this you will get a little more involved in the activities, generate new sounds and learn a little more about the manufacture of instruments.
Learning to play a musical instrument is one of the most important parts when it comes to enhancing this intelligence, as it allows you to participate in music first-hand; In addition, it allows you a better ability to create melodies, and later write your own songs.
Study music, dance or music theory. When we study we also learn, and this intelligence is also enhanced by dance classes, at the same time enhancing kinesthetic intelligence, which may well be a complementary part of the musical.