Why Playing Music Helps Raise Your Wisdom Level

24/08/2015 12:59:47 Scritto da: Eloise Hellyer

Too Smart for Their Own Good

Most of us have heard the comment at one time or another that certain people are “too smart for their own good.” What does this mean? The best definition I have heard* is “high intelligence and low wisdom.” So here is an equation for you:

High intelligence + low wisdom = lack of self-discipline, which is an accurate description of a number of my students. And I have often found that the smarter and more coordinated they are, the lower the wisdom and self discipline. This not only makes teaching them quite challenging, it may also predict future problems for the student. Why?

The reasons a child may have for not wanting to practice the violin are myriad (including low wisdom), but among the “too smart for their own good” set there is an overriding one: because it’s hard – it may in fact be the first thing they have ever tried that is difficult and they don’t have the self-discipline to deal with it. Many students who have had some difficulty at school, such as having had to study a lot to understand mathematics, for example, don’t have much trouble applying themselves to practicing an instrument because they are used to dealing with problems and working hard to overcome them. They also have a realistic idea of their own abilities. The intellectually gifted students, however, present quite another story. Yes, they may study a lot, but it’s mostly “busy work” for them. They do not have to struggle to understand and complete their homework. They are used to things being easy. So what happens sometimes when they confront the difficulties of learning to play a musical instrument? They discover something that is hard for them and

17/08/2015 15:47:13 Scritto da: Eloise Hellyer