Gray Matter and Musicianship: How Musical Practice Shapes the Brain

Gray matter, which constitutes about 40% of the brain, is responsible for processing information, controlling movement, and managing memory. It is primarily found in the outermost layer of the brain, the cerebral cortex, as well as in deeper areas of the brain. Gray matter consists mainly of neuronal cell bodies, which contain the nucleus and organelles, as well as dendrites and axons that facilitate communication between neurons.

A study by researchers from Harvard Medical School and the University of Jena (Gaser et al.) compared the brain structures of 20 professional musicians, 20 amateur musicians, and 40 non-musicians. Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the researchers obtained detailed brain scans of the participants. They then applied Voxel-Based Morphometry, a technique that breaks down brain scans into small 3D units (voxels), to analyze differences in gray and white matter among the groups. The researchers hypothesized that musicianship correlates with higher gray matter volume. [1]

Their findings revealed that both professional and amateur musicians had more gray matter in brain regions responsible for processing sound, visual information, and motor skills. Notable areas of increased gray matter included the cerebellum, which is involved in fine motor function; Heschl’s gyrus, which processes sound; the superior parietal region, which integrates visual, auditory, and sensory information; and the inferior temporal gyrus, which plays a role in visual processing.

Another study by Acer et al. used MRI to compare the brains of seven musicians and seven non-musicians, examining volumes of gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid. Their findings similarly indicated increased gray matter in musicians, particularly in the cerebellum (involved in motor coordination), the supramarginal and angular gyri (which link visual and auditory information), and the left and superior parietal lobules (responsible for spatial and body awareness). [2]

Generally, an increase in gray matter in a specific area is associated with improved function in that region. For example, a study by Ilg et al. demonstrated that participants who practiced mirror reading exhibited increased gray matter in the dorsolateral occipital cortex, a region responsible for visual processing. This increase correlated with enhanced performance in the task, suggesting a link between gray matter growth and functional improvement. [3]

While it is not yet fully scientifically proven, these findings support the idea that as musicians practice, gray matter volume in various brain areas increases, likely enhancing sensory processing and coordination. As these abilities develop, musicians become better at sight-reading, synchronizing hand movements, making rapid adjustments, and interpreting auditory input—all of which contribute to further improvement. This suggests that musical practice creates a positive feedback loop at the neurological level, reinforcing both structural and functional changes in the brain. References

1. Gaser, C., & Schlaug, G. (2003). Brain Structures Differ between Musicians and Non-Musicians. The Journal of Neuroscience, 23(27), 9240–9245. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.23-27-09240.2003

2.  Acer, N., Bastepe-Gray, S., Sagiroglu, A., Gumus, K. Z., Degirmencioglu, L., Zararsiz, G., & Ozic, M. U. (2018). Diffusion tensor and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging findings in the brains of professional musicians. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 88, 33–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchemneu.2017.11.003

3. Ilg, R., Wohlschlager, A. M., Gaser, C., Liebau, Y., Dauner, R., Woller, A., Zimmer, C., Zihl, J., & Muhlau, M. (2008). Gray Matter Increase Induced by Practice Correlates with Task-Specific Activation: A Combined Functional and Morphometric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.Journal of Neuroscience, 28(16), 4210–4215. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.5722-07.2008