Gardner first defined the seven areas of intelligence in 1983 as an alternative to IQ tests. The seven areas are verbal, visual, physical, musical, mathematical, introspective, and interpersonal intelligence. Music relates to all seven areas of intelligence. Musicians use verbal intelligence for writing lyrics, visual intelligence for imagining music, physical intelligence through dancing and playing instruments, and musical intelligence is most directly applied. Mathematical intelligence helps with rhythms, patterns, and music theory. Introspective intelligence aids in self-analysis and improvisation. Interpersonal intelligence supports ensemble playing and understanding emotions in music. Overall, music engages both sides of the brain and statistically enhances intelligence.

1. The Seven Areas of
Intelligence
And Music

2.  The seven areas of intelligence were
first defined by Psychologist Howard
Gardner in 1983
 Students used to take IQ tests at young ages (they were
not very effective)
 Gardner thought that this was a very poor way to judge
someone’s intelligence

4. What does this have to do with
music?

5. Verbal Intelligence
To be able to use words
 People who have
this type of
intelligence enjoy
writing, telling
stories, expanding
their vocabulary, or
doing crossword
puzzles
 Have an easy time
memorizing, singing,
and writing songs or
poetry

6. Visual Intelligence
The ability to imagine things in
your mind
 Some people with this intelligence
can picture things in their mind and
reproduce them on paper
 Acute attention to detail

7. This type helps musicians hear
and “picture” music in their minds to
effectively recreate it
Musicians have strong attention to
detail
Can be a judge of whether music or
art is good or bad

8. Physical Intelligence
 The ability to use your body in various
situations
 Learn best through bodily movement
 Usually excel in dancing and sports
Musicians are very physical
people
Rocking back and forth while we
play
Dancing to beats
Tapping our feet; snapping

9. Musical Intelligence
 The ability to use, understand, and
reproduce music
 Not limited to musicians
People with this intelligence work
better while listening to music, can
tap in time to music they hear, or can
match pitch or do “call and response”
exercises well
Also make little songs to memorize
hard concepts similar to what The
Sound of Music did to help people
memorize Solfege

10. Hugh Lauriepiano, guitar,
voice
Meryl Streep- violin
Mark Twain- piano
Clint Eastwoodpiano;
Kevin Bacon- guitar
Charlie Chaplinaccordion
Julia Roberts- clarinet
and oboe
Bruce Willis- harmonica
Richard Dawkinsclarinet
Johnny Carsondrums
Jamie Foxx- piano
and voice
Alyssa Milano- piano
and flute
Hugh Jackman- Piano, guitar,
violin
Albert Einstein- violin, piano

11. Mathematical Intelligence
 The ability to apply logic to
systems and numbers
 What does math have to do with
music?




Rhythmic divisions
Overtone series
Pitches
Time signatures
Good at deciphering
patterns and organizing
concepts
Musicians apply this when
learning music theory,
sequences, and tough

12. Introspective/Intrapersonal
Intelligence
 The ability to understand yourself and your inner
thoughts
 Tend to be introverted, independent perfectionists
 Philosophers, writers, psychologists

13. Very critical of
themselves
Can break down
complicated ideas- like
complicated rhythms
and melodies
Musicians use this for
improvisation and lyrical
analysis

14. Interpersonal/Emotio
nal Intelligence
 The ability to understand other
people and relate well to them
Musicians use this to
work well together in
ensembles
Good at mixing with other
people and making friends

15. EMPATHY
 Musicians are very empathic people because
we are always interpreting meanings behind
songs and tapping into our own emotional
sides

16.  Music is the only thing that
encompasses every single area of
intelligence
 Statistically, musicians are
smarter than the rest of the
population

17.  Both sides of our brains are
active when we are making
music
 Our brain activity can measure higher
than engineers chipping away at a new
discovery or even soccer players racing
down the field and calculating their next