1. IntroductionThis project investigates the effect that playing a musical instrument – ​​namely the drums – has on intelligence and academic ability. A literature search reveals that studies of this type have been conducted by other researchers in many parts of the world and have led to the conclusion that music is an extremely healthy activity to engage in. A study of school-age children in America concluded that children who took singing or piano lessons had higher IQs at the end of the year than those who did not (Munsey, 2006). Dye (2012) reinforces this concept, stating that scientific research shows that studying music improves academic performance. Gaser and Schlaug (2003) demonstrated that musicians learn advanced motor and auditory skills from a young age through practicing their musical instruments. Furthermore, according to Woollaston (2013), researchers at St Andrews University concluded that musicians' minds are quicker to react and able to find errors more easily than non-musicians. In fact, three studies combined have shown that musical training improves the function of certain parts of the brain and can even generate new processes in the brain (Brooks, 2013). Furthermore, Alleyne states that new research suggests that regularly playing an instrument changes the shape and power of the brain (Alleyne, 2009). Drum playing and its link to IQ has been studied specifically at the University of Toronto and children have shown significant improvement on IQ Tests after taking drum lessons over a period of time (Weber, 2006). Additionally, Hochman states that playing the drums can help students focus and grow academically (Hochman, n.d.). Playing a musical instrument has therefore been shown to have a definite effect on... middle of paper... - Munsey, C. 2006. American Psychological Association: Music lessons can increase IQ and grades. Access date 04/05/2014. http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun06/iq.aspx-Schlaug, G; Norton, A; Overy, K & Winner, E. 2006. Wiley Online Library: Effects of Music Training on Child Brain and Cognitive Development. Access date 02/09/2014. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1196/annals.1360.015/full-Weber, J. 2006. Music Explorium: Drumming Makes You Smarter! Access date: 02/18/2014. http://www.musicexplorium.com/DrummingSmarter.php- Woollaston, V. 2013. Mail Online: Forget brain training: Playing a musical instrument can sharpen your thoughts and help ward off depression and dementia. Access date 2014/02/18. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2435013/Forget-brain-training-Playing-musical-instrument-sharpen-thinkies--help-ward-depression-dementia.html.