For some time, research has focused on the question of how music lessons affect the development of cognitive abilities. Music lessons seem to be related to many different cognitive abilities. For some of these cognitive abilities, longitudinal studies even indicate a positive influence of music lessons: executive functions, IQ, memory, and linguistic abilities such as phonological awareness could be improved by music lessons. Overall, the cognitive development of children seems to benefit from music lessons. In this way, music lessons can be a fulfilling leisure activity and furthermore have positive “side effects.”