Charles Dickens Author & Musician: Madeline’s Monthly Musical Tips Blog & Radio Show for December 2025
Our blog and Radio Show celebrates the life and work of Charles Dickens, author and musician.
Learning a musical instrument teaches discipline, cooperation, teamwork, motivation, concentration and self-esteem. Studying a musical instrument develops millions of new connections, synapses, between nerve cells in the brain.
Many of the world’s authors, inventors, mathematicians, scientists, engineers, medical doctors, researchers, and teachers have studied and played musical instruments since they were children. These eminent individuals have integrated music into their thinking process.
Also included is the article, “How Playing an Instrument Changes the Brain” by Patrick Dougherty.
Our article of the month is “Pennies Today Equal Prosperity Tomorrow” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.
Feature Question for December 2025: How did Classical music play a part of Charles Dickens life as an author and musician and what musical instruments did he play? (Re-issue from Nov. 2009)
https://madelinefrankviola.com/one-minute-musical-radio-show/
Early Years:
Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812 to John Dickens and Elizabeth Barrow Dickens in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. He was the second of their eight children. His father worked as a “clerk in the Royal Navy Pay Office.” As a child Charles was a voracious reader. “He had an excellent memory for people and events.”
What influenced Charles Dickens?
Dickens said, “One person fired up my imagination and gave me the tools to be a writer.” At the age of 3, Charles was so full of energy that he never wanted to go to sleep. His mother had a maid named Mary Weller who worked for 3 meals a day and a warm place to sleep in front of the stove. She did not clean the house. Her job was to “find a way to keep Dickens in bed at night. She told the best blood and guts tale of terror horror stories.” She knew 125 stories but Dickens favorite story was “Captain Murderer” and he asked for this story all the time. (Engels, E. (1997). Dickens for Kids. North Carolina: Authors Ink. )
At 11 years of age, “the debtor’s police hauled Charles father off to Debtors Prison in front of Charles. He said, “I shall never be poor again.” His mother and brothers were sent to Marshalsea Prison and during this time. Charles was sent to work at Warren’s Blacking Factory for ten hours a day. He had to wear five pairs of socks, while working at the factory, so he would have some protection from the rats that bit through his socks at the factory. His traumatic experiences, feelings of alienation and betrayal are themes of his books “David Copperfield” and “Great Expectations”. (bookrags.com/essays Charles Dickens)
Charles Dickens “mother did not immediately remove him from the boot-blacking factory.” This incident convinced Dickens’s “that a father should rule the family” and a mother should “find her proper sphere inside the home.” Dickens said, “I never afterwards forgot, I never shall forget, I never can forget, that my mother was warm for my being sent back.” Because of “his mother’s failure in his eyes, requesting Charles return to the blacking factory, contributed towards his demanding and dissatisfied attitude towards women. Resentment stemming from his situation and the conditions under which working class people lived became major themes of his works, and it was this unhappy period in his youth to which he alluded in his favorite and most autobiographical novel, David Copperfield”. Dickens said, “I had no advice, no counsel, no encouragement, no consolation, no assistance, no support, of any kind, from anyone, that I can call to mind, as I hope to go to heaven!” (Wikipedia Charles Dickens)
After attending attended “the Wellington House Academy , he later immortalized in “David Copperfield”, the school’s headmaster ,who was brutal and sadistic with poor discipline and in general a run- down school.”
At the age of 15, in 1827 “Dickens began work in the law office of Ellis and Blackmore, attorneys, of Holborn Court, Gray’s Inn, as a junior clerk.” He continued working with the attorneys through November 1828. Charles “worked energetically in his spare time to acquire Gurneys system of shorthand” and left “to become a freelance reporter.” (Wikipedia Charles Dickens)
Dickens, in 1836, at 24 years of age, began his literary success by publication of “The Pickwick Papers” as a serial publication. A few years later, he became “an international literary celebrity, famous for his humor, satire and keen observation of character and society. His novels, most of them published in monthly or weekly instalments, pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction, which became the dominant Victorian mode for novel publication.” His “cliffhanger endings in his serial publications kept readers in suspense.” (Wikipedia Charles Dickens)
Charles Dickens died on June 9, 1870 at Gads Place Hill. He was an author of 15 novels, five novellas, 100s of short stories, wrote nonfiction articles, was a playwright, social reformer, and for 20 years he edited a weekly journal. He “lectured, performed readings”, and worked vigorously for “children’s rights, education, poverty and prostitution, homelessness and orphans, corruption and venality in the government, including the courts system.” He was a lifelong musician, husband, and father of 10 children.
How Playing an Instrument Changes the Brain” (August 20, 2025) by Patrick Dougherty.
Patrick Dougherty says, “Musical training keeps the brain sharp. Every time musicians play their instruments fireworks go off in their brain. Playing an instrument engages almost all areas of the brain at once – especially the parts that process visual, auditory and motor cortices. In fact, music engages more of the brain at once than anything else we know of.”
He continues, “Multiple parts of the brain process all the separate tasks that go into playing an instrument separately. Then, the parts of brain involved collaborate to put them all together in super-fast, seamless sequences. Playing an instrument lights up more areas of the brain than anything else. “While listening to music lights up many brain regions, playing an instrument sparks activity in almost the entire brain. As far as brain activity is concerned, the main difference between listening to music and playing it yourself comes down to fine motor skills. … “Full bodied work out for the brain. When both left and right brain are engaged in playing an instrument, communication between the two improves. New neural connections are created and existing ones are strengthened. “
To read more:
https://www.mindlabpro.com/blogs/nootropics/playing-instrument-changes-brain?srsltid=AfmBOor-YwSvMADVMFty7Np1Gdq8XDMK0DrdIuYRA2P9lRp5A7TUQIfG
PENNIES TODAY EQUAL PROSPERITY TOMORROW by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.
The Discipline of Saving and Investing: Paying Yourself First.
Learning to save and invest is not just about setting aside money—it’s about paying yourself first. It’s about ensuring that you’re prioritizing your future self and setting up a strong financial foundation for tomorrow.
My friend Stewart taught his teenage daughter the power of saving when she started her first job. He encouraged her to save 40 cents of every dollar she earned. She took this discipline with her through high school, college, and into her adult life. As a result, she is now the proud owner of two condos, thanks to her consistent saving and investing. This lesson, if shared widely, can create a ripple effect of prosperity. Learn to save for your future car, house, condo, or other essential needs—and share this mindset with your family and friends.
My Journey: A Lesson from Momma
I began my journey of saving when I was just 8 years old. My Momma, Romayne Leader Frank, asked me to bring the $2.25 I had saved from doing chores. “We’re going on a new adventure today,” she said, smiling. We drove to a beautiful brick building—the bank near our home. She introduced me to Mrs. Teller, who helped me open my first savings account.
I’ll never forget the way Mrs. Teller explained compound interest to me: “Compound interest is the interest you earn on interest.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand it, but I could see the magic in action. Every few months, Momma would take me to the bank to deposit the new money I’d earned, and Mrs. Teller would add the interest to my passbook, along with the compounded interest from the previous deposits. Watching my money grow over time became a thrill for me.
The Magic of Compound Interest
As I grew older, I learned more about how compound interest could work for me. The longer you leave your money invested, the more it can grow exponentially. The interest earned on your initial investment gets reinvested, so you earn interest on a larger and larger sum over time. This is why starting early is so powerful.
Let’s take a simple example: If you invest $100 and earn 5% interest annually, in one year, you would earn $5. But, the next year, you will earn 5% interest on $105 (your original $100 plus the $5 interest). The following year, you’ll earn interest on $110.25, and so on. This snowball effect can lead to wealth over time, especially if you start early and let your money grow.
Simple Savings Plans: A Foundation for Success
Before diving into more complex investments, it’s important to have a solid foundation of simple savings. Saving consistently and building an emergency fund will allow you to weather unexpected financial challenges and invest with confidence.
The Key to Simple Savings Plans:
- Consistency is Key: It doesn’t matter how small your contributions are; the key is consistency. Set up a savings account with interest and begin to save your money to make saving a habit.
- Emergency Fund First: Before diving into stocks or bonds, prioritize building an emergency fund that covers three to six months of living expenses. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re covered in case of a job loss or emergency.
- High-Yield Savings Accounts: If you’re keeping money in savings but don’t want to take on investment risks, consider putting your money in a high-yield savings account. These accounts offer better interest rates than traditional savings accounts, allowing your money to grow while remaining safe.
- Budgeting and Expense Management: My Momma taught me the importance of keeping a ledger, budgeting my expenses, and paying myself first. It’s important to track your income and expenses so that you can consistently contribute to your savings.
Start Today for Prosperity Tomorrow: As my story shows, the habit of saving and investing can set you on a path to financial prosperity. By starting early and consistently saving, you’ll see the compound interest work in your favor.
As you begin your own journey, remember that small, consistent actions can lead to long-term success. So, start saving your pennies today, and watch as they turn into your financial prosperity tomorrow. © 2025, 2024, 2019 If you need a speaker or video speaker contact Madeline at: [email protected]
“Musical Notes On Math” by Dr. Madeline Frank teaches your child fractions and decimals, the fun easy way, through the rhythm of music, Winner of the Parent To Parent Adding Wisdom Award is available in book form, newly updated as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, or iBook.:
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Dr. Madeline Frank’s book “Leadership on a Shoestring Budget: Timeless Principles for Everyday Use, helps businesses stay afloat in times of trouble. She calls her innovative observations, Tuning Up Your Business. For over 25 years she has helped countless people create their great image brand, and communication style that makes them irresistible. Click on the following Amazon.com link to order your copy of “Leadership On A Shoestring Budget”
“The Secret of Teaching Science & Math Through Music” shares scientific evidence, medical evidence, test results, and true stories of the world’s scientists, medical doctors, and mathematicians who have studied and played musical instruments since they were children by Madeline Frank, Ph.D. Click below:
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“Madeline’s Midnight Melodies- Music From around the World”. This CD complements her books with a blend of dance music, gigues, tangos, ballet and favorites including “Danny Boy”, Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro”, Debussy’s “Claire De Lune” and others. “Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” CD is now available for purchase by downloading a song, downloading the album click below:
Wishing you and your family a happy Chanukah and a Merry Christmas from Your Non-Invasive Medicine Music Expert, Madeline
For over 30 years, Dr. Madeline Frank has helped children and adults overcome problems through Classical music. Madeline Frank, Ph.D. is an award-winning teacher, author, researcher, speaker, conductor, and concert artist. She has discovered a scientific link between studying a musical instrument and academic and societal success. Madeline Frank earned her Bachelor and Master’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. Her education has included scholarships at the Juilliard School, Indiana University, and the University of Cincinnati and she has a violin performance diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts. (C) 2025 Madeline Frank