Scanning the brains of jazz musicians
According to new research, jazz musicians unconsciously switch off regions of the brain involved in self-censorship and firing up the area linked to self-expression. The scientists from Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders used fMRI to scan the brains of jazz musicians as they played a specially-designed piano keyboard. From a press release:
The scientists found that a region of the brain known as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a broad portion of the front of the brain that extends to the sides, showed a slowdown in activity during improvisation. This area has been linked to planned actions and self-censoring, such as carefully deciding what words you might say at a job interview. Shutting down this area could lead to lowered inhibitions, Limb suggests.Link to press release, Link to scientific paper in Public Library of Science (PLoS) ONE (via Michael Leddy's Orange Crate Art)
The researchers also saw increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, which sits in the center of the brain’s frontal lobe. This area has been linked with self-expression and activities that convey individuality, such as telling a story about yourself.
“Jazz is often described as being an extremely individualistic art form. You can figure out which jazz musician is playing because one person’s improvisation sounds only like him or her,” says (professor Charles) Limb. “What we think is happening is when you’re telling your own musical story, you’re shutting down impulses that might impede the flow of novel ideas.”
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So they can read the brainwaves of the jazz musicians. How long before they can implant those brainwaves in my head? I'd love to be a jazz musician.
"...switch off regions of the brain involved in self-censorship..."
Hell, I could have told you Jazz musicians aren't paying attention to whatever the heck they are playing! =)
@1: shit! me too.
Sounds also like an effect of alcohol. I find that I become more proficient in a language I'm learning after a beer or two. ;)
"state dependent learning"
@4 ryan:
Jazz musicians tend to avoid alcohol, because in addition to that effect it also gives less motor coordination. However some tend to rely on other drugs for that effect ,see Charlie Parker or Miles Davis J&B band (Junk and Booze) for notable examples. I wonder if p.ex. a heroin user would show similar results in the MRI scan?
I am told that the effect described is similar to someone riffing on marijuana.
r myb t's jst th skg
Snipe's comment wasn't too different from pinguis' comment. That's a fine line.
I read the title and for a split second misinterpreted what the article would be about. I thought maybe they were gong to make a computer program to imitate jazz musicians. Then, conversely, I envisioned lab-coated scientists saying "If we can find the part of the brain that creates jazz, then we can cure all these lazy beatniks and save society!" (Oh, I have a great time wandering around in my brain, sometimes it's better than the actual article).
And SNIPE's comment (#8) I believe was misinterpreted as a troll comment-- "skag" is slang for heroin, he's not referring to a female.
E Smith
Keep your things in a place meant to hide
But I know they're there somewhere
And I know that's where you'll go tonight
I'll be thrown over just like before
The white lady loves you more
Need a metal man just to pick up your feet
It's a long time since you cared enough
For me to even be discreet
I know what this metal is for
The white lady loves you more
I'm looking at a hand full of broken plans
And I'm tired of playing it down
You just want her to do anything for you
There ain't nothing that you won't allow
You wake up in the middle of the night
From a dream you won't remember
Flashing on like a cop's light
You say she's waiting and I know what for
The white lady loves you more
The white lady
Jazz musicians tend to avoid alcohol...
Wait... what? I'm not sure what you're basing this one on, but my experience has been quite the contrary. I've actually played with a LOT of jazz guys over the years. Booze is usually a requirement.
Sure, certain musicians have favored various drugs, but generally it is fairly well-known that cocktails are (or were, in the heyday) free-flowing at every session. It 'loosens' everyone up.
Read Duke Ellington's autobio - in one of his first bands, they were paid in corn whiskey, and the band drank a gallon jug of it during each set. Duke claims that there was never a moment in his entire career where he wasn't sipping on something.