Common parietal activation in musical mental transformations across pitch and time

We previously observed that mental manipulation of the pitch level or temporal organization of melodies results in functional activation in the human intraparietal sulcus (IPS), a region also associated with visuospatial transformation and numerical calculation. Two outstanding questions about these musical transformations are whether pitch and time depend on separate or common processing in IPS, and whether IPS recruitment in melodic tasks varies depending upon the degree of transformation required (as it does in mental rotation). In the present study we sought to answer these questions by applying functional magnetic resonance imaging while musicians performed closely matched mental transposition (pitch transformation) and melody reversal (temporal transformation) tasks. A voxel-wise conjunction analysis showed that in individual subjects, both tasks activated overlapping regions in bilateral IPS, suggesting that a common neural substrate subserves both types of mental transformation. Varying the magnitude of mental pitch transposition resulted in variation of IPS BOLD signal in correlation with the musical key-distance of the transposition, but not with the pitch distance, indicating that the cognitive metric relevant for this type of operation is an abstract one, well described by music-theoretic concepts. These findings support a general role for the IPS in systematically transforming auditory stimulus representations in a nonspatial context. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Further Evidence for Hemisity Sorting During Career Specialization

Hemisity refers to binary thinking and behavioral style differences between right and left brain-oriented individuals. The inevitability of hemisity became clear when it was discovered by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that an anatomical element of the executive system was unilaterally embedded in either the right or the left side of the ventral gyrus of the anterior cingulate cortex in an idiosyncratic manner that was congruent with an individual's inherent hemisity subtype. Based upon the MRI-calibrated hemisity of many individuals, a set of earlier biophysical and questionnaire hemisity assays was calibrated for accuracy and found appropriate for use in the investigation of the hemisity of individuals and groups. It had been reported that a partial sorting of individuals into hemisity right and left brain-oriented subgroups occurred during the process of higher education and professional development. Here, these results were extended by comparison of the hemisity of a putative unsorted population of 1,049 high school upper classmen, with that of 228 university freshmen. These hemisity outcomes were further compared with that of 15 university librarians, here found to be predominantly left brain-oriented, and 91 academically trained musicians, including 47 professional pianists, here found to be mostly right brainers. The results further supported the existence of substantial hemisity selection occurring during the process of higher education and in professional development.

Music, perceived arousal, and intensity: psychophysiological reactions to Chopin's "Tristesse"

The present study investigates the relation of perceived arousal (continuous self-rating), autonomic nervous system activity (heart rate, heart rate variability) and musical characteristics (sound intensity, musical rhythm) upon listening to a complex musical piece. Twenty amateur musicians listened to two performances of Chopin's "Tristesse" with different rhythmic shapes. Besides conventional statistical methods for analyzing psychophysiological reactions (heart rate, respiration rate) and musical variables, semblance analysis was used. Perceived arousal correlated strongly with sound intensity; heart rate showed only a partial response to changes in sound intensity. Larger changes in heart rate were caused by the version with more rhythmic tension. The low-/high-frequency ratio of heart rate variability increased-whereas the high frequency component decreased-during music listening. We conclude that autonomic nervous system activity can be modulated not only by sound intensity but also by the interpreter's use of rhythmic tension. Semblance analysis enables us to track the subtle correlations between musical and physiological variables.

Sight-reading of violinists: eye movements anticipate the musical flow

When sight-reading a piece of music the eyes constantly scan the score slightly ahead of music execution. This separation between reading and acting is commonly termed eye-hand span and can be expressed in two ways: as anticipation in notes or in time. Previous research, predominantly in piano players, found skill-dependent differences of eye-hand span. To date no study has explored visual anticipation in violinists. The present study investigated how structural properties of a piece of music affect the eye-hand span in a group of violinists. To this end eye movements and bow reversals were recorded synchronously while musicians sight-read a piece of music. The results suggest that structural differences of the score are reflected in the eye-hand span in a way similar to skill level. Specifically, the piece with higher complexity was associated with lower anticipation in notes, longer fixation duration and a tendency for more regressive fixations. Anticipation in time, however, remained the same (approximately 1 s) independently of the score played but was correlated with playing tempo. We conclude that the eye-hand span is not only influenced by the experience of the musician, but also by the structure of the score to be played.

Create Math Recital

Guest musicians: Heather Lingle and Mark Hayden

The Amplifier - v. 6, no. 2

In this issue...Stanley Bosch, homecoming, Naranche Stadium, NROTC, Petroleum Engineering, Magma annual, Platter Chatter, Masonic ballroom, International Club, Kelley Hemmert

The Influence of Pre-stimulus EEG Activity on Reaction Time During a Verbal Sternberg Task is Related to Musical Expertise

Abstract Previous work highlighted the possibility that musical training has an influence on cognitive functioning. The suggested reason for this influence is the strong recruitment of attention, planning, and working memory functions during playing a musical instrument. The purpose of the present work was twofold, namely to evaluate the general relationship between pre-stimulus electrophysiological activity and cognition, and more specifically the influence of musical expertise on working memory functions. With this purpose in mind, we used covariance mapping analyses to evaluate whether pre-stimulus electroencephalographic activity is predictive for reaction time during a visual working memory task (Sternberg paradigm) in musicians and non-musicians. In line with our hypothesis, we replicated previous findings pointing to a general predictive value of pre-stimulus activity for working memory performance. Most importantly, we also provide first evidence for an influence of musical expertise on working memory performance that could distinctively be predicted by pre-stimulus spectral power. Our results open novel perspectives for better comprehending the vast influences of musical expertise on cognition.

Performing ‘Readings’: The Interplay of Theatre And Digital Comics In Tezuka

The article investigates the intriguing interplay of digital comics and live-action elements in a detailed performance analysis of TeZukA (2011) by choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. This dance theatre production enacts the life story of Osamu Tezuka and some of his famous manga characters, interweaving performers and musicians with large-scale projections of the mangaka’s digitised comics. During the show, the dancers perform different ‘readings’ of the projected manga imagery: e.g. they swipe panels as if using portable touchscreen displays, move synchronously to animated speed lines, and create the illusion of being drawn into the stories depicted on the screen. The main argument is that TeZukA makes visible, demonstrates and reflects upon different ways of delivering, reading and interacting with digital comics. In order to verify this argument, the paper uses ideas developed in comics and theatre studies to draw more specifically on the use of digital comics in this particular performance.

Soliman der Zweyte, oder die drey Sultaninnen : Ein Singspiel in zwey Aufzügen ; für die k. k. Hoftheater

nach dem Französischen des Herrn Favart bearbeitet von Franz Xaver Huber. Die Musik ist von Hrn. Franz Xav. Süßmayer, Kapellmeister in wirklichen Diensten der k. k. Theatral-Hof-Direktion

El exilio chileno : Río profundo de la cultura iberoamericana

El exilio chileno dio lugar a un fenómeno cultural de grandes proporciones y el confinamiento, con todas sus secuelas, inspiró un florecimiento extraordinario de las letras y las artes de vastas proyecciones, tanto así que despertó y sigue motivando el interés de estudiosos de diversas disciplinas. Entre los miles de chilenos que se repartieron por el mundo, un grupo, cualitativamente relevante, estuvo constituido por escritores, artistas plásticos, artesanos, músicos, gente de teatro y de cine, hombres de ciencia y académicos de las más variadas disciplinas. Grupos teatrales funcionaron en muchos países; y los conjuntos musicales chilenos recorrieron el mundo. Las exposiciones de pintores, fotógrafos, y escultores chilenos eran frecuentes en las más importantes ciudades americanas y europeas, a la vez que en el marco de casi todas las manifestaciones de solidaridad las artesanías, obras de artistas profesionales y ocasionales, eran puestas a la venta; muchos refugiados lograron sobrevivir del producto de este tipo de trabajo.

De la programación miscelánica a la consolidación de la ópera : Devenir y conformación del gusto musical en Buenos Aires (1821-1828)

El objetivo del presente trabajo reside en analizar el proceso de conformación del gusto musical por el género lírico en la sociedad porteña durante el período 1821-1828. Dicho proceso será abordado mediante la reconstrucción y análisis de la programación musical presente, principalmente, en la prensa del período. Asimismo, se indaga en torno a la dinámica de los espacios musicales inaugurados e impulsados para tal fin -academia, sociedades y teatro- y sobre los principales músicos y cantantes intervinientes en dicho proceso cultural.

El exilio chileno : Río profundo de la cultura iberoamericana

El exilio chileno dio lugar a un fenómeno cultural de grandes proporciones y el confinamiento, con todas sus secuelas, inspiró un florecimiento extraordinario de las letras y las artes de vastas proyecciones, tanto así que despertó y sigue motivando el interés de estudiosos de diversas disciplinas. Entre los miles de chilenos que se repartieron por el mundo, un grupo, cualitativamente relevante, estuvo constituido por escritores, artistas plásticos, artesanos, músicos, gente de teatro y de cine, hombres de ciencia y académicos de las más variadas disciplinas. Grupos teatrales funcionaron en muchos países; y los conjuntos musicales chilenos recorrieron el mundo. Las exposiciones de pintores, fotógrafos, y escultores chilenos eran frecuentes en las más importantes ciudades americanas y europeas, a la vez que en el marco de casi todas las manifestaciones de solidaridad las artesanías, obras de artistas profesionales y ocasionales, eran puestas a la venta; muchos refugiados lograron sobrevivir del producto de este tipo de trabajo.

De la programación miscelánica a la consolidación de la ópera : Devenir y conformación del gusto musical en Buenos Aires (1821-1828)

El objetivo del presente trabajo reside en analizar el proceso de conformación del gusto musical por el género lírico en la sociedad porteña durante el período 1821-1828. Dicho proceso será abordado mediante la reconstrucción y análisis de la programación musical presente, principalmente, en la prensa del período. Asimismo, se indaga en torno a la dinámica de los espacios musicales inaugurados e impulsados para tal fin -academia, sociedades y teatro- y sobre los principales músicos y cantantes intervinientes en dicho proceso cultural.

El exilio chileno : Río profundo de la cultura iberoamericana

El exilio chileno dio lugar a un fenómeno cultural de grandes proporciones y el confinamiento, con todas sus secuelas, inspiró un florecimiento extraordinario de las letras y las artes de vastas proyecciones, tanto así que despertó y sigue motivando el interés de estudiosos de diversas disciplinas. Entre los miles de chilenos que se repartieron por el mundo, un grupo, cualitativamente relevante, estuvo constituido por escritores, artistas plásticos, artesanos, músicos, gente de teatro y de cine, hombres de ciencia y académicos de las más variadas disciplinas. Grupos teatrales funcionaron en muchos países; y los conjuntos musicales chilenos recorrieron el mundo. Las exposiciones de pintores, fotógrafos, y escultores chilenos eran frecuentes en las más importantes ciudades americanas y europeas, a la vez que en el marco de casi todas las manifestaciones de solidaridad las artesanías, obras de artistas profesionales y ocasionales, eran puestas a la venta; muchos refugiados lograron sobrevivir del producto de este tipo de trabajo.

De la programación miscelánica a la consolidación de la ópera : Devenir y conformación del gusto musical en Buenos Aires (1821-1828)

El objetivo del presente trabajo reside en analizar el proceso de conformación del gusto musical por el género lírico en la sociedad porteña durante el período 1821-1828. Dicho proceso será abordado mediante la reconstrucción y análisis de la programación musical presente, principalmente, en la prensa del período. Asimismo, se indaga en torno a la dinámica de los espacios musicales inaugurados e impulsados para tal fin -academia, sociedades y teatro- y sobre los principales músicos y cantantes intervinientes en dicho proceso cultural.