Klarinet Archive - Posting 000611.txt from 2000/04

From: James Pyne <jpyne@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Music Education = Academic Achievement (was Student
Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2000 11:29:25 -0400

I attempted to set up sessions (brain mapping) at the 1998 ClarinetFest at
OSU dealing with brain function and music, especially jazz vs. classical
performance. We had Eddie Daniels and Larry Combs, excellent "switch
hitters" who were both interested, as well as straight classical and
straight jazz performers. And as one who has done some of both myself,
improvising seems very different mentally from the more usual activities
involved with music making.

I consulted with a number of experts in the field in 1998 and the consensus
was that it could not be done at that time; that brain mapping techniques
were not well enough developed to get reliable information in something
close to a real life setting. For example movements of the face muscles can
skew results of an EEG, so it is difficult to analyse data and draw valid
conclusions. An alternative approach where the subject must be quite still
and say, imagine the activity is also less than ideal.

I would welcome any input from folks who are knowledgeable in the area of
brain mapping research. There are many interesting things that could be
done.

---Jim Pyne

>David Blumberg wrote:
>"How bout just the Brain scan that shows that Music uses a very large
>portion of the brain to control a high number of small muscles. Opposite
>for Sports - small portion of Brain to control very large muscles. (DENNIS
>RODMAN...)" he has a small portion of brain? Comes as a shock to me. I
>wasn't aware there was any...My daughter is a basketball player and still I
>keep trying to get her to take up the clarinet...she's beginning to run out
>of excuses...Anyone who can cover the holes and sound good on their first
>try has to continue...(Why I continued I'll never know)
>
>Patty Smith...
>
>who's glad she didn't quit

James Pyne, professor
Clarinet Studio/Research Group
School of Music
The Ohio State University
1866 College Road
Columbus, Ohio 43210
pyne.1@-----.edu
Tel: 614 292 8969
Fax: 614 292 1102

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