Klarinet Archive - Posting 000799.txt from 2002/06

From: "Kent Krive" <k.krive@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Fwd: Brains
Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2002 09:49:36 -0400

Mark wrote:
> >My presumption would be that, if true, it is because musicians, through
> >use, DEVELOP that portion of the brain more, not that the size would
> >incline us toward music. I don't find any problem with that logic.

Bill wrote in reply:
> As I understand it, we actually use only a small percentage of our
> brains. The argument that, with extra use, more excess brain cells would
> become specialized or be recruited for that particular use is at least
> logical. I make no claim of expertise in the area of brain function.

An interesting book: "Mozart's Brain and the Fighter Pilot" by Richard
Restak, MD, a professor of neurology at George Washington University Medical
Center, suggests strongly that the brain does indeed change physically in
response to various activities in which we engage. The title of Chapter
four, for instance, is "Your Capacity for New Learning Remains and May
Increase as You Grow Older;" it make specific reference to the brains of
musicians.

Unfortunately, despite the title, the only specific reference to Mozart's
brain deals with his recording on paper the "Miserere" of Gregorio Allegri
after hearing it only twice. However, the book has tremendous utilitarian
value for anyone who seeks to maintain and enhance brain function (certainly
everyone on this list except those who just can't seem to understand how to
unsubscribe :-)) on a long-term basis.

The bottom line, according to the book, is that all of that digital drudgery
by us clarinetists on "finger-breakers" pursuant to the development of a
comprehensive technique does cause changes in the brain structure which are
long lasting (not permanent without continued drudgery, however).

Kent

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