Found this in my “BBC Daily E-mail.” Before, I had never wondered why music is “happy” or “sad.”
Hmm, this kinda goes against my instincts – it says that that one part of the brain was activated when played G major or E minor (same notes, different modes), and another when played E major (different notes, major mode). I would’ve thought that the minor mode would activate one part of the brain, the major the other. It lends credence to those who assert that different keys have different feels. Myself, I love E whistles, have no use for Eflats.
There are so many variables involved in music, I think this’ll be a money-spinner for researcher for years to come.
The same note played on a fiddle or a recorder will have two different effects. Then you’ve got length of each note, rhythm, etc, and that’s just looking at two notes played one after another, let alone a whole symphony.
Personally I don’t have any feel for keys, it’s just a question of what fits my vocal range. I can sing the same tune in D, E, Eb, F, whatever. No difference.
Yes, I can see a lot of greenbacks spent on this research, for little result. A bit like the famous case of the years spent proving why toast usually falls butter side down. Can’t we just enjoy life without having to analyse so much? 
The fact that the same brain part (whatever that means) responded to G major and E minor suggests that that part has something to do with perceptual organization, not emotion. G major and E minor share the same notes, of course. This kind of stuff is always interesting but I agree with Martin for the most part.
Steve
I suspect that this research is more about the science of the brain than it is about music. Many stimuli affect the emotions or behavior and it’s unknown why they do so. Analyzing how the brain works in these narrow cases, such as musical keys, leads to discoveries to treat diseases such as epilepsy, bipolar disease, psychosis, Alzheimers syndrome, etc. It also gives me an insight into why my favorite type of composition, a waltz in a minor key, affects me so much.
Mike
On 2002-12-13 08:24, burnsbyrne wrote:
Analyzing how the brain works in these narrow cases, such as musical keys, leads to discoveries to treat diseases such as epilepsy, bipolar disease, psychosis, Alzheimers syndrome, etc. It also gives me an insight into why my favorite type of composition, a waltz in a minor key, affects me so much.
Are there examples of how studying the neurophysiology of something like pitch or melodic perception has helped lead to important information about Alzheimer’s or any other neurological disorder?
Steve
Here are some links on musical therapy for various disorders:
http://www.mtabc.com/dementia.html
http://www.autism.org/music.html
http://www.berklee.edu/news/2002/02/brain.html
Music Therapy and Alzheimer’s
http://www.harptherapy.com/spr96art.html
These are just some of my bookmarks for music and sound healing… if anyone wants more, feel free to PM or email me. Research into this area is of great importance!! Thanks for the article Marguerite!
Andrea ~*~
On 2002-12-13 08:50, aderyn wrote:
[snip]
These are just some of my bookmarks for music and sound healing… if anyone wants more, feel free to PM or email me. >Andrea ~*~
I’ll check out those links–thanks! I’m very curious about neurological function (witness my posts about muscle memory, etc.).
You’re welcome for the article. I feel a little like the referee at start of a basketball game–I tossed up the ball and got out of the way. 
M
On 2002-12-13 08:28, SteveK wrote:
On 2002-12-13 08:24, burnsbyrne wrote:
Analyzing how the brain works in these narrow cases, such as musical keys, leads to discoveries to treat diseases such as epilepsy, bipolar disease, psychosis, Alzheimers syndrome, etc. It also gives me an insight into why my favorite type of composition, a waltz in a minor key, affects me so much.Are there examples of how studying the neurophysiology of something like pitch or melodic perception has helped lead to important information about Alzheimer’s or any other neurological disorder?
Steve
I can’t cite any studies off hand. A quick search of the National Library of Medicine data base would probably turn up several such articles. The means to study the brain in a non-invasive way has been available for a short time. I recall that PET scans have been used to localize the areas of the brain that are activated during epileptic siezures. Basic research like this often turns up unexpected knowledge with great benifit to society.
Mike
Maybe someone should do a study on what part of the brain causes typos.
[ This Message was edited by: burnsbyrne on 2002-12-13 09:15 ]
I think it will be interesting to see what the scientists come up with after more research.
Maybe someone should do a study on what part of the brain causes typos.
[ This Message was edited by: burnsbyrne on 2002-12-13 09:15 ]
It would be interesting to know what causes typos becuase I hafta be the world’s worst typist. However the idea that the brain “causes” typos dissociates “the brain” from the rest of us. The brain isn’t some autonomous agent acting on “us”. Here’s another example:
“The brain shapes how we perceive the world, how we interpret our perceptions, what we feel, and what we remember. It regulates our emotional states and physical sensations. It orchestrates the symphony of physical functions that keep us alive and in good health.”
Notice how the brain takes on the role of an agent. It does all kinds of stuff to “us” (whoever we are apart from the brain). Psychophysical dualism with a vengance.
Steve
On 2002-12-13 09:53, SteveK wrote:
Maybe someone should do a study on what part of the brain causes typos.
[ This Message was edited by: burnsbyrne on 2002-12-13 09:15 ]
It would be interesting to know what causes typos becuase I hafta be the world’s worst typist. However the idea that the brain “causes” typos dissociates “the brain” from the rest of us. The brain isn’t some autonomous agent acting on “us”. Here’s another example:
“The brain shapes how we perceive the world, how we interpret our perceptions, what we feel, and what we remember. It regulates our emotional states and physical sensations. It orchestrates the symphony of physical functions that keep us alive and in good health.”
Notice how the brain takes on the role of an agent. It does all kinds of stuff to “us” (whoever we are apart from the brain). Psychophysical dualism with a vengance.
Steve
What has always fascinated me is the relation between language, the brain and perception. Does the brain shape the language or vice versa. And what about polyglot people? Recent research has shown some indication that early music learning is related to success in school later in life. Good stuff!
Mike
While cruising around the web looking at brain stuff, I found this. It’s about Alzheimer’s.
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/2001/03/07/FFX7FXPGYJC.html
Steve
Thanks so much for this thread. There’s a couple who has often been in the audience when our group plays. He is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and she obviously brings him to musical events because he seems to need the exposure so much. I just emailed her about getting together with them to get him started on whistle, and her too if she wishes. Now I know what to do with the old Clare, Waltons, and Feadog.
Lisa
Brains, mines the size of a pea.
I could learn to make a whistle,
instead of sitting on a thistle,
If I only had a brain.
Still if I did then maybe I Would not be trying to play HIP HOP on the Low D> 
Wizz
Amen Lisa; I took care of Alzheilmer`s patients for close to 3 years. Music was the longest lasting stimulation. I mean right up to the end. Very important.
As for the brain thing, I think if we keep track of how certain music effects us we would know as much as science is ever going to know about it. It seem we need people to put names on things to make them credable. We realy do know everything we just need to take the time to listen.
Oh shut up Tom
Merry Christmas all
Music and the Brain
is this a sequel to:
Pinky and the Brain
We’re going to take over the world!
Mike
Mike, that is too funny that you posted that! I had just been singing the theme song for Pinky and the Brain because of this thread title!! 
Andrea ~*~
Andrea,
Strange minds think similarly.
Mike
Another way of viewing this: great music probably has the capacity to tickle all of it in one swoop.
Reading article makes me think of how really good music can sometimes “remind” you of so many things simultaneously. Must be the old cells tinglin.