The Brain

Question 1

what happens when we either listen to music or perform music

Answer 1

communication in the brain… neurons

• brain cells
• billions in our brain
• born with many
• through experiences - neuron connections forged

Question 2

what is a neuron (hint-ABCD)

Answer 2

it has 3 parts.
1) axon (sends info)
2) cell body (contains nucleus, takes care of neuron)
3) dendrite (receives the info)

Question 3

characteristics of the neuron

Answer 3

• there are electrical impulses within one neuron
• neurotransmitters = chemical messages sent between neurons
• synapse = bridge between neurons

Question 4

what are the parts of the OUTER brain

Answer 4

1) temporal lobes
2) occipital lobes
3) parietal lobes
4) frontal lobes

Question 5

characteristics of temporal lobes

Answer 5

• auditory cortex
• initial analysis of sound (pitch)
• association of music with past events (conditioning)

musical training?
- greater brain responses to musical sounds
- total volume of auditory cortex is 130% larger! WOW

Question 6

characteristics of occipital lobes

Answer 6

• visual cortex
• reading music
• watching music being performed
• imagining music

Question 7

characteristics of parietal lobes

Answer 7

• somatosensory cortex
• tactile information - touch (ex: when playing an instrument)

Question 8

characteristics of frontal lobes

Answer 8

• motor cortex (playing instrument, dancing)
• prefrontal area = music preferences, thinking about music

Question 9

what are the parts of the INNER brain

Answer 9

1) hippocampus (memory for music)
2) amygdala (emotional reactions to music)
3) cerebellum
- coordination of movement, balance
- tracks rhythm, tempo of music

Question 10

define both hemispheres of the brain

Answer 10

RIGHT
- pitch, timbre, melody recognition
- performing music, keeping track of meter/beat
- emotional response to music

LEFT
- naming notes and pieces of music (language)

BUT… both hemispheres are involved and work together