Improvisation and the Brain
Mar 2nd, 2008 by Scott
According to a new study from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Scientists funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) have found that, when jazz musicians are engaged in the highly creative and spontaneous activity known as improvisation, a large region of the brain involved in monitoring one’s performance is shut down, while a small region involved in organizing self-initiated thoughts and behaviors is highly activated. The researchers propose that this and several related patterns are likely to be key indicators of a brain that is engaged in highly creative thought.
Full Article here.
Seems like another case of science confirming something long assumed, but still pretty nifty that we can use MRI scanners to locate exactly where this activity takes place in the brain. Personally I wish I could shut down the part of my brain monitoring performance a bit more often. Maybe in 2050 we’ll see a an improv beanie cap for sale at Guitar Center… ugh, I hope not.