Feel The Beat! Musical Rhythm and the Brain

Thursday, July 20, 2023
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Floor/Room #
1002
Preview

Shantala Hegde

Music is a universal language and a universal human behaviour. Neuroscientists are intrigued by the very role of music in our lives. Neuroscientific investigations on music and its components have led to deeper understanding of the functioning of the brain itself. Two main integral components of music- melody and rhythm have wide spread neural representation. In this lecture, I will mainly focus on rhythm. Rhythm is the central organizing structure of music. Rhythm is also intimately connected with speech and language functions due to shared neural substrates. Distinct rhythmic elements are known to engage different neural mechanisms. Another closely associated process related to rhythm is, entrainment or synchronization. Although entrainment is possible with any sensory modality, entrainment to auditory information, especially rhythmic patterns appears to be more precise and accurate. Entrainment to rhythm has shown to influence motor behaviour. This aspect of rhythmic entrainment is one of the major neurological mechanisms linking music and rhythm to neurorehabilitation. In my lecture, I will introduce the audience to this branch of research (rhythm-brain) in the field of neuromusicology and its application in neurorehabilitation. I will also briefly share my personal journey into this field of neuromusicology.

Audience(s)

Department(s):

School of Arts & Sciences
Contact Person
Alicia Briggs

Phone Number: