Singing and the Brain

We may be the only species that speaks, but we are just one of many species that sings. How is human song similar to and different from the songs of other animals? What do we know about the evolutionary history of singing in our species? Are there brain-based disorders that selectively influence singing, but not speech? Can regular singing influence human brain structure and function in positive ways? This session will address these questions from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience.

Help advance the cognitive science of singing! Researchers from the Tufts University music cognition lab are conducting a study on how musicians perceive melodies. The study takes approximately 30 minutes, and results will be discussed during the presentation. Experiments will take place in the St. James Room on the fourth floor; please sign up for a Thursday or Friday session on the sign-up sheet posted outside the room.