Articles tagged with Musical Instruments
Researchers used EEG to measure brain activity while musicians listened to or imagined Bach piano melodies. Brain activity during imagined music had the opposite polarity of actual listening, indicating prediction-driven responses. The study found that the brain continues to respond to music even when none is playing.
Researchers analyzed spoken and sung verbal snippets with corresponding drum and song excerpts, finding high acoustic correlation between talking drums and Yorùbá language. The study also explores the connection between music and speech, shedding light on the relationship between auditory communication and language evolution.
Researchers found that listening to vocal music improves language recovery in stroke patients by enhancing structural connectivity and functional plasticity of the language network. This discovery expands our understanding of music-based neurological rehabilitation methods.
Research found that playing wind instruments produces similar aerosol levels to breathing and significantly lower levels than vocalizing. The study's findings have important implications for lifting COVID-19 restrictions in the performing arts sector.
Politecnico di Milano researchers used neural networks to predict the acoustic behavior of violin plates based on geometric parameters. The results showed an accuracy close to 98%, enabling luthiers to design and build violins with optimal sound quality, exploring new designs and materials.
A study found that algorithm-generated music recommendations are less accurate for listeners of non-mainstream music compared to those who listen to mainstream music. The researchers identified four groups of non-mainstream music listeners based on their listening habits and found that users who listened to high-energy music received t...
Researchers highlight the effectiveness of music-based interventions in neurorehabilitation, including improvements in sensorimotor, speech/language, and cognitive functions. Studies show that music therapy can enhance executive functioning, affective responding, and motor skills in patients with post-stroke cognition and autism.
A newly discovered conch shell horn from the French Pyrenees produces melodic notes C, D, and C sharp, marking a first for European Upper Paleolithic artifacts. The shell's modifications, dating back to the Magdalenian period, were carefully made by human hands.
Researchers found that elderly choir singers had better verbal flexibility and emotional wellbeing compared to control groups. Choir singing for longer periods also increased feelings of social togetherness among the elderly.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed an AI system called Audeo that generates music from silent video performances of pianists. The system correctly identified musical pieces using music-recognition apps 86% of the time, surpassing human accuracy in some cases.
Scientists developed a system to control piano key weight and created active haptic training (AHT) to enhance tactile force sense. This led to improved keystroke accuracy in expert pianists and ordinary persons without professional music training.
Researchers studied aerodynamics of infectious disease and found strategies for lowering risk based on understanding how particles mix with air in confined spaces. They proposed a pandemic-sensitive seating model, guidelines for airflow and aerosol emission control, and an app to gauge transmission risk in various settings.
Two studies by Aalto University show that minor sound fluctuations make identifying concert halls difficult. The research highlights the importance of considering both acoustic parameters and musical timbre in understanding concert hall acoustics.
A new analysis confirms that listening to Mozart's piano music can significantly reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures. The study, which evaluated 147 research articles, found that daily Mozart listening sessions resulted in a 31-66% reduction in epilepsy attacks.
Researchers used violin synchronization to study complex network dynamics, finding that players can tune their playing periods and delete connections to achieve stability. This approach may inform better strategies for human networking in fields such as traffic management and epidemic control.
Researchers studied a man with a rare degenerative brain disease who couldn't see numbers, finding his brain processed faces and words without awareness. The study suggests additional neural processing is required for awareness, which was impaired in the individual.
Researchers have discovered a class of pulsating stars with remarkably regular high-frequency pulsation modes, opening up new ways to determine the masses and internal structures of these intermediate-sized stars. This breakthrough uses precise data from NASA's TESS mission to cut through noise and reveal clear patterns.
A network science study ranked Rachmaninoff as the most innovative composer between 1700 and 1900 based on novelty scores. Composers from the Romantic era had high novelty scores compared to others.
Researchers found that professional drummers have fewer but thicker fibres in the corpus callosum, a brain structure responsible for motor planning. This leads to more efficient brain organisation and better performance in drumming tasks. The study also revealed that drummers' brains are less active in motor tasks.
Researchers created a functioning 3D-printed ukulele and compared its sound quality to a standard wooden instrument using acoustics. They found that the 3D-printed ukulele produced lower A-weighted sound pressure and exhibited different timbre and frequency characteristics.
A Michigan State University study found that intelligence was the strongest predictor of skill acquisition in beginner pianists, followed by music aptitude. In contrast, growth mindset had little impact on piano performance.
Researchers used AI to analyze brain activity and physical responses while listening to music, finding that dynamic variability, new instruments, and complexity levels stimulate emotional responses. The study also found a correlation between specific musical notes and emotions.
A new algorithm developed by MIT student Trevor Henderson seamlessly blends different audio signals in real-time, recreating the portamento effect. The algorithm uses optimal transport to map pitches from one signal to another, producing a smooth transition without volume fading.
A study by researchers from MIT and Max Planck Institute found that people living in a remote Bolivian rainforest tend not to perceive similarities between notes played at different registers, unlike Westerners. The brain's ability to detect pitch similarity appears to be acquired through exposure to music in octave-based systems.
A new study shows people appreciate beauty in mathematical arguments similarly to art and music, suggesting a universal aesthetic. This finding may make abstract maths more accessible to children and has implications for maths education.
An AI tool developed by USC computer science student Timothy Greer classifies song genres by analyzing lyrics and chords. The tool predicts 'Old Town Road' is country according to lyrics, rock according to chords, and pop when combining both. This method highlights the complexity of music perception and its relation to music construction.
A new study shows that average Americans can evaluate mathematical arguments for beauty, using criteria such as elegance and universality. The research found that people share the same aesthetic sensibilities about math as they do about art and music, with consensus on what makes something beautiful.
A study found that music students outperform non-musical peers in math, science, and English exams. The research suggests that instrumental music skills transfer broadly to academic subjects, enhancing cognitive capacities and motivation to learn.
Researchers propose a new type of sensor based on exceptional surfaces, which exhibit enhanced sensitivity but also fragile behavior. The proposed system alleviates most experimental uncertainty problems, making it more reliable for detecting small nano-particles and single molecules.
Researchers developed a system to automatically identify and classify violin bow gestures, providing real-time feedback for students. The system achieved 94% accuracy in identifying bowing techniques, enabling practical learning scenarios for music education.
A study of over 8 million albums from 1956 to 2015 reveals that new musical styles emerge as a result of counter-signaling from outsider groups. This challenges traditional theories on the evolution of fashion and trends in music, highlighting the role of elite competition in driving innovation.
A study by Lancaster University tested six acoustic guitars with different back and side plate materials, finding similar sound quality ratings among all instruments. Despite this, experts suggest using sustainable woods as substitutes for expensive and endangered ones to minimize environmental impact.
Astronomers have developed a massive library of star spectra, enabling them to reconstruct the composition and history of distant galaxies. By analyzing thousands of stars in our Milky Way galaxy, researchers can build up a "library" of stellar spectra, allowing them to understand the unique mix of stars that makes up each galaxy.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed a 3D-printed robotic hand that can play simple musical phrases on the piano using passive movement. The robot's wrist actuation allows it to mimic different playing styles, demonstrating the potential for smart mechanical design in achieving complex movement.
Researchers have developed a new sensor that uses the mbira instrument to detect toxic substances and counterfeit medications. The sensor can distinguish between different liquids by their density, making it a potential tool for detecting counterfeit medication.
A new sensor based on a 3,000-year-old African musical instrument can detect adulterated or counterfeit drugs. The device measures the density of any liquid, revealing whether it has the same ingredients as a known product.
Researchers at Florida State University found that turtle shells were used as rattles and other musical instruments in prehistoric ceremonies across North America. The study sheds light on the importance of turtles in indigenous populations and challenges previous dismissals of their remains.
Billi London-Gray, a UTA art lecturer, has won a Puffin Grant for her ongoing project, The Loop and Saw Choir. She collaborates with volunteers of all ages and abilities to create music using unique instruments such as musical saws and analog synthesizers.
Research by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that frequent binge drinkers had higher blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar at a younger age. Young men who binge drink have higher systolic blood pressure, while young women have higher blood sugar levels compared to non-binge drinkers.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that solos are twice as likely to appear in sad songs, with legato articulation and quiet dynamics being key predictors of this occurrence. This finding provides insight into the creative choices composers make when crafting emotional music.
Skilled improvisers outperform non-improvisers in distinguishing between easy-to-substitute chords, with their brains showing distinct electrical activity. Improvisational practice reinforces how the brain represents different musical structures, suggesting a scientific basis for creativity.
A new study from MIT finds that piano lessons enhance word discrimination in kindergartners, particularly with consonants, without improving overall cognitive ability. The researchers suggest that music education is at least as beneficial for language skills and possibly more beneficial than additional reading instruction.
Early music training enhances brain processing of pitch and improves speech perception in young learners, with benefits mirroring those seen in reading instruction. The study found no broad cognitive enhancements from piano training alone, suggesting a targeted impact on sound processing ability.
A majority of fathers today spend more time with their children and provide more care than ever before. The study found that fathers who exhibit negative aspects of traditional masculinity are less involved with their children. To be a better father, men should not be afraid to show and feel their feelings.
A study discovered rapid recruitment of auditory-to-motor cortical pathways when participants played or passively listened to learned melodies. Brain connectivity between motor and auditory areas was also associated with training success, suggesting potential implications for rehabilitation strategies based on audio-motor learning.
Researchers found that antique Italian violins, such as those by Andrea Amati and Gasparo da Salo, can produce formants similar to the human singing voice. The study suggests that master violin-makers may have designed violins to emulate male voices, which could account for their storied tonal quality.
A recent Baycrest study suggests that learning music or speaking another language trains the brain to be more efficient. Researchers found that musicians and bilinguals utilized fewer brain resources when completing a working memory task, with less brain activity compared to monolingual individuals.
Researchers found that jazz pianists' brains plan movements differently than classical pianists, with a focus on improvisation and flexibility. Classical pianists, on the other hand, prioritize technique and expression, leading to differences in brain activity when playing the same piece.
The clarinet's unique sound in early New Orleans jazz is attributed to its size, shape, reed, and mouthpiece. Michael G. White's research aims to refine this tone on the Boehm system clarinet, exploring factors such as internal bore shape, fingerings, and player embouchure.
A recent study by Remy Wenmaekers reveals that physical measures have little effect in reducing sound levels due to instrument contribution. Earplugs are the only solution to help musicians reduce excessive sound levels, especially for trumpet and flute players.
Researchers found that many arts alumni do not leverage their creativity across their lives, believing their artistic training is relevant only in certain contexts. This 'creative identity' may be a key driver behind this variation, with individuals limiting themselves due to narrow senses of creativity.
Researchers have developed a hands-free musical instrument that can be controlled by thoughts, allowing people with motor disabilities to play music again. The Encephalophone collects brain signals and converts them into musical notes, providing a new avenue for rehabilitation and empowerment.
A recent Frontiers article explores the origins of music and its significance in human society. The study reveals that music is closely tied to human emotions, bonding, and social cohesion, suggesting that it may have played a crucial role in shaping human culture.
Astrophysicists discovered that the TRAPPIST-1 system remains stable due to a 'resonant chain' configuration, where planets' orbital periods form simple ratios. This harmonic stability explains why the system has survived for millions of years.
Research found that instrumental intros in top-10 songs decreased from 20 seconds to 5 seconds between 1986 and 2015, while song titles became shorter and lyrics started earlier. The 'attention economy' of modern pop music is prioritizing quick hooks over lengthy introductions.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London use the Filter Diagonalisation Method to analyze vibrato, a common musical effect that adds expressivity and enhances sound quality. The technique, originating from quantum physics, allows for precise analysis of music signals with great precision.
A new study suggests that musical scales may have evolved to accommodate the variability of the human voice, rather than the perfect tuning of instruments. This theory has implications for understanding the development of singing and speech production in tone languages.
A £1m grant will explore the link between cultural pursuits and health wellbeing, gathering new data from 3 years. Researchers will study how joining a choir, attending art classes or going to museums affects society's health.
A new study published in Brain and Cognition found that musicians have faster reaction times to sensory stimuli than non-musicians. The research suggests that long-term musical training can reduce simple non-musical auditory, tactile, and multisensory reaction times.
The Journal of Creative Music Systems features research on artificial intelligence in music, including harmonisation and vocal synthesis. The first issue has received an overwhelming response from contributors worldwide.