Replication of elite music performance enhancement following alpha/theta neurofeedback and application to novice performance and improvisation with SMR benefits.
Alpha/theta (A/T) and sensory-motor rhythm (SMR) neurofeedback were compared in university instrumentalists who were novice singers with regard to prepared and improvised instrumental and vocal performance in three music domains: creativity/musicality, technique and communication/presentation. Only A/T training enhanced advanced playing seen in all three domains by expert assessors and validated by correlations with learning indices, strongest with Creativity/Musicality as shown by Egner and Gruzelier (2003). Here A/T gains extended to novice performance - prepared vocal, improvised vocal and instrumental - and were recognised by a lay audience who judged the prepared folk songs. SMR learning correlated positively with Technical Competence and Communication in novice performance, in keeping with SMR neurofeedback's known impact on lower-order processes such as attention, working memory and psychomotor skills. The importance of validation through learning indices was emphasised in the interpretation of neurofeedback outcome.
Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE14 6NW, UK. Electronic address: j.gruzelier@gold.ac.uk.
J H
JH
Gruzelier
Trinity/Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, UK.
P
P
Holmes
Trinity/Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, UK.
L
L
Hirst
Imperial College Medical School, London, UK.
K
K
Bulpin
Imperial College Medical School, London, UK.
S
S
Rahman
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
C
C
van Run
Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE14 6NW, UK.
J
J
Leach
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D003405:Creativity; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009146:Music; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000379:methods*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013826:Theta Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Alpha/theta; Creativity; Improvisation; Music; Neurofeedback; SMR