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Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 8
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As the title says, this is merely me jotting down any thought that happens across my mind as I was brainstorming...
--> Science Fair 2008 // Category: Behavioural
Goal: build a computer model that will imitate the brain's response to a segment of music and link these musical elements to memory recall
Trials: probably need data from at least 10 people, but each model will have to be personalized due to nature of fMRI and EEG, so in essence will need to make sure that the program can be adjusted to fit each person's brain model (!!)
A few questions to keep in mind:
1. How does the brain RECALL pitch, etc.
2. How does it react to consonance/dissonance; what causes one to cringe upon hearing a sour note?
3. Anticipation and music (for example, how does brain react if, after playing a pattern of C-E-G-E-C for a period of time, they are suddenly presented with C-E-F-E-C?)
4. "No one has yet done experiments to see if 6/8 and 3/4 time have different neural representation" (quote from This is Your Brain on Music)
5. When recalling music, why does it not matter if the music has been edited? We recognize the song "Happy Birthday" no matter what the style, genre, singer, etc. is. How is the brain able to understand, for example, that a symphonic violin version of Happy Birthday and a jazz saxophone version are the exact same song?
Preliminary work:
1. Ask around – may I use fMRI device, are there any in the area?
2. Ask about buying a frequency counter and how to hook up to computer.
3. Write program that will detect intervals and etc. (what programming language?)
for example... something like
if (Math.max(freq1, freq2) – Math.min(freq1, freq2)) = 219.25
System.out.println("This is an interval of a perfect 5th");
& also light up corresponding parts of the brain
(note: I think in Java, seriously. This was the only thing I could get out of my head to explain the idea..
How to do it: (first, need to acquire an fMRI device)
1. Gather brain data from fMRI of response to various pitches, intervals, chords, cadences (need to work out how to explain deviation in response, but it should be more obvious in complicated sequences. Perhaps can write one line of music in same amp/rhythm, but for example the first piece of music is comprised of only 2nds, the next of only 3rds, the next only of IV chords, etc. and vary the octaves in which the segment of music is played. They will be multiples of the fundamental, but perhaps the pitch matters. Take into account the hearing ability of the person [perhaps do a quick hearing test on them first?])
2. Input pitches, etc. into computer so that it recognizes them (use Hz measurements?)
3. Find some way to write program that can pick out progression of pitches, etc. in music and match them up with the corresponding brain data
4. Match brain data to other things that are controlled by corresponding areas
5. Link these brain activities to memory recall
6. Explain how certain progressions in musical data can influence memory recall for words, numbers, and images
The program will work like this:
1. Detect Hz measurements (or different between two) using some sort of meter
2. Connect this meter with a computer program that will match up the Hz measurement & difference and will "light up" a part of a model of the brain according to the corresponding brain pattern (found during the initial fMRI sessions).
3. Print out results: "Interval of perfect 5th, 440Hz to 659.25 Hz" in addition to brain activity chart. Results will be printed out in a sort of train-track sheet OR will be a real-time video file.
4. Add settings for overlaying different patterns ("during memory recall of numbers", "memory recall of words", etc.). If the brain "lights up" in specific areas, then the active interval/Hz are bolded or marked in some way, since this means the interval/Hz is associated with the memory recall pattern.
Significance to society:
1. Predict brain's reaction to a simple piece of music (only melody or harmony - probably can't pick out all the instrumentation in a full-blown song, but the basic principle is there!)
2. Helps link musical elements to memory recall – if we can pinpoint the intervals/chords/progressions that also share similar brain areas with those used for memory recall, then we can compose specific pieces of music that will sort of.. help to access and heighten the senses necessary to improve memory skills in developing young children, adolescents, and adults.
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I could use a little help trying to narrow down my variables and topic of research. I've also heard that most studies done in this area were unsuccessful so I was wondering if anyone knew if it was possible to isolate the working areas of the brain like so.. |
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