Sarah Brenay - OB - Ch. 17

Summary: Brown discusses the brain functions used for singing. The brain has an incredible capacity to develop and grow. Our thoughts control our voices, so we need to first master out thoughts. The nervous system conveys our thoughts to our muscles to inspire physical reactions. Some responses are involuntary and some are voluntary. Singing uses both sides of the brain, which is why it's so cool. Many of the nerve fibers in the brain are used in singing.
Key Concepts: Understanding the way the brain works helps us understand the mental process of singing. Singing involves the entire body and brain. Think, let, trust.
Key Terms:
Voluntary impulse - processed by the thinking part of the brain
Involuntary impulse - aka autonomic nervous system, serves function without direct attention
Medulla Oblongata - carries out brain processes such as swallowing, breathing, talking, singing, heart rate and blood pressure
Hypothalamus - controls behaviors related to emotional states
Afferent Nerve Fiber - receives information from the body and conveys it to the brain or spinal chord
Efferent Nerve Fiber - carries signals from the brain or spinal chord to the body to carry out actions
Reflex Arc - aka conditioned reflex, when the brain has carried out an action so often that it is relegated to automatic responses, aka muscle memory
Atrophy - deterioration due to lack of use
Point of Saturation - a high amount of concentration resulting in a maximum number of nerve ending stimulations
Proprioception - a heightened awareness of the position, condition, and movement of the mechanisms in your body
X Vagus - The laryngeal nerve
Making Connections: This chapter had so much freaking information. That's why I did the bulk of my summary in term definitions. Although I am familiar with many of the concepts discussed, I really liked the way Brown connects everything back to singing. This chapter reaffirms how essential it is to think while singing. Thinking before phonation. Thinking to prepare your body for performance. Automating actions so that when performance comes, you don't NEED to think. Think. let. trust!