How Singing Does Extraordinary Things to Our Brain Jem Golden
Jem Golden
Sessional University Lecturer/Tutor, Strategic Research Consultant, Analyst/Writer
Regular readers of these articles will be aware of my lowkey ‘proselytising’ on the neurological (not to mention the soul-nourishing!) benefits of listening to music. This analysis is based on scientific research using innovative and highly sophisticated brain activity mapping from brain scans of musicians and non musicians alike. For instance, my piece called ‘ Future Nostalgia’ : How Listening to Favourite, Long-Known Music Enhances Our Brain Plasticity, Cognitive Performance. Also, Music’s Multiple Powers Protects and Strengthens Our Brains.
Two extraordinary papers came across recently cover similar ground but with the focus on the powers of singing. The first one assesses the benefits to the brain from disciplined and complex vocal training while the second paper concentrates on amateur singers or let us call them ‘singers for fun’ such as in local choir groups.
Singing is a unique form of vocal musical expression with an exceptional ability to convey emotions. However, there has been relatively little research on how the brain's networks change and adapt (neuroplasticity) in vocalists, who do not also play an instrument.
What Does Singing Demand from the Singer?
Singing is a multifaceted behaviour that requires a fine motor control over the lips, tongue, vocal folds and respiratory system, the constant monitoring of auditory feedback to adjust performance and make precise sensorimotor adjustments during singing.
It requires access to the speech and language network to articulate lyrics, and it necessitates attention; not only to monitor one’s performance as well as the performance of other choir members, but also to follow the directives of the choir conductor. Because of this complexity, auditory, speech, language, and dorsal attention networks are engaged during singing.
The benefits of singing among trained musicians
A study by Li-Cheng et al (10 researchers in all) called Long-term musical training induces white matter plasticity in emotion and language networks show how singing over time can change and enhance how the different parts of the brain’s white matter connect.
In essence, white matter enables our brain to remain flexible, supporting both learning and recovery by enhancing the brain's ability to form and refine new connections.
The musicians recruited for this research were college students or graduates who majored in vocal performance involving on average three years higher education study of at least seven hours training hours per week. The Control participants were non-musicians who were mainly college students majoring in liberal arts.
Using a method called graph theory analysis to monitor brain activity, the researchers tracked these changes between the two groups, showing how the brain adapts (a process called neuroplasticity) after long-term vocal training.
Intense, Consistent Vocal Training Reshapes Our Brain’s Networks
The results of this first study, it showed that vocal training reshaped the brain networks responsible for motor control (the process by which the brain and nervous system coordinate and direct muscle movements in the body like walking and speaking), sensory feedback, and language processing by enhancing functional separation, improving the integration of multiple senses, and increasing network interconnectivity.
Singing for Fun to Preserve Cognitive & Auditory Functions As We Age
A different study by Zhang and Tremblay - Aging of Amateur Singers and Non-singers: from behaviour to resting-state connectivity published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience Cognitive and Auditory Abilities, showed that amateur singers performed better on memory tests and had sharper auditory processing when listening to complex sounds compared to non-singers of the same age.
This suggests that regularly practicing singing may help protect and preserve cognitive and auditory functions as people age.
Singers Resting-State Functional Connectivity
The study revealed that amateur singers had stronger connections between brain regions involved in auditory processing and motor control. For example, the areas of the brain that process sound and those that control the muscles used in singing were more synchronized in singers. This stronger brain connectivity likely plays a role in maintaining better auditory and cognitive functions in older singers.
Copyright: Zhang and Tremblay, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
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Brain Plasticity and Aging
Healthy aging is linked to significant changes in the brain's structure and function, which can affect thinking and communication. The mental exercise hypothesis suggests that certain activities, like singing—which is one of the most common and accessible forms of music-making—may help to improve cognitive function and slow down mental decline as we age. However, how this works in the brain is still not yet fully understood.
To explore this, Zhang and Tremblay studied the connection between age and brain activity during rest for both singers and non-singers, focusing on five key brain networks: auditory, speech, language, default mode, and attention. The researchers also looked at how these connections relate to aging in the brain's ability to process sound.
What Was the Criteria for Amateur Singers Recruited for the Study?
?A non-probabilistic sample of 85 adults aged 20–87 years with no history of hearing, speech, language, psychological, neurological, or neurodegenerative disorder was recruited. Amateur singers were defined as individuals singing in a choir for at least 2 years with a minimal weekly practice of 60 minutes. Non-singers were defined as individuals who do not participate in any form of amateur or professional singing. Singers were engaged in various types of singing, the most frequent ones being classical, popular, and choir. Their range of singing experience was broad (from 2 to 62 years). Most singers were not formally trained (73%).
The Protective Qualities of Singing as We Age
The study supports the idea that musical activities like singing could serve as a protective factor against age-related cognitive decline. For example, singers might be less likely to experience significant memory loss or difficulties with speech comprehension as they age, thanks to the brain's ongoing engagement in musical activities.
Based on brain scans, the research indicated that much older adults who sing regularly may experience enhanced brain plasticity.
For instance, if an area of the brain related to hearing becomes less active due to aging, singers might show a greater ability to recruit other parts of the brain to compensate. This adaptability could help reduce the impact of age-related decline.
The study supports the idea that musical activities like singing could serve as a protective factor against age-related cognitive decline.
For example, singers might be less likely to experience significant memory loss or difficulties with speech comprehension as they age, thanks to the brain's ongoing engagement in musical activities.
In summary, the research suggests that singing may help older adults maintain cognitive function and support brain connectivity, making it a potentially valuable activity for promoting healthy aging.
Sources for this article
Xiyue Zhang, Pascale Tremblay; Aging of Amateur Singers and Non-singers: From Behaviour to Resting-state Connectivity. J Cogn Neurosci?2023; doi: https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_02065
Cheng et al; Long-term musical training induces white matter plasticity in emotion and language networks. Human Brain Mapping 2023
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Contemporary Irish Artist
2 个月Very interesting Jem.
Creator & Founder at Ageless Grace Brain Health
2 个月Great article! The Ageless Grace Brain Health Program promotes singing, humming and whistling in one of our 21 tools that activate the 5 Primary functions of the brain... the tool is called Breathe Out Loud! And it stimulates strategic planning, memory and recall, analytical thinking, creativity and imagination and kinesthetic learning!
Music Educator
2 个月Very informative
I listen so you can hear yourself think. 1:1 bespoke leadership & executive coaching and development. Specialising in walking coaching. Accredited by the Association for Coaching
2 个月Fascinating to take different lenses on how and why singing is such a powerful experience.
The Probation Service
2 个月Very interesting, Jem. I recall during polyvagal theory training with Dr Steve Porges that singing stimulates the vagus nervous and is intrinsically regulating for the nervous system. Singing in a group us, he says, particularly beneficial.