Ever wondered what Johann Sebastian Bach looked like? Forensic artists have reconstructed his face from a bronze cast of his skull and documents from his time.
Click on http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7270795.stm to read the article and to see the image.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Are you amusia-ed?
I have often been amazed when I hear people say that they don't like music. I could never understand how that could be possible. It's one thing to not like a certain type of music. I, for one, don't like rap music--but that's another matter. But to not like music at all--that's hard to accept. Today, I think I found the answer for which I had been waiting.
Today's In the News, an electronic newsletter of the League of American Orchestras, included the following report:
Unlocking the mysteries of amusia
In today’s (2/28) Herald (Glasgow, Scotland), James Morgan writes about “those who suffer from a rare condition known as amusia—a complete inability to comprehend or take pleasure from music. Where once these people would have been dismissed as ‘tone deaf’, there is a growing recognition that amusia is a neurological condition, inherited through families. Professor Tim Griffiths listens to the experiences of amusia patients every month in his auditory clinic in Newcastle. … Griffiths is the UK’s leading expert on amusia. He was quick to recognise that those who ‘just don’t get it’ hold the key. By peering into their minds, we can begin to answer deeper mysteries—why do humans enjoy music, and what use is it to us? … Studies have shown that the brain has distinct systems for processing pitch, melody and rhythm. A further brain region creates the emotional effect of music, and this is the area in which Griffiths is most interested.”
So, if you know of people who are not attending concerts of their local orchestra, tell them that they just might suffer from amusia. After wondering what you are talking about, they will either call their family doctor or order tickets.
Today's In the News, an electronic newsletter of the League of American Orchestras, included the following report:
Unlocking the mysteries of amusia
In today’s (2/28) Herald (Glasgow, Scotland), James Morgan writes about “those who suffer from a rare condition known as amusia—a complete inability to comprehend or take pleasure from music. Where once these people would have been dismissed as ‘tone deaf’, there is a growing recognition that amusia is a neurological condition, inherited through families. Professor Tim Griffiths listens to the experiences of amusia patients every month in his auditory clinic in Newcastle. … Griffiths is the UK’s leading expert on amusia. He was quick to recognise that those who ‘just don’t get it’ hold the key. By peering into their minds, we can begin to answer deeper mysteries—why do humans enjoy music, and what use is it to us? … Studies have shown that the brain has distinct systems for processing pitch, melody and rhythm. A further brain region creates the emotional effect of music, and this is the area in which Griffiths is most interested.”
So, if you know of people who are not attending concerts of their local orchestra, tell them that they just might suffer from amusia. After wondering what you are talking about, they will either call their family doctor or order tickets.
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