TextBefore the first scanning session I had a couple4of lessons to get me used to singing and to providethe rudiments of reading music. I think Pam wasshocked at my lack of ability - she is used to teachingexperienced musicians and precocious children andhadn't actually believed me when I had said that Icouldn't sing in tune or follow a rhythm. She soonlearned better. The scan took place in June 2006 andwasagruelling experienceMore....Translation
4 Before the first scanning session I had a couple of lessons to get me used to singing and to provide the rudiments of reading music. I think Pam was shocked at my lack of ability – she is used to teaching experienced musicians and precocious children and hadn't actually believed me when I had said that I couldn't sing in tune or follow a rhythm. She soon learned better. The scan took place in June 2006 and was a gruelling experience. Text
TextFor hours, I lay flat onmy back, singing the technical exercises and songexcerpts that I could see projected on a screen above.Each piece had to be sung three times, with Larrytapping my toe to let me know when I should start andstop. Later, he would process the images, subtractingthe average of those taken during singing from those atrest, to give snapshots of the mental activity involved.Translation
For hours, I lay flat on my back, singing the technical exercises and song excerpts that I could see projected on a screen above. Each piece had to be sung three times, with Larry tapping my toe to let me know when I should start and stop. Later, he would process the images, subtracting the average of those taken during singing from those at rest, to give snapshots of the mental activity involved. Text
TextThen began a year of lessons. Pam taught me5about posture and breathing; she gave me tasks tohelp me sing in tune and to expand my range. Oncemy pitch had improved, we worked on rhythm, andthen tone and dynamics. She was always encouragingand optimistic, whereas I was a pretty poor student -lacking in confidence, getting frustrated and probablynot working as hard as I should. In The SinginqNeanderthals I argued that singing is a means forachieving well-being through social bonding. Sadly,that was not my experience - I simply became cross,stressedanddissatisfiedMore...Translation
5 Then began a year of lessons. Pam taught me about posture and breathing; she gave me tasks to help me sing in tune and to expand my range. Once my pitch had improved, we worked on rhythm, and then tone and dynamics. She was always encouraging and optimistic, whereas I was a pretty poor student – lacking in confidence, getting frustrated and probably not working as hard as I should. In The Singing Neanderthals I argued that singing is a means for achieving well-being through social bonding. Sadly, that was not my experience – I simply became cross, stressed and dissatisfied. Text
TextMy singing wasn't good formy family life either, as my children didn't appreciatethe late-night practising. Nevertheless, I persevered andalthough my progress was limited, I did actually begin toenjoy some aspects of the venture, especially Lasciach'io pianga. On a few occasions when singing with mywife we both experienced fleeting feelings of emotionalintimacy as our voices blended into one - but then would stumble and the moment would be lost.Translation
My singing wasn't good for my family life either, as my children didn't appreciate the late-night practising. Nevertheless, I persevered and although my progress was limited, I did actually begin to enjoy some aspects of the venture, especially Lascia ch'io pianga. On a few occasions when singing with my wife we both experienced fleeting feelings of emotional intimacy as our voices blended into one – but then I would stumble and the moment would be lost. Text
TextEncore!The second brain scan, in July 20o7, was as6challenging as the first. We repeated the same technicalexercises and song excerpts in exactly the same way.Lying still was even more frustrating than the last timebecause I had learned that moving my body was asimportant to singing as was flexing my vocal cords. Ileft the scanner feeling exhausted, but this time I wasalso elated that my work for the experiment was done.More...Translation
Encore! 6 The second brain scan, in July 2007, was as challenging as the first. We repeated the same technical exercises and song excerpts in exactly the same way. Lying still was even more frustrating than the last time because I had learned that moving my body was as important to singing as was flexing my vocal cords. I left the scanner feeling exhausted, but this time I was also elated that my work for the experiment was done. Text