Wednesday
25 July 2007
19:00 - 21:00
Useless at karaoke? Think you’re tone deaf? Unable to sing or hold a tune?
Well, it could be because you don’t have the confidence. Or maybe your brain or your genes influence your abilities. In the last of the ‘science of singing’ series, discover the science behind tone deafness.
Tim Griffiths will chat about tone deafness – what’s happening in the brain and what are the genetics behind it? True tone deafness is a condition known as amusia. It’s a lifelong disorder characterised by difficulty in perceiving or making sense of music.
Can you imagine not being able to perceive or appreciate music? Anne Barker can. She will be talking to the audience about her amusia. What was it like to grow up in a family with a strong musical tradition and did amusia affect her day-to-day life?
Discover more about your own musical perception ability on the night with an online test that’s being used as part of research into tone deafness. Try it out for yourself before the event, at www.delosis.com/listening/home.html .
Finally, for the majority who think they are tone deaf and are really just ‘tone lazy’, Jean Hornbuckle will show it’s possible to sing, with a bit of confidence.
Speakers:
Anne Barker, affected by amusia
Tim Griffiths, neurologist, Newcastle University
Jean Hornbuckle, ‘singing with confidence’ coach, City Lit
Facilitator:
Dusty Limits, cabaret artist and compere
This event is supported by the Wellcome Trust, and is part of Sing London, a pan-London festival to unite the city in song from 29 June to 8 July
Live a little…Sing a little….Sing London!
Why not discuss online what you think about the science of singing, on the Dana discussion boards.