Thanks to Arun, I could see this video from the World Science Festival on the topic of how people from different cultures respond differently to music. What I found interesting is that towards the end of Part 4 of the discussion, a scientist says that the developing fetus, by the age of 12 weeks, can hear sounds so just-born infants would already have months of exposure to music. A friend from Chennai told me that he had experimented with his first born and his son immediately responded to the song he was played to while he was still in his momma’s tummy. I think I am going to try that too. 🙂 Am not sure if it is a positive thing though, because I wouldn’t want my kid to end up liking a certain form of music rather than getting exposed to a wide variety of music.
Another odd thing I noted was that the Indian artists who played in the function were sitting idle when their team mate, a Cellist, was introduced to the audience whereas the Cellist applauded when both the Indian artists were introduced. Do we ever learn how to give and accept the appreciation?
Now, on to the videos. If you don’t want to watch it all, must watch are Part 3 and Part 4.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
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Notes & Neurons: In Search of the Common Chorus
Is our response to music hard-wired or culturally determined? Is the reaction to rhythm and melody universal or influenced by environment? Join host John Schaefer, Jamshed Barucha, scientist Daniel Levitin, Professor Lawrence Parsons and musical artist Bobby McFerrin for live performances and cross cultural demonstrations to illustrate music’s note-worthy interaction with the brain and our emotions.
This event took place on June 12, 2009 in the Gerald Lynch Theater at the City University of New York.
Visit www.worldsciencefestival.com