The neural control of singing.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Music Performance
• Auditory Processing

Background:

• Singing offers a unique model for studying music performance using the vocal tract as an intrinsic instrument.
• Understanding the neural basis of singing is crucial for insights into auditory-motor control and music cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the sensory-motor control network involved in singing, integrating over two decades of research.
• To explore the role of sensory feedback (somatosensory and auditory) in vocal motor control using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• To examine the relationship between brain function, neuroplasticity, and singing behavior, including cases of vocal amusia.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of voice and singing research over the past 20 years.
• Presentation of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies on sensory feedback during singing.
• Analysis of neuroplasticity, vocal amusia, and singing performance in relation to neural networks.

Main Results:

• The singing voice involves a complex sensory-motor control network extending from the vocal tract to specific brain regions.
• Sensory feedback is integral to vocal motor control, with fMRI studies elucidating its processing.
• Neuroplasticity, training, and conditions like amusia significantly impact the singing network and performance.

Conclusions:

• The auditory-motor control network for singing is a key area for understanding music processing in the brain.
• Further refinement of dual-stream models of auditory processing can be achieved by considering the singing network.
• This research provides a foundation for understanding the neural underpinnings of singing and its disorders.