Science in Concert: How Musical Performance Works

This week, So Curious takes to the stage! Exploring how and why humans play and perform music.

First, Bey and Kirsten sit down with jazz educator and researcher Dr. Martin Norgaard to learn about jazz improvisation, and what happens in the brain while musicians are improvising. Then, the two are joined by Dr. Jayatri Das for another Body of Knowledge segment, this time to explore the physiology of singing and why we find songs so moving. And to round out the episode, veteran music teacher Beth Carson joins to discuss her years in the classroom, the importance of music education, what it's like to teach young children to perform.

Links for Today's episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Martin Norgaard and his research into musical improvisation in the brain
• Explore those singing-responsive brain cells Jayatri spoke about further
• Listen to that moving performance of Creep on America's Got Talent that Kirsten referenced
• Check out the composer bust of Beth Carson that one of her students made of her