| You're not alone if you think you can't sing; if you | | | | research being conducted to discover a solution to |
| watch closely, you'll find you're not the only one | | | | problem of tone deafness. However, many consider |
| simply mouthing along with the school chorus or the | | | | it to be a form of a developmental disability, and |
| church service. Aware of our poor singing, we only | | | | researchers are finding that by studying amusia, they |
| dare risk it in the car, with the windows rolled up, or | | | | may be able to learn more about other learning |
| the shower, with the water muffling our voice. If you | | | | disabilities that affect humans in a variety of forms. |
| ask, most people will tell you that they consider | | | | The amusia study participants listen to Western |
| themselves tone deaf. Statistics show that one in | | | | music, which is composed of semitones, also called |
| seven folks describe themselves as tone deaf. | | | | half-steps; for example, the range between C and |
| It is very possible to listen to music and enjoy every | | | | C-sharp or A and A-flat. Typically, even musically |
| minute of it, but still be a horrible singer. When | | | | untalented folks can still discern the difference |
| spoken of literally and in a medical sense, tone | | | | between half steps. The bulk of us can tell the |
| deafness is defined as not being able to accurately | | | | difference between notes that only a fraction of |
| perceive music, rather than just being a poor singer. | | | | semitones apart. People with amusia can't recognize |
| In fact, via the use of specialized tests, only one out | | | | differences in musical pitches unless they're given a |
| of every twenty people would be classified as being | | | | wide range of sounds to listen to. |
| tone deaf. The major problem in tone deaf people is | | | | If you have tone deafness, you will struggle with |
| that they cannot distinguish between high and low | | | | being able to separate one pitch from another. You |
| notes, so they are unable to understand and enjoy | | | | also won't be able to make out pitch direction or |
| even basic songs. | | | | contour. The many variations in notes is, of course, |
| Tone deafness that is serious is commonly called an | | | | what makes up a song. Distinguishing changes in pitch |
| amusia by researching groups. Those with congenital | | | | within a musical phrase is an especially challenging task |
| amusia are classified as having been born with the | | | | for those who have been classified as amusic. |
| condition. The Montreal Battery for the Evaluation of | | | | With very pronounced amusia, people cannot pick |
| Amusia allows physicians and researchers to | | | | out rhythm or melody, as well as pitch. Interestingly, |
| determine which pitches a truly tone deaf person is | | | | studies have shown that amusics can catch on to the |
| unable to distinguish. As technology advances, | | | | rhythm of a piece of music, if it is played in |
| research professionals now have the ability to | | | | monotone. Because rhythm and music are usually |
| compare the brain of a person who is not particularly | | | | rather intrinsic, it's certainly understandable that the |
| musically adept with one who is a musician. | | | | pitch of the musical piece would hinder those with |
| Researchers are curious about the workings of a | | | | amusia, causing them to have trouble following the |
| brain and it's relation to music, which is why this | | | | beat. |
| research is performed. At this time, there is no | | | | |