Neural Synchronization and Brain-to-Brain Coupling in Collaborative Singing and Piano Performance

Music performance in collaboration demands accurate time management and reactive communication among the performers. The paper investigated neural synchronization and brain-to-brain linkage in collaborative singing and playing piano duet through the application of dual-electroencephalography hyper scanning. The main aim was to test the hypothesis of using inter-brain synchrony in different congruent (unison) and complementary (melody-accompaniment) structures of coordination and to test whether neural alignment is an indicator of behavioral timing accuracy. Both conditions were subjected to 24 trained musicians doing structured musical work and simultaneous neural and behavioral data were recorded under both conditions. Phase-locking value and coherence of inter-brain frequency bands were performed in theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands. Inter-onset interval deviation and tempo variability were used to measure behavioral coordination. Findings revealed that frontal theta synchrony was much stronger when they had congruent performance and complementary performance stimulated better temporalparietal beta coherence. The process of theta coupling on the frontal areas forecasted better timing. Results have shown that collaborative performance involves frequency-related inter-brain synchronization mechanisms that are sensitive to coordination structure that supports oscillatory entrainment and predictive alignment models of joint musical action

Central pattern generator · Piano · Singing · Action Observation and Synchronization · Neural dynamics and brain function · Neuroscience and Music Perception

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