Playing a Musical Instrument

1. Lower-Level Brain Structure
a. reticular formation
b. medulla
c. cerebellum
2. Description of How the Lower-Level Structure Is Involved in Musical Performance
a. The reticular formation keeps Steve awake and alert during the performance.
b. The medulla keeps Steve's heart beating and lungs breathing by sending neural messages through the autonomic peripheral nervous system.
c. Controls the muscles of Steve's fingers strumming the guitar.
3. Upper-Level Brain Structure
a. temporal lobes
b. sensory cortex, parietal lobe
c. motor cortex, parietal lobe
4. Description of How the Upper-Level Structure Is Involved in Musical Performance
a. The temporal lobes interpret the sound Steve is playing, so he knows if he's off or not.
b. When his fingernail strums the guitar, Steve's feels the sensation through his sensory cortex, telling him how hard or soft he is strumming.
c. Steve's motor cortex transmits signals his fingers to play accordingly.