About NeuroVocal Method
NeuroVocal Method
is the groundbreaking voice training approach for singers of popular styles
A neurodidactic approach based on
new knowledge of brain function,
NeuroVocal Method teaches singers
to steer changes in their brains
and be guided by the changes as they occur.
This approach can achieve remarkably fast results,
and puts the student in the driver's seat with tools
for a healthy voice that lasts a lifetime.
Learn more...
NeuroVocal Method was developed by Meredith Colby to help singers of popular styles address amplified performance situations in which their ability to hear themselves is limited.
NeuroVocal is the first and most successful neurodidactic approach to training singers. This adaptive method guides the singer to an interoceptive experience of phonation. By using intention and selective attention, the singer learns to utilize the predictive nature of the brain to alter the existing motor response to the intention to sing.
The process helps singers allow new and unfamiliar sensations, which in turn stimulate changes in the brain, opening up new, healthy, and powerful sound possibilities. The goal is free and intuitive singing with an efficient and natural vocal sound.
What does neurodidactic mean?
Also called neural didactics, this term was coined in 1988 to describe the aspects of neural development that influence the process of learning. This large, interdisciplinary field fuses neurology, education sciences, and psychology.
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Neurodidactics focuses on exploiting neurological principles and tendencies of the brain to foster effective and positive learning. Teachers and coaches who intentionally use neurodidactics place emphasis on student agency and self-assessment, physical-mental functions, and a positive learning environment.
To learn a bit about the application of neurodidactics in singing, download this short paper written by Meredith Colby.
An early discovery...
In 2015, vocal coach and neuro-nerd Meredith Colby was given the opportunity (by neuroscientist, musician, and all-around stand-up guy Dr. Doug Burman) to spend some time in an fMRI machine. Her intention was to discover whether the vocal behaviors generated by her NeuroVocal exercises involved networks that were different from singing.
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The images below, along with Meredith's descriptions, are highlights from that session.
Here's a Brain That's Singing
What you see here is a lot of activity. Many regions of the brain are activated during singing. The activated regions are generally concerned with:
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Language
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Vocalization
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Emotional pleasure
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Self-monitoring
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Motor function
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Anticipating feeling
A Brain That's Listening
Here I'm listening to a song I know. You'll see that many of the same areas of the brain are activated but to a lesser degree.​​
A Brain Vocalizing a Single Pitch
Here we're seeing activity related to matching and holding a pitch.
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Measuring physical sensations
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Pleasure
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Predicting outcomes
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Speech
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Language
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Hearing
A Brain in NVM Mode
This is my brain phonating using one of the foundational principles of NeuroVocal, the Nasty Triangle. You can see there are very different levels of activation.
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Activity primarily in the auditory cortex (meaning I can hear the sound I'm making).
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Small amount of activity indicating learning reward-relevant events
Not science, but...
In the absence of a hypothesis, a control group, clear guidelines, or replication, this is not a scientific experiment. However, it illustrated something that Colby had suspected: that changing her focus, engaging selective attention, and gauging a result based on interception created a different neurological outcome. Her brain behaved differently, even though her body was essentially executing the same (or very similar) behaviors.