We look at left-handedness musicians who excel in a right-handed world. We talk with Atlanta Journal-Constitution classical music critic Pierre Ruhe and University of Toledo psychologist Stephen Christman. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.
You're talking just about manual dexterity, but the question of hemispheric dominance in the brain might be an important question too. For singers, composers, those who are not asymmetrically using their hands to make music, the specialization of brain hemisphere would still play a role and might differ with handedness.
May. 25 2009 02:35 PM
Score: 0/0
k harris
from chair
Leftiness may have effects on performance outside music. Fencing, boxing and pitching are notable examples of lefty advantage.
Prior to Gerald Ford, the US had only 3 left-handed presidents, Garfield, Hoover, and Truman. Starting with Ford, only Carter and Bush the Younger have not been lefties.
Question for your guest. My understanding is that, among righties, the speech center is nearly always in the left hemisphere, but that among lefties, the speech center is as likely to be on the right as the left side. True? Does that have anything to do with what he describes as “pure” left-handedness and mixed-handedness. Do we know anything about the effects of having speech and dominant-hand control in the same hemisphere?
May. 25 2009 02:25 PM
Score: 0/0
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Soundcheck®, hosted by John Schaefer, is WNYC’s daily talk show about music. Covering all musical genres, Soundcheck celebrates the musical passions of performers, composers, and critics as well as the public radio audience. Listeners enjoy intimate conversations with and live performances by leading artists from around New York and around the globe.
Comments [2]
You're talking just about manual dexterity, but the question of hemispheric dominance in the brain might be an important question too. For singers, composers, those who are not asymmetrically using their hands to make music, the specialization of brain hemisphere would still play a role and might differ with handedness.
Leftiness may have effects on performance outside music. Fencing, boxing and pitching are notable examples of lefty advantage.
Prior to Gerald Ford, the US had only 3 left-handed presidents, Garfield, Hoover, and Truman. Starting with Ford, only Carter and Bush the Younger have not been lefties.
Question for your guest. My understanding is that, among righties, the speech center is nearly always in the left hemisphere, but that among lefties, the speech center is as likely to be on the right as the left side. True? Does that have anything to do with what he describes as “pure” left-handedness and mixed-handedness. Do we know anything about the effects of having speech and dominant-hand control in the same hemisphere?
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.