Module Five Lesson Two: Audiences Hear 80% With Their Eyes
Transcription
They say people hear with their eyes more than their ears, but what does that mean exactly? Well, we're visual creatures, wired to notice movement. On the savannah, our ancestors depended on all of their senses to survive, but their visual perception was paramount. Detecting a sudden motion could mean food or danger.
Reading other people's body language and facial expressions was important, too. An approaching human could be a friend or foe. It was essential to sense a person's motivation before they were close enough to do any damage.
We're not wired all that differently from our ancestors. A quick movement out of the corner of your eye could be a motor vehicle about to mow you down. And interactions with other humans still happen on a non-verbal level. Our eyes help us gather information, help us make sense of what we see, and protect us from harm.
Mirror Neurons
But our visual sense is crucial for another reason. We learn by watching and imitating others. Specialized neurons in your brain allow you to mirror other people. We even mirror each other's movements when we're in a conversation using gestures, facial expressions, and body positioning. Let's look at how these neurons work and why this matters when you're performing.
Motor Command Neurons
There are two types of mirror neurons. Motor command neurons light up during physical activity. For example, they fire when we pick up a pencil. They also fire when we watch someone else pick up a pencil. In other words, these neurons enable you to imitate complex motor skills.
Somatosensory Neurons
The other set of mirror neurons is called somatosensory neurons. They light up when someone touches you. They're also active when you see someone else being touched. Some believe that this type of somatosensory experience is another form of empathy because it allows us to feel what someone else is feeling. But how does your brain know the difference between your body being touched or someone else's? Your skin. Your skin is the barrier that gives you your sense of self and others so you don't get confused about who is actually experiencing the touch.
Why This Matters In Performance
So, what does this have to do with singing and performance? Everything. According to studies in neuroscience, the mirror neuron system mirrors the behavior of others such that the observer feels as if they are performing the actions themselves.
And it's not just about actions. When someone watches you perform, mirror neurons enable emotions to be shared between the performer and observer.
In other words, they can feel what you're feeling. So you're not just communicating with your audience through the music. Your body plays an essential role in expressing and sharing emotions, too. What do you communicate through your body and facial expressions when you sing?
Communicating With Your Body
When You're Not Singing
Think about it. There are multiple moments in a performance when you're not using your voice. But your body is still expressing something. You have an opportunity to communicate with your audience when you:
Walk on stage
Before you start to sing
During solos
In between songs
When you're talking to your audience
After you've sung the last note
And when you walk off stage
So, how and what do you communicate in those moments? And whether you're singing, standing, or moving, how do you express emotion through your body so it doesn't feel fake or forced?
In the next lesson, we'll dive deeper into how the body communicates emotion, you'll see video examples of other singers in action, and you'll learn how to practice so you can feel more at ease in your body when performing.