EP.34. Does Expertise Unlock the Flow State in Musical Improvisation?

"Creative flow as optimized processing: Evidence from brain oscillations during jazz improvisations by expert and non-expert musicians" by David Rosen , Yongtaek Oh , Christine Chesebrough , Fengqing (Zoe) Zhang , John Kounios This research paper examines the neural correlates of the flow experience in expert and non-expert jazz guitarists during improvisation. The authors contrast two hypotheses: flow as a state of optimized task-specific processing resulting from practice, and flow as a state of heightened domain-general associative ideation. The study uses electroencephalography (EEG) recordings to analyse brain activity during improvisation and relate it to self-reported flow states and performance quality. The results suggest that flow is associated with reduced activity in the default-mode network (DMN) and increased activity in modality-specific brain areas, especially for experienced musicians. The study provides evidence supporting the view that flow represents optimized domain-specific processing enabled by extensive practice and reduced cognitive control.

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