Music and dance are two of the most popular forms to express
oneself and have been found to be very therapeutic, finding its place in all
cultures and places, such that humans have adapted themselves to the song and
dance routine and it has become a part of our natural chemistry. It’s easy to
single somebody who cannot dance from a crowd at any party or wedding. And for
the ones who cannot match their steps to the beat, they have accepted their
fate.
But why is that some people just cannot dance? There seems to be something
missing in their brain chemistry!
Even if we listen to a sound, the natural reaction is to chime and nod our
head, which is what makes us so different from animals. Evidence also backs
that babies have a way to react to music while they are still in their womb.
Then why do some people face difficulty here?
What makes them different?
The process of rhythm co-ordination doesn’t come naturally to some people.
Although rare, this does affect a very small percentage of the population and
is a real disorder known as “beat deafness”.
People who are beat deaf, much like deaf people face a great deal difficulty in
their hand-eye coordination and
have poor motor
skills, which stops their brain from creating a natural rhythm flow or
synchronisation. They have the ability to clap or tap their feet better when
there is no music. They need guidance and therapy to even find a beat, which
comes naturally to people.
Beat-deafness arises depending on how the internal biological rhythm changes
when it comes in contact with external cues. While most people are able to
adapt the rhythm to any form of external stimulation, some are less able to do
that. The brain has a large part to play here and the process of "neural
entrainment" supports the coordination of body movements.
This occurs when regular sensory input, like music with a
clear beat, triggers periodic bursts of synchronised brain activity. This
periodic activity can continue independent of external rhythmic input due to
interactions between already excited neurons.
Entrainment can thus enhance processing of incoming information by allocating
neural resources to the right place at the right time. When performing or
dancing to music, entrainment allows the timing of upcoming beats to be
predicted but for beat deaf people, their nervous system
just doesn't support any form of coordination and makes it difficult for them
to concentrate and react to a beat like other people. Hence, their brain chemistry
doesn't support any kind of rhythm.
Source:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/de-stress/why-some-people-cannot-dance/articleshow/66444690.cms
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