Piano-training induces audio-sensorymotor coupling in the cerebral cortex: an EEG and fMRI Study

Introduction: Performing music requires fast and efficient auditory and motor processing. Establishing pianistic motor programs means practice of movement sequences, the targets of which are series of acoustic events determined by a set of independent parameters, such as pitch, onset time or loudness. Using a computer-controlled digital piano allows to access and to decompose these target features. The aim of our study was to investigate when and how the neuronal basis of auditory-sensory-motor coupling is established by observing changes in cortical activation patterns induced by piano learning. Methods: A.) In…