My mate Ted (who has posted here a few times sent me this today. Kinda scarey but interesting:

---

THIS JUST IN . (from bbc online)
Brain machine 'improves musicianship'
Neurofeedback improved musical understanding
Scientists have created a technique that dramatically improves the
performance of musicians.
The system - called neurofeedback - trains musicians to clear their
minds
and produce more creative brain waves.
Research, to be published in the journal Neuroreport, indicates the
technique helps musicians to improve by an average of 17% - the
equivalent
of one grade or class of honours.
Some improved by as much as 50%.
Students were assessed on two pieces of music before and after
neurofeedback
sessions.
Neurofeedback monitors brain activity through sensors attached to the
scalp
which filter out the brainwaves.
These filtered brainwaves are then 'fed back' to the individual in the
form
of a video game displayed on a screen.
The participant learns to control the game by altering particular
aspects of
their brain activity.
This alteration in brain activity can influence performance.
A panel of expert judges found the 97 Royal College of Music students
improved in a number of areas, including musical understanding,
imagination,
and communication with the audience.
While it has a role in stress reduction by reducing the level of stage
fright, the magnitude and range of beneficial effects on artistic
aspects of
performance have wider implications
Professor John Gruzelier
.
The technique has already been used to treat epilepsy, alcoholism,
attention
deficit and post-traumatic stress disorders, according to the
researchers
from Imperial College London and Charing Cross Hospital who conducted
the
study.
But Dr Tobias Egner said: "This is the first time it has been used to
improve a complex set of skills such as musical performance in healthy
students."
And Professor John Gruzelier added: "While it has a role in stress
reduction
by reducing the level of stage fright, the magnitude and range of
beneficial
effects on artistic aspects of performance have wider implications."

Interesting, it just makes me wonder what's next