Johns Hopkins and government scientists have recently discovered that when jazz musicians improvise, their brains shut down areas of inhibition and censor, and instead unlock areas of self-expressive creativity.

When jazz musicians improvise, they often play with eyes closed in a distinctive, personal style that transcends traditional rules of melody and rhythm,” says Charles J. Limb, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a trained jazz saxophonist himself. “It’s a remarkable frame of mind,” he adds, “during which, all of a sudden, the musician is generating music that has never been heard, thought, practiced or played before. What comes out is completely spontaneous. 

The scientists found that the region of the brain known as dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, slows down during improvisational play. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is linked to planned actions and self-censoring, and when shut down could lead to lower inhibitions says Limb. Furthermore, research indicates an increase in activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain linked with self-expression and activities which express individuality.

“Jazz is often described as being an extremely individualistic art form. You can figure out which jazz musician is playing because one person’s improvisation sounds only like him or her,” says Limb. “What we think is happening is when you’re telling your own musical story, you’re shutting down impulses that might impede the flow of novel ideas.”