An EEG study of creativity in expert classical musicians

– Previous research has shown positive correlations between EEG alpha activity and performing creative tasks. In this study, expert classical musicians (n =4) were asked to play their instrument while being monitored with a wireless EEG headset. Data was collected during two rehearsal types: (a) in their regular, fixed ensemble;; (b) in an improvised, mixed ensemble with unfamiliar musicians and less rehearsal time. A positive correlation was found between alpha power and the improvised setup (p <0.01, d =0.4). A positive correlation was also found between alpha power and more intense play (p <0.01, d =0.2). There was a negative correlation between alpha power and arousal due to stress, e.g., frowning after playing a false note (p <0.01, d =0.6). Finally, the real-­time capabilities of wireless EEG monitoring were explored with a data visualisation during live performance on stage. 1 Introduction Creativity is a multi-­faceted phenomenon (Veale, Feyaerts, and Forceville 2013) with, as of yet, no single best definition. Is it a mental process, an ability, an activity, a product, or all of these? The study of creativity can be traced to J. P. Guilford's divergent thinking tests (Guilford 1956), where subjects are asked to come up with as many solutions as possible to an open-­ended problem. For example: 'what can you do with a paperclip?' Variations of divergent thinking tests are still widely used to assess creativity (e.g., Torrance 1988) but it has also been argued that really they assess the ability to come up with potentially creative ideas (Runco 1991), which is not the same.