Karen Chan Barrett
Neuroscientist and classically trained pianist studying the neuroscience of improvisation, known for fMRI studies of musicians and children that explore creativity and brain networks.
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Mar 12, 2026 • 22min
What Happens in the Brain When We Improvise
Dr. Karen Chan Barrett, a neuroscientist and classically trained pianist who studies creativity in the brain, discusses improvisation and its neural signature. She talks about how memorized playing differs from improv. She describes fMRI work with musicians and children. She explains the beginner’s mind, letting go of judgment, and how play and reward systems support creativity.
