Singing Activity Research Articles

Elementary School Students’ Creativity in Singing Activities

Everyone needs music and wants to express themselves with music. The most familiar kind of music is vocal music. Everyone naturally performs singing activities, either singing seriously or just for fun. This is also happened in children who are still in elementaryschool.Theyareproducingvariouskindsofsoundscreatively.Thepurpose of this study is to analyze the creativity of elementary school children in producing singing sounds to be heard as melodious songs. The research method applied is qualitative interpretative. The location of this research is Semarang City. The focus of the research is on the creativity of elementary school children in singing activities to produce melodious sounds. Data collection techniques used in this research are observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The technique of data validity used is data triangulation. Data analysis techniques follow interactive analysis from data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and verification or conclusions. The results showed that the creativity of elementary school children in singing is a natural creativity, in which they use respiration technique which they think is good naturally. They are resonance, diction, articulation, and phrasering techniques applied by children in singing.

Western Song Singing Model to Improve Junior High School Students’ Singing Ability in Indonesia

Singing activities are general activities that seem very easy. It could be said that anyone can sing. However, to be able to sing well and correctly seems to need to be learned. For Junior High Schools in Indonesia, singing activities are included in the teaching material of cultural arts sub music material. This study aims to “analyze how singing activities are taught in classes on learning Art and sub music material”. The approach of this research is interdisciplinary which involves music disciplines and music learning. The research method applied is interpretive qualitative. The research location is Semarang, by involving Semarang Junior High School Students and Teachers as the subject of research. Data collection techniques used in this research is observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The data validity technique is using data source triangulation. Data analysis techniques used in this research are interactive flow. The results showed that teachers taught singing, both in classes Vll, Vlll, and Vlll. Singing activity for class Vll focused on basic singing techniques. The eighth grade is focused on singing, whose vocals or singing techniques are more applied to singing local songs and Nusantara songs. Meanwhile, singing activity in class VIII is more focused on improvising any song. This study concludes that teachers always emphasize the use of western song singing models as a basic technique, regardless of the type of song used in the learning process.

How Early Do Birds Start Chirping? Dawn Chorus Onset and Peak Times in a Neotropical City

Urbanisation poses important challenges for animal communication. Avian dawn choruses are a prominent component of urban soundscapes and have received attention in recent urban ecology studies. Current evidence based on comparisons of urban and non-urban sites suggest that urbanisation is associated with earlier dawn chorus singing activity. However, this phenomenon remains mainly unexplored in tropical cities. We here assessed dawn chorus onset and peak times in two contrasting conditions of the urbanisation intensity gradient (i.e., intra-urban and peri-urban forested areas) of a Neotropical city, Xalapa in Mexico, assessing relationships with noise at sunrise and artificial light at night. We found no differences in dawn chorus onset or singing peak times when contrasting intra- and peri-urban areas. However, we found non-significant trends for earlier chorus onsets and peak times with increasing noise levels. Our results show no relationship between artificial light at night and dawn chorus timing, adding evidence to recent studies showing that light pollution does not seem to be determinant in the dawn choruses of tropical birds. Further research is needed to include a wider array of urbanisation conditions and drivers of the singing routines of urban tropical birds. —Marin-Gomez, O.H. & MacGregor-Fors, I. (2019). How early do birds start chirping? Dawn chorus onset and peak times in a Neotropical city. Ardeola, 66: 327-341.

Seasonal and Diurnal Variation of Singing Activity: Their Possible Relationship with Intra- and Inter-Sexual Function in the Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis.

We studied seasonal and diurnal variation of singing activity in a single-song repertoire species, the savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), to explore the possible functions of the song. We observed a total of 47 territorial males (11 over three years, 28 over two years) on a daily basis. For all paired and unpaired males, and across all stages of the breeding season, we recorded total number of songs produced (singing persistence), the number of instances of aggression per 10-minute period in each focal male, and the number of songs per 3-minute period (singing intensity). Male savannah sparrows showed different singing activity in different behavioural contexts: 1) unpaired males sang more persistently, but less intensely than paired males; 2) paired males markedly reduced their singing persistence, but showed higher singing intensity, especially in the evening; 3) singing intensity of paired males peaked during the egg-laying period. The different patterns of singing activity in relation to time of day, nuptial status, and female breeding stage suggest that though the birds each possess only a single song type, the differential activities may play important roles in intra- and inter-sexual communication systems: it is argued that 1) intense singing by paired males in the evening plays a role in territory defense, while persistent singing by unpaired males in the morning plays a role in mate attraction; 2) especially high evening singing activity during the egg-laying period may relate to changed female behavior at the nest associated with the onset of incubation.

The Relationship Between Portuguese Children's Use of Singing Voice and Singing Accuracy when Singing with Text and a Neutral Syllable

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Portuguese children's use of singing voice and their singing accuracy on the pitches belonging to the Singing Voice Development Measure (SVDM) criterion patterns (Rutkowski, 2015), as well as the influence on singing with a neutral syllable or text on both variables. Children aged 4 to 9 (n = 137) were administered the SVDM individually and three raters evaluated recordings of the children's singing, both for the use of singing voice (i.e., effective use of pitch range and register) and singing accuracy. Prior to data analysis, the validity and reliability of the measure was examined and assured. A significant relationship was found between both variables. Favoring the neutral syllable, significant differences were found in response mode for singing accuracy, but not for use of singing voice, suggesting that the use of neutral syllable in classroom singing activities might be beneficial to improve accuracy. Older children and girls obtained higher scores for the use of singing voice and accuracy. Within a common pitch range, children with higher SVDM scores sang accurately a higher number of pitches, suggesting that expanding children's use of singing voice might also improve singing accuracy.

Strategi Pembelajaran Dalam Optimalisasi Kecerdasan Musikal Anak Di TK Dharma Bahagia Samarinda

This study aimed to reveal the strategies implementation, supporting and challenging factors in singing learning strategies in Dharma Bahagia kindergarten school in optimizing children's musical intelligence. This research used a qualitative approach with case studies type. The research subjects included the school principal, teacher, trainer and 8 children aged 5-6 years. Data collection techniques used were in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation with interactive models of data analysis. The results revealed that the strategy used was a demonstration strategy when the teacher taught children directly the steps to memorize lyrics and direct teaching guided by the teacher in memorizing songs and tones. The trainer role was limited to the training process outside the classroom. Some challenging factors that arised are the teachers’ lack of preparation and the dependence of the trainer's schedule and the lack of learning media facilities to support singing activities. It causes an unconducive learning atmosphere and lack of song lyrics memorization. The supporting factors found included high children enthusiasm in participating in singing activities, the teachers’ activeness in directing children, and that involving music activities and a conducive space to practice singing activities. The results concluded that a demonstration strategy and direct teaching can optimize musical intelligence in classroom learning.

Teachers’ Mathematics Education and Readiness Beliefs, and Kindergarteners’ Mathematics Learning

This study investigates kindergarten children’s mathematics learning with a focus on the role of teachers’ mathematics education and readiness beliefs, and home learning environment. Using structural equation modeling to estimate the individual differences in early mathematics learning, data from 5,845 kindergarteners was evaluated. Findings show that teachers’ beliefs regarding what is important for children’s preparation in mathematics selectively influenced what they taught in the classrooms for mathematics education and what children experienced in kindergarten. The results also reveal that children who were provided ample experiences in reading and singing activities at home, and more frequent math learning practices, problem-solving activities, and arts or life-related materials within the classroom showed greater math thinking skills and higher math achievement scores than those who were not provided such experiences. More reading and singing activities at home, math learning practices, problem solving activities, and use of art or life-related materials during the kindergarten year are encouraged to highlight kindergarteners’ mathematics instruction and learning. What has a greater impact on mathematics learning in kindergarteners appears to be the kind of instruction that is planned and delivered, rather than teachers’ beliefs regarding mathematics readiness.

Testosterone or Estradiol When Implanted in the Medial Preoptic Nucleus Trigger Short Low-Amplitude Songs in Female Canaries.

In male songbirds, the motivation to sing is largely regulated by testosterone (T) action in the medial preoptic area, whereas T acts on song control nuclei to modulate aspects of song quality. Stereotaxic implantation of T in the medial preoptic nucleus (POM) of castrated male canaries activates a high rate of singing activity, albeit with a longer latency than after systemic T treatment. Systemic T also increases the occurrence of male-like song in female canaries. We hypothesized that this effect is also mediated by T action in the POM. Females were stereotaxically implanted with either T or with 17β-estradiol (E2) targeted at the POM and their singing activity was recorded daily during 2 h for 28 d until brains were collected for histological analyses. Following identification of implant localizations, three groups of subjects were constituted that had either T or E2 implanted in the POM or had an implant that had missed the POM (Out). T and E2 in POM significantly increased the number of songs produced and the percentage of time spent singing as compared with the Out group. The songs produced were in general of a short duration and of poor quality. This effect was not associated with an increase in HVC volume as observed in males, but T in POM enhanced neurogenesis in HVC, as reflected by an increased density of doublecortin-immunoreactive (DCX-ir) multipolar neurons. These data indicate that, in female canaries, T acting in the POM plays a significant role in hormone-induced increases in the motivation to sing.

PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN MENGENAL KATA MELALUI METODE BERMAIN KARTU HURUFPADA KELOMPOK B TK PERSADA TENGGARONG SEBERANGTAHUN PELAJARAN 2017/2018

Students in group A at Tunas harapan Tenggarong Seberang encountered difficulties in remembering number symbols. Monotone learning activity, such as writing, coloring, and drawing, without involving singing activity and playing, is considered as the cause of the issue. Therefore, a classroom action research was conducted to researcher involved twenty-one young learners, consisting oftwelve males and nine females. In this study, the researcher applied two cycles, wherein each cycle, wherein each cycle, three times treatment werw conducted. Each cycle consists of four stages; planning, implementation, observation and reflection. Having analyzed the data, it is found that students experienced progress in each cycle. At cyle 1, from first meeting to third meeting, the students’ ability in recognizing number symbols reached 53% and inclined into 81 % at the second cycle, which met the target of success indicator. To sum up, the use of wayang number is able to promote students’ ability of number symbol recognition. Therefore, it is suggested for teachers to create more creative media of teaching, to self – motivate and widen more teachers’ insight.

Penanaman Nilai Karakter pada Anak Usia Dini melalui Pembelajaran Berbasis Musik dan Lagu Model

<p>Singing is an activity that can not be separated from the world of<br />education in kindergarten. Every day, students in kindergarten or Raudlatul<br />Athfal there is always a singing activity. Learning atmosphere feels more<br />excited, if students are invited to sing along. It is inevitable that singing is a<br />very effective medium to instill positive characters, such as honest, disciplined,<br />creative, independent, love peace, love reading and love of the homeland. This<br />is in accordance with the concept of edutainment learning, which is an attempt<br />to find common ground educational and entertainment world, especially on<br />the level of RA / TK.</p>

Subarctic singers: Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) song structure and progression from an Icelandic feeding ground during winter.

Humpback whale songs associated with breeding behaviors are increasingly reported outside of traditional low latitude breeding grounds. Songs from a subarctic feeding ground during the winter were quantitatively characterized to investigate the structure and temporal changes of the songs at such an atypical location. Recordings were collected from 26. January to 12. March, 2011, using bottom mounted recorders. Humpback songs were detected on 91% of the recording days with peak singing activities during 9.–26. February. The majority of the recordings included multiple chorusing singers. The songs were characterized by a) common static themes which transitioned consistently to predictable themes, b) shifting themes which occurred less predictably and c) rare themes. A set median sequence was found for four different periods (sets) of recordings (approximately 1 week each). The set medians were highly similar and formed a single cluster indicating that the sequences of themes sung in this area belonged to a single cluster of songs despite of the variation caused by the shifting themes. These subarctic winter songs could, thus, represent a characteristic song type for this area which is comparable to extensively studied songs from traditional low latitude breeding grounds. An increase in the number of themes per sequence was observed throughout the recording period including minor changes in the application of themes in the songs; indicating a gradual song progression. The results confirm that continual singing of sophisticated songs occur during the breeding season in the subarctic. In addition to being a well-established summer feeding ground the study area appears to be an important overwintering site for humpback whales delaying or canceling their migration where males engage in active sexual displays, i.e. singing. Importantly, such singing activity on a shared feeding ground likely aids the cultural transmission of songs in the North Atlantic.

Diagnostic results of the acmeological culture of future music teachers in the process of singing

The article presents the results of the diagnosis of acmeological culture of future music teachers in the process of singing. Based on the developed system of criteria and indicators of the structural components of the studied phenomenon (motivational-value, cognitive-developmental, communicative-heuristic and creative-projective), the contents of the phased diagnostic technique of the ascertaining experiment, which consists of pedagogical conversations, oral questioning, questioning, testing, essay – annotations, creative tasks, typical types of conducting and choral activities, expert assessments, mathematical methods of data processing. The levels of formation of the acmeological culture of future music teachers are determined, their substantive characteristics are formulated. Ukraine's accession to a single European educational space declares new requirements for professional training of music teachers. Increasingly, it is becoming necessary to focus higher education on the training of professionals capable of professional mobility, rapid adaptation to new educational conditions, self-realization and self-improvement throughout life – individuals with high levels of acmeological culture. According to the results of the ascertainment experiment, the calculation of the arithmetic mean of quantitative indicators by certain structural components was performed: motivational-value, cognitive-developmental, communicative-heuristic and creative-design. Of particular importance is the problem of formation of acmeological culture in the singing activity of future music teachers. It is the high professionalism of vocal-choral activity of the music teacher that not only enhances the prestige of the teacher's profession, but also provides a peculiarity of personal influence of the teacher-professional on the spiritual development of students by means of vocal-choral art.

Beyond "Innocence": Amis Aboriginal Song in Taiwan as an Ecosystem by Shzr Ee Tan

Reviewed by: Beyond "Innocence": Amis Aboriginal Song in Taiwan as an Ecosystem by Shzr Ee Tan Nancy Guy (bio) Beyond "Innocence": Amis Aboriginal Song in Taiwan as an Ecosystem. Shzr Ee Tan. Farnham, UK: Ashgate, 2012. 312 pp. + 1 CD-ROM, photographs, map, musical examples, notes, glossary, bibliography, index. ISBN: 978-1-4094-2436-9 (hardcover), $96.00. The Amis people, of Austronesian descent, are one of Taiwan's 16 officially recognized indigenous groups. Very little scholarly work has been published in English on Taiwan aboriginal music; publications in Chinese have been uneven in quality. Beyond "Innocence" is especially welcome because of its comprehensive nature and because it allows an international readership to access information about this rich musical culture. As the title of the book indicates, Tan proposes that Amis song be best understood as an ecosystem. Aiming to eschew the limits of linear analysis, she crafts her study to illuminate the crisscrossing, multidimensional network of the complex relationships involved in Amis musical creativity and, by extension, to that of Taiwan aboriginal song generally. She does this over six chapters plus an introduction and a conclusion. The introduction begins with an overview of the infamous "Return to Innocence" case in which the voice of Amis singer Difang was sampled in the megahit released by the European [End Page 123] New Age pop group Enigma in 1993. The musical and social repercussions of "Return to Innocence" led Tan to investigate what Difang was singing, how the song would have been sung in the village context, and if his performance was representative of aboriginal song culture as a whole. This case (which was Tan's original inspiration for taking up the study of Amis music) led her to frame Amis musical culture as an ecosystem comprising "different interacting dimensions of traditional and contemporary singing activity" (7). Chapter 1 sets up the study by giving a brief overview of mentions of aboriginal music activities in Chinese written records from the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE) to Qing governance in the eighteenth century. Beginning with the Japanese colonial period (1895–1945) through to the early 2000s, this overview focuses on the documentation of aboriginal musical culture (primarily photographs and sound recordings) by anthropologists and music scholars and their resultant publications. The remainder of the chapter introduces Amis society, social units, ethnic identity, and Tan's primary field site, the village of Fafokod (or Tunghe in Mandarin) in the southeastern county of Taitung. Tan recalls the story of her introduction to village life. Here, and throughout the book, she demonstrates the closeness of her relationships with those whose musical activities she took pains to collect and analyze. Through her actions, and importantly, her sensitivity in matters related to terminology and naming, Tan demonstrates her respect for her interlocutors. Sadly, this level of regard has not always been practiced by Han Chinese ethnomusicologists, some of whom, for example, have advanced their careers through publications of ill-gotten field recordings of aboriginal music. In chapter 2, the scholarly reason for Tan's close attention to language and terminology becomes clear. There is no official Amis term for "music," though Chinese and Japanese words for music are often applied to some forms of music making. There is, however, an Amis term, ladhiw, applied to a specific type of vocal activity. Through analysis of word usage, interviews, observation of numerous social situations in which singing is present, and melodic analyses, Tan aims to unpack and identify ladhiw. Though ladhiw and "music" sometimes intertwine in Amis creative practice, and may even be present within the same song, ladhiw has certain characteristics, such as its spontaneous nature and its being strongly connected to natural phenomena and the physical environment. Chapter 3 is dedicated to music in ritual. The annual harvest festivals of aboriginal groups are known to both foreign and local tourists in Taiwan, who sometimes join in the festivities. Variations in the ceremonies of different Amis villages are noted; however, detailed discussion, which is richly informed by Tan's interlocutors' descriptions and emic analyses, takes the ritual practice in Fafokod as its focus. Half of this chapter is devoted to the music of [End Page 124] Christian religious...

Exploring the potential of virtual reality technology to investigate the health and well being benefits of group singing

ABSTRACTThere is a growing body of academic research aiming to quantify and understand the associated health and well being benefits of group singing. The social interaction is known to strongly contribute to perceived improvements to mental and physical health but there are also indications that singing together elicits better well being outcomes than other community activities. This paper introduces the Vocal Interaction in an Immersive Virtual Acoustic (VIIVA) system, which allows the user to take part in a group singing activity in 360 degree virtual reality, hearing themselves in the recorded venue alongside the other singers. The VIIVA is intended to make group singing accessible to those unable to attend real community choirs but also as a tool for experimental research into the health and well being benefits of group singing. This paper describes the VIIVA system and presents a number of methodologies and applications which are discussed in relation to three ongoing research projects. Preliminary work indicates that the VIIVA system provides a promising tool with which to study the health and well being benefits of group singing, and in particular to control for the social interactions inherent in real group singing activities.

Reflux symptoms in professional opera soloists

BackgroundProfessions distinguished by repeated vocal stress carry a high risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS) which may affect vocal performance. AimsTo investigate the prevalence of self-reported GERS in professional opera soloists. MethodsA validated questionnaire regarding self-reported GERS (heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, dysphagia, hoarseness, and cough) and lifestyle habits was administered to 116 professional opera soloists (mean age 34.1 ± 7.3 years, F:M ratio 1:1.1). Age and sex-matched opera choristers and control subjects were used as control. Prevalence rate ratios (PRRs) adjusted for confounding factors were evaluated. ResultsAmong GERS, belching (33.6%), heartburn (19.8%), and dysphagia (15.5%) were the most commonly reported by soloists. In particular, a higher risk of heartburn (PRR 2.61, 95% CI 1.45–4.69) and dysphagia (PRR 2.58, 95% CI 1.31–5.10) was reported in soloists as compared to choristers. The prevalence of obesity and late dinner was higher in both choristers and soloists in comparison to the population sample (p < 0.001). GERS was more common among soloists who received pharmacologic treatment and their prevalence was unrelated to the years of singing activity. ConclusionsProfessional opera soloists, regardless of the length of their career, are predisposed to developing GERS. Physicians should encourage patients to correct preventable risk factors. A prolonged pharmacological treatment might be needed.

A comparison of the effects between music element focused singing activity and expression-centered singing activity on young children's music ability, perceptual-motor ability and language ability.

A comparison of the effects between music element focused singing activity and expression-centered singing activity on young children's music ability, perceptual-motor ability and language ability.

Creativity Enhancement in Music Class; Focused on Teaching Strategy of Korean General Music Class, Elementary Level

The purpose of the study is to provide some examples of musical activities which can enhance children’s creativity. It is focused on teaching strategy of Korean general music classes, especially for elementary school level. Music learning theory by E. Gordon and creative thinking stage by Treffinger are the first concerns to the study. In the study mainly improvisation activities using keyboard instruments and improvisation through singing activities are focused to provide teaching-learning strategies that teachers can easily adopt and use in their music class. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.17.10.8

The Effect of Singing Activity Based on the Rhythm Element on a Preschool Child’s Musical Interest and Self-Regulation Ability

본 연구의 목적은 리듬요소기반 노래 부르기 활동을 개발 적용하여 유아의 음악적 흥미와 자기조절 능력에 미치는 효과를 밝히는데 있다.본 연구는 경상남도에 위치한 D어린이집 만 5세유아 총 92명을 대상으로 2017년 5월 1일부터 9월 30일까지 실시하였다.실험집단은 리듬요소기반 노래 부르기 활동을 주 1회,총 20차시를 실시하였고,통제집단은 누리과정에서 제시하는 음악활동을 실시하였다.본 연구의 검사 도구는 김향숙(2016)의 ‘유아의 음악적 흥미’와 양옥승(2006)의 ‘유아 자기조절능력’검사 도구를 사용하였으며,공분산분석(ANCOVA)으로 분석하였다. 분석결과 리듬요소기반 노래 부르기 활동을 진행한 실험집단이 유아의 음악적 흥미와 자기조절능력에 긍정적인 결과가 나타났다.따라서 리듬요소기반 노래 부르기 활동이 유아의 음악적흥미와 자기조절능력 향상에 효과가 있음을 알 수 있었다.The purpose of the study is to verify the effect of singing activity based on the rhythm element on preschool children’s musical interest and self-regulation ability. The study had conducted an experiment from May 1st to September 30th, 2017, where ninety two 5-year-old children from D kindergarten in Kyungsang Namdo had participated in. An experimental group had performed a singing activity weekly based on the rhythm element for 20 weeks, while a control group had joined musical activity suggested by Nuri Korean national curriculum for preschool education. The study utilized an inspection tool on musical interest for preschool children invented by Kim(2016), and self-regulation ability for preschool children invented by Yang (2006), and ANCOVA as an analytic tool.As a result, the experimental group showed positive influence of singing activity based on the rhythm element on musical interest and self-regulation ability. Therefore, these findings suggest that singing activities based on the rhythm element does give positive impact on musical interest and self-regulating ability for preschool children.

Psychobiological Effects of Choral Singing on Affective State, Social Connectedness, and Stress: Influences of Singing Activity and Time Course.

Previous studies have suggested that there are complex psychobiological effects of amateur choral singing on well-being. Here, we investigate the influences of singing vs. non-singing on psychological and biological measurements, reflecting current positive and negative affect, perceived social connectedness, and physiological stress. We hypothesized that active singing leads to significant increases in these measurements compared to participating without singing. Amateur choristers (Exp. 1: N = 54, age range 18–85 years and Exp. 2: N = 49, age range 18–85 years) were tested in two experiments in which approximately half of the group was asked not to sing over periods of 30 (Exp. 1) and 60 min (Exp. 2), while the other half of the group sang. Dependent measures included scales for positive and negative affect and perceived social connectedness. In addition, saliva samples were collected to assess cortisol and alpha-amylase. The results revealed that singing activity had positive influences on affect measurements. However, significant increases in perceived social connectedness for singing were found only in Exp. 2. Biomarker changes were not significant across the experiments. Together, our findings suggest that both singing activity and duration of singing modulate psychological effects, with perceived social connectedness evolving over larger time spans than 30 min. Findings support the notion of beneficial psychological effects also for individuals, who report lower levels of general social support. The unexpected absence of biological effects warrants further investigation.

Vocal practice regulates singing activity-dependent genes underlying age-independent vocal learning in songbirds.

The development of highly complex vocal skill, like human language and bird songs, is underlain by learning. Vocal learning, even when occurring in adulthood, is thought to largely depend on a sensitive/critical period during postnatal development, and learned vocal patterns emerge gradually as the long-term consequence of vocal practice during this critical period. In this scenario, it is presumed that the effect of vocal practice is thus mainly limited by the intrinsic timing of age-dependent maturation factors that close the critical period and reduce neural plasticity. However, an alternative, as-yet untested hypothesis is that vocal practice itself, independently of age, regulates vocal learning plasticity. Here, we explicitly discriminate between the influences of age and vocal practice using a songbird model system. We prevented zebra finches from singing during the critical period of sensorimotor learning by reversible postural manipulation. This enabled to us to separate lifelong vocal experience from the effects of age. The singing-prevented birds produced juvenile-like immature song and retained sufficient ability to acquire a tutored song even at adulthood when allowed to sing freely. Genome-wide gene expression network analysis revealed that this adult vocal plasticity was accompanied by an intense induction of singing activity-dependent genes, similar to that observed in juvenile birds, rather than of age-dependent genes. The transcriptional changes of activity-dependent genes occurred in the vocal motor robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) projection neurons that play a critical role in the production of song phonology. These gene expression changes were accompanied by neuroanatomical changes: dendritic spine pruning in RA projection neurons. These results show that self-motivated practice itself changes the expression dynamics of activity-dependent genes associated with vocal learning plasticity and that this process is not tightly linked to age-dependent maturational factors.