Do you think you hear or sing differently than others? Or do you think you may be tone-deaf? But is tone deafness really a medical condition? If yes, how can you tell whether you are a victim of it or not? Medically speaking, tone deafness is actually a disorder known as amusia. It is a neurological condition that makes it harder to differentiate between musical rhythms. It can range from having difficulty understanding melodies to a complete inability to recognize musical tones. But not everyone who lacks musical expertise has it.
Finding Out Whether You’re Tone Deaf
One can take a few tests to know whether they are tone-deaf or just pitchy. The first test you can take is playing two tunes one after the other and identifying both. You might be diagnosed with amusia if you can’t find the difference. The second test to try is to sing along to a song you know. You are probably tone-deaf if you are having trouble matching the melody or are way off-key. Just because you can’t find that perfect pitch doesn’t mean you are tone-deaf.
Can Music Cure Amusia?
While there is no cure for tone-deafness right now, you can still enjoy and sing your favorite songs. Taking singing or music lessons can help improve your pitch. You can become a great singer with training to properly use your vocals, mouth, and head. Learning to control your breathing would support your pitch more. A talented teacher by your side can help refine your voice and singing skills. People with amusia can’t always identify their feelings, and their ability to express such emotions while singing is limited. So, even if you suffer from tone deafness, you can still acknowledge the intensity of the emotions in music. So, take some lessons, or use a digital tuner, try to get a grasp on your vocals, and you are good to go.
A Glimpse into the Possible Future of VR Headsets
We’ve made some great advances with virtual reality technology over the years, but a common complaint with current VR headsets is that they’re too bulky. However, if Facebook’s new prototype is anything to go by, that issue might soon be a thing of the past.
A Stylish New Design
The social media giant recently revealed the VR product they’re currently working on, and it’s safe to say it’s definitely far more stylish than the models we’re used to. Designed to look like a pair of sunglasses – albeit some rather thick ones – the prototype proves that it’s possible to still look fashionable while immersing yourself in virtual reality.
Several Necessary Changes
Creating a VR experience without using the standard headset required Facebook to make several technological changes. That included replacing refractive lenses with holographic optics, as well as polarization-based optical folding. The former still bends light just like the lenses do, but on a smaller, lighter scale. As for the latter, the process allows for light to be bounced back and forth without the use of bulk optics in what’s known as “pancake” folding. The combination of these elements holds the promise of creating the VR experience we expect, just with less baggage.
A While To Wait
Although Facebook has a prototype for what their new VR product will look like, it’ll probably be a few more years before we can actually buy it. There are several issues that still need to be ironed out, such as increasing the range of colors that can be displayed. There are also various external elements that have to be integrated into the glasses, all without adding any bulk into the final design. Still, at least we’ve now had a glimpse of what Facebook is bringing to the VR headsets table.
While we might have to wait a while to try out these high-tech specs, we’re feeling positive about what the future holds for virtual reality.