Building a State Space for Song Learning

Explore the intricate process of song learning in songbirds through this 57-minute lecture by Michale Fee from MIT. Delve into the neural mechanisms underlying vocal learning, focusing on how sparse sequences in motor circuits control vocalization and facilitate learning. Examine the gradual emergence of these sequences during song acquisition and investigate the potential role of auditory memory in shaping motor system sequences. Learn about a proposed model for constructing temporal sequences to support reinforcement learning in complex behavioral patterns, and discover how the auditory system might align these sequences with tutor song memories to enhance song evaluation. Cover topics such as zebra finch tudor song, reinforcement learning, motor pathways, learning circuits, supervised learning, and the stages of syllable development in songbird vocalizations.