This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession
by: Daniel J. Levitin
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In this groundbreaking union of art and science, rocker-turned-neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin explores the connection between musicits performance, its composition, how we listen to it, why we enjoy itand the human brain. Drawing on the latest research and on musical examples ranging from Mozart to Duke Ellington to Van Halen, Levitin reveals:
How composers produce some of the most pleasurable effects of listening to music by exploiting the way our brains make sense of the world
Why we are so emotionally attached to the music we listened to as teenagers, whether it was Fleetwood Mac, U2, or Dr. Dre
That practice, rather than talent, is the driving force behind musical expertise
How those insidious little jingles (called earworms) get stuck in our heads
And, taking on prominent thinkers who argue that music is nothing more than an evolutionary accident, Levitin argues that music is fundamental to our species, perhaps even more so than language. This Is Your Brain on Music is an unprecedented, eye-opening investigation into an obsession at the heart of human nature.
In this groundbreaking union of art and science, rocker-turned-neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin explores the connection between musicits performance, its composition, how we listen to it, why we enjoy itand the human brain. Drawing on the latest research and on musical examples ranging from Mozart to Duke Ellington to Van Halen, Levitin reveals:
How composers produce some of the most pleasurable effects of listening to music by exploiting the way our brains make sense of the world
Why we are so emotionally attached to the music we listened to as teenagers, whether it was Fleetwood Mac, U2, or Dr. Dre
That practice, rather than talent, is the driving force behind musical expertise
How those insidious little jingles (called earworms) get stuck in our heads
And, taking on prominent thinkers who argue that music is nothing more than an evolutionary accident, Levitin argues that music is fundamental to our species, perhaps even more so than language. This Is Your Brain on Music is an unprecedented, eye-opening investigation into an obsession at the heart of human nature.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- If you make a mistake, be sure to repeat it
Several reviewers with considerable expert knowledge in the areahave- it is fair to say - excoriated this book on this site.Levitin may be a clever experimentalist, and possibly a good music producer. That did not qualify him to attempt a project of this nature. The musical errors are elementary, and at times close to maddening, as several reviewers have pointed out. For example, as alluded to in one of these reviews, p. 238 shows that Levitin has never actually played with a real jazz ... Read More
Rating: 
- Great Book
This is a great book. I play Tabla and this book just further enhances my practice.
Rating: 
- The X Factor
Well written and informative, but Mr. Levitin is apparently unable to recognize the X factor that is the indescribable, innate quality of an artist that cannot be taught; that does not need years of training to release--and is the reason why some highly trained people are brilliant technicians, but not artists. This inability marred his conclusions and misdirected his studies/experiments. As a musician, it is also my opinion that Mr. Levitin has no idea what "groove" is. Again, being a player, does ... Read More
Rating: 
- Fantastic Book!
This book does an amazing job of introducing the reader to how the brain works, how it develops in the human, and how it responds to various stimuli including music.Combined with the works of Damasio and LeonardMeyer (U of Chicago), the book immerses the reader in a wonderful sea of information and opens new areas to explore.
I can't recommend the book highly enough.
Rating: - Science for the rest of us
Well written science about our brains and music that we can understand.Levitin uses humor and what we know to explain our obsession with music.
- If you make a mistake, be sure to repeat itSeveral reviewers with considerable expert knowledge in the areahave- it is fair to say - excoriated this book on this site.Levitin may be a clever experimentalist, and possibly a good music producer. That did not qualify him to attempt a project of this nature. The musical errors are elementary, and at times close to maddening, as several reviewers have pointed out. For example, as alluded to in one of these reviews, p. 238 shows that Levitin has never actually played with a real jazz ... Read More
- Great BookThis is a great book. I play Tabla and this book just further enhances my practice.
- The X FactorWell written and informative, but Mr. Levitin is apparently unable to recognize the X factor that is the indescribable, innate quality of an artist that cannot be taught; that does not need years of training to release--and is the reason why some highly trained people are brilliant technicians, but not artists. This inability marred his conclusions and misdirected his studies/experiments. As a musician, it is also my opinion that Mr. Levitin has no idea what "groove" is. Again, being a player, does ... Read More
- Fantastic Book!This book does an amazing job of introducing the reader to how the brain works, how it develops in the human, and how it responds to various stimuli including music.Combined with the works of Damasio and LeonardMeyer (U of Chicago), the book immerses the reader in a wonderful sea of information and opens new areas to explore.
I can't recommend the book highly enough.
- Science for the rest of usWell written science about our brains and music that we can understand.Levitin uses humor and what we know to explain our obsession with music.
