The Scientific Theories Behind 9 of the Biggest Mysteries in Music
The Scientific Theories Behind 9 of the Biggest Mysteries in Music
By Tom Barnes June 17, 2015
"Why does music, being just sounds, remind us of the states of our soul?" Aristotle once asked. His question has been asked again and again in various forms by the greatest minds in history. It baffled Darwin and Kant. In 1969, famed anthropologist Claude Levi Strauss called music "the supreme mystery of the science of man."
With the advent of modern neurological research and scientific inquiry, we've made some progress into finding out exactly how and why music works. But we're still far from answers on so many fronts. The smaller, more specific questions concerning music also elude us — questions like: Why do songs get stuck in our heads? Or why do we dance?
Here are some of the most intriguing questions about music we are only just beginning to understand.
When Darwin was constructing his theory of evolution, music was one of the most difficult adaptations he tried to explain. "Neither the enjoyment nor the capacity of producing musical notes are faculties of the least use to man in reference to his daily habits of life, they must be ranked among the most mysterious with which he is endowed," he wrote.
He believed music must serve some purpose in sexual selection, like bird song, helping males and females impress mates. Research out of University of Sussex suggests he might not be wrong. They found women at the peaks of their menstrual cycles were notably drawn to composers creating the most complex music.
But a number of scientists think music serves other adaptive functions even beyond reproduction. No historical or fossil record exists to prove this, but it's likely human music and language came from a common protomusical ancestor. Anthropologist Ellen Dissanayake suggested in 2009 that music's ability to synchronize people's bodily rhythms can help bond social groups and create kinship where there might be competition. Going even further, the Scientific American noted a 2012 study that proved music can also synchronize individuals' thoughts. Groups of humans that could master music might be better able to create a shared identity and thus survive.
More:
http://mic.com/articles/120860/the-scientific-theories-behind-9-of-the-biggest-mysteries-in-music
= new reply since forum marked as read
Bach (Goldberg Variations -- Glenn Gould, 1955):
Mozart (Le Nozze di Figaro: Giulini, Taddei, Wachter, Schwartzkopf, Moffo, and incredible Fiorenza Cossotto as Cherubino):
R&K
Yup, listening to music has many psychological effects. And Mozart certainly is pleasant. But I also like Alban Berg and Charles Ives, which I think not very many people would find pleasant. Yet they also inspire me.
So what does this say about the Mozart Effect? And how about the Elvis Presley effect (those poor lost souls)? One might as well call it the music effect. But that would be merely acknowledging something humankind has known since cave dwellers first hummed to themselves at night alone.
And I write this as one who absolutely adores Mozart. (And yup. I hate Elvis, a uniquely tasteless individual.) But music is something we all share. One persons Mozart is another persons Elvis (horrors!). And don't get me started about modern popular music. I guess ones taste is in ones own mouth, or ones ears.
As Duke Ellington said: If the music sounds good, it is good.
And as Samuel Clemens said to a reporter upon exiting a performance of a Wagner opera: Wagner's music isn't as bad as it sounds.
But I think it would be a big mistake to attribute any biological effects to music beyond its unmistakable psychological effects. But genes? Nope.
My best to you.
on mysticism and archaic beliefs I read many years back, indicated that tone and connectivity of tone had an effect on the spirit, thus chanting and song were thought to be a method of connecting to the soul and the spiritual environment/ether. I thought that was rather profound but having been a vocalist all my life, I can see where that concept has some truth to it. When singing in a choir, especially classical type genres, it becomes a spiritual event when so many individuals are breathing and phonating in synchronized form. It is quite moving to be a participant, especially when performing Mozart and other masters' works.
When I get depressed, I find that music helps bring me back around, particularly when I have other musicians to make music with.
I also read, when investigating the Hebrew alphabet, that each letter has a tone quality attributed to it as well as a color and an element.
A huge topic, I do agree as a practitioner of music, there is something about it that connects all living things in one way or another.
Thanks for posting this, very interesting.
He still walks amongst us.
