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Post by Zi on Sept 26, 2023 8:36:15 GMT
I've just started reading This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin. has anyone else read this and if so, what did you think? I'm still in the opening stages but so far am finding it very interesting and a lot of fun.
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Post by keff on Sept 26, 2023 13:19:47 GMT
I am not a big reader of books but sometimes look out for recommendations of what to read. I will start a list and put Levitin on it. It will have to be second however because I promised a friend earlier this year that I would make a start on Of Mice and Men.
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Post by Zi on Sept 26, 2023 17:16:02 GMT
I used to read a phenomenal amount but I've slowed down enormously. I'll let you know what I think when I reach the end!  I may recant!  |
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Post by Zi on Oct 3, 2023 18:03:08 GMT
I haven't recanted yet - he's very interesting. I didn't realise just how complex listening to music is. Some of the same kind of phenomena you see in vision, works in hearing so that effects can be created that aren't really there. Like closure in vision and optical illusions. There are aural equivalents. He really knows a lot of different music too so his examples come from all over the place.
I wonder if music grads etc learn about the psychology of hearing?
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Post by keff on Oct 4, 2023 7:37:40 GMT
O dear...wrote a reply to the previous entry earlier this morning and I must have pressed a wrong button because it has disappeared! The gist of the reply was to ask how do psychologists come up with their theories and then prove them? Can only imagine that they have to ask lots of people.
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Post by pavane on Oct 4, 2023 11:17:16 GMT
... how do psychologists come up with their theories and then prove them? Can only imagine that they have to ask lots of people.
I have read (no idea if it's definitely true or not) that your heartbeat can/will synchronise with a strong rhythm so that there are some easy to measure physiological effects of music. I presume it would be possible to measure brain activity in response to music and maybe that has been done too. Shades of A Clockwork Orange...
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Post by Zi on Oct 4, 2023 13:17:45 GMT
We've got a seriously wonky connection today. It's been a bit iffy these last few days but today we're at seriously wonky. If I disappear it isn't because of lack of trying!
He uses quite a lot of research that has been done on people and sounds and music. He knows a lot about the production of sound (and music) and has been a sound engineer in the record industry and played in bands. He is currently a neuroscientist and cognitive scientist. As I say, he's very interesting. He writes well and explains well and has been subjected to a lot of music. It's quite an interesting read on music. I really don't know enough about music to challenge his thinking there.
When the connection is a bit less iffy, I'll put up one of the audio-illusions he talks about or whatever they're called...
Clockwork Orange - now there's a film...
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Post by largissimo on Dec 1, 2023 11:53:34 GMT
I recently read "Sounds and Sweet Airs: the Forgotten Women of Classical Music" by Anna Beer. Superb piece of writing. It approaches the subject through short biographies of 8 composers, ranging from Francesca Caccini (early Baroque) to Elizabeth Maconchy (20th century.) She has plenty new to say even on those I thought I knew something about, like Fanny Hensel.
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Post by Zi on Dec 1, 2023 18:23:07 GMT
That's interesting. I really like recommendations. I'll stick that one on my list! At the moment I'm reading Anglo Saxon history...
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I may recant! 
