This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin
I was having a conversation with a co-worker of mine about our most recent reads, and I mentioned that this was my newest book. When I started to explain the concept behind Dr. Levitin's book, she told me that the books I read are too smart. Well Laura, buckle up for this one! Reading "This Is Your Brain on Music" felt like I was reading a textbook most of the time.
I had been in a reading slump for a few weeks. Nothing was grabbing my attention, and I had started and stopped multiple books. I knew I was going to be in trouble if I couldn't find something quickly. I started looking for topics that I knew I had an interest in. The front flap of the book pitches a mix of neuroscience, the study of structure or function of the nervous system and brain, and music. Those two subjects immediately peaked my interest. I love learning about why we do (or like) the things we do. And everyone likes music. When I picked the book up from my library, the librarian gushed about how amazing this book was. He even told me that he had put in a hold to receive it after me because he wanted to read it again. I was excited to get started on this book.
The first two chapters immediately made me nervous. It was like a Music 101 class that I had not signed up for. It was explaining things like pitch, tempo, melody vs harmony, tritones, and dissonance just to name a few. Not only would it give a definition of these terms, but it would break it down to explain how the brain interprets them. To give you an idea of what to expect, Dr. Levitin writes, "pitch is a purely psychological phenomenon related to the frequency of vibrating air molecules." It felt like the book was getting a bit above my head at some parts, even with a few years of piano lessons during my elementary school years under my belt. I decided that I would continue reading but cautiously. It became more enjoyable as it started moving away from music theory and more into the psychology and neuroscience of music. I would just have a few moments of "huh, never knew that before" as I continued on but rarely had mind-blowing WOW moments. By the end of the book, I wasn't sure if I had really developed a deeper appreciation for music or the science behind it.
About a week or so later, I went to a funeral to support a friend's family. The son sang and played the piano in tribute to his mom. While listening to his music, I thought about the book I had just read and could pin-point specific moments that the author had referred to throughout the book. It was helpful to see those theories laid out in front of me after reading about them. But even in that moment, I don't think that meant I now had a deeper connection to that music because I could understand the scientific and psychological impact the music was creating. I'm sure everyone in that room felt the emotions and the effect of his music. If anything, I wasn't able to enjoy it for it's simplicity and be in the moment. The book had taken me to a place where I was dissecting the music rather than enjoying it.
I think Dr. Levitin is brilliant, and the amount of effort, time, and thought that he put into the book is evident. I just wouldn't be surprised if people use it as a recommended read on a course syllabus. It certainly isn't a casual read. (I'm starting to understand that I don't really read casual books at this point!) I'd say that people who are aspiring musicians, music producers, or like music history would appreciate this book the most. Other than that, I don't think run of the mill music listeners need to understand or know how to dissect their music interests.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
* Positives: The material was informative and a lot was covered.
* Negatives: As much as they tried to write it in layman's terms, it still felt too academic and brainy.
About a week or so later, I went to a funeral to support a friend's family. The son sang and played the piano in tribute to his mom. While listening to his music, I thought about the book I had just read and could pin-point specific moments that the author had referred to throughout the book. It was helpful to see those theories laid out in front of me after reading about them. But even in that moment, I don't think that meant I now had a deeper connection to that music because I could understand the scientific and psychological impact the music was creating. I'm sure everyone in that room felt the emotions and the effect of his music. If anything, I wasn't able to enjoy it for it's simplicity and be in the moment. The book had taken me to a place where I was dissecting the music rather than enjoying it.
I think Dr. Levitin is brilliant, and the amount of effort, time, and thought that he put into the book is evident. I just wouldn't be surprised if people use it as a recommended read on a course syllabus. It certainly isn't a casual read. (I'm starting to understand that I don't really read casual books at this point!) I'd say that people who are aspiring musicians, music producers, or like music history would appreciate this book the most. Other than that, I don't think run of the mill music listeners need to understand or know how to dissect their music interests.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
* Positives: The material was informative and a lot was covered.
* Negatives: As much as they tried to write it in layman's terms, it still felt too academic and brainy.
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