The Music Instinct (by Philip Ball)

[XasGotan]

I would like to recommend a book, The Music Instinct, by Philip Ball, who is a multiply prize-winning science writer writing for non-scientists, but usually most of his readers are scientists who greatly benefit from his insight and clarity of presentation. This relatively new book is also written for non-musicians, but I expect it to be read mainly by musicians and music lovers with some musical education. Starting with a history of chiefly western music and the origin of scales and tonalities he tries to explain what music really is and why it has the effects on us that we all know about. Take it on your summer holiday......;}

 

[saxplorer]

£4.93 on Kindle ... recommendation acted on!

 

[kevgermany]

Looks like Amazon are going to make even MORE money out of me.

 

[Kingsleyhk]

Ordered for my Kindle - try also This is your brain on music by Daniel Levitin and How music works by John Powell. They really open your eyes to what you are actually doing - to yourself and the listener - when you play. Both are "academics" and musicians but write very well.

 

[kevgermany]

+1 for Levitin. Haven't read the Powell yet.

 

[Kingsleyhk]

When you do read the Powell book, would value our opinion.

 

[kevgermany]

When you do read the Powell book, would value our opinion.

We read it together? ;}

 

[Kingsleyhk]

I read it some time ago - but I'll go through it again when on holiday in a couple of weeks.

 

[kevgermany]

Looks like there are two books by Powell with similar titles:

How Music Works: A listener's guide to harmony, keys, broken chords, perfect pitch and the secrets of a good tune

HOW MUSIC WORKS: THE SCIENCE AND PSYCHOLOGY OF BEAUTIFUL SOUNDS, FROM BEETHOVEN TO THE BEATLES AND BEYOND WITH CD

 

[Kingsleyhk]

Publishers do that - I've been caught a few times buying books with different titles that had virtually identical content. Mind you the CD could be worth having if you haven't already bought the original.