Overview

Most people are interested in music, whether they just listen to it or also play or sing it. Many music lovers have probably read or heard about the effects of music on mood, memory, and ability to concentrate. Some of them may accept at face value what they read or hear, but they have no way of resolving the inevitable disagreements and contradictions they encounter in print, radio, television, or social media. Whom should they believe? Few will have the necessary scientific training or willingness to wade into the weeds of original scientific studies necessary to resolve those disagreements and contradictions. In an era when social media, fake news, and contradictory opinions are a mere click away, many people will prefer an informed but digestible overview of the evidence. Many books have been written on music and the brain. Some have attempted to popularize and monetize the idea of the so-called ""Mozart effect,"" based on a study published 30 years ago in which cognitive testing seemed to improve immediately after listening to a Mozart sonata for two pianos. Despite many unsuccessful attempts at replication, the belief that simply listening to Mozart, other classical music, or indeed any enjoyable music can make us smarter is widespread. Even if a beneficial effect could be demonstrated, its brief duration would have no practical importance. Other books have touted benefits of listening to background music, taking instrument or singing lessons as a child, or continuing to play or sing during adulthood. These benefits included improved brain development in fetuses and children, preventing or treating age-related cognitive decline and dementia, or recovery from brain damage caused by trauma or stroke. No previous book has attempted rigorous and systematic evaluations of the scientific evidence for and against these effects of listening, learning, and playing or singing music. Some books cite published studies, but it is unclear whether the authors came to their conclusions as a result of the published evidence, or if they selectively sought and cited studies that supported a position to which they had already arrived. In other words, this book fills an important gap.

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