Music, Mind, and Embodiment

Abstract

What are the psychobiologic functions that make it possible for man to compose, hear, and perform music? Is music a language? How does music move the listener? Why do we like to perform and listen to music? What is the nature of meaning in music? These are some of the Questions of concern in this book. Music, Mind, and Brain is a pioneering book on the scientific approach to the nature of music from a psychobiologic point of view. It does not analyze music merely from the musical score, but is concerned with music in the flesh, as a living en-tity dwelling within man. From this point of view, a view that places emphasis on the function of the brain and how it processes musical sounds dif-ferently from other sounds, we gain new knowledge and insight into the workings of the human mind. This book offers many illustrations of basic forms of emotional communication through music and of the function of rhythmic pulse. An accompany-ing soundsheet provides some sound and musical illustrations. Aspects of ethnic, classical, and rock 'n' roll music are covered, and the use of compu-ters in producing and analyzing music is explored.