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“In this succinct review of academic literature, Abel James explores the relationship between music, language, evolution, and the human brain. Despite its rampant abundance in human experience, history, and culture – music has no clear adaptive function. This begs the question: What is the origin of music, and why does it play such an enormous role in our lives?
If you’ve ever spent much time with musicians, it’s clear that they are a “unique” bunch. The countless hours spent listening to and creating music has shaped their minds and, indeed, their brains. This begs a second question: How does musical experience influence the human brain? Are they uniquely predisposed to be musicians, or does musical training literally rewire their brains?
Abel James challenges a wide range of eminent thinkers and explores a number of theories about the origins of music. Did music arise from sexual selection, directly from the faculty of speech, as a group-oriented communication device, or is it merely a fortuitous side effect of various perceptual and cognitive mechanisms that serve other functions?
In order to satisfactorily answer these questions, biology, development and cultural influences are explored. Only a calculated investigation into the influences of nature and nurture can provide an explanation of our relationship with music, as there are biological universals as well as developmental and culturally based influences that determine the dynamic state of musical knowledge.”
“The Musical Brain is heady, thoroughly researched, and offers interesting perspective on how music and musical training affects the function of the brain. Musicians clearly think differently, and this book provides substantial insight into how and why. The Musical Brain explores possible explanations for where music came from and why it is so important to the human experience in a relatively brief 50 pages. Not a quick 50 pages, mind you. But worth paying attention to and reading more than once. This is a book that every intelligent musician and non-musician alike should have in their back pocket.”
“The Musical Brain” goes into depths about music and cognitive function rarely explored. It gives plentiful references for research-hungry music or neuroscience enthusiasts while keeping the connections between music, evolution and the brain woven in an orderly and cogent fashion. It’s a true eye-opener about music–a human ability so easy to take for granted and yet so perplexing in its origins and function!”
“Brilliantly written and incredibly interesting! The Musical Brain explores the mysteries behind why music is a part of human existence. This thorough investigation guides readers through different theories including biology, development, and cultural influences. References are cited throughout this well-researched piece of literature. A must read!”
“This was an enjoyable read. I have 4 little ones and I am constantly observing how they are developing. It true that music has assisted them educational as well as emotionally. Great information. Thanks Abel James.”
Thanks for all of your support!
Cheers,
Abel
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