music
What is toe jam? From harmless gunk to a feast for bugs
He wear no shoeshine, he got toe-jam football...
This 715-song playlist is scientifically verified to give you the chills, thanks to “frisson”
Listening to some songs can cause a powerful physiological response known as "frisson." What is it, and why does it happen?
10 of the greatest classical composers alive today
Many contemporary composers live in the shadow of Bach and Beethoven, even though they’re just as interesting to listen to.
10 of the greatest classical composers of all time
From Brahms to Tchaikovsky, here's a curated list of composers whose music has shaped the classical canon.
Singing in the brain
MIT neuroscientists have identified a population of neurons in the human brain that respond to singing but not other types of music.
The silent power of great movie soundtracks
Movie soundtracks don't just help us recall the plot of a film; they also allow us to better understand its meaning.
Why does experiencing “flow” feel so good? A communication scientist explains
Flow occurs when a task’s challenge is balanced with one’s skill.
Boléro: Was Maurice Ravel’s famous music the product of a brain disease?
Undiagnosed brain disease or divine inspiration? The origins of the French composer’s most provocative composition remain up for debate.
Grammy winner explains why Adele is right – album tracks should not be shuffled
Just as storylines make sense only when you have the context of the beginning and the end, listeners need to understand the impetus for why the album was even made.
How Mariah Carey stole Christmas
The singer-songwriter distilled the essence of the holidays into a hit song, and for her efforts she was crowned the Queen of Christmas.
Adele 30: the psychology of why sad songs make us feel good
Why does hearing sad music feel so good?
Music therapy: Could listening to your favorite songs slow Alzheimer’s disease?
Music therapy might boost memory, but the benefits are small. Just in case, tell your grandparents to listen to their favorite 1960s tunes.
How Nietzsche’s love for music influenced his philosophy
The German thinker wrote both treatises and songs. He approached each form of expression with the same level of interest.
Why Arthur Schopenhauer thought music was the greatest of all artforms
Music is often labelled a “universal language,” and according to the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, there is a good reason for that.
As we listen to melodies, our brain guesses what’s next
The way we imagine and listen to melodies sheds light on imagination.
Yes, you can see sounds — it’s called cymatics
Ernst Chladni proved that sound can be seen, and developed a technique of visualizing vibrations on a metal plate.
Playlist privacy: You can be identified from just three songs
Companies can identify you from your music preferences, as well as influence and profit from your behavior.
Learn how to play the guitar like a pro for $30
Virtually enroll in beginner-to-expert guitar lessons to unleash your inner musician.
A prayer without words: The story of the wanderer
Take a journey through the maze of interpretations of one of the most famous paintings in history.
Is rap music destigmatizing mental health disorders?
A new study shows that the top rap songs in the U.S. are making increasingly frequent references to depression and suicidal thoughts.
How music therapy benefits the autistic brain
While the benefits of music therapy are well known, more in-depth research explores how music benefits children with autism.
Get the many health benefits of playing the piano—by learning to play online
Regardless of your age, incorporate the piano into your life for better health.
The fastest drummer in the world is a cyborg
An accident left this musician with one arm. Now he is helping create future tech for others with disabilities.
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All of Jimi Hendrix’s gigs in one beautiful flash
Remarkable 'fan art' commemorates 50th anniversary of legendary guitar player's passing.
The rhythm of the night: How music can help insomnia
Insomnia is the product of mental or emotional pressure.
How a musician locks onto a rhythm, according to science
A study from McGill University reveals the secret of musicians who have excellent time.
Music helps us remember who we are and how we belong during difficult and traumatic times
A researcher talks about the power of music in a crisis.
This is what aliens would ‘hear’ if they flew by Earth
A Mercury-bound spacecraft's noisy flyby of our home planet.