Here are answers to some of the questions that arose at Prof. Daniel Levitin's lecture.
1. Why does music seem to engage so many areas of the brain?
- Because it embodies pitch change (melody) and rhythm, it implies motor movement. Music invokes emotional centers, and when there are lyrics, linguistic centers as well. Also, because music is based on repetition, it engages memory systems.
2. With the popularity of music videos, how (or do) they affect music appreciation?
- We glean a great deal of information about the emotional content of a musical performance just by watching the gestures, movements and expressions of musicians. Music videos, to the extent that they show the musicians actually playing (as opposed to walking along the beach) can enhance our understanding and connection to the music itself.
3. Do "Music Therapies" help children with developmental disorders?
- They can help with mood regulation, behavior modification, and the learning of certain motor action sequences (such as tying shoes).