How music can make you better

INTRODUCTION; PART 1: HOW DO OUR BRAINS TURN SOUND INTO MUSIC?; WHAT IS MUSIC?; HOW DO WE FIND MEANING IN MUSIC?; THE GOLDILOCKS THEORY OF MUSICAL PREFERENCE; SWEET ANTICIPATION; MUSIC BENDS TIME; TURN THAT RACKET DOWN! TURN DOWN FOR WHAT?; YES, PRETTY MUCH ANYONE CAN SING; THE SONG THAT NEVER ENDS; PART 2: HOW CAN MUSIC HEAL OUR MINDS AND BODIES?; MUSIC REPAIRS BROKEN CIRCUITS; MUSIC CAN REDUCE STRESS AND DIMINISH PAIN; A LIGHT IN A DARK TUNNEL; LULLABIES: NOT JUST FOR THE LITTLES; MUSIC AND EXERCISE; IT HURTS SO GOOD; MUSIC ENHANCES LEARNING WHAT ABOUT THE MOZART EFFECT?SHAPING THE BRAIN WITH MUSICAL TRAINING; BUT ARE 10,000 HOURS ENOUGH?; PART 3: HOW CAN MUSIC MAKE SOCIETY BETTER?; CAPTURING OUR HEARTS-LITERALLY; MUSIC CAN CHANGE HISTORY; AUDITORY CHEESECAKE; BIBLIOGRAPHY; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

How can certain songs carry us through a tough workout, comfort us after a breakup, or unite 50,000 diverse fans' In this fascinating field guide, neuroscientist and opera singer Indre Viskontas investigates what music is and how it can change us for the better-from deep in our neurons to across our entire society. Whether hip-hop fans, classically trained pianists, or vinyl collectors, readers will think about their favorite songs in a whole new way by the end of this book. This is a vibrant and smart gift for any audiophile. ; ; "This brilliant little book is clear, lucid, and easy to read. It is packed with fascinating information that I didn't know... I shall give it to lots of friends.' -Jonathan Lynn, comedy legend ; ; A fascinating field guide from neuroscientist and opera singer Indre Viskontas that investigates what music is and how it can change us for the better-from deep in our neurons to across our entire society. Learn how certain songs carry us through a tough workout, comfort us after a breakup, or unite 50,000 diverse fans. A vibrant and smart gift for any audiophile-hip-hop fans, classically trained pianists, or vinyl collectors-readers will think about their favorite songs in a whole new way by the end of this book. ; ; • Find out how your mind transforms sounds into human experiences ; • Discover how music connects us, heals us, and changes us for the better ; • Learn from renowned musicians, neuroscientists, and authors ; ; "Indre Viskontas, combining her deep knowledge of neuroscience and music, has lifted the veil on the mysterious effects of music to move us, showing us not only how the human brain creates the magical patterns of music but also why music has the power to affect us like no other form of communication. An extremely important and inspiring book.' -Robert Greene, best-selling author of The 48 Laws of Power