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Music Matters | A blog on music cognition: Is music a result of sexual selection? [Revisited]

Music Matters | A blog on music cognition: Is music a result of sexual selection? [Revisited] | Music to work to | Scoop.it

Interesting angle here - that music is related to sexual selection - i.e. - people select mates based on their ability to perform complex music.  I don't quite see it - nor apparently does that data...

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The surprising uses for birdsong

The surprising uses for birdsong | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Birdsong isn't just beautiful to listen to, it is increasingly being used in some rather unusual ways.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Julian has a great short TED talk that addresses this but I'm super excited to see the results from Eleanor Ratcliffe's study

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The Music of Memory: Victoria Williamson at TEDMEDLive Imperial College 2013

Music psychologist Victoria Williamson gives a fascinating account of the extraordinary power of musical memory, illustrated with the Tale Of Three -- the St...
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Vicky's particular focus on memory is a good doorway into the mystery of music.  With a few intriguing examples she demonstrates quite how deeply embedded music is in our make up and tantalizes us with potential uses once we really understand what's going on - but we're not there yet...

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You reach more kids when you use the arts to teach | EdSource Today

You reach more kids when you use the arts to teach | EdSource Today | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

I love this - one teacher's account of using music in the classroom - to quote:

 

"The kids were on the edge of their seats, and I’ve never felt more alive as a teacher."


You go Jon Schwartz!


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Vets give music therapy to pets

Vets give music therapy to pets | Music to work to | Scoop.it
A chain of vets in Leeds has started playing music to animals in an attempt to get them to relax.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Sweet video from the UK on how vets are using music to calm patients pre-procedure.  Comes from good science although I'm a little suspect about the creation of species specific songs - I suspect any kind of calm instrumental music would work.

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This is your mind on music

This is your mind on music | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Mainly Mozart's innovative "Mozart & the Mind" series will get you thinking
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

It is super exciting to read about the new developments in understanding music and the mind - this article gives insight into potential applications for treating and even reversing cognitive illnesses through understanding how music works in the brain.  Awesome!

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Great interview on music and performance in sport with Dr Costas Karageorghis

Great interview on music and performance in sport with Dr Costas Karageorghis | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Dr Karageorghis reveals the science behind the music and how you can create your own performance enhancing playlist.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

A little old but this is great interview highlighting the basics and what you can do to unlock your own potential with the right music

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Eight New Things We’ve Learned About Music

Eight New Things We’ve Learned About Music | Music to work to | Scoop.it
It's right up there with food, sex and drugs when its comes to stirring up pleasure responses in our brains.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

With so many studies published recently it would make sense for the Smithsonian to publish a nce round up and summary as well as supply links out to the original articles - definitely lots going on in the world of music science and research 

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10 Ways To Make Exams Less Stressful

10 Ways To Make Exams Less Stressful | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Think twice before you pick up that highlighter. Did you know that taking a practice test or handwriting your notes instead can help you retain more information?
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

It's fast becoming exam season and the interwebs will soon be filled with advice articles like this.  It always cracks me up - nothing in here is rocket science but sometimes you just need to be reminded to use your common sense.  Listening to music (relaxing music) comes in at number ten - clearly you should try some http://music2work2.com

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Study: Background Music Prevents Bullying on the Playground

Study: Background Music Prevents Bullying on the Playground | Music to work to | Scoop.it
A first-of-its-kind study from Israel found that gentle melodies may help deter schoolyard bullying.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Admittedly this is a tiny study and has more holes in its construction than a block of Swiss cheese, however - as a pilot study to identify whether to investigate further - it has some merit.  I'm not sure how I feel about it though - there's a case to be made for not creating artificial auditory environments for everyone and we know that the benefits gained from having music in the environment are significantly reduced if the individual cannot control the music - so - we'll see if this gets followed up on...

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Improve Memory whilst sleeping

Improve Memory whilst sleeping | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Is it possible to boost your brainpower while getting a good night’s sleep? Well according to a study it is by listening to music! According to a new study if you have music that’s in sync with bra...
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Tiny study of 11 people but super interesting results that playing music that is in sync with brain oscillations can facilitate memory retention.  Expect to see a crap load of websites offering "in sync" oscillatory music soon.  #caveatemptor!

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Why Insects Sing? A Conversation with David Rothenberg - Forbes

Why Insects Sing? A Conversation with David Rothenberg - Forbes | Music to work to | Scoop.it
David Rothenberg playing saxaphone covered by his collaborators. Photo by Charles Lindsay Philosopher and musician David Rothenberg is the author of Why Birds Sing, also published in Italy, Spain, Taiwan, China, Korea, and Germany.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

This is a fabulous interview with author and musician and general all round dude David Rothenberg.  It looks at the "music" of insects and is well worth the 5 minutes it'll take you to read it!

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This is your brain on music

This is your brain on music | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Exactly what chemical processes occur when we put our headphones? Scientists have come across some clues.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

We're seeing quite a few general articles on music and how it affects us recently - this one from CNN driven by Daniel Levitin is a good overview

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Why Musicians Make Us Weep And Computers Don't

Why Musicians Make Us Weep And Computers Don't | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Music can soothe the savage breast much better if played by musicians rather than clever computers, according to a new study.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Reassuring to read that the imminent takeover of the world by the computer ain't happening in the music world just yet; of course, once they get that "emotion" chip up and running - we're all screwed..

 

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cesarastudillo/252636904/

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JAMA Network | JAMA | Effects of Patient-Directed Music Intervention on Anxiety and Sedative Exposure in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilatory SupportA Randomized Clinical TrialP...

JAMA Network | JAMA | Effects of Patient-Directed Music Intervention on Anxiety and Sedative Exposure in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilatory SupportA Randomized Clinical TrialP... | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Good sized study with several hundred participants over many years.  Basically music can lower anxiety levels in critically ill patients who use a ventilator and reduce the frequency in which they require sedation - this a good thing!

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Loud music, fast tempo as Eagles begin practices

Loud music, fast tempo as Eagles begin practices | Music to work to | Scoop.it
The loudspeakers are placed right in the middle of the Eagles practice fields, and the noise is deafening.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

We've seen this pop up a few times over the last couple of weeks - the use of music to enhance professional training sessions.  The major issue is getting the team used to a loud and noisy environment - which is what game day will feel like - but the choice of music is also fast tempo high energy - which certainly helps too!

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Music and the Brain: Jessica Grahn at TEDxWesternU

Jessica Grahn, Cognitive Neuroscientist, talks about the power of the human mind and how it can be transformed through music. In the spirit of ideas worth sp...
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Jessica Grahn very gently dismantles the claims made by the "music can make your kid a genius" industry!  Yes there are many things music can do for you but as a neuroscientist and pregnant mum herself - she's not rushing out to buy these products!

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The Mating Advantage of Male Musicians: Women Find Guitars Sexy

The Mating Advantage of Male Musicians: Women Find Guitars Sexy | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Studies from two countries suggest women are more attracted to a man if he’s holding a guitar.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Clearly I have found this to be true in my own experience! ;-pppp

 

Some good data here backed by some decent numbers - although a little short on why - there's evidence that Shakespeare had it down when he wrote "If music be the food of love, play on..."

 

Lotharios, start your plucking...

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Music helps some college football teams stay in tune

Music helps some college football teams stay in tune | Music to work to | Scoop.it
A steady, booming bass and the crackling cacophony of music can be heard more than a block away from Baylor's practice field during the Bears' daily workouts.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

It's not surprising to see this article - with the growing amount of evidence on the positive effects of music it was only a matter of time before coaches looking for an edge dipped a toe in.  Interesting that it doesn't work for everyone and that it's more about "head space" and focus than it is about aligning any physical momentum - but hey - whatever works...

Chelsea Leigh's curator insight, May 6, 4:58 AM

Why do you think that music helped this football team? 

What is another example of how music could help in a team situation?

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They’re Playing My Song. Time to Work Out. - New York Times

They’re Playing My Song. Time to Work Out. - New York Times | Music to work to | Scoop.it
There is a rough science to choosing performance-enhancing music.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Found this while looking into Dr. Costas Karageorghis - some good information on beats per minute and tracks you can use for optimum performance on different workouts

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Music Makes the Tips Grow Larger

Music Makes the Tips Grow Larger | Music to work to | Scoop.it
New research from France finds restaurant patrons exposed to music with pro-social lyrics are more likely to leave tips.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

Although there's no indication of sample size and there are so many variables unaccounted for it doesn't feel terribly "scientific" -   the results are intriguing!  It makes sense that feel good music will make people feel good, and the better you feel the more generous you feel - but the idea that pro social songs can raise wait staff's income by 8% is pretty cool!

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Musical Beat Enhances Visual Comprehension -

Musical Beat Enhances Visual Comprehension - | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

We caught this three years ago when it first came out but it's worth looking at again.  Another small study, only 36 participants, but the method looks rock solid.  There's definitely something about synchronicity and rhythm when it comes to music and brain function - I'd love to see this research developed further.  

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Researchers deem social media usage detrimental to GPA | The Daily Free Press

Researchers deem social media usage detrimental to GPA | The Daily Free Press | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

This is a good looking study - 483 1st year female college students participated over the full year - and while the headline that Social Media use has a negative impact on GPA will no doubt get all the attention, it's nice to see that Music, once again, has been found to have a positive effect.

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New study shows that music elicits a people connection

New study shows that music elicits a people connection | Music to work to | Scoop.it
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

This is horribly written up and it's a small sample but what I get from it is that they've identified common areas in the brain that respond to music and are hypothesizing that as we all share these areas - it allows us to move together - ...yeah....

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Ear study debunks myths about loud music

Ear study debunks myths about loud music | Music to work to | Scoop.it
New research shows the ear can protect itself after being exposed to loud music at a rock concert by becoming less sensitive temporarily.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

This is more about explaining the ear's behavior after being exposed to loud music - the temporary loss of hearing is the body's natural defense mechanism and doesn't lead to long term damage.  However - sustained listening to high volumes is inevitably going to bugger your hearing up for good!

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Playing music to premature babies helps them sleep and improves their breathing, claim doctors

Playing music to premature babies helps them sleep and improves their breathing, claim doctors | Music to work to | Scoop.it
The sound of an instrument or parent singing can make a newborn sleep better and puts them in a quietly attentive state, say researchers at New York's Beth Israel Hospital.
Andrew McCluskey's insight:

For once a fairly decent sized study with almost 300 premature babies in several different hospitals - research handled by the Louis Armstrong centre for music and medicine - good stuff!

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