This Is Your Brain On Music - Daniel J. Levitin

[rojo]

I just finished reading this book and found it extremely interesting. For anyone who is music-obsessed like I am (and who isn't, really,) it's a fascinating read. I haven't read any books such as this, and wonder if anything else like it exists.

It confirmed a number of things that I have noticed through playing, listening and teaching over the years, and made me wonder about still more things. I do take issue with a few items here and there.

I have many thoughts, but limited time at the moment; hopefully I'll come back with them soon (jotted them down for later.)

One quick thought for now; he doesn't appear to be a fan of contemporary classical music; he claims that it ''deconstructs harmony, melody and rhythm'' yet makes no mention of timbre, which he takes great measures to emphasize as being important earlier in the book. Seems odd that he should dismiss it in this instance. Hmm.

If anyone has thoughts to share, feel free!

 

[John Watt]

Daniel J. Levetin is now a professor at a Montreal university. His is an interesting and scientific book, site and study, however stilted and lacking in certain dimensions they may be. His lack of initiation into the spiritual realm of music is regretful. I as myself (I have an unpatriated identity) sent him a letter through the university with great heart and musical generosity, only to no reply. I wasn't asking for a gig or making offers.
Rojo! As a fellow Canadian, let me let you in on my earliest musical line. The oldest named musician in all of recorded human history is Jubal, made in Genesis as the first human to receive the blessing of music, the other two being farming and woodworking. After our Heavenly Father recalled his angels and sons from earth, leaving humans alone, he annointed us to help us cope, and prepare our tongues for expression in heaven. That is part of God's word in great and mysterious code. Ponder this, the name Jubal, the sounds of it, Ju and bal. They became the name of a tribe, Jews, and a god, Baal. One of the most divisive and literally punishing events in spiritual history occurred during the attempted reunification of this tribe and false idol. With me? This is my brain on spiritual musical history and idolization, now the celebutantes and divas of our times.
As this is all just a computer exercise, and continuing our Canadian theme, please read Professor Marshall McCluhan's "Global Village". Seeing yourself properly in your own environment is the best platform to engage your own musical energy, not taking you higher, but making you wider.
Everyone needs a new lesson, sooner or later. tuneUupL8r!