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Looking at Listening

Music and the mind

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How Similar Is Too Similar?

Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis Ph.D. on March 12, 2015

Does the song “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams sound similar to Marvin Gaye’s song “Got to Give It Up?” Does it sound so similar that it actually represents copyright infringement?

Does the song “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams sound similar to Marvin Gaye’s song “Got to Give It Up?” Does it sound so similar that it actually represents copyright infringement?

Memory
Can You Measure Musicality?

Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis Ph.D. on January 15, 2015

What happens when you try to capture a person's musical aptitude with a number?

What happens when you try to capture a person's musical aptitude with a number?

Placebo
What's the Best Way to Listen to Music?

Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis Ph.D. on August 21, 2014

Next time an usher slips you a program note, think twice before you read it.

Next time an usher slips you a program note, think twice before you read it.

Neuroscience
Can You Be Bimusical?

Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis Ph.D. on June 18, 2014

The benefits of bilingualism have become well known thanks to a wealth of work by linguists, psychologists, and neuroscientists. For even a casual music listener, these benefits raise an interesting question: might there be a condition parallel to bilingualism in the domain of music? Can you be bimusical?

The benefits of bilingualism have become well known thanks to a wealth of work by linguists, psychologists, and neuroscientists. For even a casual music listener, these benefits raise an interesting question: might there be a condition parallel to bilingualism in the domain of music? Can you be bimusical?

Creativity
The Surprising Power of Silence

Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis Ph.D. on May 25, 2014

It’s easy to think of moments in music that are silent, but expressively powerful: that moment before the pianist puts her hands on the keyboard; the moment when the rock band stops just before the climax. What makes some musical pauses so compelling?

It’s easy to think of moments in music that are silent, but expressively powerful: that moment before the pianist puts her hands on the keyboard; the moment when the rock band stops just before the climax. What makes some musical pauses so compelling?

Creativity
Looking at Listening

Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis Ph.D. on May 10, 2014

Introducing a new blog about music and the mind

Introducing a new blog about music and the mind