Science of Music
Music to help us through difficult times
Multiple studies show that music can do wonders for our mental health. So which pieces do we turn to when times are tough?
Music can teach us the secrets to a better life. Here’s how
It’s official: playing an instrument is good for your mind and body. But, asks Ariane Todes, what other life skills can musicians teach us?
Hospitals are using music to ease pain and depression in patients. Here's how
It is widely accepted that music can boost mood and wellbeing, but it can also be used in medical settings to ease depression and pain, writes Peter Somerford
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How brain cells grown in a lab are allowing a composer to write music... after his death
Tom Service’s mind boggles as he explains how science has enabled an American composer to continue writing music… some four years after his death
Music can help in the battle against multiple sclerosis. Here's the science
Music’s ability to reduce stress, stimulate nerves and ‘rewire’ the brain can help to manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, writes Rebecca Franks
Is there a link between mental illness and creativity? Top psychologists have their say
The cliché of the ‘mad genius’ has long perpetuated the idea that creativity and mental illness are linked. But, asks Rebecca Franks, how true is that notion?
Classical music can calm our anxiety. Here’s the science behind it
The music that calms us can be deeply personal, writes Claire Jackson, yet certain universal elements are scientifically proven to ease stress
Rewire your brain: 7 classical tracks that boost focus and creativity
Scientific research continues to support what musicians and music lovers have long known: that classical music can reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and even rewire the brain for greater efficiency
The extraordinary power of music to unlock buried memories in dementia patients
Could dinosaurs sing? Science reveals their surprisingly melodious voices
Forget those terrifying low-pitched roars – scientific research suggests that dinosaur voices may have been more tuneful than we think, reveals Tom Service
The seven life-changing benefits of music (number 5 might surprise you)
We know that music has a positive effect on the brain, but music’s impact on the body can also be helpful, improving heart health, stress levels and pain management
Here are 14 mind-bending acoustic destinations where sound plays by its own rules
Our roundup of the 14 most incredible sound destinations in the world
Unlock the secrets of music: these four simple concepts will make you a 'super listener'
Our guide to the four concepts that will help you to unlock classical music's secret code and become a great listener
'Music is like going through the wardrobe into Narnia': why top scientists swear by classical music
Anecdotally, the scientific mind is often drawn to music says Naomi Yandell, who approaches six eminent scholars for their thoughts on its attraction
Ever felt bored in a concert? Don't worry, you're not alone... and science can explain why
We rarely admit it, but our minds often wander in classical concerts. Why are we so easily distracted, asks Ariane Todes, and how can we learn to engage?
Music for studying: 15 great works that will boost your focus and banish distractions
What is the best music to aid a little learning? These are the best pieces of music for studying and keeping you on task and concentrating when the going gets tough and you're feeling easily distracted
Why's that tune stuck in your head? The science behind earworms
What are earworms? Are they common and how do I get rid of them? Read on to discover more about this annoying musical phenomenon...
Scientists have found that music eases pain best when it matches our natural rhythm
Researchers at Canada's McGill University have found that music provides the greatest pain relief when it aligns with a person’s natural rhythm
Nature's greatest composers: why male humpback whales sing together in harmony
Over a million years, male humpback whales have developed a repertoire of songs whose purpose scientists are now keen to establish, says Tom Service
Are robotic conductors the future of music – and can they ever be as good as humans?
Just like fads for Tamagotchi and Furbys, robotic conductors are currently flavour of the month – but they’re not a patch on the real thing, says Tom Service
Calmness, flexibility and time to relax... How to maintain a healthy work-life balance
Violinist Chloe Chua shares how she maintains a healthy work-life balance...
Impostor syndrome: why even the greatest performers share our feelings of inadequacy
Even the most elevated artists sometimes suffer from impostor syndrome – but that vulnerability makes them even better musicians, explains Tom Service
The Mozart Effect: does listening to Mozart really make you smarter?
Does Mozart actually make babies smarter? We're here to bust myths and sort the rumours from the reality
How to avoid burnout - advice for musicians, and those in any stressful job
Today’s top young performers offer sage advice to their peers...