Music hath charms

We know in our hearts that music affects us. But how and why are mysteries. Or are they? Are there things that music does, specific technical things, that have a physical effect we can measure? '[Scientists are] trying to understand and quantify what makes music expressive — what specific aspects make one version of, say, a Beethoven sonata convey more emotion than another. The results are contributing to a greater understanding of how the brain works and of the importance of music in human development, communication and cognition, and even as a potential therapeutic tool. More...