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The Evolving Animal Orchestra

In Search of What Makes Us Musical
Series: The MIT Press
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( 38 ratings, 6 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Evolving Animal Orchestra by Henkjan Honing explores the fascinating connection between music and the animal kingdom, illustrating how musicality extends far beyond humans. The book delves into the science behind patterns, sounds, and rhythms found in nature, examining how these elements have evolved in both animals and humans. It's a thought-provoking journey into the shared genetic roots of musicality across species.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the intersection of music and biology, as it explores how musicality may have evolved in animals and humans. This captivating read delves into the science of why our auditory senses are drawn to rhythm and melody, making it perfect for those interested in evolutionary biology and the role of music in the natural world.

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A music researcher's quest to discover other musical species.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A music researcher's quest to discover other musical species. Even those of us who can't play a musical instrument or lack a sense of rhythm can perceive and enjoy music. Research shows that all humans possess the trait of musicality. We are a musical species—but are we the only musical species? Is our musical predisposition unique, like our linguistic ability? In The Evolving Animal Orchestra, Henkjan Honing embarks upon a quest to discover if humans share the trait of musicality with other animals.

Charles Darwin believed that musicality was a capacity of all animals, human and nonhuman, with a clear biological basis. Taking this as his starting point, Honing—a music cognition researcher—visits a series of biological research centres to observe the ways that animals respond to music. He has studied scientists' accounts of Snowball, the cockatoo who could dance to a musical beat, and of Ronan, the sea lion, who was trained to move her head to a beat. Now Honing will be able to make his own observations.

Honing tests a rhesus monkey for beat perception via an EEG; performs a listening experiment with zebra finches; considers why birds sing, and if they intend their songs to be musical; explains why many animals have perfect pitch; and watches marine mammals respond to sounds. He reports on the unforeseen twists and turns, doubts, and oversights that are a part of any scientific research—and which point to as many questions as answers. But, as he shows us, science is closing in on the biological and evolutionary source of our musicality.

Series: The MIT Press

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  • The Evolving Animal Orchestra
    A music researcher's quest to discover other musical species. Even those of us who can't play a musical instrument or lack a sense of rhythm can perceive and enjoy music. Research shows that all humans possess the trait of musicality. We are a musical species—but are we the only musical species? Is our musical predisposition unique, like our linguistic ability?...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Evolving Animal Orchestra has been praised for its engaging exploration of the evolution of musicality, blending scientific research with a philosophical look at how hypotheses and views evolve over time. It offers an inspiring glimpse into cognitive science, capturing readers' imaginations with its insight into the intrinsic nature of music.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780262039321

Publisher: MIT Press Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 05 March 2019

Country: United States

Imprint: MIT Press

Illustration: 9 b&w illus.; 18 Illustrations

Contributors:

  • Translated by Sherry MacDonald

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 160

About the Author

Henkjan Honing is Professor of Music Cognition at the University of Amsterdam and editor of The Origins of Musicality (MIT Press).

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