How Music Can Make You Better

by Indre Viskontas

"This brilliant little book is clear, lucid, and easy to read. It is packed with fascinating information that I didn't know... I shall give it to lots of friends. " —Jonathan Lynn, comedy legend

A fascinating field guide from neuroscientist and opera singer Indre Viskontas that investigates what music is and how it can change us for the better—from deep in our neurons to across our entire society. Learn how certain songs carry us through a tough workout, comfort us after a breakup, or unite 50,000 diverse fans. A vibrant and smart gift for any audiophile—hip-hop fans, classically trained pianists, or vinyl collectors—readers will think about their favorite songs in a whole new way by the end of this book.

• Find out how your mind transforms sounds into human experiences
• Discover how music connects us, heals us, and changes us for the better
• Learn from renowned musicians, neuroscientists, and authors

"Indre Viskontas, combining her deep knowledge of neuroscience and music, has lifted the veil on the mysterious effects of music to move us, showing us not only how the human brain creates the magical patterns of music but also why music has the power to affect us like no other form of communication. An extremely important and inspiring book." —Robert Greene, best-selling author of The 48 Laws of Power

Readers of How Poetry Can Change Your Heart or The Psychology of Music will love this book


• Music lovers and audiophiles
• Musicians
• Anyone interested in neuroscience

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Psychology, Science

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Indre Viskontas is a sought-after science communicator across all mediums. She co-hosted the 6-episode docuseries Miracle Detectives on the Oprah Winfrey Network and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, major radio stations across the US, including several appearances on the NPR program City Arts & Lectures and The Sunday Edition on the CBC in Canada. She currently co-hosts the web series Science in Progress for Tested.com and VRV. She is also the host of the popular science podcast Inquiring Minds, which boasts more than 7 million downloads. As a working singer, she is especially interested in the intersection between art and science, particularly when it involves music, and her new podcast, Cadence: what music tells us about the mind is now available on iTunes.

Follow her on twitter: @indrevis

Combining a passion for music with scientific curiosity, she is affectionately known as Dr. Dre by her students at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she is pioneering the application of neuroscience to musical training, and at the University of San Francisco, where she is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology. She received a BSc in psychology and French literature from the University of Toronto, an MM degree in vocal performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a PhD in cognitive neuroscience at UCLA.

As a scientist, Dr. Viskontas has published more than 50 original papers and chapters related to the neural basis of memory and creativity, including several seminal articles in top scientific journals. Her scientific work has been featured in Oliver Sacks’ book Musicophilia, Nature: Science Careers and Discover Magazine. She has also written for Mother Jones.com, American Scientist, Vitriol Magazine and other publications.

She often gives keynote talks, for organizations as diverse as Genentech, the Dallas Symphony, SXSW and Ogilvy along with frequent invited talks at conferences and academic institutions. Her 24-lecture course Essential Scientific Concepts was released by The Great Courses in 2014, selling more than 20,000 copies in its first year. Her second course, Brain Myths Exploded: Lessons from Neuroscience was released in early 2017.

Reviews

[Homopoda davidbowie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars!
Awesome, bite-sized, interesting and intellectual read! Would recommend.

My main issue (which was almost the sole reason to not give it 5 stars) is that it’s very inaccessibly designed and printed, though it’s very aesthetic and the colors are cool. Most of the pages were bright aqua with dull grey writing, which was also mostly very small print. Why?? There was so much room on the page of this teeny book for the text to be that small, and additionally there’s not enough contrast to be able to see it well. It took me a lot longer to read this because it hurt my eyes to adjust and look at it for too long. And I’m not really visually impaired, so I can’t imagine how another person with sight issues would feel if they wanted to consume this book. To those people, maybe try ebook or audiobook!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little 100 page book is fantastic! I think the title, ‘How Music Can Make You Heal’ is very misleading. If you are someone who even remotely enjoys music, take the time to read this book. Personally, I love music, but I have a whole new respect and appreciation of the beauty of music and how it impacts me as an individual and as society as a whole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

[Kate Belt · Rating 2 out of 5]

All or nearly all of the ideas in this book have been reported in popular news articles, many more than once. This was not worth my time and money.

[Breanna Miele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I was really hoping to like this book. The book itself is striking, but the color contrast makes it very difficult to read. I think someone who is color blind/deficient would really struggle to read it. There were some interesting ideas discussed, some of which were new to me. My main issue was that it glossed over topics without really diving into them. It's certainly a quick read and may be enjoyable to some. I, however, was disappointed with this book.

[Ashley Kowalski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a difficult read (no, literally... the text is print in gray on top of bright blue paper), however the content is solid. I personally read this as I maintain my love for music, and I was pleasantly surprise to find a lot of inspiration in this book as well, as I look forward to begin practicing my instruments diligently again. Whether the reader just listens to music while they work out or is a seasoned musician, there’s something for everyone in this book.

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to read this book but I have no idea what the publisher was aiming at. I mean bad enough to use a tiny font, but to print it on aqua paper using grey/silver ink it is basically physically unreadable. To bad as the premise is something I can agree with....maybe if the Kindle edition goes on sale.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slim, both in size and content. If you know anything of musical influences on neuroscience you won't find much new here. Enjoyable writing but nothing special.

[Keen Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sound + structure + meaning = music. Viola!

This is an interesting little read, Viskontas makes for enjoyable company as she takes us on a short but informative and entertaining journey through the links between neurology and music and the myriad of ways they are linked and how they can trigger oxytocin, endorphins and don’t forget those dopamine and mu-opioid receptors.

There is certainly an element of stating the obvious in here, and she's certainly not the first neurologist to write a book about the power and influence of music on the human body, but there are also some fun insights and lots of smart angles in this to make for a worthwhile read.

“Pleasure is the death of desire. But the greater the desire, the greater the pleasure.”

[Castles · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the surface of it, it's not clear why one should 'sell' the idea that music is good for you. of course it is. but the main point of this book, backed with science and anecdotes from researches, is that music should be practiced by everyone, like in the old days, and not just by a professional group as it is today. the point is - everyone is an amateurs musician and has the potential to enjoy the healthy benefits of music.

[Luis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy interesante y una edición preciosa.

Nunca dejen de escuchar música, pero si del cerebro hablamos, la clave es aprender a tocar un instrumento, no importa la edad que tengas.

[Léna · Rating 5 out of 5]

so fascinating, music does wonders

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Läste svenska översättningen. Lite klumpigt formulerad mellan varven, eventuellt bara osmidigt översatt?
Kort, lättfattlig, intressant ämne men väldigt grund och lite upprepande.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author is a doctor and opera singer
Very interesting and it is giving me a new perspective on my brain and music
Best nonfic I have ever read
So impactful and challenged me to see music in new ways

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This essay includes a lot of interesting information about music research, but the writer is pretty rough. Her writing style and frequent bragging about her own musical repertoire made this less of an academic, informative read and more of a, “Come and see how good I look” type of read. Nevertheless, I appreciate the research that continues to support the good music does for our mind, body, and soul.

[Rachel Ann Cauilan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this fantastic little 100-pager in one-sitting and absolutely loved it. It's an incredibly fascinating look diving into the intersection between music + neuroscience to better understand the power of music, to heal, to hurt, to love, to express, to understand, to train, to educate, and moreover come together.

As a music lover, junkie, fan and player myself, I found it incredibly handy to have all the knowledge of how music scientifically affects our mood, capacity to learn, engage, and process, all in a little book. It beautifully reminded me of why I love music so much, and how it is SO powerful for our brains, moods, musicianship, and being a human in society.

Moreover, I appreciated how Indre Viskontas was so clear throughout on showing us how music is something that is accessible to all -- she's done her research and teachings to show that music doesn't leave anyone out, from the classically trained "bourgeoise" listener, to the urban street dweller and "amateur" listener. From its origins, music is born within and enjoyed throughout time through all cultures and backgrounds, serving different purposes. It was beautiful to see that in such a succinct way.

Saving this one for whenever I may crave some inspiration, or want to refer back to some of the info she provided. Her portion on musicality and how talent vs. time spent on developing a skill needs to be purposeful, is something I will take with me as a musician going forward.

[Justyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Music Can Make You Better is a brief overview of the neuroscience and psychology of music. With the e-book coming in at less than a hundred pages, this reads more like a series of articles rather than an in depth examination of each subject. Nonetheless, Viskontas (a cognitive neuroscientist and opera singer) provides a great starting point. The three parts to the book cover how our brain turns sound into music, how music can heal us, and finally how music can make our society better. I was particularly interested in music therapy and it was interesting to see how music can help those with brain damage to helping us reduce pain and anxiety, as well as enhancing our neuroplasticity. Another point I found interesting is the societal trend of there most people being consumers rather than creators of music. As the author argues, creating and playing music can be more beneficial than just listening to it. So if you haven't learned how to sing or play an instrument, this book provides reasons enough to learn for one's health and well-being. Overall, although I wished it had a bit more depth, How Music Can Make You Better is a quick, info packed read.

[Gaelan D'costa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant and compact survey on the varios ways music can affect people. It delves into neurology and sociology and some basics of music compostion, and namedrops enough music for people who are beginning a journey of exploring music across genres and history.

I think this is a great book for people to come across in a store or as a gift that will lead into more in-depth explorations like Alex Ross' The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century or David Byrne's How Music Works (and I'm sure a whole bunch of more detailed books from across the globe that are escaping my head at this moment.

My one complaint about it is that the silver-on-green text, while honestly 85% of the reason why I picked up this book and something that makes it so beautiful to look at and behold, is actually really hard on the eyes when trying to read it.

[Isabelle Mettle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book - and not just for musicians! It breaks down essentially the “healing properties” of music, in psychological, biological and physiological terms! It really made me look at music in a whole new light - it’s not just a form of entertainment, it contributes to society in such an important way. It made me step back and wonder what life would even be like without music. Super engaging and thought provoking!

Also really great for psychology students as it talks a lot about topics like determinism, sexual selection, evolution, nature vs. nurture, positive reinforcement etc. I loved this and how it was bite sized and explained everything in detail yet at a level everyone can understand.

[Maxwel Quintão · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, insightful read on how music is much more than entertainment — it’s therapy, memory, and learning all in one.

In How Music Can Make You Better, Indre Viskontas blends neuroscience, psychology, and personal stories to show how music helps us cope with mental illness, retain memories, and even learn better. It was fascinating to see real-life examples of how music impacts the brain — from Alzheimer’s patients reconnecting with loved ones to children learning faster through rhythm.

Some chapters felt a bit too surface-level, which is why it’s not a full 5 for me, but overall it’s a beautiful reminder of music’s emotional and cognitive power. Definitely worth reading — especially if you’re into music, the brain, or both.

[chantel nouseforaname · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the intersections of neuroscience and music and the ways that music can impact the brain for the positive or can be used to start uprisings and incite violence. I love that author Indre Viskontas studied at the University of Toronto. I love the local connection. I also love their passion for the work. The only thing is it wasn't as clear or inspirational as the How Poetry Can Change Your Heart edition. It was good but I didn't like the poetry edition better. I picked up all three in a sale, so the next one to read on my end is How Art Can Make You Happy. That one sparks joy in me, so hopefully, it's the best of the three.

[Wallace Kaufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indre Viskontas, of Lithuania and Canada, is both an opera singer and a cognitive neuroscientist. Last year a friend recommended her little book, How Music Can Make You Better. It is 119 small pages of easy and interesting reading. Here is a timely passage for a divided world:

"For me, one of the greatest joys of singing is the connection with an audience. We enter the theater with a variety of opinions, beliefs, joys, and sorrows. When I feel the energy of the audience from the stage, I feel there is much more that brings us together than separates us."

My one gripe is that the print is very small and a kind of light gray on a light blue page. Makes for hard eye work.

[Ruut DeMeo]

Takeaway: As a society, we’ve lost the open participation of novice musicians, as in the past, it was expected for everyone to be familiar with and know how to at least hum (or badly play on an instrument) famous arias and musical compositions in order to be considered an enthusiastic participant in cultural events. Now, all that’s left to the ones who want to be seen (and paid) as “musicians.” Author encourages us to embrace novice musicianship and attempt learning difficult instruments and pieces into our old age, as it’s not only good for our brains, but for cultural development. “Music is for everyone.”

[Eleonora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libri, Musica e Neuroscienze penso siano 3 delle mie parole preferite al mondo :)
Questo libro che parla di come la musica possa modifcare i nostri stati d'animo, migliorare o modificare le nostre funzioni cognitive o cambiare il nostro cervello (e tanto altro), è davvero affascinante. Per chi ama il genere consiglio "Musicofilia" di Oliver Sachs, tuttavia questo volume è un'ottima introduzione teorica alla materia ed è leggibile anche in inglese. Consigliato!

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just a fun, quick light read. As other have pointed out, the print color choices made it physically tough to read, but the content was as interesting as it was enjoyable. I feel like this is the kind of book that really lends itself to being lent out; I'd recommend it to most anybody, and feel like it could prompt some interesting discussions on how people react when listening to music now that I know a bit more around the science behind it all.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It helped me understand my son who is a musician and validated what I have thought all along - that his musical genius has little to do with genetics and more to do with the environment in which he was raised. I highly recommend this quick read for anyone who has questioned why music impacts us and how it can help society and why it’s worth making a priority in our schools.

[Paula ϟ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and informal discourse on the intersection between music and the mind. I liked that the author didn't get too technical into neurology, but still made her points via relative layman terms. The author's overall thesis was that all humans can partake in music as both listeners and participants and reap many mental health benefits.

[Jerrilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing little book by a neuroscientist/opera singer, "a professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she is pioneering the application of neuroscience to musical training." Short because she sticks to facts and does not embellish or speculate as many authors of this type book. Dr. Viskontas hosts two podcasts, one of which, Cadence, is on music and the mind-- which I intend to check out.

[Mary Strand · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the concept of this book, and there were at least a few nuggets of useful information. But it's ironic that a book that's essentially about making music more accessible is written in the least accessible way imaginable. Lots of 50-cent words written in a dull, dull, dull way, like a Ph.D thesis. The phrase "keep it simple, stupid" kept coming to mind. For a short book, it was a long slog.

[DJ Yossarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthwhile primer on how music affects the brain. I particularly like her call to bring back the “amateur” music maker, freed from societal expectations of perfection and aglow with the joy of creation.

What I did NOT particularly like was the page design. Chronicle usually do a great job but the gray text on the blue background made the book almost unreadable.

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is like two dozen brief lessons in music science, which I loved despite the fact that, while pretty to admire from afar, the paper copy is very hard to read because it’s gray text on teal paper, so maybe try an ebook version...