The Science of Song

September 1, 2021
Technology, science, culture, and art collide in this friendly introduction to the way humans make and experience music. Nowadays people have instant access to millions of songs thanks to streaming services, but that could never have been made possible without the technological advances in music-making and listening that have taken place over thousands of years. This eye-catching introduction provides a chronological evolution of music and technology interspersed with explorations of neurological, psychological, and physiological responses to music. The book wraps up with a few pages devoted to pondering the impact of future technological advances on the way people (and robots!) make, listen to, and interact with music. Each double-page spread tackles a different topic, presenting easy-to-digest chunks of information and fun facts supported by clean visuals. Some pages feature diagrams that show how technology works, such as how a CD stores binary code that is translated into sound, while others include pictures of famous musicians, singers, or composers. Finally, each section includes a playlist with a trio of songs to seek out for further exploration. Inspired by a museum exhibit made by the book's creators, this book is best read from cover to cover, rather than browsed, due to the way each section builds upon the last. Engaging and relevant, this attractively designed book will inspire further exploration. (timeline, glossary, selected sources, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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Starred review from October 1, 2021

Gr 3-7-This work answers the questions: What is music? How is it made? And how has it changed over time? In this illustrated book, the authors explore the history and science behind these questions. Starting with how sound works and what music is, this volume describes the first instruments, how we listen to music, and music's ties to emotions. With short, manageable chapters, this book highlights specific people and inventions that were instrumental in the science behind music, including the phonograph, cassette tapes, and MP3 players, as well as inventions that did not quite make it, like the 8-track. In addition, the graphic illustrations by Wiens and the short multi-genre playlists for each topic/chapter add to the usability and high interest of the book. Covering music up to the COVID pandemic, this contemporary, relevant book is geared toward young people with a beginning interest in music. It has strong links to science, history, and music and can be used across subject areas and curriculum topics. Time line, glossary, resources, and index will help with research projects and further reading. VERDICT A strong and well-curated text sure to engage young people on multiple levels of music history and science.-Rebekah Buchanan, Western Illinois Univ., Macomb, IL

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