ABSTRACT

In Psychology of Music: From Sound to Significance (2nd edition), the authors consider music on a broad scale, from its beginning as an acoustical signal to its different manifestations across cultures. In their second edition, the authors apply the same richness of depth and scope that was a hallmark of the first edition of this text. In addition, having laid out the topography of the field in the original book, the second edition puts greater emphasis on linking academic learning to real-world contexts, and on including compelling topics that appeal to students’ natural curiosity. Chapters have been updated with approximately 500 new citations to reflect advances in the field.

The organization of the book remains the same as the first edition, while chapters have been updated and often expanded with new topics. 'Part I: Foundations' explores the acoustics of sound, the auditory system, and responses to music in the brain. 'Part II: The Perception and Cognition of Music' focuses on how we process pitch, melody, meter, rhythm, and musical structure. 'Part III: Development, Learning, and Performance' describes how musical capacities and skills unfold, beginning before birth and extending to the advanced and expert musician. And finally, 'Part IV: The Meaning and Significance of Music' explores social, emotional, philosophical and cultural dimensions of music and meaning.

This book will be invaluable to undergraduates and postgraduate students in psychology and music, and will appeal to anyone who is interested in the vital and expanding field of psychology of music.

chapter 1|5 pages

The scope of psychology of music

part I|59 pages

Foundations

part II|54 pages

The perception and cognition of music

chapter 5|21 pages

Perception of musical pitch and melody

chapter 6|14 pages

Perception of musical time

part III|83 pages

Development, learning, and performance

chapter 8|22 pages

Emergence of auditory and music perception

chapter 9|18 pages

Early musical development

chapter 10|20 pages

Practice and musical expertise

chapter 11|21 pages

The psychology of music performance

part IV|74 pages

The meaning and significance of music

chapter 12|21 pages

The social psychology of music

chapter 13|12 pages

The question of meaning in music

chapter 14|20 pages

The emotional power of music

chapter 15|18 pages

Culture and music