I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine

Neuroscientist and musician/producer Levitin (emeritus, Minerva Univ. and McGill Univ.; This Is Your Brain on Music) explores the neuroanatomy of music, arguing for the use of music as a tool in medical practice. Levitin posits that all cultures have used music to promote healing and relieve pain. He provides numerous examples of how music is being used today to mitigate the effects of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Levitin also explains how music affects mood and how it can be used to treat depression and pain. He indicates that although each person has a singular response to music, there are consistent generalities that can be used in medical and psychological applications today. He provides a mix of sources, from scientific studies to interviews with world-famous musicians to support his theories. The book is well-read by the author, with musical interludes and short clips from other musicians. The frequent use of medical and musical terminology makes the work less accessible to general audiences.