I Heard There was a Secret Chord was a fascinating deep dive of music and its relation to emotion and our minds. I loved it!

I HEARD THERE WAS A SECRET CHORD by Daniel J. Levitin (This is Your Brain on Music) is listed as Notable Non-Fiction in the August LibraryReads selections. It is a very well-written and accessible book which explores the idea of "Music as Medicine." Levitin, a neuroscientist, musician, and best-selling author, splits the text into sixteen chapters dealing with topics like music memory, attention, mental health, pain, and trauma. He offers, for example, an entire chapter which discusses Parkinson's disease, describing it as primarily a movement disorder, and points out how sometimes the tempo of music can be a help. Another chapter is titled Music in Everyday Life where Levitin explores concepts like the benefits of having music playing at home on a regular basis versus the potential distraction effect of having music playing in a workplace. There, he notes, "the optimal use of music is to step back from your work, close your eyes, and listen to music before going back to work." What is another fun application of music he suggests? As an icebreaker before a meeting or class – I have used this technique, and it definitely works. There is much to learn about music therapy, memory stimulation (watch the smiles music evokes at an assisted living facility), or recent laboratory research. Levitin shares it all and includes an Appendix about Types of Music Therapy, plus a Glossary, and a Notes/reference section which together comprise about twenty percent of the text. I HEARD THERE WAS A SECRET CHORD received a starred review from Kirkus ("Levitin's story is a fascinating piece of work, written with authority, empathy, and occasional humor."). For a sample of Levitin's writing, please see his recent opinion piece in The Washington Post, titled "A playlist for peace talks."

This is not the average book I read rolling down the Rock n Roll Highway. In "I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine," Daniel J. Levitin, neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author of "This Is Your Brain on Music," delves into the profound connections between music and healing. This latest work explores the curative powers of music, revealing how sound and rhythm have been used across cultures to ease suffering, promote healing, and calm the mind. I feel like reading this book has expanded my way of thing towards music.

The Healing Power of Music
Music has been humanity's oldest medicine, with rich traditions developed across the Far East, the Ottoman Empire, Europe, Africa, and the pre-colonial Americas. Levitin brings together the results of numerous studies on music and the brain, demonstrating how music contributes to the treatment of ailments ranging from neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s to cognitive injury, depression, and pain. At times it was more difficult to read than my average daily reader yet it was so interesting. This book is a testament to the potent therapeutic potential of music.

A Unique Perspective
Levitin is not your typical scientist. He is also an award-winning musician and composer, which gives him a unique perspective on the subject. Through lively interviews with celebrated musicians such as Sting, Kent Nagano, and Mari Kodama, he shares their observations on why music might be an effective therapy. This blend of personal anecdotes, scientific case studies, music theory, and music history makes the book both informative and engaging.

Advance Praise
The book has received glowing reviews from various notable figures:
"For many of us, This is Your Brain on Music was an illuminating introduction to the neuroscience of music. Dan Levitin follows up with the comprehensive I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, expertly highlighting the latest trends and discoveries in arts and health, written in his always erudite yet concise and accessible style. We are so fortunate to have his keen mind leading this growing field and unlocking its mysteries for readers." -Renée Fleming, world-renowned soprano and arts and health advocate

"For many years I have wondered why a bunch of frequencies organized into a piece of music has the ability, even without words, to make the listener cry and become emotional. Although I know this happens to me and many people, I have often wondered how this can be. Dr. Levitin, in this latest book, I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine, has some fascinating insights into this great phenomenon." -Paul McCartney

"Part memoir and part medical primer, I Heard There Was a Secret Chord showcases Daniel J. Levitin’s expertise in all genres of music as well as experimental neuroscience. No one else in the universe could have written this book." -Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson Visits NASA Goddard

"Daniel J. Levitin is a visionary neuroscientist, an extraordinary musician, a brilliant writer—and this is his best book yet. I Heard There Was a Secret Chord is inspiring and illuminating, as deep as it is delightful. I couldn’t put it down. So full of great ideas and delicious stories, it made me want to rewind my entire life and spend more of it making music." -Daniel Gilbert, New York Times best-selling author of "Stumbling on Happiness"

The Science and Magic of Music
Levitin’s exploration of how music heals us is both scientific and magical. He opens the mysteries of how music fires our emotions, inspirations, and desires, synthesizing his research and experience into an important addition to our understanding of the human experience. As Michael Connelly, New York Times best-selling author of the Harry Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer series, notes: "Working as a cross-culture detective, Daniel J. Levitin opens the mysteries of how music heals us and fires our emotions, inspirations, and desires. Levitin synthesizes his research and experience in a book that is an important addition to our understanding of the human experience."

One Last Note...
"I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine" is an informative and enjoyable read for anyone interested in how the practice of medicine is expanding. It is a must-read for fans of Levitin’s previous books on music and the brain. Levitin’s story is a fascinating work written with authority, empathy, and occasional humor. It is a more complex read versus most books I review, and I'm ok with that.

"Exuberant.... Enriching lucidly explained neuroscience with ebullient musical appreciation (a Billy Pierce saxophone solo is 'in turns thrilling, heartbreaking, bustling, radiant, and always, always moving forward'), Levitin makes a persuasive case for music’s therapeutic potential that gives due to its medical promise without undercutting its mysteries. The result is a fascinating take on the tuneful raptures of the mind." -Publishers Weekly

"I Heard There Was a Secret Chord" celebrates music’s critical role in human biology. It illuminates the neuroscience of music and its profound benefits for both young and old. Reading "I Heard There Was a Secret Chord" expanded my journey on the rock' n' roll highway. Dive into this remarkable exploration of how music heals and transforms lives.

I am definitly not the reader for this book. Too much science and medical for me to understand, BUT I did find parts of the book understandable and thought it was very interesting and that research continues on music being helpful to healing. It is very informative and the right reader is going to find it amazing! It is well researched and really well written. I do appreciate the book as it shows how music affect people. Musicians may find it useful, as may anyone one working with music in the medical community. It would be nice to have music in hospitals! Maybe some medical people should read this book!