I Heard There Was a Secret Chord Audiobook By Daniel J. Levitin cover art

I Heard There Was a Secret Chord

Music as Medicine

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I Heard There Was a Secret Chord

By: Daniel J. Levitin
Narrated by: Daniel J. Levitin
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Music is one of humanity’s oldest medicines. From the Far East to the Ottoman Empire, Europe to Africa and the pre-colonial Americas, many cultures have developed their own rich traditions for using sound and rhythm to ease suffering, promote healing, and calm the mind.

In his latest work, neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author Daniel J. Levitin (This Is Your Brain on Music) explores the curative powers of music, showing us how and why it is one of the most potent therapies today. He brings together, for the first time, the results of numerous studies on music and the brain, demonstrating how music can contribute to the treatment of a host of ailments, from neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, to cognitive injury, depression, and pain.

Levitin is not your typical scientist—he is also an award-winning musician and composer, and through lively interviews with some of today’s most celebrated musicians, from Sting to Kent Nagano and Mari Kodama, he shares their observations as to why music might be an effective therapy, in addition to plumbing scientific case studies, music theory, and music history. The result is a work of dazzling ideas, cutting-edge research, and jubilant celebration.

I Heard There Was a Secret Chord highlights the critical role music has played in human biology, illuminating the neuroscience of music and its profound benefits for those both young and old.

“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

This enhanced audiobook features original music by the author.©2024 Daniel J. Levitin (P)2024 Recorded Books Mental Health Awareness Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Human Brain Celebrity Medicine
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An excellent overview of how music affects us and how we can use it to our advantage for health and wellness. Highly recommend!

Music Therapist Approved

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Enjoyed this a lot. A collection of many themes I’ve read short news items on. Wonderful to see it all in one place and elucidated so fully.

Various health issues impacted by music.

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I read this because it was given to me by a wonderful trainer and friend who knows that I love music and has been working with me on my recovery from a debilitating stroke. It’s a very helpful book for that purpose, and it also goes into lots of fascinating information about music theory and historical/cross cultural analysis.

This book has wonderful depth. I loved it and learned so much.

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The detail level this is written in based on experience and deep knowledge is amazing.

Great storytelling of a complex topic

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As a composer who has Parkinson’s disease, this book spoke to me in a way that was deeply personal yet full of profound scientific insights. Brilliant!

A kaleidoscopic treatment of mind and music

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though the book is awesome this one of those cases that a professional voice actor would have been better suited for the task. it's not bad, I just can't keep listening to the way the author reads for long. sorry. so back to the book then.

probably the most important about music and brain in 2024

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Daniel J. Levitin, a neuroscientist and musician, brings a unique and trustworthy perspective to this book. His dual expertise makes this book a compelling read.

At 66, I recently retired and began taking piano lessons—a lifelong dream. While learning at my age isn’t easy, this book has shown me that music can be a powerful remedy for maintaining brain health. Levitin presents research demonstrating that regular piano lessons can increase the grey matter in the brains of older adults. Isn’t that amazing?

The book is filled with equally important facts relevant to all ages and various types of disabilities. If music plays any role in your life, this book is a treasure trove of insights.

This audiobook is a gem in my library.

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Another essential contribution to the field of music, moving beyond neuroscience into human evolution and biology - something for masters of music science and human flourishing should all have on their reading list

Brilliant and essential

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If you love, neuroscience, philosophy, and music, this is the book for you. Dr. Levitin writes in lively detail about the intersection of music, the brain, and our humanity. He is also a clear and engaging narrator!

Compelling read for music lovers!

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Like many books on music published by non-musicians, this book lacks music insight. It's a book on medical questions, not music.

Lacking in quality

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