That’s why medieval music had slow melodies with long notes that would resonate for a long time inside these cathedrals. For example, musicians have always played their instruments in stone-walled Gothic cathedrals because they sound good there.

Music is created in a certain environment and then it’s played in similar environments. People used to think that music was created to fit the environment, but it works the other way around. Western medieval music is usually considered harmonically simple because composers didn’t have as much skill back then. It’s easy to imagine that the composer was inspired and then wrote down what he or she heard in their head. When you listen to a piece of music, do you believe it came from an emotion within the composer? Most people would say yes. Big Idea #1: It’s our surroundings, not just our emotions and skills, that determine the kind of music we make. Finally, you will find out how music can affect society, including lowering crime rates and lifting people out of poverty. You’ll also learn why some clubs become popular music scenes while others remain in obscurity. You will read about how the sounds of traffic influence birds’ singing and vice versa. The author gives you an inside look at the world of music from how songs are written to how they’re produced, as well as discussions on Neanderthals and the latest hits. It can be found everywhere and it’s used in many different ways.

Many rock stars have written books about their careers, but no one has ever explained How Music Works. 1-Page Summary of How Music Works Overview

David byrne's how music works