Music and the Brain by Aniruddh Patel and the Great Courses

I just finished Music and the Brain a Great Courses series of lectures by Aniruddh Patel. He discusses current research on how music affects the brain. He focuses the effects of music on humans and on  interspecies difference in ability to respond and create music.

A significant portion of the lectures covers how music can be used as therapy to help people who are recovering from a stroke improve the quality of their speech. The rhythms of music can also be used to help Parkinson's patients improve their ability to move. He sites controlled studies used to demonstrate the effectiveness of these techniques.

No musical knowledge is required to understand the course. After taking the course, I want to spend more time learning to play the piano and dance to music as both of these activities have demonstrated positive benefits.

 

Rhythm and the Brain -18 minutes

Music and the Mind - 52 minutes

Music and Creative Aging - 82 minutes