I picked up Reverberation Do Everything Better with Music by Kevin Blanchard because I watched a YouTube interview with Peter Gabriel about the project.
Each chapter covers a different benefit of music in our lives backed by scientific research. The graphics are colorful. The author sprinkles quotes and interviews with musical artist throughout the book.
The book describes the benefits of music for individuals with dementia showing how Tony Bennett came alive when he would sing. At a Christmas gathering this year, I mentioned this to a health care worker who observed the same effect on a patient who was a former church organist. The woman was generally unresponsive but came alive when they played church Christmas music. According to research cited in the book musical memories are often one of the most conserved in the brain.
Music can also help us get through difficult times such as the sadness from the break up of a relationship. The authors recommend selecting music that reflects the current mood and gradually changing the selection to music that guides a person from the current emotional state to one that allows recovery.
For me and colleagues at work, music helps get through mundane tasks of pouring plates, typing up data tables and analyzing samples. It also brings joy through movement in dance.
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