The Music Hypothesis: music and human biology

The Music Hypothesis by Francis H. Chapelle explores how human biology has affected the history and development of music. It begins with the hypothesis that music mirrors--and expresses--the cycles of biological stress and relief that are very fabric of our lives. In everyday life, we are constantly being tipped out of equilibrium by the environment around us (hot and thirsty) and feeling relief when comfortable equilibrium is restored (by a cool drink of water). In the same way, music produces stress as well (loud and dissonant) and then gently restores our equilibrium (soft and consonant). These musical stress-relief mechanisms developed gradually over time and this suggests an entirely new way of looking at the history of music. These developments are chronicled from the beginnings of Gregorian Chant to present day Rock & Roll. The ebook format allows readers to click on links in order hear, as well as read the scores, of the musical examples discussed.