Wired for Music: A Search for Health and Joy Through the Science of Sound

by Adriana Barton

In this captivating blend of science and memoir, a health journalist and former cellist explores music as a source of health, resilience, connection, and joy.

Music isn’t just background noise or a series of torturous exercises we remember from piano lessons. In the right doses, it can double as a mild antidepressant, painkiller, sleeping pill, memory aid—and enhance athletic performance while supporting healthy aging. Though music has been used as a healing strategy since ancient times, neuroscientists have only recently discovered how melody and rhythm stimulate core memory, motor, and emotion centers in the brain. But here’s the catch: We can tune into music every day and still miss out on some of its potent effects.

Adriana Barton learned the hard way. Starting at age five, she studied the cello for nearly two decades, a pursuit that left her with physical injuries and emotional scars. In Wired for Music, she sets out to discover what music is really for, combing through medical studies, discoveries by pioneering neuroscientists, and research from biology and anthropology. Traveling from state-of-the-art science labs to a remote village in Zimbabwe, her investigation gets to the heart of music’s profound effects on the human body and brain. Blending science and story, Wired for Music shows how our species’ age-old connection to melody and rhythm is wired inside us.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Science, Health, Memoir, Psychology, Neuroscience

272 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2022

Reviews

[Jane Gowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for music lovers everywhere! Adriana Barton thoughtfully explores the influence and power of music via both her deep personal relationship with music, and a keen desire to learn more about how music affects our bodies and our minds. It is a fascinating read: at once both memoir and manual. It opened my eyes and my ears to explore further the ways in which music affects us as human beings. Highly recommend!

[Mitch Morganti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was ok — a little scattered with respect to stringing together a coherent message; it became a soup of short music/neurology research anecdotes about halfway through, in which some were somewhat intriguing. This could be interesting for those in that field, but was a bit rough for a casual read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and well-written book with lots of references that call for further reading.

[Paul Sutter]

Music has forever been a source of comfort for countless people. William Shakespeare once wrote the line, “If music be the food of love, play on." Many theorize it refers to music filling one’s heart and making them stop feeling heartbroken.
Music obviously conjures up a host of other feelings, and in the book WIRED FOR SOUND, we discover just how music is a source of happiness among other things. Adriana Barton studied the cello for almost two decades, and she has brought sweet music to the ears of readers with a most telling look at the power of music and song. It makes for most fascinating reading.
The scientific research regarding music being the stimulus for so many positive moods and emotions, makes one want to immediately turn on a record player, MP3 player, or whatever other implement brings sweet sounds to our ears. Early in the book the author says music moves us in mysterious ways. It may trigger a compulsive urge to dance, or even sing along with whatever we are hearing.
There are a small percentage or people (about 3 to 5 percent) of people who have the inability to enjoy music. It is referred to as “musical adhedonia.” Barton says these people have glitches in their auditory processing- systems and reward systems of the brain. Others enjoy music totally, savoring their own symphonies of the senses.
There is research that goes back to early times, in 6th century B.C., where Pythagoras prescribed harp songs as “uppers” which helped sharpen mental clarity, and “downers” for relaxation at day’s end. Barton adds that a century later, Plato noted music could tune the body and soul to the “harmony of the spheres.” Other civilizations used music as a tool for positives in life.
The author cites a study of British schoolchildren, finding the children aged eight to eleven played games involving music for an hour a week. Another group had games but no music involved. Those with the music definitely showed more empathy to others.
Many other studies are noted, including those with dementia patients who often were more responsive to music even if they showed little response to other stimuli. Patients with Parkinson’s also found music stimulating movement and brain functions.
There is little question music moves us in ways we may not realize, making us feel happier on dull days, or making our moods shift once we tap our feet to the beat or sing along. It’s amazing how we respond to those sensational sounds, the same manner in which readers will respond to a most impressive book.

[Joanne Culley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adriana Barton, a former professional cellist, currently a journalist, has written a fascinating study of the importance of music to humanity from the earliest times to the present, combining memoir, science and history. She says, "Music strengthens human ties, in good times and bad, and encouraging feelings of hope and unity." In the book she explores scientific research that shows that music activates the putamen in the brain which is responsible for motor movements. From non-verbal children to dementia patents, music can encourage communication and memory. Barton weaves in her own journey with music, from strict classical training on the cello, to more expressive creativity with a variety of non-traditional instruments.

[Zen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wired for Music is an uneven mix of memoir and research. Barton was training to become a professional cello player in her youth, but through a combination of mental and physical stress, had to quit. This left some scars on her psyche and body, and also lead her to a new career as a health journalist, who then decided to research the effect of music on the brain.

I found it hard to transfer back and forth from the memoir to the research. I was just getting interested in Barton's personal story, when the book flipped back in to the research. The memoir writing style was a little to journalistic for me and didn't really fit well with the personal experiences that were shared. Similarly, the research part was like many term papers I have read and written myself, complete with an extensive bibliography. It is always hard to make that kind of writing interesting to those who are interested in the topic (I love music!), but perhaps just not in this much depth. Also, when publishing this type of research in a book, with its' inherent lag time, the references get dated fast.

This book had some good parts and some slow parts, so I'm giving it a three. I would also like to see Barton's cello have a chance to come back to life. It seems to have been sitting in its' case for 30 years or so and maybe someone else would like to play it. To play the cello would be to bring it back to life, and might help Barton as well.

[Joel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book starts off very well, with a personal story of a cellist who becomes turned off by the world of Conservatory music and playing in orchestras. It provides a lot of interesting research about the relevance of music. However this research gets pretty thin at times, when the author attempts to ascribe too many benefits to music, and fails to go deeply into the negative aspects of it. If you wanted to prove all the benefits of of a carrot based on scattered research, you could probably write a book about it... but is this valid? Also, I found her personal story, especially experimenting in mysticism and drugs to be irrelevant to the main idea.

One of the positive things about this book is the take on how the Conservatory music track can turn people off from music - they end up not enjoying their instrument, and don't play again. I know a few people like that.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this book four stars on the power of music. I really enjoyed all of the science and insight into how music affects us socially, mentally, and spiritually. I was amazed at all of the research that went into it and all of the ways that music affects us on a physical and metaphysical level.

What I didn't really like about the book was that, especially towards the end, her story became a little bit more and more melodramatic and frankly kind of annoying. I didn't find the personal insights during the first half of the book quite as saccharin, but towards the end I almost didn't want to listen to any more about her.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This provided a smorgasbord of directions one could pursue to learn more about music and how it impacts the mind, body, and spirit. I appreciate what the author was trying to do by tying her own story into the science, but it was just a bit too distracting for me. However, I will continue to be fascinated by how music is so integral to the human experience, and I am grateful to the author for her dedication to sharing her story and pursuing answers to her questions.

[leydi · Rating 4 out of 5]

music is soooo amazing i loved getting to read abt how important it is to life. this book inspired me to slightly pivot career-wise and live a little more like the author. so epic.

[Cheryl Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoughtful exploration of the power of music and how it helps heal us and bring joy. Partly autobiographical, the author travels the world to learn of music’s huge effect on the body and brain.

[Breanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one will be with me for a long time. It’s so so so good for musicians and non-musicians alike. Think the science of music with personal stories from a recovering pro thrown in to keep it interesting.

It’s my goal this year to read more non-fiction. What are your faves?

One of my favorite quotes from the book: “Music is an antidote to a way of being in the world that has us thinking and behaving increasingly like machines.”

[Linda Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great, long essay on the benefits, negatives, and power of music. Although the new age, drugs, and spirit possession -- I had a strange dream after the latter -- was not to my taste, it was informative. Who knew?! I appreciate the work that must have gone into the research, and writing, of this book. Its greatest overlaying theme is the importance of music in every person's life.

[Kirstin Dobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some great points and was interesting for a pianist/organist to read. However, it was a little clique, so I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know. Plus, I was disappointed in the emphasis on trauma caused to this musician as a youth. She even gave up being a concert cellist to not playing the cello at all. It was so sad.

[Lisa Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's a bold blend of science and memoir that fascinates and inspires. Adriana has a wonderful open and honest voice that is truly engaging. Highly recommended!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book. The author includes research and her own experience with music.
Some interesting facts: babies will calm down to lullabies in any language since they are wired for rhythm and song. Early Christianity forbade horns, bugles, drums and dancing since it was believed it would corrupt peoples' morals. Then Gregorian chanting, using only the white keys on the keyboard was the official music of the Catholic Church, without any harmony, musical instruments or beat. The Church had sway on how notes could be used in music which in turn influence composers. Most children have musical ability, it just develops at a different pace which unfortunately many children are told they cannot sing rather than encouraging them to develop their ability. Children feel closer to us when we clap and play rhyming games. Music can set the brainwaves of an entire audience oscillating as one. Singing together strengthens social bonds. When we sing, it calms our parasympathetic nervous system. Those who have mild to moderate Parkinson benefit from dancing. Older adults mood will change by playing music from happier times.

[Matthew Bonnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adriana Barton has written a book about music different from most I've read - it focuses on how our Western approach to teaching and learning music often turns what should be a joyous experience into work and drudgery, and how this leads many of us, the author herself included, to abandon music making. If, like me, you've ever felt that you had a passion for making music but it was beaten out of you through formal music education, read this book and be inspired to play and sing again. Barton, an accomplished cellist, makes a compelling case for re-discovering the joy of music creation and for stepping away from self-defeating thoughts of perfectionism that keep many of us from doing something very human: connecting with our selves and others through musical expression. Although Barton has put away her cello (at least for now), she has reawakened her love for music through choir singing and other musical experiences. I appreciated Barton's candid and personal story of her journey into music making, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who has felt a longing to pick up an instrument again or to sing after feeling their love of music making was long ago extinguished.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I don't think it was categorized as such, this book partially serves a memoir of the author's own journey to reconnect to her identity as a musician. You don't have to be a musician to appreciate this book as she readily illustrates that to be human is to be built to respond to music.

On a personal note, I found she missed the note (no pun intended) when she mentioned the ukulele ("The plinky-plonky tones turned me off, along with the hipster fad of strumming Radiohead and David Bowie songs on the Hawaiian four-string.") While it is apparent that she actually did take it up and continues to play, she completely missed the opportunity to talk about the uke community (clubs, festivals, etc.) While I acknowledge I have a bias because I play myself, one of the repeated themes of the book is the various communities found within music and how it enriches and connects us so it was rather strange that this was completely absent. (For those curious, look up the documentary Mighty Uke, which covers both the history and culture that have evolved around the instrument.)

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book, and thoroughly enjoyed for both the stories, the ideas, and the easy-to-read style of writing. Part memoir, and part investigation into the science of how music impacts us and our brains. The answer: a lot, and in many ways I was instinctively aware of, but couldn’t describe.
Along the way of her personal stories, Barton examines the science of music’s benefits, which are different for everyone. But hardly anyone exists who doesn’t feel some connection to music.
For example, one interesting tidbit: Just about everyone has experienced “ear worms”...well, researchers say there’s a simple way to lose that tune spinning in your head all day—chew gum. The rhythm of your jaw chewing can override the rhythm of the song.
Not a long read (227 pages), but really interesting.

[Louise Pronovost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up a copy of Wired for Music from the library on a whim. I was astonished to find out that the author and I had gone to the same provincially funded music school for the gifted in Quebec and shared similar memories from it. I ended up buying the book so I could read it more closely and keep it as a reference.

Wired for Music goes into all aspects of how music affects the brain, the good, the bad, the ugly - and the surprising. I particularly liked the global view Barton has acquired through her own life experience living abroad and traveling as a journalist. Her personal experience with music is weaved through the book, tying all those facts, studies and interviews together in a deeply personal and fluid narrative.

A must read.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subtitle of the book indicates that it is a search for health and joy through the science of sound. But it is more accurately, the authors search for health through the science of sound.

She repeatedly states that she relies on science and certainly puts no faith in spiritual things. Yet she gives descriptions of experiences that are most definitely spiritual.

The book feels scattered. She’s searching for meaning.

From a science perspective, I was interested in the purely scientific things that she spoke about.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how Adriana weaves her personal stories into the topics discussed, making the entire book an easy read. There is a good balance between scientific findings and supporting anecdote. This book does not claim to provide the answers but instead, attempts to give a balanced view and a broad perspective on how music affects our mental, emotional and physiological states. If you play a musical instrument, you could probably relate to Adriana's experiences as I did. This is a fascinating read for anyone curious about music and its role in human lives.

[Ruth Seeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my best friend from Grades 6, 7, and 8 tracked me down after 40 years and we had dinner, she told me a hilarious story about going to one of our classmate's houses and looking in vain for their piano. Not finding one she finally asked, "But where is your piano?" because it was inconceivable to her that a house wouldn't have one.

Adriana would understand that instinctively, I think.

Wired for Music is an excellent example of the best of creative non-fiction, a round-up of current scientific study informed by a great deal of relevant personal experience. Her writing is both fluid and compelling, and she's made me think I should stop dithering about taking up the ukelele (I'm into more portable instruments these days after years of piano and cello lessons). Or get really drunk and finally do some karaoke. As one of my dentists once said, "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." And that is the case with music as well as teeth.

[Rosemary Rigsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling material, engaging style, and coherent presentation. I am impressed with the amount of research (and love that there are follow-up notes and an index.) I enjoyed how Adriana linked her own experiences with the progression of her discoveries. So well done. I will think about this book with every strain of music I hear.

[Steve Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wired for Music is a fascinating, informative, and also deeply personal look at the role music plays in human lives. This book made me stop and think about my own relationship with music in new ways--I often found myself stopping to consider some point it raised. Maybe it helps a bit that, like the author, I played the cello as a youth. Not at her level though! Highly recommended.

[Nupur Ackermans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Music plays such an important part in our daily lives and in our mental and physical health. I met Adriana Barton at a conference on traumapsychology in Boston. So happy I decided to buy her book. I recommend this book to anyone who loves music and especially people who also work as a health care professional

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saved this to be my first book of the new year.I need music and the author helped me understand some of why, which, and when. Good mix of science and memoir. Oh how I wish I could play or read music to better experience sound from a different direction.

[Margarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part-memoir and part-research, Barton explores the importance and benefits of music in our lives. It’s made me reconsider my own complicated relationship to music. After reading her book, I feel hopeful and inspired to reconnect with the music I once loved.

[David Fredh · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Music isn’t just background noise or a series of torturous exercises we remember from piano lessons. In the right doses, it can double as a mild antidepressant, painkiller, sleeping pill, memory aid—and enhance athletic performance while supporting healthy aging."

[Ashley : bostieslovebooks]

DNF at 47%. Not enjoying writing style.