From the latest "Arts and Health South West" newsletter -

"Humans are obsessed with music. Even if you don't play an instrument
or exist to the soundtrack of an MP3 player, chances are that you
consider music to be one of the things that makes life worth living.

One reason for this is that our musical roots run deep: even before
our ancestors could speak, they probably sang to one another. Darwin
was the first to suggest this, but the idea has only been taken
seriously in the past decade. Now it is helping researchers address
some intriguing questions.

Is our love of music special, or do other animals take similar
pleasure in a beautiful melody? Is human musicality innate or learned?
How much of what we hear is "out there" and how much is an illusion
created in our brains? How come some people are completely unmusical?
And can engaging with music change the way your brain works, even as
an adult? New Scientist explores all this and more in this special
issue. See issue 2644 of New Scientist magazine, 20 February 2008, page 28

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19726441.200?DCMP=NLCnletter&nsref=mg19726\
441.200

Other sections include:

· "Are animals naturally musical?"

· "The illusion of music - don't believe everything you hear"

· "Flexible scales and immutable octaves"

· "Singing in the brain - music can change the way you think"

· Web exclusive - hear five great auditory illusions "