TikTok and the Hypnotics
For a few weeks, TikTok forged an unholy alliance of banjo, yodeling, and scientific notation.
Dec 31, 2020•18 min
How Music Does That
Music -- just vibrations in the air -- can make you feel heartbroken or elated, peaceful or stabby, inspired to save the whales or to invade Poland. This is HOW MUSIC DOES THAT.
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Episodes
TikTok and the Vibe
Sometimes you find the Vibe. Sometimes the Vibe finds you.
Nov 18, 2020•24 min
Music is Made of Time
The fact that music unfolds over time is key to understanding its unique power.
Oct 04, 2020•10 min
The Deep Playlist of Generation Z
'Wait a minute - how do YOU know Purple Haze?!'
Sep 29, 2020•15 min
Yeah, But Why THOSE 4 Chords?
It has to do with monkeys, somehow.
Sep 14, 2020•16 min
Whose Monkey Chant Is It Anyway?
It's an electrifying cry from the ancient heart of Bali. Or is it?
Aug 16, 2020•18 min
As White as Classical
Classical music isn't that white by accident -- and it can't afford to stay that way.
Jul 29, 2020•24 min
The Words Get In the Way
Strip language away, and the human voice becomes a pure instrument of emotion.
Jul 21, 2020•23 min
Shortcut: How I Solved the Musical Mystery of My Life
One tune tormented me since I was two. I finally figured out why.
May 31, 2020•7 min
The Epitome Trap
Before every music course I teach, I have the same argument with myself.
May 09, 2020•18 min
Minimal.
One of the most powerful stylistic movements in music starts with a simple idea.
Apr 16, 2020•28 min
The Aging White Suburban Music Professor's Guide to Hip Hop
Put on the good Dockers, Chad. We're going in.
Apr 11, 2020•22 min
When Ravel Met Ravel
Piano Ravel and Orchestra Ravel are both great. They met only twice.
Mar 21, 2020•21 min
Clap When You Damn Well Please
There's a reason we don't clap between movements in classical music. It's a bad reason, and we're going to kill it. The revolution starts right damn now.
Mar 07, 2020•27 min
Silence
Sometimes the greatest moment in music is silence.
Feb 23, 2020•23 min
The Dead and the Impossible
Mussorgsky asked the impossible. Ravel made it happen.
Feb 07, 2020•17 min
Grooves
In Hungary, road plays you!
Jan 25, 2020•17 min
Too Many Notes!
WARNING: This episode contains too many notes.
Jan 10, 2020•22 min
The Rage of the Third Sons (Carmina Burana)
Eight hundred years ago, they left the church and found the world.
Dec 19, 2019•23 min
Missing Music
I'm haunted by the music I'll never hear.
Nov 28, 2019•19 min
Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah
Why do kids in many cultures taunt each other with a falling minor third?
Nov 08, 2019•17 min
The Jabberwocky of Harry Potter
How the muggle and wizarding worlds collide in the Harry Potter theme.
Oct 25, 2019•11 min
The Magical Bell Piano
For magic and wonder, there's one go-to instrument.
Oct 12, 2019•14 min
Stop Practicing, You're Ruining EVERYTHING
This episode is not about Pavarotti.
Sep 25, 2019•19 min
The Bones of Yellow Brick Road
Most covers stay on the surface. Sara Bareilles got down into the bones.
Sep 14, 2019•21 min
The Fingerprints of Music
I can name that tune in...one motive.
Aug 26, 2019•15 min
Beethoven was Deaf
Beethoven composed while deaf -- but that's not the amazing part.
Aug 09, 2019•27 min
Disoriented
Sometimes meter will mess with your head.
Jul 25, 2019•14 min
The Sweet Madness of Big Meters
From Sting theory to a wedding in Bulgaria, it's meters gone wild.
Jul 11, 2019•19 min
Sometimes It's the Little Things
The most captivating piece by the most famous composer you've never heard of.
Jun 27, 2019•17 min
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