Music Psychologist Victoria Williamson is an expert on earworms – songs that stick in our heads. In this episode of Composer Quest, she reveals her findings on what makes a melody sticky. Vicky also answers my other pressing music psychology questions:
- Why do babies have an innate sense of rhythm?
- Why did Clive Wearing, a severe amnesiac, retain his ability to perform music?
- When did humans start playing instruments?
Also in this episode, you’ll get to hear the sound of the world’s oldest instrument, and a never-before-released Charlie song. Enjoy!
[audio:https://charliemccarron.com/mediaftp/composerquest/composer-quest-064-vicky-williamson.mp3]Right click to download Ep. 64, or open in iTunes.
Check out Vicky’s music psychology blog at musicpsychology.co.uk. and follow her on twitter.
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Episode Soundtrack
- 0:20 – “The Ballad of John and Jesus” – Charlie McCarron
- 18:05 – Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 32 (Opus 111), 2nd Movement – Performed by Neil O’Doan
- 24:20 – Flute pieces played by archeologist Wulf Hein on his replica of a 43,000-year-old vulture bone flute (special thanks to Nicholas Conard and Maria Malina)
- 28:13 – “Womb Song” – Charlie McCarron
