Nicky Penttila

Musician and neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, who followed his popular-science book THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON MUSIC (2006) with THE WORLD IN SIX SONGS: HOW THE MUSICAL BRAIN CREATED HUMAN NATURE last year, is co-host of an interesting-looking two-hour documentary that explores the science behind music. The program will air on many PBS stations starting at 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Musicians abound in the 2-hour doc, “The Music Instinct: Science and Song,” including Yo-Yo Ma, as well as co-host Bobby McFerrin doing an improvisation with his son, Taylor. Scientists interviewed include Oliver Sacks on whether we’re wired for music and Stephen Mithen on whether Neanderthals, who had no actual language, may have communicated through music. Other topics include music as therapy, how we hear a note’s duration and the importance of early musical training.

The section of PBS’s Web site for the show also has many short video clips, background reading and surveys, as well as extensive lesson plans for teachers on improvisation, rhythm and vibration.

This post, and way better stuff, appears on the Dana Press blog!