The universality of musical tones has fascinated philosophers, scientists, musicians, and listeners for a long time. Why do people around the world find certain combinations of tones harmonious and others discordant? Why do we compose music using only a few scales out of billions of possible scales? Why do differently structured scales evoke different emotions? Why do scales consist of so few notes?

In this book, Dale Purves argues that biology offers answers to these and other questions, for which conventional music theory remains silent. The voices of humans and animals consist of tonal sounds — periodic variations in air pressure that reach the ear, which, when combined, can be heard as melodies and harmonies.

Evolution has endowed humans with a tonal sense, Purves explains, due to the behavioral advantages offered by recognizing human voices and appreciating their value. Thus, our reactions to various combinations of tones can be better understood in the light of their contribution to our biological success, both during our lives and over the course of evolutionary time.

Purves presents evidence that the intervals defining Western and other musical scales have the greatest similarity to the human voice, that major and minor scales sound respectively happy or sad because they mimic lively and gentle speech in a happy and sad mood, and that the speech characteristics of a people influence the tonal characteristics of their traditional music.

Viewing music theory in the context of modern biology offers a new approach to long-standing debates regarding the organization and effect of music.

What they said about the book:

• “Purves, a globally recognized expert in the neuroscience of sensory systems and a scientist known for his unconventional thinking, covers topics ranging from an overview of the human auditory system to the discussion of the emotional and aesthetic features of music in this book. [...] Its readership will not be limited to scientists, as any educated reader is likely to enjoy his book. [...]” — Donald Pfaff, Professor of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University

• “In this vivid and captivating book, Purves argues convincingly that we will never fully understand music and the ways it affects us unless we understand its ecological background and ecological origins. Background and origins, Purves argues, are rooted in human vocal communication, with the characteristics of music and our responses to them shaped by natural selection. This specific approach, supported by a comprehensively presented array of evidence, constitutes a timely complement to evolutionary approaches to the origins of music and is expected to inspire useful discussions and research. [...]” — Iain Morley, Professor of Palaeoanthropology and Human Sciences, University of Oxford.