How do we process music?

The usual opinion about the brain hemispheres is ascribing of two different modes of function to them  the left hemisphere is associated with logical and mathematical thinking, while the right counterpart is often admired for its creativity and also musicality. However, scientists have not been able to completely isolate a specific centre for music processing in the brain, as opposed to centres for language processing, smelling etc. The research conducted by means of PET and NMR (measuring activity in different parts of the brain) points to a different view of music processing mechanisms, not located in any specific part of the brain, but instead dependent on many interconnected neurons, spanning over both hemispheres.

  The pathway of sound through the brain is today described as follows: Firstly, the acoustic signal travels upwards, through the brain stem and towards the auditory cortex located in the upper part of the brain (superior temporal gyrus). The signal is then processed further to the neighbouring association areas in the temporal lobe but also to more distant parts of the cortex, via interconnected neurons. The neurons involved are responsible for handling the musical information.

  Now, here comes the part that distinguishes the two hemispheres functions as related to music. The right hemisphere works with experience of melody and timbre, while its left colleague recognizes pitch, intervals, rhythm and familiarity of music. Besides the cortical involvement, the more primitive  parts of the brain are active in music processing. The limbic system for example is associated with feelings and emotions (does music send shrivels down your spine sometimes?), and the thalamus is responsible for the audio-visual experience.

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