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Welcome to OLLI-UW! > Courses > Winter Courses and Field Trips

Hooks, Riffs, and Earworms: How Your Favorite Music Grabs You   

Why do some songs quickly become favorites, or maybe get stuck in your head even though you don’t particularly like them? What is happening physiologically and psychologically in our brains that causes us to get hooked on a piece of music?

These questions will be explored in “Hooks, Riffs, and Earworms – How Your Favorite Music Grabs You.” We’ll listen to a wide variety of music, from classical to jazz to rock and pop, from 1400 B.C. to the 21st century, and find out what makes some tunes more memorable than others. You will learn how your brain reacts to music, and techniques composers use to exploit your brain’s instinctive reaction and “hook” you on their music. 

The information shared will be at a layperson’s level. We will not go deeply into music theory or neuroanatomy and physiology. But we will listen to a variety of music, and especially music that you like. Much of the music we listen to will be “crowd sourced,” selected by class participants. And we’ll learn “the story behind the song” for some of the pieces featured in the presentations.

Come share your favorites, listen to some great music, and learn what composers do to “hook” you on their music!

 
  • Hooks, Riffs, and Earworms: How Your Favorite Music Grabs You (In-Person)
  • Speaker: David Robison
    Dates: 2/20/2025 - 3/13/2025
    Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 4
    Location: Mercer Island Community & Events Ctr
    Fee: $75.00

    Why do some songs quickly become favorites, or maybe get stuck in your head even though you don’t particularly like them? What is happening physiologically and psychologically in our brains that causes us to get hooked on a piece of music?

    These questions will be explored in “Hooks, Riffs, and Earworms – How Your Favorite Music Grabs You.” We’ll listen to a wide variety of music, from classical to jazz to rock and pop, from 1400 B.C. to the 21st century, and find out what makes some tunes more memorable than others. You will learn how your brain reacts to music, and techniques composers use to exploit your brain’s instinctive reaction and “hook” you on their music. 

    The information shared will be at a layperson’s level. We will not go deeply into music theory or neuroanatomy and physiology. But we will listen to a variety of music, and especially music that you like. Much of the music we listen to will be “crowd sourced,” selected by class participants. And we’ll learn “the story behind the song” for some of the pieces featured in the presentations.

    Come share your favorites, listen to some great music, and learn what composers do to “hook” you on their music!


 

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