Music VS Noise

Have you ever wondered what the difference between music and noise is?

Well, the most evident characteristic is that music communicates emotion. It can be used for pleasure, communication as well as social distinction.

The differences however do not solely rely on emotion. Physics also play an important role.

'A difference between noise and music is that music has a rich harmonic structure that has a well defined relationship'[1]

'Differences between music and factory noise are primarily in the brain not the ear' [2]

Many areas of the brain are involved in the processing of music. It starts at the Cochlea brain stem to the auditory cortex.

• Brain stem:
• Initial processing
• Signals travel to auditory cortex
• Heschl's gyrus 
• pitch intervals and melody is processed
• Cerebellum:
•  picks up pulse and rhythm
• Hippocampus 
• supplies memories associated with music
• Thalamus 
• checks for any signals before amygdala produces an emotional response.
• Physiological responses

There is a lot of work that goes on when our brain processes music. 

While noise is unpleasant to the ear, music can be both. Noise is not harmonious whereas music can be both. And that is the mystery of music. It can be pleasant, unpleasant, harmonious, dissonant but will always activate our emotions and bring some of our memories back.

Quotes Reference: The Singer's Guide to Complete Health, Anthony F. Jahn (Ed.) (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2013).

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