Music & Technology

A musicologist uncovers a surprising link between the musical cultures of ancient Europe and India.

By Christopher Hassiotis

But does name-checking a product in a song always mean a big sales bump?

By Dave Roos

Here's a riddle: If a musician creates an artificial intelligence that composes music, then who actually wrote the concerto?

By Julia Layton

From fleek to bling to hood, hip-hop and teen culture influence the evolution of American and global English.

By Chris Opfer

Now that "Happy Birthday to You" is free to use, people everywhere will publicly sing it, right? Most likely. But the answer's not so clear.

By Laurie L. Dove

That infamous pharma exec Martin Shkreli just bought the sole copy. Bummer.

By Jonathan Strickland

Sure, some do, but it depends on what kind of music you're listening to.

By Alison Cooper

Do we really prefer three-minute radio songs, or is that just what we're given?

By Alia Hoyt

At a glance, the banjo seems like a pretty simple instrument. In actuality, a complex combination of acoustics, physics and musicianship work in tandem to produce that signature twang.

By Debra Ronca

Did David Bowie really write "Space Oddity" to pay tribute to a brave astronaut who was lost in space? Or is it solely a testament to Bowie's unique brilliance?

By Bambi Turner

Your favorite band has just digitally remastered and reissued all of its albums. You already own everything they've ever made — should you buy them all again?

By Debra Ronca

John, Paul, George and Ringo were the Fab Four of The Beatles – or did they have a fifth member? Legend hints there was one, but who was he?

By Alison Cooper

Many Pink Floyd fans can attest the band's music can be mind-altering. So it's no surprise that if you have a feeling that you're not in Kansas any more, it might be because you've gone to the Dark Side of the Rainbow.

By Alison Cooper

It's unlikely that most rock stars are thinking about physics during a performance, but all musicians have learned to manipulate sound waves to create their art.

By Nathan Chandler

Journey, you know we love you, but that "south Detroit" lyric in "Don't Stop Believin'" just mars an otherwise hard-rocking song. There. We got that one off our chest (along with a few others) inside the article.

By Kate Kershner

Known for its Gold and Platinum Record awards, the Recording Industry Association of America's goal is to promote and protect the music industry. But how does that mission lead to a lawsuit against a 12-year-old girl?

By John Kelly

Would you like to know how to sharpen your music listening skills so that you listen to music rather than just hear it? This article shows you how to sharpen your music listening skills.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Have you ever heard a brand new song on the radio and realized that it sounds familiar? Chances are the producers sampled a drum break or a bass line from a classic song, reworking it into a completely new piece.

By Jane McGrath

Playing music isn't expensive when you make your own PVC pipe instrument. Learn about how to make a PVC pipe instrument in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Have you noticed in recent years that a lot of pop stars sometimes sound like singing robots? You've probably heard of the pitch-correcting software called Auto-Tune -- and its effect on modern music.

By Tristin Hopper

Have you ever listened to a song and wondered how the artist was able to make so many different sounds come together onto one recording? Since the 1950s, multitrack recording has made recording music easier -- and a lot more interesting.

By Jane McGrath

The very term conjures up images of red balloons, burning beds and Eileen and Mickey spinning right round like a record. How do artists become one hit wonders?

By Charles W. Bryant

Known as the King of Pop and beloved by millions, Michael Jackson died at his home in California on June 25, 2009. Though his heart failure was ruled a homicide, questions still linger after his death.

By Maria Trimarchi

For a week in 1964, the Beatles had 12 songs on Billboard's Hot 100. See our list of the Beatles' top singles.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Some musicians love a place so much they name their band after it. See our list of 10 bands named after places. Can you guess what bands made the list?

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.