Music and EvolutionĀ from The Nerve
Why did music evolve in the first place? Some people think music is merely an evolutionary frill, a by-product that has no evolutionary purpose.Ā DarwinĀ himself was puzzled by music. Observing songbirds, he suggested music’s role was inĀ sexual selection. Others believe music’s origins may be found in the mother-infant interactions we call baby talk. Simply consider the importance of the lullaby and the need to pacify infants. Many theorize that music developed in tandem with theĀ social cohesionĀ necessary to the survival of bands of early humans, critical to them through its power to strengthen communal bonds.