Music is a fundamental aspect of humanity -- so exactly how does it impact us? These talks offer a wonderful look at our fascinating relationship with the music we make.

Take a trip around the globe and enjoy music from all corners of the Earth.

From Chopin to Handel and everything in between -- immerse yourself in the world of classical music.

How did music transform into what it is today? A brief journey through time, sound and rhythm.

We've cued up two hours of live music straight from the TED stage. Listen for a wide range of virtuoso musicians -- on some very surprising instruments ...

These extraordinary maestros bring you into the world of writing and conducting music.

Legendary conductor Benjamin Zander explains his view on the difference between "positive thinking" and "possibility" (one's a fraud; the other's the real thing, he says) and intersperses delightful stories from a lifetime in music with a sing-along to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.

Musician Ryuichi Sakamoto picks his favorite talks on ideas -- both musical and beyond. "Each talk expresses a vision no one else can have," he says. "They're a triumph of uniqueness and originality."

Explore the transforming power of music.

Like an actor's script, a sheet of music instructs a musician on what to play (the pitch) and when to play it (the rhythm). Sheet music may look complicated, but once you've gotten the hang of a few simple elements like notes, bars and clefs, you're ready to rock. Tim Hansen hits the instrumental basics you need to read music. [Directed by Thoma...

Björk picks 6 TED Talks that she simply adores, from a mushroom burial suit to a virtual choir of thousands.

The TED Interview The music of David Byrne’s mind November 17, 2022 [00:00:00] Steven Johnson: Welcome to the TED Interview. I'm your host, Steven Johnson. Looking back on this season of the show, we've gone deep into the creative process of one of today's greatest novelists. [00:00:17] Jennifer Egan: My conscious ideas are not good enough. ...

Singer-songwriter Mereba delivers a divinely captivating performance, evoking messages of resilience and triumph in the face of adversity.

The problem with music, says Tim Exile, is that it's so perfect. For those of us who didn't grow up playing an instrument, we're often too afraid to try because it doesn't sound like the masterful music we hear. In a talk-performance hybrid, Exile demos a software instrument that he designed to allow anyone, whether they have musical training or...

If you were in the marching band, jazz ensemble or choir, music is a part of you — whether you still play or not. Let these talks tap into that.

With dynamic energy and infectious beats, TED Fellow "Blinky" Bill Sellanga delivers an uplifting performance of four songs.

Robert Gupta, violinist with the LA Philharmonic, talks about a violin lesson he once gave to a brilliant, schizophrenic musician -- and what he learned. Called back onstage later, Gupta plays his own transcription of the prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1.

In 1960, composer John Cage went on television to share his latest work. But rather than using traditional instruments, Cage appeared surrounded by household clutter, including a bathtub, ice cubes, a toy fish, a rubber duck, several radios, and performed "Water Walk." Most people watching had the same question: is this even music? Hanako Sawada...

Light, bright, and cheerful, "The Four Seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi is some of the most familiar of all early 18th century music, featured in numerous films and television commercials. But what is its significance, and why does it sound that way? Betsy Schwarm uncovers the underlying narrative of this musical masterpiece. [Directed by Compote Col...

Anika Paulson’s love for music permeates her understanding of herself, her surroundings and the mysteries that make up the smallest and biggest parts of life.

Fronted by vocalist and songwriter Kimberly Kitson-Mills, the French band Kimberose performs a serene, smoldering rendition of "Back on My Feet."

Joan As Police Woman performs a gorgeous, tender version of "Your Song" and "Real Life."

Known for her role in the Broadway revival of "The Color Purple," Cynthia Erivo received two Academy Awards nominations in 2019 for her work on the movie "Harriet," about the life of Harriet Tubman.

With his membership platform Patreon, YouTube star Jack Conte may have solved a perennial problem of content creators -- getting paid for digital media.

Everyone is worried AI will replace them, but Grammy-winning record producer Oak Felder is pretty sure the computers won't cut it alone — at least not in the music industry. In an on-stage demo, he displays the difference between a live performance and AI-generated vocals, offering unique insight into the future of music.

A jazz icon since the late 1960s, Naná Vasconcelos contributed Latin percussion to some of the world’s most cerebral, soulful music.

Cellist Stephanie Winters performs a moving suite titled “Reflections,” which excerpts the Sarabande dance movement from J.S. Bach’s cello suites.

Songs are the soundtrack of our lives. But why exactly do they make us feel the way they do? Songwriter Scarlet Keys sits down at a piano to deconstruct the tools musicians use to make a melody unforgettable — from tone and repetition to lyrics and chords — and sheds light on music's ability to transform moments into memories.

New York Times tech columnist David Pogue performs a satirical mini-medley about iTunes and the downloading wars, borrowing a few notes from Sonny and Cher and the Village People.

How many times does the chorus repeat in your favorite song? How many times have you listened to that chorus? Repetition in music isn't just a feature of Western pop songs, either; it's a global phenomenon. Why? Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis walks us through the basic principles of the 'exposure effect,' detailing how repetition invites us into mu...