Four years ago I wrote a post called “How I keep track of my writing ideas” in which I described a Google Form with an iPhone shortcut to jot down ideas on the go. …

Writer’s block on a deadline is one of the most stressful parts of freelance writing for me. I usually know exactly what I’m supposed to be writing about — that’s not the problem. But sometimes I just can’t figure out how to write anymore or where to start. …

I saw two tweets last week that I can’t stop thinking about. First, this one that got everyone on Twitter talking about the way they process thoughts. I think I’m the second type. I *can* think in sentences, if I try, but it’s always a conscious effort. I have…

Ideas for new articles or blog posts come when you least expect it. On the bus. At work. Right before you fall asleep. I used to write these sudden ideas down on Post-it notes, or in whichever notebook was close at hand, but I would often lose track of them…

Musicians influence science and scientists in many different ways! A few weeks ago, I gave a talk at the Francis Crick Institute in London. This is one of the world’s top research institutes, but I was there to talk about why science needs musicians, at a half-day music symposium. This…

Sometimes music helps you study. Other times it’s a major annoyance. What’s going on, and why are all the scientific studies so different? Yesterday I described some studies that show a slight advantage, in some situations, of listening to music while you study. But what if you can’t study with…

Do you listen to music while you study? Some people swear by it, others can’t stand it. What does science say? Over the years, several research groups have studied how music affects learning or whether music can help you concentrate. …

Some musicians – and many scientists – don’t get paid to entertain you. Here’s why. I’ve played in orchestras for about twenty years, have performed alongside professional musicians, and for sold out crowds. If you look closely you can see me playing violin in a BBC documentary. As part of…

Musicians make us dance, sway, sing along, and tap our feet. But did you know some of them also spend a lot of time studying science? Below are eleven scientific discoveries made by professional musicians, in fields ranging from astrophysics to neuroscience. 1. The planet Uranus Discovered by William Herschel (composer) William Herschel was…