NYU Psychology Professor Gary Marcus, author of the newly released Guitar Zero: The New Musician and the Science of Learning (Penguin), will present “What Does it Take to Become Musical?”—a mixture of science and memoir that explores the art of becoming musical at any age—on Thurs., Jan. 19, 7-8:45 p.m. at 19 W. 4th St., Room 101 (at Mercer Street).

NYU’s Marcus Asks “What Does it Take to Become Musical?” in Jan. 19 Lecture
NYU Psychology Professor Gary Marcus, author of the newly released Guitar Zero: The New Musician and the Science of Learning (Penguin), will present “What Does it Take to Become Musical?”—a mixture of science and memoir that explores the art of becoming musical at any age—on Thurs., Jan. 19, 7-8:45 p.m. at 19 W. 4th St., Room 101 (at Mercer Street).

New York University Psychology Professor Gary Marcus, author of the newly released Guitar Zero: The New Musician and the Science of Learning (Penguin), will present “What Does it Take to Become Musical?”—a mixture of science and memoir that explores the art of becoming musical at any age—on Thurs., Jan. 19, 7-8:45 p.m. at 19 W. 4th St., Room 101 (at Mercer Street) on the NYU campus.  

The evening will also include a performance by Terre Roche of the bands Afro-Jersey and the Roches.

Just about every human being knows how to listen to music, but what does it take to make music? Is musicality something we are born with? Or a skill that anyone can develop at any time? Is skill learning best left to children or can anyone reinvent himself or herself at any time?

Marcus, an NYU scientist born with no discernible musical talent, became his own guinea pig to examine how human beings become musical—and how anyone of any age can master something new. Guitar Zero traces his journey, what he learned, and how others can, too. The work provides a ground-breaking look at the origins and allure of music while offering an empowering tale of the mind’s plasticity.

In Guitar Zero, Marcus investigates the most effective ways to train your brain and body to learn to play an instrument. How can you make your practice more deliberate and effective? How can you find the best music teacher for you or your child? Does talent really exist? Or is hard work all you need? The book debunks the popular theory of an innate musical instinct and many other commonly held fallacies.

The event, sponsored by NYU’s Music and Audio Research Lab, is free and open to the public. For more information, call 212.998.5424 or email events@guitarzero.us. Reporters interested in attending the lecture must RSVP to James Devitt, NYU’s Office of Public Affairs, at 212.998.6808 or james.devitt@nyu.edu. Reporters seeking review copies of Guitar Zero should contact Yamil Anglada, the Penguin Press, at 212.366.2846 or yamil.anglada@us.penguingroup.com.

Press Contact

James Devitt
James Devitt
(212) 998-6808