If you're interested in learning more about therapeutic sound, I have a short list of books that will help you understand the the field of sound healing, as well as help you develop your own deep appreciation for sound and vibration.
1. The Humming Effect by Jonathan Goldman & Andi Goldman
This is the perfect starting point since we're all about humming over here. It covers the research around the health benefits associated with humming (which is a lot!). Vibration from the voice reduce stress and boosts the immune system, and releases 15x-20x the amount of nitric oxide (the miracle molecule) from the nasal cavity into the lungs.
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Best Price: ThriftBooks | AbeBooks
2. The Cosmic Octave by Hans Cousto
For those who love the "how" and "why," this is a masterclass in the mathematics of the universe. Cousto, a Swiss mathematician, explains the link between astronomical data (like planetary orbits) and musical tones. It is a deep dive into how everything—from colors to rhythms—shares a common harmonic foundation. You'll get a deeper understanding of how the concept of "The Octave" applies not just to notes on the piano, but to larger cycles of time in nature such as the orbit of the planets.
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Best Price: The Strand | eBay (New & Used)
3. The Mysticism of Sound and Music by Hazrat Inayat Khan
If the first two books are the "how-to" and the "science," this is the "soul." Khan was a Sufi master and a musician who brought these teachings to the West in the early 1900s. His writing is poetic and profound, exploring how music is the very fabric of creation and the "nearest way to God."
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Best Price: Better World Books | ThriftBooks
Tip for Students: If you’re buying on a budget, ThriftBooks and AbeBooks often have used copies for a fraction of the retail price!
Happy humming :),
Nicholas