pitch

We’re hitting all the right notes—as we explore the world of tuning systems from Pythagorean to the first temperaments of the Renaissance, which allowed musicians to go beyond the limitations of a single mode. Plus, our featured recording is A Monk’s Life by the Brabant Ensemble.

“Baby talk,” or “motherese,” might not be a language with any native speakers, but most humans seem suddenly fluent in it in certain situations. And it turns out bats might do something similar.

Everyone might enjoy waking up to birdsong, but not at 4am. So what is making birds start their singing at this less idyllic time?