Birds do it, dogs do it, and children do it. And before humans develop our analytical and rational minds, we also responded to music and sometimes without inhibitions. Put on some Cuban or Brazilian or really, any type of music then watch what happens to a room full of toddlers. They don't get out pens and paper, grab music theory books, or pontificate about perfect fifths. They are the lucky ones who respond to music purely and in an uncomplicated manner. A few years back, David Rothenberg (a musician/philosopher turned researcher) wondered why birds sing. Yes, they sing for survival, mating, and defending of territory, but did they also sing for pleasure? Rothenberg leaned towards yes. More recently, while reading Elena Mannes book The Power of Music--Pioneering Discoveries in the New Science of Song ), I learned that Thai elephants can play music and that cockatoos among other creatures can synchronize to the rhythms of human made music....
