Skip to main content

Why we love repetition in music - Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis

1,061,468 Views

25,466 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

How many times does the chorus repeat in your favorite song? How many times have you listened to that chorus? Repetition in music isn’t just a feature of Western pop songs, either; it’s a global phenomenon. Why? Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis walks us through the basic principles of the ‘exposure effect,’ detailing how repetition invites us into music as active participants, rather than passive listeners.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis
  • Director Andrew Zimbelman
  • Producer Andrea Sertz Jew, Nathan Jew
  • Composer Joshua Smoak, Alex Admiral Collier
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

More from The Way We Think