Frequently asked questions

1. I have a question on music cognition. Do you know where I can find the answer?

A comprehensive blog on music cognition can be found at the blog Music Matters. You might find your question (partly) answered there by using the search option to explore various topics.

For concise introductions to music cognition, consider starting with:

• Music Cognition: The Basics, by Henkjan Honing (2021) A clear and accessible overview that explains the cognitive foundations of music perception and appreciation.

• Music, Thought, and Feeling: Understanding the Psychology of Music (2nd edition), by William Forde Thompson (2014) A well-structured introduction covering the psychological processes involved in music cognition.

For more detailed and comprehensive resources, see:

• Foundations in Music Psychology: Theory and Research, edited by Peter Jason Rentfrow and Daniel J. Levitin (2019) A landmark volume offering a comprehensive state-of-the-art overview of the latest theory and research in music perception and cognition.
• The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology (2nd edition), edited by Susan Hallam, Ian Cross, and Michael Thaut (2016) An extensive collection of scholarly articles covering a wide range of topics in music psychology and cognition.

2. Can I do a course in music cognition, cognitive and/or computational musicology at the UvA?

The short answer is ‘yes’. See the UvA Studiegids for a complete overview. Courses change slightly every year. N.B. Search for “Music Cognition”, “Cognitive Musicology”, “Computational Musicology”, “AI and music”, or simply “Music”. For questions related to the courses mentioned in the Studiegids, please contact the staff mentioned in there.

3. Can I do an online course in music cognition at the UvA?

There are several lectures available on YouTube: a series of five lectures (in Dutch) at Universiteit van Nederland, several one hour lectures recorded at Paradiso, Amsterdam, NL, CIRMITT, Montréal, CA and TU Delft, NL, and many podcasts.

4. Can I do an internship at the Music Cognition Group?

See Internships for an overview. N.B. We unfortunately cannot accept unsolicited applications outside of posted calls. And note that from 2026 onward no internships are announced on this website anymore. Please contact the staff directly instead.

5. Can I do a master project under the guidance of the Music Cognition Group?

See Master projects for an overview. N.B. We unfortunately cannot accept unsolicited applications outside of posted calls. And note that from 2026 onward no master projects are announced on this website anymore. Please contact the staff directly instead.

6. Can I do a high-school profielwerkstuk with the Music Cognition Group?

Unfortunately, we cannot personally supervise high-school projects. Yet, for inspiration, see the blog Music Matters on music cognition and several video podcasts at the Universiteit van Nederland website.

7. How can I apply for a PhD/postdoc position at Music Cognition Group?

Most PhD and Postdoc positions are part of a funded research project; These come available only once every so often. See Vacancies for an overview. N.B. We unfortunately cannot accept unsolicited applications outside of posted calls. And note that from 2026 onward no positions are announced on this website anymore. Please contact the staff directly instead.

8. Where can I find information about the research of Music Cognition Group?

See Research and Publications webpages.

9. Where can I find information about researchers that are part of the Music Cognition Group?

See the People webpage.

10. I’d like to invite Prof. Honing for a public lecture or keynote. How do I proceed?

For public lectures of Henkjan Honing, please contact Athenas Sprekersbureau. For academic lectures, feel free to send a request by email.

11. Is Prof. Honing willing to give an interview? How best to contact him?

Feel free to send a request by email.