The Science of Music site seeks to stretch conventional ideas about music—such as who gets to make it, and how and where it can be made—while giving visitors plenty of unusual opportunities to make music of their own. The often-quirky interactives, films, and questions explore the outer reaches of musical sound as well as fundamental musical attributes such as resonance, polyrhythms, timbre, and acoustics. A recurring theme in the site is that music can be found (and made) anywhere, anyhow.

Two factors contributed greatly to the success of the Science of Music. First, it was extremely valuable to have people from very different backgrounds on the development team, including both musicians and non-musicians. Diversity of constituents made for a diversity of ideas. Also, creativity thrived thanks to an extended development process. Allowing plenty of time for experimentation and brainstorming made it possible to explore possibilities that were "riskier" but ultimately more rewarding.