Technical Musical Question for the experts

sannitig · 09-10-2011, 08:31 AM

Hi there,

I just joined this forum to ask this one question. It has been plaguing me all my life ever since I was younger. Please forgive my ignorance as I'm no music expert, that's why I'm here.

I need to know what makes me like a certain type of music. It can be any genre: Classical (usually), dance (usually), rock, anything really. It's the sound that certain songs have in them. The sound has kind of like a morbid or erie feel. I know there lots of technical aspects of music and I think there may be one or more at play here. I don't know if this is due to the pitch of the song, if it's done in a certain note minor/major, or if there is a certain aspect of music at play. I don't know what it is that makes get goosebumps all over and makes me want to sink into my couch and go to la la land. It's hypnotizing. There's something in the music that does this.

I have included some links to help describe what I am explaining. Don't mind the music, please listen and try to hear what I am talking.

I wasn't allowed to post links yet so please place a .com after the youtube to view.

youtube/watch?v=EgT_us6AsDg&ob=av3e
20 sec - 57 sec (especially 40 - 46)

youtube/watch?v=B4Dz46oYx30
Start at 1:08

youtube/watch?v=H2jCbXiEQI4
0 - 25 sec

youtube/watch?v=vrEKYx1mUz0

youtube/watch?v=vQVeaIHWWck

youtube/watch?v=kTNV1cj_vec

youtube/watch?v=L-iepu3EtyE&ob=av2n

youtube/watch?v=ac8TgmYv_iQ&feature=fvwrel
(no idea what he's saying but it's hypnotic)

lucifer_sam · 09-10-2011, 11:42 PM

It's a very good and valid question, and one that would take many hours of typing to properly explain, but I can offer the gist of it. Basically, there are two mechanisms by which music "hooks" the brain: by triggering the time-keeping element in our limbic system (a lower cognitive process) or by violating our expectations of what the music is supposed to encompass (a higher level cognitive process). Which is why there are certain songs that are immediately rewarding (like dance music) and others that require multiple listens to appreciate (think Beefheart).

If you're really interested, I highly recommend reading This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin. He uses empirical research to demonstrate these concepts, while retaining scientific credibility. Extremely illuminating, to say the least.

sannitig · 09-21-2011, 10:53 PM

Thank you. I bought the book. Amazing reviews online.

I just thought of another song. This one is the epitome of what I am trying to explain.

youtube.com/watch?v=vrEKYx1mUz0&feature=related

I couldn't resist to post this.

09-10-2011, 08:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
sannitig Groupie Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2	Technical Musical Question for the experts Hi there, I just joined this forum to ask this one question. It has been plaguing me all my life ever since I was younger. Please forgive my ignorance as I'm no music expert, that's why I'm here. I need to know what makes me like a certain type of music. It can be any genre: Classical (usually), dance (usually), rock, anything really. It's the sound that certain songs have in them. The sound has kind of like a morbid or erie feel. I know there lots of technical aspects of music and I think there may be one or more at play here. I don't know if this is due to the pitch of the song, if it's done in a certain note minor/major, or if there is a certain aspect of music at play. I don't know what it is that makes get goosebumps all over and makes me want to sink into my couch and go to la la land. It's hypnotizing. There's something in the music that does this. I have included some links to help describe what I am explaining. Don't mind the music, please listen and try to hear what I am talking. I wasn't allowed to post links yet so please place a .com after the youtube to view. youtube/watch?v=EgT_us6AsDg&ob=av3e 20 sec - 57 sec (especially 40 - 46) youtube/watch?v=B4Dz46oYx30 Start at 1:08 youtube/watch?v=H2jCbXiEQI4 0 - 25 sec youtube/watch?v=vrEKYx1mUz0 youtube/watch?v=vQVeaIHWWck youtube/watch?v=kTNV1cj_vec youtube/watch?v=L-iepu3EtyE&ob=av2n youtube/watch?v=ac8TgmYv_iQ&feature=fvwrel (no idea what he's saying but it's hypnotic) Last edited by sannitig; 09-10-2011 at 11:14 AM.

09-10-2011, 11:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
lucifer_sam Unrepentant Ass-Mod Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,921	It's a very good and valid question, and one that would take many hours of typing to properly explain, but I can offer the gist of it. Basically, there are two mechanisms by which music "hooks" the brain: by triggering the time-keeping element in our limbic system (a lower cognitive process) or by violating our expectations of what the music is supposed to encompass (a higher level cognitive process). Which is why there are certain songs that are immediately rewarding (like dance music) and others that require multiple listens to appreciate (think Beefheart). If you're really interested, I highly recommend reading This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin. He uses empirical research to demonstrate these concepts, while retaining scientific credibility. Extremely illuminating, to say the least. __________________ first.am

09-21-2011, 10:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
sannitig Groupie Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2	Thank you. I bought the book. Amazing reviews online. I just thought of another song. This one is the epitome of what I am trying to explain. youtube.com/watch?v=vrEKYx1mUz0&feature=related I couldn't resist to post this.