How can music be depressing?

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Music, like all art, is a way of expressing feeling. Sometimes that feeling is joyous, sometimes it's angry, sometimes it's excited, sometimes it's depressing. Honestly, if you don't understand this I'm kind of curious why you'd even listen to music at all.

I udnerstand the expression. Of course. But if a songwriter writes a song about being depressed, surely the object is not to make the listener depressed? The object is to write a terrific song.

What I'm getting at is that there is so much music that is dismissed as "depressing" just because it's downbeat, slow or whatever. I think the term is overused and inaccurate.

**Janszoon** · 08-23-2012, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

I udnerstand the expression. Of course. But if a songwriter writes a song about being depressed, surely the object is not to make the listener depressed? The object is to write a terrific song.

I think the object is to create a terrific song that communicates depression. The result is a depressing song, which if it evokes that much emotion, is a powerful piece of art. I think you're confusing subject matter with quality here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

What I'm getting at is that there is so much music that is dismissed as "depressing" just because it's downbeat, slow or whatever. I think the term is overused and inaccurate.

I don't think it's a way of dismissing music at all, it's simply a way of describing the mood of the music. There's a lot of music I love which I'd describe as "depressing". That doesn't mean I'm dismissing it, it means I find very emotionally powerful.

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I think the object is to create a terrific song that communicates depression. The result is a depressing song, which if it evokes that much emotion, is a powerful piece of art. I think you're confusing subject matter with quality here.

I don't think it's a way of dismissing music at all, it's simply a way of describing the mood of the music. There's a lot of music I love which I'd describe as "depressing". That doesn't mean I'm dismissing it, it means I find very emotionally powerful.

But, being depressed is not a positive thing. Therefore the music is having a negative effect. "Depressing" is not good.

I listen to alot of music that people would describe as downbeat and melancholic. That's because I find it the most beautiful. The most inspiring and the most uplifting. This is why I feel there is a misconception over the term "depressing". That term for me, is a negative state of mind. And anything that does that to you should be avoided.

Music is not depressing, in my humble opinion.

**Janszoon** · 08-23-2012, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

But, being depressed is not a positive thing. Therefore the music is having a negative effect. "Depressing" is not good.

Once again, you're confusing subject matter with quality here. Not all art deals in positive emotions, that doesn't make it bad art.

Let me put it this way: Have you ever seen a movie that was sad? If so, does the fact that it was sad mean that it was a crappy movie?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

I listen to alot of music that people would describe as downbeat and melancholic. That's because I find it the most beautiful. The most inspiring and the most uplifting. This is why I feel there is a misconception over the term "depressing". That term for me, is a negative state of mind. And anything that does that to you should be avoided.

Music is not depressing, in my humble opinion.

I hate to break it to you, but melancholy is also a negative state of mind.

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Let me put it this way: Have you ever seen a movie that was sad?

Yes

Quote:

If so, does the fact that it was sad mean that it was a crappy movie?

No.

Not sure of your point sorry.

Quote:

I hate to break it to you, but melancholy is also a negative state of mind.

Then we need to think fo a better word to describe it. One that's positive.