Musical synesthesia

ladyislingering · 03-31-2013, 12:31 AM

Before we begin, for anyone who has never heard of (or seen the word) synesthesia:

Wikipedia:

Quote:

Synesthesia (also spelled synæsthesia or synaesthesia, plural synesthesiæ or synæsthesiæ), from the ancient Greek σύν (syn), "together," and αἴσθησις (aisthēsis), "sensation," is a neurological condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.People who report such experiences are known as synesthetes.

This spans a number of different senses, and a number of different combination of sensory crossovers, etc. However, I have noticed that my mind seems to combine (all attributes of) music with colors, temperatures, time (of day) and even seasons.

For instance, certain tones in music are associated with certain colors. Which are then, in turn, associated with the weather (and the visual tones of this weather - for instance, sunny = yellow/orange/similar hues).

Has anyone else experienced this sort of thing? Do you have specific "night" songs? Or specific albums you prefer in the summer?

You can also check out this handy list of famous synesthetes if you have time.

appleghost · 03-31-2013, 08:39 AM

I made a thread for this some time ago:
http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...see-music.html

It is very interesting indeed!
Do you have any favourite songs, visually?

PoorOldPo · 03-31-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyislingering

Before we begin, for anyone who has never heard of (or seen the word) synesthesia:

Wikipedia:

This spans a number of different senses, and a number of different combination of sensory crossovers, etc. However, I have noticed that my mind seems to combine (all attributes of) music with colors, temperatures, time (of day) and even seasons.

For instance, certain tones in music are associated with certain colors. Which are then, in turn, associated with the weather (and the visual tones of this weather - for instance, sunny = yellow/orange/similar hues).

Has anyone else experienced this sort of thing? Do you have specific "night" songs? Or specific albums you prefer in the summer?

You can also check out this handy list of famous synesthetes if you have time.

Yup...That is the whole reason I started up art. I thought it was normal, started a thread about it on a forum asking people what colours they saw when they heard certain songs, and they said I had synesthesia. Anyways, I started drawing what I saw and now I have been painting for around two years. My art page is linked in my sig if you're curious. It also sometimes happens with taste and especially smell.

ladyislingering · 03-31-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appleghost

I made a thread for this some time ago:
http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...see-music.html

It is very interesting indeed!
Do you have any favourite songs, visually?

Good to see!

On a day like this (sunny, warm) the first song that comes to mind is "Incense and Peppermints" by Strawberry Alarm Clock.

However, if it were raining and dark, the first song that comes to mind is "While My Heart is Still Beating" by Roxy Music.

Have you ever noticed that there are certain album covers that match the music in terms of colors? (I'm not sure how to explain this at all but I'm sure someone out there knows what I mean.)

PoorOldPo · 04-01-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appleghost

I made a thread for this some time ago:
http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...see-music.html

It is very interesting indeed!
Do you have any favourite songs, visually?

The Chameleons - View from a Hill - YouTube

Erik Satie - Gnossienne No.1 - YouTube

P A N · 05-05-2013, 06:20 PM

i'm not a synesthete myself, but i know a girl who can taste peoples' names.

wiggums · 05-05-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyislingering

On a day like this (sunny, warm) the first song that comes to mind is "Incense and Peppermints" by Strawberry Alarm Clock.

However, if it were raining and dark, the first song that comes to mind is "While My Heart is Still Beating" by Roxy Music.

I don't think is is synesthesia. If it is then everyone I know has it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by P A N

i'm not a synesthete myself, but i know a girl who can taste peoples' names.

I should introduce her to my friend Dick Ferball.

03-31-2013, 08:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
appleghost Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Norway Posts: 178	I made a thread for this some time ago: http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...see-music.html It is very interesting indeed! Do you have any favourite songs, visually?

05-05-2013, 06:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
P A N DO LIKE YOU. Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 629	i'm not a synesthete myself, but i know a girl who can taste peoples' names.