Music and Subjectivity

djchameleon · 06-27-2013, 06:09 PM

I can't deal with sad songs. I don't find them beautiful at all. They just bring my mood down even more in the same way that depressing movies will as well.

Ninetales · 06-28-2013, 03:54 PM

I find when im sad i tend to listen to sad music (mind you i think 90% of what i reguarly listen to would not be considered "happy" music anyways). I think it acts as a sort of purging effect. I can pretty much lay in bed, put on an RHP album, and then im good to go right after. I cant remember a time recently when i was really sad for longer than like an hour at one time but i still listen to depressing music every day.

rageangel132 · 06-28-2013, 05:29 PM

I remember when I was younger, I blasted Limp Bizkit's "Breakstuff" when I felt angry (I had bad taste back then). Instead of purging my negative emotions, it seemed to amplify them. That's why it's better to listen to cheerful music when you feel down. For example, when I'm sad, I put on some power pop like The New Pornographers. That's not to say I don't like depressing stuff every once in a while. Nirvana made some pretty bleak songs, but I'd listen to them on a sunny day if the mood was right.

Music has a powerful effect on people, but people are ultimately in control of their feelings. It's similar to how violent movies don't necessarily make people violent. Most of the time, you can choose how to feel regardless of the situation. You can feel very angry if a person cuts you off on the freeway, or you can choose to let it slide. Music is art. It's meant to provoke emotional responses. But the emotions don't have to consume you.

Arya Stark · 06-28-2013, 10:42 PM

I like the first part of what you said, but not everyone can control their emotions. Not everyone can let something slide. And while I can change my thoughts, or ignore what's upsetting me, music can set a different feel.

As you can see, there are some people here not affected by the music at all, and some who can't even listen to music that is too sad.

A lot of music, for me, brings me back to times when those songs were popular. I remember when I was having trouble at work, and on the way home I would hear to songs that had NOTHING to do with my trouble. The songs were like by Rick Ross and all of the popular rappers at the time. If those songs come on today, I don't think about whatever the song is talking about sometimes, but instead the moments I had at work. Sometimes I can't listen to those songs.

Other times, the songs or music really do affect me. Sometimes the lyrics are so happy or so depressing, it can literally change my mood. And I feel like there has to be some psychological study on this, I'm sure it's not just my personal experience.

Now subjectivity is a different thing. jans said that an album I found depressing and dark, he found chill. That's a matter of opinion, so I can't argue with that. especially since I love the album now and can listen to it alot.

ANYWAY TL;DR I HAVE FEELS AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE FEELS 2

Paedantic Basterd · 06-28-2013, 10:45 PM

Classical conditioning is an incredible thing.

Arya Stark · 06-28-2013, 10:47 PM

Isn't it?

Paedantic Basterd · 06-28-2013, 10:53 PM

Yeah, my favourite albums transport me right back into whatever I was feeling at the time I listened to them the most, whether that's been a peak or a valley. I'm endlessly amazed by how our brains work like that.

You might enjoy Daniel Levitin's This is Your Brain on Music. It's very informative, though I don't agree with all of its theories. I should go re-read it now that I've got a better background in psychology.

Arya Stark · 06-28-2013, 10:56 PM

If it's in e-book form, I will most definitely download it.

Paedantic Basterd · 06-28-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwwSugar

If it's in e-book form, I will most definitely download it.

The section on music theory is tough to power through without a musical background, but it's necessary and totally worth it later.

Arya Stark · 06-28-2013, 11:04 PM

I've taken music theory and advanced music theory in the past.
And I've played instruments forev.

So hopefully it gets me through it.

06-28-2013, 05:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
rageangel132 Groupie Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Seattle area Posts: 4	I remember when I was younger, I blasted Limp Bizkit's "Breakstuff" when I felt angry (I had bad taste back then). Instead of purging my negative emotions, it seemed to amplify them. That's why it's better to listen to cheerful music when you feel down. For example, when I'm sad, I put on some power pop like The New Pornographers. That's not to say I don't like depressing stuff every once in a while. Nirvana made some pretty bleak songs, but I'd listen to them on a sunny day if the mood was right. Music has a powerful effect on people, but people are ultimately in control of their feelings. It's similar to how violent movies don't necessarily make people violent. Most of the time, you can choose how to feel regardless of the situation. You can feel very angry if a person cuts you off on the freeway, or you can choose to let it slide. Music is art. It's meant to provoke emotional responses. But the emotions don't have to consume you. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] www.seraphmountain.com

06-28-2013, 03:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ninetales Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: livin wild Posts: 2,179	I find when im sad i tend to listen to sad music (mind you i think 90% of what i reguarly listen to would not be considered "happy" music anyways). I think it acts as a sort of purging effect. I can pretty much lay in bed, put on an RHP album, and then im good to go right after. I cant remember a time recently when i was really sad for longer than like an hour at one time but i still listen to depressing music every day.

06-28-2013, 10:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Classical conditioning is an incredible thing.

06-28-2013, 10:53 PM	#17 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Yeah, my favourite albums transport me right back into whatever I was feeling at the time I listened to them the most, whether that's been a peak or a valley. I'm endlessly amazed by how our brains work like that. You might enjoy Daniel Levitin's This is Your Brain on Music. It's very informative, though I don't agree with all of its theories. I should go re-read it now that I've got a better background in psychology.