What determines the songs that people like?

**Frownland** · 04-18-2016, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aux-In

None of that. I guess, though, if you have signed up for a forum and frequently engage in musical discussions, you're already a bit of an outlier. Cultural influences have no bearing, nor does it make any kind of music superior simply because it's cultural. I know a lot of people have a need to identify with music in that way, but I am the complete opposite, no matter the genre. Things like rich/poor, East vs West...these are all primitive categorizations, and that might be kind of what you're trying to say. However, I schlep all that, and keep an open mind about all music, especially new music; music is the one area where I don't think it's beneficial to apply personal politics to it, unless you're already a political person. Maybe you were born that way? Me? I'm a free radical, which again is genetics.

I just don't think it's genetic. It's something you pick up, like an accent. Being open minded about all types of music is also something that could have been influenced by your life. If you were in someone else's shoes with your same brain it might not be the same way.

Aux-In · 04-18-2016, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

I just don't think it's genetic. It's something you pick up, like an accent. Being open minded about all types of music is also something that could have been influenced by your life. If you were in someone else's shoes with your same brain it might not be the same way.

Let me ask you this. Were your parents, or other individuals in your household either musicians, or have a strong draw toward music?

**Frownland** · 04-18-2016, 09:04 AM

I come from a family of musicians, yes.

Aux-In · 04-18-2016, 10:42 AM

Both my parents are music buffs. Dad built speaker cabinets and used all that old school, big-ass equipment. Mom played the **** out of oldies. While both fell into the trap of not liking new music as they got older, they never stopped listening to music, and they'll still buy records on occasion.

Point: The desire for music doesn't exist in a vacuum, IMO.

My brain is picking and choosing what sounds I like. I'm not controlling it logically, and it's not like learned or conditioned behavior, such as being taught to say please and thank you. Ex: I was never told to get a song stuck in my head all day. It's a natural thing that happens.
If there is a lack of Eastern influences, it's more about a lack of exposure. "World music" was a thing later on, but on indie stations and whatnot. Never dug any of it.
I disagree that media content -- music, movies, art, video games, -- aren't related as far as stimulating the brain in the same or similar way(s).
The East/West thing is too black and white in regard to how music affects the brain (what people like), and it assumes that music is only made a certain way in each location.

**Frownland** · 04-18-2016, 10:54 AM

You don't have to consciously be aware of it not be ordered to like something for it to be a factor since it works on a subconscious level. While I agree that all of the arts are related, I still think it's a false dichotomy to say that we appreciate it the same way. Lastly, Western and Eastern are not geographical styles these days because of better communication between far distances, but they arose from exactly the phenomena that you mention. At the basic level, there is likely a genetic predisposition to liking music for most people, but what you like is inspired by your experiences.

Black Francis · 04-18-2016, 11:28 AM

Im going to side with experience > genetics too. Neither of my parents were heavily into music and my sister only listened to pop R &B and culturally the music most played here is Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton. As a kid i did like local rap but as i grew older i started to gravitate to the outcast point of view and the outcast kids here were into rock and punk. my mindset and my taste identified more with that americanized rock counter culture and it kinda set the guidelines for my music taste.

RJDG14 · 04-19-2016, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Francis

Im going to side with experience > genetics too. Neither of my parents were heavily into music and my sister only listened to pop R &B and culturally the music most played here is Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton. As a kid i did like local rap but as i grew older i started to gravitate to the outcast point of view and the outcast kids here were into rock and punk. my mindset and my taste identified more with that americanized rock counter culture and it kinda set the guidelines for my music taste.

Guessing you're a big Pixies fan then

Black Francis · 04-19-2016, 02:07 PM

They're alright.

misspoptart · 04-20-2016, 06:23 AM

I want to echo what someone said about music being relatable. I completely agree with the notion of being able to "relate" to a song; the attitude, the character, the personality, the melody. That said, what I relate to has changed over time; as a teen I was into darker/weirder stuff but as I've gotten older I'm gravitating to simple, happy things that lift my mood. I have to be able to "see myself" in the song, singing the song, or dancing to the song... or being in the music video somehow. If that makes any sense.

monglae · 04-20-2016, 09:01 AM

In my opinion, It's about the first genres that you get impressed

04-18-2016, 09:04 AM	#23 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	I come from a family of musicians, yes. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

04-18-2016, 10:42 AM	#24 (permalink)
Aux-In Wrinkled Magazine Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: In Time Posts: 467	Both my parents are music buffs. Dad built speaker cabinets and used all that old school, big-ass equipment. Mom played the **** out of oldies. While both fell into the trap of not liking new music as they got older, they never stopped listening to music, and they'll still buy records on occasion. Point: The desire for music doesn't exist in a vacuum, IMO. My brain is picking and choosing what sounds I like. I'm not controlling it logically, and it's not like learned or conditioned behavior, such as being taught to say please and thank you. Ex: I was never told to get a song stuck in my head all day. It's a natural thing that happens. If there is a lack of Eastern influences, it's more about a lack of exposure. "World music" was a thing later on, but on indie stations and whatnot. Never dug any of it. I disagree that media content -- music, movies, art, video games, -- aren't related as far as stimulating the brain in the same or similar way(s). The East/West thing is too black and white in regard to how music affects the brain (what people like), and it assumes that music is only made a certain way in each location. __________________ Reviews l YouTube Playlist: Another Dimension "All over a bowl of bitter beans."

04-18-2016, 10:54 AM	#25 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	You don't have to consciously be aware of it not be ordered to like something for it to be a factor since it works on a subconscious level. While I agree that all of the arts are related, I still think it's a false dichotomy to say that we appreciate it the same way. Lastly, Western and Eastern are not geographical styles these days because of better communication between far distances, but they arose from exactly the phenomena that you mention. At the basic level, there is likely a genetic predisposition to liking music for most people, but what you like is inspired by your experiences. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

04-18-2016, 11:28 AM	#26 (permalink)
Black Francis Out of Place Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in an abstract house Posts: 4,111	Im going to side with experience > genetics too. Neither of my parents were heavily into music and my sister only listened to pop R &B and culturally the music most played here is Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton. As a kid i did like local rap but as i grew older i started to gravitate to the outcast point of view and the outcast kids here were into rock and punk. my mindset and my taste identified more with that americanized rock counter culture and it kinda set the guidelines for my music taste. __________________ "Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A

04-19-2016, 02:07 PM	#28 (permalink)
Black Francis Out of Place Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in an abstract house Posts: 4,111	They're alright. __________________ "Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A

04-20-2016, 06:23 AM	#29 (permalink)
misspoptart gimme gimme Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: istanbul Posts: 897	I want to echo what someone said about music being relatable. I completely agree with the notion of being able to "relate" to a song; the attitude, the character, the personality, the melody. That said, what I relate to has changed over time; as a teen I was into darker/weirder stuff but as I've gotten older I'm gravitating to simple, happy things that lift my mood. I have to be able to "see myself" in the song, singing the song, or dancing to the song... or being in the music video somehow. If that makes any sense.

04-20-2016, 09:01 AM	#30 (permalink)
monglae Groupie Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 21	In my opinion, It's about the first genres that you get impressed