So Pitch on its own affects our perceptions.Ī Melody consists of a linear sequence of tones. We tend to find large things more threatening than smaller things (part of our evolutionary heritage) so pitch on its own can affect how we percieve sounds and music, providing a basic scale from "high = light, happy, carefree, funny" to "low = dark, sad, ominous, serious". Conversely, smaller instruments, short columns of air, short strings or tight strings, small animals (like a mouse) or objects make higher pitched noises. Lots of things make noises but in general bigger objects make deeper noises, whether long columns of air or long strings in a musical instrument, big chests, large animal footsteps (like an elephant), or simply large objects generally banging together. In the English language, not only do we talk about "beats" of the heart and "beats" in music, but we also say that something is "upbeat" when it is happy and positive or "downbeat" when something is sad or depressed. There is also a strong degree of correspondence between tempo and emotions and this is evident from everyday metaphors. But the combination of Tempo and Rhythm has an immediate almost physical impact on our perceptions. Even though the tempo of a piece of music might be slow and relaxed, a high frequency of notes can suggest a degree of contained excitement within that relaxed state. The rhythm of music can qualify the repetitive nature of the underlying beat by suggesting more frequent or less frequent movement. Syncopation is a familiar example with notes unexpectedly landing "off the beat", which adds complexity and interest to a basic beat, often turning a simple march tempo into a jaunty swagger (see Ragtime). This latter example illustrates that while tempo sets the basic pace of music, there are many ways in which composers can alter and adjust this using different note patterns or rhythms. Music suggesting a horse galloping or a train ride is fast with more complicated rhythms representing 4 legs or several sets of wheels. In contrast to this 3/4 time seems to completely lack that left-right feel, and we therefore frequently associate it with circular motions, like swirling waltzes, or roundabouts at the fun-fair. To illustrate this, note that marches are in duple time (2/4 or 4/4 ) giving that "left. Music moves in time and suggests movement, and we tend to associate music unconsciously with movements made by our bodies while talking, walking, running, dancing, riding, etc. We're not saying that there is an absolute correspondence between heartbeat and music tempo, but there is a strong degree of suggestion between the two. 100 upwards is increasingly lively, excited or agitated and, since we crave some degree of excitement from our entertainment, 80-120 is quite a common tempo, and even 120-160 is common in some energetic situations. 80-100 is moderately alert and interested. In general too, the tempo of a piece of music roughly equates with the heartbeat associated with the corresponding physical state or emotion which the music suggests.Īnything in the range 60-80 beats per minute is calm and relaxed, less than 60 is often very relaxed, introspective or even depressed. A simple observation is that most music is in the range of 50-200 beats per minute, the same as the extreme range of our heartbeats. Music tends to have a steady tempo to it, often measured in "beats per minute". We think that the main aspects of music which influence us can be summed up as: We're sure some professors may have written volumes about this topic but don't worry, we won't! We just think that it might be useful to share some thoughts on this question, since it is so relevant to other explorations on the mfiles web-site. Why should organised sounds affect us to such an extent that billions are spent annually making music? But the reason for this is very mysterious. While some claims may be exaggerated, there is no denying that music can suggest and affect our state of mind. You might have heard of farmers who increase production by playing music to their animals, recent studies showing that listening to fast music whilst driving increases the rate of car accidents, and the Mozart Effect claims to increase intelligence. We might put on relaxing music for a quiet romantic dinner, but listen to something livelier while doing some physical work or exercise, or when out socialising in larger groups. We are all aware that music and "atmosphere" go together.
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