What is music?

[mustang_steve]

I'm not a religious person, therefore to me, soul is merely synonymous with heart, as in an emotional center, not so much as the "seed of being" that religion considers it.

So in my view, is a soul existant is irelevant, since we are emotional, and therefore do have a soul, since to me a soul is just a name for an abstract concept.

Now, I would consider us as irrational creatures since we can be emotionally swayed, but it's this emtion that separates us from machines, so in this case, irrationality is a good thing

 

[Buckle-meister]

Hmm

...to me, soul is merely synonymous with heart, as in an emotional center...

Do you then consider the location of your emotional centre to be located in your physical heart? If so...

...since we...therefore do have a soul,...a soul is just a name for an abstract concept.

by inference, the soul would have to be a physical entity too no?

Note: The last thing I am trying to do is twist this thread into another religious debate. I guess I just thought that non-religious folk would still think of themselvs as having souls, no?

Regards

 

[mustang_steve]

Do you then consider the location of your emotional centre to be located in your physical heart? If so...

by inference, the soul would have to be a physical entity too no?

I meant heart in the abstract sense...like the saying "that person has a heart of gold"...it doesn't really mean you can cut the person open and find a golden heart, it just means that person is a very kind person.

I believe we all have a soul as far as we all have an emotional profile, whether a "golden" or good one, a "black" or bad one, or some shade in between. As for someting tangible...nope, to me it exists purely in concept.

I do see however as a religious person would believe in a soul, since after all, a soul is required to go to heaven or hell. How else would one be able to go anywhere after death, unless something was still there, no matter how tiny or it's composition? So in that way, a soul is a purely religious concept. However, religion has a way of molding the societies which embrace it, to where soul is now often used by non-believers as well. So I can understand how this all got started.

I know how these religious debates can go, usually downward, but so long as there is no actual attacks on other's beliefs, I really don't see any harm in it....to me religion falls under philosophy, and I enjoy philosophical discussions from time to time.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

Last year there were reports in the press concerning some research to the effect that birdsong and other more complex animal calls like whale vocalizations had, in many ways, striking similarities to musical composition.

Some speculated that music thus has a deep, biological significance that goes beyond and predates our species.

Even being the skeptic that I am, it made sense to me.

After all, it seems probable to me that music of some form was humanity's first "artistic" utterance...possibly even predating speech. Some sort of wordless "song" perhaps? Accompanied by simple percussion?

Getting farther afield, and admittedly more "airy fairy" as our Brit friends like to say: recall that the great 20th c. French composer Messiaen used birdsong as a direct inspiration for much of his work. Perhaps he intuitively felt that deep connection, only more directly than the rest of us?

 

[BostonMark]

life is a movie.. music is the soundtrack

Some see life as a struggle, a beach, an Act of God, a random coincidence

I see Life as a Movie (all the world's a stage), therefore, MUSIC is the soundtrack of my life.

I can remember so many times in my life by relistening to the music that was playing at those times.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Note: The last thing I am trying to do is twist this thread into another religious debate. I guess I just thought that non-religious folk would still think of themselvs as having souls, no?

When I speak of soul I'm talking figuretive, poetically, not religiously. Akin to when people talk of heart break since it really isn't your heart breaking, the heart really isn't our emotional center.

But describing music as uplifting to your soul is merely poetic, not to be taken literally as our religious "soul." Just as I don't think soul music or soul food refer to the religous soul either.

 

[Sheep]

Everyone enjoys music for different reasons. Some people share the same opinion, but there is more then one. You can't quantify it under just one definition.

Sheep

 

[Buckle-meister]

Majestic thoughts

Ok, first of all, I'm really quite drunk, so if there are any spelling or grammatical errors, I apologise in advance!

I can remember so many times in my life by relistening to the music that was playing at those times.

Me too! I have found many many times that listening to a particular song brings back strong memories of a book I happened to be reading at that time.

Some speculated that music thus has a deep, biological significance that goes beyond and predates our species.

I just know this is going to sound odd, but I have long thought that when mankind finally reckons he has solved the origin of the universe, music will in some way be connected to its explanation. Now, before you write me off as a complete wacko , consider:

String Theory postulates that all the myriad particles that have to date been classifed are but variations of a single particle and are distinguished by the frequency at which they vibrate. See the parallell? Personally, I like the ideals of String Theory because whilst the math may be complex, the governing principle is simple, elegant, and thus to me more likely to be true.

Everyone enjoys music for different reasons. Some people share the same opinion, but there is more than one. You can't quantify it under just one definition.

I agree Sheep, but remember, the question being asked isn't why we enjoy music; I am well aware that we each of us enjoy it for different reasons. The question being asked is why does music have the effect it does, and that is fundamentally different. To that question, there may well be only a single answer.

Regards

 

[soniceuphoria]

I personally think that music has the effect that it does because it like any other art form is an expression of emotion. Which stated before, we all have emotions. And different ones for that fact. That is why sometimes that softer music might appeal more to you, and others hard rock might appeal to you more. Every type of music is mood music. I personally have a vast collection of music (40gigs and 2000 CD's) of everything ranging from classical to heavy metal. I don't always feel like listening to classical, just like I don't always feel like listening to heavy metal. It is just when I feel in a certian mood that I listen to what appeals to me at the time. Music is much like any art form such as poetry and paintings. What one person might enjoy, the next might think it's total crap. It is all a matter of subjectivity. And subjectivity is all a matter of mood and opinion. Music can remind you of when life was easier, or a love long lost. It can remind you of a good friend, or family lost with time. Music can make you feel happiness that nothing else can make you feel. That is the reason that we are all here on this forum, because it is a passion for us. Happy listening.
Greg

Great thread. I've probably had way too much to drink too.

 

[Sheep]

I once saw in science class, a video on the ear. I can't remeber anything but this was one shot. Looking through a microscope, at a cell(or something from the ear, don't quote me). It was just sitting there..but then they turned on music. The object started moving. It was moving to the beat of the music. I think this is what triggers us to react physically and mentally with music, from sond waves.

This was along time ago, and my memory is cloudy

Sheep

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

"Good" music to me has a similar effect as the sense of smell. Have you ever been near a somewhat attractive girl with great perfume? That perfume makes her hot - even if she's only a "7". I think great music has a similar effect - especially when it sounds good. It increases the ambiance in a restaurant, or while shopping, or at a club. It puts you in a great mood, even if you've had a rough day at the office. It's even better when the music is from your college years, when you WERE able to attract the opposite sex (15lbs lighter) - oh the memories.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

"Good" music to me has a similar effect as the sense of smell. Have you ever been near a somewhat attractive girl with great perfume? That perfume makes her hot - even if she's only a "7". I think great music has a similar effect - especially when it sounds good.

Beer can make a "5" seam hot.....

Moral of the story:

Don't get drunk in a bar with a good jukebox. A "1" with great perfume may walk by!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[STRONGBADF1]

My what and why.

Stimulation

Living beings can't resist stimulation. It's what drives us. Without stimulation we are just vegetables. We need touch, taste, smell, sight and sound to "feel" alive. (at least one of them anyway) Our bodies crave stimulation so bad that some people become addicted to drugs, food, adrenaline, sex, audio equipment...

I belive it is a "fight for life" mechinisium that is there to ensure that life goes on.

Thats my what and why.

So crank it up!!!!!!!!

 

[mulester7]

.....I love the way music can heighten, intensify, or completely change our moods by emotional tweaking, without even one word being said....aaahh yes, music, the universal language.....

.....(so does this answer win a T-shirt?)....(huh?).....

 

[Buckle-meister]

...music, the universal language...(so does this answer win a T-shirt?)...(huh?)...

Nope! Because mathematics is the only truly universal language.

Although I guess since sound can be described mathematically, you were actually right after all.

But since that's not what you explicitly stated; nil poin!

Regards