Music in your head.

[QuickTwist]

When you hear music in your head (without actually listening to the music) which part do you predominantly hear? the lyrics? Strings? Percussion? Bass? Overall melody? Or the whole thing?

I typically hear the melody as a whole in terms of highs and lows.

 

[pjoa09]

Usually I listen to electro so I just remember whatever happens after the beat drops.

The other sort of music is rnb and that I replay the lyrics and melody only at the chorus.

 

[QuickTwist]

My premise is that in the way that someone hears music in there head, certain physiological principles can be applied to what a person reasons about. What a person listens to also has a large part in indicating about the themes that person typically daydreams about.

As in pjoa09's case I would assume they often think about the possibilities of future events. I think this because they often disregard the introductory stage and instead chose to focus on the manifestation of the most notable part of the song. In other words they probably have a greater interest in how something turns out instead of how it begins. Or they like coming up with conclusions that satisfy their emotional stimulation.

Am I anywhere in the ballpark?

 

[Brontosaurie]

the good parts ofc???!?!??!?!?! wtf is this

 

[redbaron]

Rhythm usually. But I listen to more rhythmic stuff than anything else, so not really significant.

 

[pernoctator]

As in pjoa09's case I would assume they often think about the possibilities of future events. I think this because they often disregard the introductory stage and instead chose to focus on the manifestation of the most notable part of the song. In other words they probably have a greater interest in how something turns out instead of how it begins. Or they like coming up with conclusions that satisfy their emotional stimulation.

Most people focus on the most notable part because it's... uh... the most notable. This may be the introductory stage (see: Also sprach Zarathustra).

 

[Base groove]

Anything on command. Sometimes I can't debug the infinite playback loop without smashing my head into something.

 

[Anktark]

All parts really. Though I don't think I have such a good memory, that I could recall it perfectly (I might not remember exact notes of a guitar/drums). Then again, my music library contains only about 380-450 pieces and doesn't include techo, electric or house.

 

[QuickTwist]

Most people focus on the most notable part because it's... uh... the most notable. This may be the introductory stage (see: Also sprach Zarathustra).

Its true, most songs have a more notable part in them to the majority of the listeners based on how the song is written but some people may think a different part of the song is the most notable one. You have to ask yourself how would focusing more on the into, chorus, ending, a particular production of noise, certain lyrics, song genre, overall theme, encompassing emotion displayed, particular melodies and I'm sure there are more, relate to the individual on what they can identify with.

Maybe I should back up and instead say I have a theory that different people typically focus more on a given part of a song than what someone else would focus on or they have a different taste in music altogether. Assuming this is true, and I believe it is, what can we gather form knowing this information to use it to categorize people into different ways of thinking or different thought patterns they typically have. I believe the best way to analyze this correlation is to know both what parts of a song (or what song) the individual typically focuses on and then cross reference that to what an individual usually thinks about when they are not self conscious. My hypothesis is that if you can triangulate both what an individual thinks about and what part of a song(s) or what type of song(s) and individual has running through their head at any given time then you can break down the hierarchy of the principles that the individual relates to.

 

[pjoa09]

My premise is that in the way that someone hears music in there head, certain physiological principles can be applied to what a person reasons about. What a person listens to also has a large part in indicating about the themes that person typically daydreams about.

As in pjoa09's case I would assume they often think about the possibilities of future events. I think this because they often disregard the introductory stage and instead chose to focus on the manifestation of the most notable part of the song. In other words they probably have a greater interest in how something turns out instead of how it begins. Or they like coming up with conclusions that satisfy their emotional stimulation.

Am I anywhere in the ballpark?

I think you are looking too much into it.

I can't recall for the life of me anyone who remembers introductions to electro or rnb well. Everyone recalls the rhythm and/or chorus.

Even if they listen to Mozart I am sure their best part would be some crazy drop.

 

[Brontosaurie]

I can't recall for the life of me anyone who remembers introductions to electro or rnb well. Everyone recalls the rhythm and/or chorus.

you gotta remember the everything of this track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwYwoEIEeE0

 

[pernoctator]

Its true, most songs have a more notable part in them to the majority of the listeners based on how the song is written but some people may think a different part of the song is the most notable one. You have to ask yourself how would focusing more on the into, chorus, ending, a particular production of noise, certain lyrics, song genre, overall theme, encompassing emotion displayed, particular melodies and I'm sure there are more, relate to the individual on what they can identify with.

While some people may find different parts notable, I don't think the position in relation to the rest of the music is an aspect that informs the preference... so you can't extrapolate something like "they have a greater interest in how things turn out". One person may focus on the beginning of one song and the middle of another.

 

[QuickTwist]

@Bronto, technically there are enough variations in that song for an individual to theoretically focus on one part more than another. Example: speech patterns.

While some people may find different parts notable, I don't think the position in relation to the rest of the music is an aspect that informs the preference... so you can't extrapolate something like "they have a greater interest in how things turn out". One person may focus on the beginning of one song and the middle of another.

Conclusions for specific instances I have made aside, why not? Why can't I (or anyone)? It sounds like you are trying to make the argument that there is not enough information to come up with a psychological basis for a conclusion regarding a.) what patterns are present in different individuals tendencies toward hearing particular songs or parts of songs, both instrumentally and/or rhythmically in their head in relation to b.) what a person typically thinks about (or daydreams about) when they are not being self conscious. So I ask again, why is there not enough conclusive evidence to make an assessment of what the texture of an individuals notable hierarchy is that exists in their subconscious.

Again the premise is taking ideas, both abstract and linear, that a person focuses on when in a relaxed, semi-unconscious state and using that information to triangulate the unknown hierarchy of their subconscious. I am essentially reverse engineering the Pythagorean theorem and and applying it to an element of psychology and breaking it down into basic values that person has. What remains is the hierarchy of their subconscious. You could find out what they are afraid of, what their self esteem is like or what they find is important.

 

[pernoctator]

No, you're reading far too much into what I said. I have only commented on one specific aspect: the position, relative to total duration, of what is someone's focal point in a piece of music -- this is an extraneous detail.

I am essentially reverse engineering the Pythagorean theorem and and applying it to an element of psychology

 

[PmjPmj]

All of it, with perfect clarity and, if I choose, awesome bass.

 

[QuickTwist]

I'll admit my conclusion was a bit rushed but I think if you take into consideration the later part of my theory you would probably see there is some truth to it. Equations aside or what I am using as inspiration I believe there is enough information to gather that some of what I I concluded was not that far off the mark. Knowing a part of a persons subconscious is something that can give you all sorts of information of what they truly value or reflect on. To tell the truth my Ne takes over sometimes and I just can't help but trying to come up with as many ideas as fast as I can think of them. *shrug* No point in wasting creative energy.

 

[Polaris]

This might be a start:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3138530/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology_of_music_preference

http://psychology.about.com/od/personalitydevelopment/a/music-and-personality.htm

I don't think you are completely off the mark.

If music preference can be correlated with personality traits, why couldn't this be broken down into further analysis, such as the one you propose?

I have a very eclectic music taste, but my overall preference is Jazz and Classical, as this sort of complexity keeps me interested longer.

I tend to have music in my head a lot; to the point where I, like BG, feel like smashing my head against a brick wall to get it to stop. I even wake up in the morning with music in my head. If it is "stuck", it sort of grinds on a chorus or some repetitive part of it -- which is bad -- if I actively listen to a piece in my head, which I do frequently, I go through the whole piece from beginning to end; attempting a full rendition including all instruments. I think I tend to blur out lyrics in order to immerse myself in the composition and overall imagery associated with the soundscape. I often see colours too when "playing" music in my head.

It would be interesting to see what you make of this.

 

[Brontosaurie]

@Bronto, technically there are enough variations in that song for an individual to theoretically focus on one part more than another. Example: speech patterns.

yeah his singing, especially during the verses, owns the show. but the whole thing is memorable right through.

i usually and effortlessly memorize entire songs, including minute facets of arrangement and timbral qualities. i try to be aware of what is designed to be only subliminally effective. then again music is a big interest of mine.

 

[Invisible Jellyfish]

I think usually people tend to remember the part that is repeated the most. Meaning - in pop music it would be the chorus, in classical, for example, in Beethovens 5th symphony there's the ''destiny theme'' that goes through the part and changes a little time to time.

Also, judging on Eurovision, usually the winners are realllllly deep and sad or the other way around - happy and energetic. So... the lyrics are not everything - I personally always remember a song in Estonian but I don't know anything else apart one word in that language. So... if it comes to songs in foreign languages, the person will probably remember the part wher s/he heard a familiar word.

It probably is easier to remember music that is cheerful, for example, from advertisements. I personally can't get rid of ''kawaii crush'' song about those panda hats - and yet I'm a rock music fan.

Talking about rock music - it's probably easier to remember an awesome guitar solo. :3
And as for classic music, it's easier to remember a piece with something... unique, for example, for me it would me Tchaikowsky's Dance la Fae, Haydn's 94th symphony (the one with surprise) and pretty much every piece with clarinet solo goes fine with me. So.. I would like to say that people probably remember a classical music piece better if there's solo of and instrument that they can play.

 

[QuickTwist]

@Polaris (I have forgotten how to do mentions so this is what I am resorting to), I appreciate the sentiment of giving me such good links to work with.

I initially thought giving validity to my theory in consideration of all the research I would have to do would be very daunting and would seen like a lot of work (no doubt it would be), which made me immediately want to shy away from the would be project. After all I have a high degree of Pness as well as that I am a very lazy SOB hardly ever follow through to the completeness of a practical result. I also thought that my research and the conclusion I came up with would be much better suited for a psychologist or at least someone who has devoted a decent chunk of time learning about psychology which I have not. But then I began to reconsider. After all, it might be a fun project. No doubt if I was to devote myself entirely to the project I would no doubt come up with some interesting results.

I am however, still on the fence of doing it considering that I am a student and thought it might be better to focus more on educating myself on information having to do with my degree. You see I have both poor time management skills and have the tendency to be extremely unbalanced in what I focus on. Knowing this about myself I feel the wise thing to do would be to either wait until I feel I have enough free time to work on the project or pass the baton to another individual who is both interested and capable of taking on this project.

I may however, make the time to do this in the near future. I have a project I am working on for school about Robert Johnson and his works in music and how he was so influential to the music world. I figured I may be able to incorporate some of my findings from the would be project into my school assignment which would make it worth it to do. Granted I would not be as thorough as I would if all I was doing was the project, but regardless it would be interesting to sink my teeth into.

Anyways, I digress. If there is any interested parties who would like to do this project or coordinate with me doing it please PM me and I will try to explain the best way I can what my theory entails. I feel cooperation in doing the project would make it a lot easier.

 

[Milo]

If its something that my mind is just creating out of nothing, it starts out as percussion and then leads to strings filling in complex orders, never usually being constant, but continues to evolve and flow naturally to more complex strings.

 

[Invisible Jellyfish]

I quess hearing music in ones head would be quite fifficult if the said person listens to music all day - meaning, there's always sound, so itš harder to listen to your own music in head if something else plays. Just try to listen to U2 and think of Wagner.

 

[AzuriteCat]

It all depends if the song has lyrics or not. If there is, the lyrics get stuck and I mentally sing to myself.

For songs that have no lyrics, the tune gets stuck.

Sent from my ST26i using Tapatalk

 

[Brontosaurie]

If its something that my mind is just creating out of nothing, it starts out as percussion and then leads to strings filling in complex orders, never usually being constant, but continues to evolve and flow naturally to more complex strings.

fuck yeah strings

cosmic strings

those physics strings

deep stuff, strings

nice

 

[Invisible Jellyfish]

deep stuff, strings

You forgot the strings of fate and destiny.

Yeah, if you want something to sound simply AWESOME, just use strings. Everybody know that. That why orchetras are awesome.

I might be relatively easy to remember some string parts, indeed.

 

[pjoa09]

you gotta remember the everything of this track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwYwoEIEeE0

I grew out of The-Dream to be honest. Was into him for the first three albums but never listened to his side shit.

That's probably one of his worst songs. I really liked Right Side Of My Brain and I Luv Your Girl.

But now I sort of find it immature I am more into The Weeknd now. He has a very sinister disgusted view of all this fuck yo wife shit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1OTWCd40bc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPp5Ty9EE6k

 

[QuickTwist]

Nice, good visuals and lyrics. I just thought the musicianship was a bit slow and lacking. Of course I am bias because I like very fast tempo complex rhythms that repeat with slight variation so I focus more on the instrumentals than the lyrics.

Example:

http://youtu.be/m6RZkAfWPrE

Here's an article that has to do with the bands recent history (I suppose it could be comical if you look at it that way):

http://noisey.vice.com/blog/did-tim-lambesis-of-as-i-lay-dying-go-crazy-on-steroids

While I don't know if I identify myself as being a christian or not I do enjoy the bands music and complex melodies that they are able to create.

 

[QuickTwist]

Here is another example of some music I like:

http://youtu.be/Sl2f5ak1JsE

 

[QuickTwist]

Just to be clear I don't only like christian music; I also like stuff like this:

http://youtu.be/v-Su1YXQYek

I spent a good chunk of time trying to learn this song for guitar.