Does anyone see music in colors?
- Thread starter janny108
- Start date
NEB
New member
I've been trying to get my head around this since first readng this thread, and for the life of me I can't.
I might be moved to use descriptives like Bright sound or Dark sound or something like that when talking about a passage or a piece, But to say something is Yellow? or Green?
Does not compute.......
I might be moved to use descriptives like Bright sound or Dark sound or something like that when talking about a passage or a piece, But to say something is Yellow? or Green?
Does not compute.......
You are probably right, Muza ... I'm alot like Corno Dolce, being an organist there are just too many notes being played to assign a color to every single key - the thought of it just boggles my mind, what little there is left of it :nut:. Guess that's why I just go with color "association" instead.
Muza
New member
LOL, hey I cannot be 100% right, Krummhorn. The reason I said that is because I was reading an article about it - the distinction between actually seeing (hearing, tasting, smelling) and an association of a sound, taste, touch with something. Its really quite interesting. I think they give an example of that in that link that I posted (not the wikipedia link, but a second one) if you want to know for sure 
chromaticism
New member
You're really lucky. Some people resort to hallucinogenic drugs to experience that. It must be easier for you to understand music with such an ability. Might as well nurture it further. Mozart and some other composers had synesthesia too.
Soubasse
New member
This condition has always held some fascination for me ever since I knew of Messiaen's constant correlation of notes/chords with colours. I also recently saw a doco on TV which I wish I'd been able to record as it was about Synesthesia in it's many forms.
From what I can gather though, the condition varies dramatically from person to person in that there is no constant - scientifically speaking anyway. I mean theoretically, it's possible to draw a correlation chart between the frequency of coloured light and the frequency of musical pitch, but if you're measuring in Hertz, the visible light range is inaudible, so not even physics can tell us, for example, that a G# is blue (or something like that). There's certainly no scientific constant to tell us the relationship between a letter and a colour, which is another form of synesthesia.
Messiaen's synesthesia was quite individual, because he would often see combinations of colours, and in differing patterns too. For example, one of his favourite chords from his second mode of limited transposition (aka the octotonic scale) he would describe as being basically purple, but with occasional waves of orange, and with gold flecks (or spots)!
On the other hand, Scriabin's synesthesia (or 'alleged' synesthesia as some people claim) was completely different - he saw plain shades of colours, which led him to the composition of a number of works directly related to colour. It also led to his development of the 'colour organ' (an instrument which in turn, apparently inspired the large screen that was hooked up to the ARP 2500 for the musical conversation in Close Encounters Of The Third Kind)
I think also that Liszt and Rimsky-Korsakov were supposed to have had it in varying degrees, along with Duke Ellington, and I think I'm recalling guitarist Allan Holdsworth in relation to it as well but I could be getting way off the mark and confused already. It's a fascinating topic and one which makes it clear that the brain still has countless untapped wonders.
From what I can gather though, the condition varies dramatically from person to person in that there is no constant - scientifically speaking anyway. I mean theoretically, it's possible to draw a correlation chart between the frequency of coloured light and the frequency of musical pitch, but if you're measuring in Hertz, the visible light range is inaudible, so not even physics can tell us, for example, that a G# is blue (or something like that). There's certainly no scientific constant to tell us the relationship between a letter and a colour, which is another form of synesthesia.
Messiaen's synesthesia was quite individual, because he would often see combinations of colours, and in differing patterns too. For example, one of his favourite chords from his second mode of limited transposition (aka the octotonic scale) he would describe as being basically purple, but with occasional waves of orange, and with gold flecks (or spots)!
On the other hand, Scriabin's synesthesia (or 'alleged' synesthesia as some people claim) was completely different - he saw plain shades of colours, which led him to the composition of a number of works directly related to colour. It also led to his development of the 'colour organ' (an instrument which in turn, apparently inspired the large screen that was hooked up to the ARP 2500 for the musical conversation in Close Encounters Of The Third Kind)
I think also that Liszt and Rimsky-Korsakov were supposed to have had it in varying degrees, along with Duke Ellington, and I think I'm recalling guitarist Allan Holdsworth in relation to it as well but I could be getting way off the mark and confused already. It's a fascinating topic and one which makes it clear that the brain still has countless untapped wonders.
chromaticism
New member
Yes. The psychedelia phenomenon during of the 60s is a bit related to that; a fleeting experience of synesthesia is one of the main attractions of magic mushrooms, LSD, and weed.
I remember some anecdotal information that John Cage was fond of magic mushrooms though I don't know if it's for the experience of synesthesia (I can't verify the source of this information though).
I believe people with synesthesia (such as yourself) have an easier time learning music owing to the advantage of having more sensory stimulation. It's easier for the brain to process information when it comes from varying sensory modalities such as sound and light.
Contratrombone64
Admiral of Fugues
anecdotal or apocryphal??
I'd be very certain of my facts when commenting like that about someone famous in a public space like this ... without references or proof.
As to Mozart having synethesia, your source is ... ?
I'd be very certain of my facts when commenting like that about someone famous in a public space like this ... without references or proof.
As to Mozart having synethesia, your source is ... ?
chromaticism
New member
It's apocryphal not anecdotal, my mistake. Sorry about that. I don't claim any of those statements to be fact. Just read it somewhere or I might have misread it, most likely misread it; I'll have to be careful next time, sorry.:banghead: One thing I know is John Cage was also a mycologist, so it would not be suprising if he had tried psilocybes. Again, I lay no claim to this as being fact and admit this is speculative.
Mozart as a synesthete is described in some neuroscience articles (such as this: http://www.neuroscience.pomona.edu/Evan/Overview.htm), and the simple English version of Wikipedia. Some even quote Mozart (again this is not mine) to perceive the key of A (major I think) as brilliant myriad of colors; I think I saw that on TV elsewhere, could be on National Geographic, not really sure.
The matter of fact is I'm not trying to debate whether these composers have had synesthesia or wished to experience synesthesia nor am I stating fact that they did or did not. All I'm trying to say is synesthetes are among the most lucky individuals as they have extraordinary sensory perception making it easy for them to translate information around them like music into action e.g. composition, etc. The intriguing nature of synesthesia pushes some people into doing something to experience it themselves hence some forms of recreational drug use.
I never really thought I'd have to quote sources when commenting on this. I guess that sums it up. Anyway, thanks for the reminder.
Mozart as a synesthete is described in some neuroscience articles (such as this: http://www.neuroscience.pomona.edu/Evan/Overview.htm), and the simple English version of Wikipedia. Some even quote Mozart (again this is not mine) to perceive the key of A (major I think) as brilliant myriad of colors; I think I saw that on TV elsewhere, could be on National Geographic, not really sure.
The matter of fact is I'm not trying to debate whether these composers have had synesthesia or wished to experience synesthesia nor am I stating fact that they did or did not. All I'm trying to say is synesthetes are among the most lucky individuals as they have extraordinary sensory perception making it easy for them to translate information around them like music into action e.g. composition, etc. The intriguing nature of synesthesia pushes some people into doing something to experience it themselves hence some forms of recreational drug use.
I never really thought I'd have to quote sources when commenting on this. I guess that sums it up. Anyway, thanks for the reminder.
Muza
New member
A great deal of famous people, ranging from musicians to mathematicians to writers were thought to have synesthesia because of certain expressions in their writings, but it was never possible to establish with any degree of certainty if those sentences were actually referring to synesthesia or merely metaphorical expressions. (for instance pythagorean expression "music of the spheres")
Contratrombone64
Admiral of Fugues
As to wikipedia ... they seem to be pulling their standards up slowly.
As to seeing music in colour? Yeah, if I listen to another performance of that (imho) morbid and boring "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs" I'll surely see red.
As to seeing music in colour? Yeah, if I listen to another performance of that (imho) morbid and boring "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs" I'll surely see red.
chromaticism
New member
It could be assumed then that most quotations or statements referring to claims or incidences of synesthesia are merely colorful metaphorical constructions since they haven't been tested in a scientific environment. :grin:
Contratrombone64
Admiral of Fugues
I think you'll find work has been done in this area, I just can't remember my source, but I saw a program on Fox once about people who heard colours, or smelled textures, or felt visions.
chromaticism
New member
You might be referring to the same program I watched before. Too bad I can't remember what it was except I viewed it either from Discovery Channel or National Geographic.
How I wish I could experience just that without resorting to drugs.
How I wish I could experience just that without resorting to drugs.
Corno Dolce
Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Hello dear MIMF colleagues,
Since we are on the subject of colours and music I thought about adding this interesting article for all to see and study:
http://rhythmiclight.com/articles/InstrumentsToPerformColor.pdf
Be well dear friends and stay safe,
Corno Dolce
Since we are on the subject of colours and music I thought about adding this interesting article for all to see and study:
http://rhythmiclight.com/articles/InstrumentsToPerformColor.pdf
Be well dear friends and stay safe,
Corno Dolce
intet_at_tabe
Rear Admiral Appassionata (Ret.)
Hello dear MIMF colleagues,
Since we are on the subject of colours and music I thought about adding this interesting article for all to see and study:
http://rhythmiclight.com/articles/InstrumentsToPerformColor.pdf
Be well dear friends and stay safe,
Corno Dolce
Corno Dolce
Very interesting article. I had no idea composers and scientists had studied and built different machines to show the connection between colour and music.
Btw. I want to thank you for being so modest today. Unlike last sunday also 50 minutes ahead of the sunday sermon. Only today one will be more concentrated on church, while in church than last sunday, where you entered the link on the guy with the double bow playing the double bass to which krummhorm spoke from us all: Corno Dolce, You´re killing me :lol::lol::lol::lol:
Could you please tell me Meistro, when does one spell "color" as color and when colour with the "u"?
See you after church!
Corno Dolce
Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Dearest Intet,
I'm no Maestro - only a peon and footservant who loves to serve my fellow colleagues on MIMF
Britishers include the letter "u" as in colour, whilst the Yanqui's omit the letter "u" in the word "color".
Cheers,
CD
I'm no Maestro - only a peon and footservant who loves to serve my fellow colleagues on MIMF
Britishers include the letter "u" as in colour, whilst the Yanqui's omit the letter "u" in the word "color".
Cheers,
CD
intet_at_tabe
Rear Admiral Appassionata (Ret.)
Dearest Intet,
I'm no Maestro - only a peon and footservant who loves to serve my fellow colleagues on MIMF
Britishers include the letter "u" as in colour, whilst the Yanqui's omit the letter "u" in the word "color".
Cheers,
CD
Corno Dolce
I so much enjoy your always logical explanations on the english language. Thank you mefisto (then).
Corno Dolce
Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Dearest Intet,
Are you calling me "Mephisto" as in Mephistopheles? :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: I'm stunned and speechless
Egads, I'd better start praying real hardray:ray:ray:ray:ray:ray:ray: that I'm not mixed in with "that crowd" come Judgement Day. Lord Have Mercy!!!
Cheers,
CD :shake::shake::shake::banghead::banghead::banghead: O woe is me!!! O the agony, pain, and misery.......
ps. Oh, I really forgot - the Danish sense of humour is not easily understood by those outside of Denmark or of Danish heritage - it is inscrutable as it is mysterious...
Are you calling me "Mephisto" as in Mephistopheles? :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: I'm stunned and speechless
Egads, I'd better start praying real hard
ray:ray:ray:ray:ray:ray:ray: that I'm not mixed in with "that crowd" come Judgement Day. Lord Have Mercy!!!Cheers,
CD :shake::shake::shake:
:banghead::banghead::banghead: O woe is me!!! O the agony, pain, and misery.......ps. Oh, I really forgot - the Danish sense of humour is not easily understood by those outside of Denmark or of Danish heritage - it is inscrutable as it is mysterious...