Friday, March 18, 2005
New Blog
I just discovered a new blog, written by philosopher Rob van Gerwen. His interests are in aesthetics, phenomenology, and psychology. He has some interesting things to say about music, and has offered a course on philosophy for musicians (sounds intreguing to me). And his latest post is on pornography. What's not to like?
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Slap those pads
Alex Ross points us to Edmund Welles, an improbable quartet of bass clarinets. The thing is, they sound really good. Alex recommends "Creep," to which I must add "Big Bottom." That's right, they cover rock charts as well as perform their own blues and classical compositions. I'm still trying to figure out how they get a slap bass sound out of those big licorice sticks. Eric Dolphy must be so proud.
Monday, March 14, 2005
Catchy tunes
Creating an amazing confluence of events, this morning I hear a report on NPR about this research, get a comment from Tim Rutherford-Johnson about the same article, and get a Technorati trackback of Forrest Covington's take on my catchy tune question.
First, Forrest's view: catchy tunes are very paradigmatically tonal-like (reduce easily in Schenkerian analysis) and related to the overtone series. Could be, though I can think of a few objections to the overtone idea. The overtone series is not based upon the composition of the air, but rather upon modes of vibration for any simple harmonic motion. A string, or air in an open-ended pipe or close-ended cone (length = L), will vibrate in ratios of L/2, L/3, L/4, L/5, etc, which creates frequencies along the overtone series. This fact can be used to support notions of concurrent interval and chord consonance and dissonance, but has little effect on melody construction (other than bugle calls).
Second, the article cited by both the BBC and NPR is horribly mischaracterized by both news outlets. The BBC says that the article tells us "how tunes get stuck in your head." NPR's print version is better, "The iPod of the Brain," but the intro on the radio program was similar to the BBC. Kraemer et al make no claims to explain how the tunes get stuck in the brain, they just provide proof of auditory imagery - the imagining of music in the mind without outside stimulus. They would play music to participants while scanning their brains. Activity noticed in the auditory association cortex continued during silent gaps in familiar tunes (and did not continue in unfamiliar tunes). Nothing is mentioned or discovered as to what makes a familiar tune catchy, or even why the auditory cortex does remember the tunes. One fascinating result from this study is that music with text limited activities to the auditory association cortex, whereas instrumental music produced activity that spread from the auditory association cortex to the left primary auditory cortex. The authors interpret this result as showing how text provides semantic knowledge to fill in gaps, the instrumental music required more brain power to recall the missing music. This relates closely to visual imagery, happy news to Gestalt music psychologists.
First, Forrest's view: catchy tunes are very paradigmatically tonal-like (reduce easily in Schenkerian analysis) and related to the overtone series. Could be, though I can think of a few objections to the overtone idea. The overtone series is not based upon the composition of the air, but rather upon modes of vibration for any simple harmonic motion. A string, or air in an open-ended pipe or close-ended cone (length = L), will vibrate in ratios of L/2, L/3, L/4, L/5, etc, which creates frequencies along the overtone series. This fact can be used to support notions of concurrent interval and chord consonance and dissonance, but has little effect on melody construction (other than bugle calls).
Second, the article cited by both the BBC and NPR is horribly mischaracterized by both news outlets. The BBC says that the article tells us "how tunes get stuck in your head." NPR's print version is better, "The iPod of the Brain," but the intro on the radio program was similar to the BBC. Kraemer et al make no claims to explain how the tunes get stuck in the brain, they just provide proof of auditory imagery - the imagining of music in the mind without outside stimulus. They would play music to participants while scanning their brains. Activity noticed in the auditory association cortex continued during silent gaps in familiar tunes (and did not continue in unfamiliar tunes). Nothing is mentioned or discovered as to what makes a familiar tune catchy, or even why the auditory cortex does remember the tunes. One fascinating result from this study is that music with text limited activities to the auditory association cortex, whereas instrumental music produced activity that spread from the auditory association cortex to the left primary auditory cortex. The authors interpret this result as showing how text provides semantic knowledge to fill in gaps, the instrumental music required more brain power to recall the missing music. This relates closely to visual imagery, happy news to Gestalt music psychologists.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Thanks for the meme
1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A SECOND HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
Either Door County, Wisconsin, or some southern locale on a private lake.
2. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLES OF CLOTHING?
Jeans and sweatshirts.
3. THE LAST CDs YOU BOUGHT?
The Ray Charles movie soundtrack (Ray’s music, not the original score music).
4. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
6:30 on weekdays, 7-7:30 on weekends.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
It varies. I was recently enamored with my new iced tea maker, and I’m happy with anything that works well (i.e., not either microwave currently).
6. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I do play an instrument, several in fact. I’m happy enough with that.
7. FAVORITE COLOR?
I don’t have a favorite color.
8. WHICH VEHICLE DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR, MOTORCYCLE, OR SUV?
I guess the sports car, though I’m happiest on my bicycle.
9. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE AFTERLIFE?
I believe that no one knows what happens after death.
10. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
Olivia, Oliva Saves the Circus, and Olivia and the Missing Toy
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Narnia series
11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
I like all the seasons, though each can get wearying by the end.
12. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
No tattoo, no piercing, I’m rather dull that way.
13. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Superspeed, or longevity. Though I see problems arising from both.
14. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
No.
15. ONE PERSON/PEOPLE FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO?
Myself at 16.
16. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED?
A cat, occasionally. Kids toys sometimes. Otherwise, nothing.
17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
Saturday.
18. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
Hamburger.
19. FROM THE PEOPLE WHO NORMALLY READ YOUR BLOG, WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
No clue. Perhaps Patty or Ruth.
20. ON WHICH BLOG DID YOU FIND THIS MEME?
terminaldegree
21. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?
Lillies
23. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL?
I don’t have favorite meals (notice a pattern?)
24. DESCRIBE YOUR PJS.
I sleep in my boxers.
25. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST?
I always need orange juice. Beyond that, I don’t have a favorite.
26. DO YOU LIKE YOUR JOB?
Yes, very much. There are some definite frustrations, but I love my students.
27. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?
A research university with small class sizes, with TAs to grade homework. A 2+2 courseload, and plenty of funding for research.
28. WHAT AGE DO YOU PLAN TO RETIRE?
Around 70.
29. WHERE DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
The trumpet studio at the University of Akron (graduate school).
30. SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT YOU HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE.
Travel to Japan and Australia; solo with an orchestra.
Either Door County, Wisconsin, or some southern locale on a private lake.
2. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLES OF CLOTHING?
Jeans and sweatshirts.
3. THE LAST CDs YOU BOUGHT?
The Ray Charles movie soundtrack (Ray’s music, not the original score music).
4. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
6:30 on weekdays, 7-7:30 on weekends.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
It varies. I was recently enamored with my new iced tea maker, and I’m happy with anything that works well (i.e., not either microwave currently).
6. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I do play an instrument, several in fact. I’m happy enough with that.
7. FAVORITE COLOR?
I don’t have a favorite color.
8. WHICH VEHICLE DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR, MOTORCYCLE, OR SUV?
I guess the sports car, though I’m happiest on my bicycle.
9. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE AFTERLIFE?
I believe that no one knows what happens after death.
10. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
Olivia, Oliva Saves the Circus, and Olivia and the Missing Toy
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Narnia series
11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
I like all the seasons, though each can get wearying by the end.
12. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
No tattoo, no piercing, I’m rather dull that way.
13. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Superspeed, or longevity. Though I see problems arising from both.
14. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
No.
15. ONE PERSON/PEOPLE FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO?
Myself at 16.
16. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED?
A cat, occasionally. Kids toys sometimes. Otherwise, nothing.
17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
Saturday.
18. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
Hamburger.
19. FROM THE PEOPLE WHO NORMALLY READ YOUR BLOG, WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
No clue. Perhaps Patty or Ruth.
20. ON WHICH BLOG DID YOU FIND THIS MEME?
terminaldegree
21. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?
Lillies
23. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL?
I don’t have favorite meals (notice a pattern?)
24. DESCRIBE YOUR PJS.
I sleep in my boxers.
25. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST?
I always need orange juice. Beyond that, I don’t have a favorite.
26. DO YOU LIKE YOUR JOB?
Yes, very much. There are some definite frustrations, but I love my students.
27. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?
A research university with small class sizes, with TAs to grade homework. A 2+2 courseload, and plenty of funding for research.
28. WHAT AGE DO YOU PLAN TO RETIRE?
Around 70.
29. WHERE DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
The trumpet studio at the University of Akron (graduate school).
30. SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT YOU HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE.
Travel to Japan and Australia; solo with an orchestra.
Going to the Dogs
When I heard the intro to this NPR story, I foolishly thought it would be an application of these ideas or at least something in this vein. Instead, I was subjected to musical swill so sugary it left me in a diabetic coma. I give Skip Haynes credit, he managed to find a market for his inane artistry. But not in this household. And for creating "Squeaky-Deakey," I can only imagine the hell that has been created for him. Probably something involving chew toys and orifices.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Songs of Earth and Sky
I discovered Native American Flutes and Music in Blogger's list of recently discovered blogs, the first time I recall a non-MP3 music blog mentioned on this list. It looks very interesting, with some beautiful pictures and links to mp3's on Scott August's professional website.
When I lived in Fargo I became friends with some members of the White Earth nation in Minnesota. I went to one of their pow wows and took part in a grass dance. It was a fun experience, especially getting to see the pow wow from the native angle: I sat with the tribe members, and joined in one of the audience circles that gathered around the various drum circles as they performed. Native Americans, especially older ones, would hold up small tape recorders to capture the drum circle performances, which I was told was for both aesthetic enjoyment and religious use. I found the circles fascinating, especially the singing styles employed. The timbre was purposely very strained, some singers even grabbing their throats to create the proper sound. Hmm, I'll have to mention that in my lecture on singing today in Psychology of Music.
When I lived in Fargo I became friends with some members of the White Earth nation in Minnesota. I went to one of their pow wows and took part in a grass dance. It was a fun experience, especially getting to see the pow wow from the native angle: I sat with the tribe members, and joined in one of the audience circles that gathered around the various drum circles as they performed. Native Americans, especially older ones, would hold up small tape recorders to capture the drum circle performances, which I was told was for both aesthetic enjoyment and religious use. I found the circles fascinating, especially the singing styles employed. The timbre was purposely very strained, some singers even grabbing their throats to create the proper sound. Hmm, I'll have to mention that in my lecture on singing today in Psychology of Music.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Shuffle genius
My iTunes has just transitioned from Wynton Marsalis playing "Chambers of Tain" from Live at Blues Alley to Wynton Marsalis conducting the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in Ellington's "Thanks for the Beautiful Land on the Delta" and now has Wynton playing the Sinfonia from Il Barcheggio by Alessandro Stradella.
Following the baroque trumpet link is the Intrada from Telemann's Concerto No. 1 for three trumpets in D, in rondo form. This is followed by Brubeck playing "Blue Rondo a la Turk," and then Charlie Parker's "Parker's Mood." I'm not sure how to link from Parker to Tannhauser's "Gar viel und schön ward hier in dieser Halle", though. I suppose Parker does resound beautifully.
Following the baroque trumpet link is the Intrada from Telemann's Concerto No. 1 for three trumpets in D, in rondo form. This is followed by Brubeck playing "Blue Rondo a la Turk," and then Charlie Parker's "Parker's Mood." I'm not sure how to link from Parker to Tannhauser's "Gar viel und schön ward hier in dieser Halle", though. I suppose Parker does resound beautifully.
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