Heroes of Might and Magic Community
visiting hero! Register | Today's Posts | Games | Search! | FAQ/Rules | AvatarList | MemberList | Profile


Age of Heroes Headlines:  
5 Oct 2016: Heroes VII development comes to an end.. - read more
6 Aug 2016: Troubled Heroes VII Expansion Release - read more
26 Apr 2016: Heroes VII XPack - Trial by Fire - Coming out in June! - read more
17 Apr 2016: Global Alternative Creatures MOD for H7 after 1.8 Patch! - read more
7 Mar 2016: Romero launches a Piano Sonata Album Kickstarter! - read more
19 Feb 2016: Heroes 5.5 RC6, Heroes VII patch 1.7 are out! - read more
13 Jan 2016: Horn of the Abyss 1.4 Available for Download! - read more
17 Dec 2015: Heroes 5.5 update, 1.6 out for H7 - read more
23 Nov 2015: H7 1.4 & 1.5 patches Released - read more
31 Oct 2015: First H7 patches are out, End of DoC development - read more
5 Oct 2016: Heroes VII development comes to an end.. - read more
[X] Remove Ads
LOGIN:     Username:     Password:         [ Register ]
HOMM1: info forum | HOMM2: info forum | HOMM3: info mods forum | HOMM4: info CTG forum | HOMM5: info mods forum | MMH6: wiki forum | MMH7: wiki forum
Heroes Community > Other Side of the Monitor > Thread: What does MUSIC mean to you?
Thread: What does MUSIC mean to you? This thread is 4 pages long: 1 2 3 4 · «PREV / NEXT»
TheDeath
TheDeath


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
with serious business
posted June 28, 2009 05:02 PM
Edited by TheDeath at 17:08, 28 Jun 2009.

Quote:
But like vocal songs need lyrics, don't movie/game soundtracks require, well.... the movie or the game to express themselves ?

In this sense, they do need spoken language.


In fact I would say that soundtracks are far less suited to 'stand on their own' than regular individual songs.
Poor soundtracks yes.
I already said that. If the soundtrack makes you somewhat "feel" the stuff that happens in the movie without seeing the movie -- then that's a piece of art.

Same for other music -- except that instead of 'movie' you can put there the story or whatever the music is about.

EDIT: Lyrics are less of an art in music, because then, they are more like a poem. A peom CAN be an art -- I agree, the lyrics can be considered an art. But not music, maybe a poem (of course, depends on singer -- if he/she sings good then it is also good music; this does not apply to rap though, sorry Will ).

So saying "this music is a piece of art" when only the lyrics are isn't accurate. You can say "the lyrics/poem is a piece of art".




EDIT2: What about epic "trailer" music then?
____________
The above post is subject to SIRIOUSness.
No jokes were harmed during the making of this signature.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
william
william


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
LummoxLewis
posted June 28, 2009 05:32 PM

Lyrics aren't necessarily a poem. I'd say it's more of a story, for most songs anyway. There are songs about somebodies life or experiences in their life and that is telling a story. While lyrics may not be an art, it definitely helps in the appeal of the song, far more than non-lyrical songs, imo.
____________
~Ticking away the moments that
make up a dull day, Fritter and
waste the hours in an off-hand
way~

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
TheDeath
TheDeath


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
with serious business
posted June 28, 2009 05:47 PM

Who said peoms can't have a story?
And 2nd, if the lyrics are the main thing that make you feel the story/whatever it is about, then the art is in the peom/lyrics, not music.
____________
The above post is subject to SIRIOUSness.
No jokes were harmed during the making of this signature.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
william
william


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
LummoxLewis
posted June 28, 2009 05:50 PM

Most songs I know aren't poems and are stories. I never said that stories can't be poems, foo.

For most songs (lyrical) the art is, imo, 50% lyrics and 50% music and obviously 100% for non lyrical songs. The lyrics and sounds make me feel what I do feel (emotions) not just lyrics alone.
____________
~Ticking away the moments that
make up a dull day, Fritter and
waste the hours in an off-hand
way~

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Fauch
Fauch


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
posted June 28, 2009 07:12 PM

I usually listen to music for entertainement.
currently I mostly listen the soundtracks from god of war 1 and 2 and FF12. god of war soundtracks sound epic, while FF12 has more relaxing soundtracks.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
blizzardboy
blizzardboy


Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Nerf Herder
posted June 28, 2009 09:09 PM
Edited by blizzardboy at 21:27, 28 Jun 2009.

I think of music as an accompaniment to many other things in life, since I rarely only listen to music (although I'm starting to do that more and more often these days). It makes most things in life more colorful when you add it in: movies, meals, video games, running, bathing/showering, etc... If all those other things are dishes in a meal, then music is like a salt to sprinkle on top of them. It hasn't played a major role in any area of my life, but it has played a minor role in almost all areas of my life.

I was in band so it's pretty blasphemous for me to say that


 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
william
william


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
LummoxLewis
posted June 29, 2009 09:17 AM bonus applied by Mytical on 29 Jun 2009.
Edited by Mytical at 09:28, 29 Jun 2009.

Okay, I know I've already been in this thread and made some brief points about what music means to  me but I think I'll expand on it a bit.

In a nutshell, music is one of the driving forces in peoples lives, in my opinion. It can bring joy, sadness, anger, love etc. Perhaps they evoke certain moods depending on occurrences in ones life, perhaps a song was playing on the radio on a honeymoon or on your first date and that's associated with love, or perhaps a song was playing when you were at your most depressed self or perhaps certain songs for happiness such as a wedding or something. Music can do so much to a person, and it does so much to me. I often turn to music when I'm feeling angry or sad/depressed because it helps. Sometimes I go for instrumental songs and other times I go for lyrical songs, both can help depending on the situation. More often than not, lyrical songs help me more nowadays, especially since I've expanded my music collection a lot and because I've found a lot of songs that I can connect with past incidents in my life. Some 70's and 80's songs remind me of my childhood, even though I was not born in the 70's or 80's but the songs remind me of childhood because they were playing on the radio a lot or my parents listened to them. I guess I have my parents to thank, mostly my dad, because without them then I probably wouldn't have got into so many bands, most notably, Tangerine Dream and the Beatles. I also have some online friends to thank as well, in particular, Guitarguy, for getting me heavily addicted to Depeche Mode, a band of which have many good songs that help me when I'm depressed mainly because I can connect with the lyrics.

That's the good thing about songs that include lyrics. More often than not, you can identify with them, with your own life, and that in turn means something to you and can help in a way, like it helps me and countless other people I know. Instrumental music can evoke certain emotions as well. Most notably, movie soundtracks. I say this because movie soundtracks are meant to convey what is happening on the screen for example, a person may have died so the music might be down-tempo, slow and with some classical instruments (most of the time) such as the piano or strings. Those two instruments both on their own and played together are very powerful and can evoke many emotions. Is it no wonder that most love songs have the piano and/or strings as the main instruments? It's because it gives you that feeling. It's hard to explain but it just does something, to me at least, that makes me feel happy inside.

Music means that much to me that I listen to it every day. I have to be in a certain mood to listen to particular songs, but most of the time, rock, synthpop and love songs I can usually listen to over and over again, regardless of my mood. What I like about music is that it is often unpredictable, and most good songs should be unpredictable and not follow the same format as most other songs. It's these things that make music just that extra bit special because you never know what may happen. These days, though, that isn't exactly the case. We have a lot of crap these days with most lyrical songs, with the likes of Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and countless others which just make me sick. The songs, in my opinion, are not good at all. Over the years, I think music has evolved in a bad way, it's lost that something special which most older songs have. That's originality, creative and accessability. For me, music needs to be original because that just adds to the appeal of it. It also needs to be creative which, again, adds to the appeal of it and it also needs to be accessible. I don't particlarly like songs which are hard to get into and I need to listen to them over and over again until I finally build up some kind of appreciation for them. Songs need to have that special something that attracts the listener on the first listen. That's what makes great songs and I think that's what has been lost over all these years.

I guess the same can't be said for instrumental music because that's been steady over the years, in my opinion. Movie soundtracks are better than ever (although I'm still biased towards older movie soundtracks ), but they are doing good. They haven't lost that spark which makes them good. This also, in a way, applies to Game soundtracks, although I think these days, the game developers spend more time on the graphics and not so much on the music, which is a great shame. This isn't always the case, however, since some newer games have both good graphics and fantastic music, like Fable for instance (that's the first one that popped into my mind). I do like the older game soundtracks, notably the DOS game soundtracks because that was more original, in my opinion, and much easier to get into and more importantly, it was catchy. I find great enjoyment in getting to a boss stage and having this really kickarse music in the background. It just hypes me up and I get totally immersed in it, which is, obviously, a good thing.

I listen to 60's, 70's and 80's, mostly, and most of the songs in this timerange will always be timeless classics and can't be replaced. Music is most definitely an art and it will always hold a place in me.

To expand on the fact that sounds can evoke emotions, let me just give you a few quotes regarding certain chord structures and keys:

G Minor

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart considered G minor the key most suitable for expressing sadness and tragedy, and many of his minor key works are in G minor, such as the Piano Quartet No. 1 and the String Quintet in G minor. Though Mozart touched on various minor keys in his symphonies, G minor is the only minor key he used as a main key for his numbered symphonies (No. 25, and the famous No. 40). In the Classical period, symphonies in G minor almost always used four horns, two in G and two in B-flat alto. Another convention of G minor symphonies observed in Mozart's No. 25 was the choice of E flat major for the slow movement, with other examples including Haydn's No. 39 and Vanhal's G minor symphony from before 1771 (Bryan Gm1).

B Flat-Minor

B-flat minor is traditionally a 'dark' key." Some important oboe solos in this key in the orchestral literature include the second movement of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, which depicts "the feeling that you get when you are all alone", in Tchaikovsky's words. Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 is also in B-flat minor.

The old valveless horn was barely capable of playing in B-flat minor; the only example found in 18th century music is a modulation that occurs in the first minuet of Franz Krommer's Concertino in D major, Opus 80


D Flat-Major

Hector Berlioz called this key "majestic" in his 1856 Grand Traité d'Instrumentation et d'Orchestration modernes, while having a much different opinion of its enharmonic counterpart. Charles-Marie Widor considered D-flat major to be the best key for flute music.

With this key being relatively unexplored during the Baroque and Classical periods, Franz Schubert used it quite frequently in his sets of ecossaises, valses and so on.


E Major

Only two of Haydn's 104 symphonies are in E major, No. 12 and No. 29. Even in the 19th Century, symphonies in this key were rare, with Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 being one of very few examples (see list of symphonies in E major). For Bruckner, "the key of E major is frequently associated with music of contemplation."

D Minor

J. S. Bach's entire The Art of Fugue is in D minor and, jokingly, so is P. D. Q. Bach's Musical Sacrifice. According to Alfred Einstein, the history of tuning has led D minor to be associated with counterpoint and chromaticism (for example, the chromatic fourth), and cites Mozart's chromatic Fugue in D minor. Mozart's Requiem is also written primarily in D minor. Of the two piano concertos that Mozart wrote in a minor key, one of them is in D minor, No. 20, K. 466. Sibelius's Violin Concerto is in D minor as is Schumann's, although many of the best-known violin concertos are written in D major.

...

Nigel Tufnel of the fictitious band Spinal Tap facetiously believes that D minor is "really the saddest of all keys," and that when a musician begins to play in D minor, "everyone instantly starts weeping".


Wonderful post (and informative now!), keep up the good work - Mytical
____________
~Ticking away the moments that
make up a dull day, Fritter and
waste the hours in an off-hand
way~

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
alcibiades
alcibiades


Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
of Gold Dragons
posted June 29, 2009 09:40 AM

Nice post Will.

Could you possibly link to YouTube clips or something of piece of music in these different keys to compare?
____________
What will happen now?

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | PP | Quote Reply | Link
Doomforge
Doomforge


Admirable
Undefeatable Hero
Retired Hero
posted June 29, 2009 09:48 AM

Music is inspirational.

A nice mood amplifier too.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
william
william


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
LummoxLewis
posted June 29, 2009 09:53 AM

Thanks. And sure. Here is what I could find:

G Minor:

String Quintet in G minor
Mozarts Symphony no 40 - 1st movement

B Flat-Minor:

Arthur Rubinstein - Frederic Chopin Piano Sonata No 2 3/3
Marche Slave Op. 31

D Flat-Major:

Tchaikowsky - Piano Concerto no. 1

E Major:

Bruckner Symphony No 7 in E major

D Minor:

Mozarts Requiem Mass in D Minor I - Introitus and Kyrie

I think these should be the right videos inthe right keys I specified above. I'm nearly on dial up so I'm not able to properly check at the moment.
____________
~Ticking away the moments that
make up a dull day, Fritter and
waste the hours in an off-hand
way~

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
JollyJoker
JollyJoker


Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
posted June 29, 2009 09:59 AM

It was mentioned here that movie soundtracks should express what is happening on screen.
There is, of course, music - songs - where the music refleczs what is sung. As the first example that comes to mind I name a song that someone else has mentioned in this thread: "Live Forever" by Oasis. If you don't know, check it out, listen to the text and let the music draw you in. Great.

For chord structures and keys it's difficult to find contemporary examples: even if it is known that a certain song is played in a certain key the recording you can listening to on youtube may be off half a note or even more, and musicians have been known to tune their instruments higher or lower.

Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor is an example for a song not (primarily) sad. It's more majestic, I'd say.
Personally I love the minor-7 keys.

Then there is virtuosity. While it is interesting that very simple songs can be extremely captivating on a basic level, virtuosity of play is some thing else. For example this Blues:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcxvhR8D1d4

By the way, make a guess how old the guy is or was when he played that. Answer: 55. Had you guessed that?

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
TitaniumAlloy
TitaniumAlloy


Honorable
Legendary Hero
Professional
posted June 29, 2009 12:09 PM

Quote:

EDIT: Lyrics are less of an art in music, because then, they are more like a poem. A peom CAN be an art -- I agree, the lyrics can be considered an art. But not music, maybe a poem (of course, depends on singer -- if he/she sings good then it is also good music; this does not apply to rap though, sorry Will ).

So saying "this music is a piece of art" when only the lyrics are isn't accurate. You can say "the lyrics/poem is a piece of art".


Now it boils down to an argument (discussion?) over "what is art" which i've heard many times and I think is a rather pointless one because ultimately art is subjective so if someone thinks that eating a dead goat painted rainbow is art then good luck to him.
____________
John says to live above hell.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | PP | Quote Reply | Link
Corribus
Corribus

Hero of Order
The Abyss Staring Back at You
posted June 29, 2009 04:15 PM

I always liked C# minor.
____________
I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. -Mitch Hedberg

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
TheDeath
TheDeath


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
with serious business
posted June 29, 2009 05:06 PM

Quote:
Now it boils down to an argument (discussion?) over "what is art" which i've heard many times and I think is a rather pointless one because ultimately art is subjective so if someone thinks that eating a dead goat painted rainbow is art then good luck to him.
I explained why this would be art. Because music is a language. If you need english to express the emotions, then you use less musical art language. Mind you, many music with lyrics doesn't use plain english but sung english... however rap does

Most times I prefer instrumental or symphonic music for the reason that they face the challenge to use ONLY musical art language to be expressive -- sure there are tons which I don't like because they don't evoke anything in me. This is subjective, but the definition I said, hopefully makes sense not just "it is my opinion" without explanation. (the instruments do not matter, as long as it is expressive).

Myself, I prefer the A minor scale. Just because it is less cheerful and more sad/dark in a way. Also because I like sad music more than cheerful music. i think they are more emotional.

I also like so-called "epic music" (from trailers etc). There is also epic music which has NOT been used in trailers much, or at least I never seen the trailer... I have a vague remembrance that it has, but I don't think so.

Example: here for those interested. (quality sucks tho, HCM me if you want it )
____________
The above post is subject to SIRIOUSness.
No jokes were harmed during the making of this signature.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Fauch
Fauch


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
posted June 30, 2009 12:28 AM

is music the most inspiring art form to most people?

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Warmonger
Warmonger


Promising
Legendary Hero
fallen artist
posted July 03, 2009 09:10 PM

Quote:
What does MUSIC mean to you?

Everything! Music is the essence of existence. Every action is inspired by a music and every deed leads to improving music experience. Both for me and for my listeners, also victims unaware of what trance is

Music is the bets way to express feelings or ideas and share them with other people. One may don't like to read Wittgenstein, but play him appriopate track instead and he will be able to understand its message. It's so much convenient and easier, helps when words can't carry thoughts.

I think through the music. About it, because of it, for it. Music is the universal languagae. For a large group people it's even Universal Religion
Every track carries it's own feeling and brings back certain memories. As undispensable part of life, the music tells its stroy. It's a huge part of story itself. Changes mood, inspire, force to activity and change, but also restores balance - both inner and global.

I became a DJ as were not satisfied with commercial crap beeing played over and over on random discos organized by amateurs just to satisfy a crowd for a moment. Music should be perceived as art, concjunction of ideal form with fresh idea. A little harmony brought to out chaotic life and uncertainity. Spontaneous, yet perfect. Crossing current boundaries of imagination and understanding.
People need something extraordinary to live. Life is not complete if we live it only in physical form.

Apart form this bullsnow, tune in for the selection of best trance every Sunday 8pm CET on pure.fm

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Fauch
Fauch


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
posted July 03, 2009 10:17 PM

some of you really live for music!

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Corribus
Corribus

Hero of Order
The Abyss Staring Back at You
posted July 03, 2009 11:31 PM

Quote:
is music the most inspiring art form to most people?

That sort of depends on what you mean by "inspiring", but no, I'd have to award that honor to literature.  

But music is still pretty great.
____________
I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. -Mitch Hedberg

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Mytical
Mytical


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Chaos seeking Harmony
posted July 04, 2009 06:45 AM

Music has been around for about as long as speech.  Maybe a bit earlier, maybe a bit later, we may never know.  Around the same time, however.  It inspires us, motivates us, and even can influence our actions.  It can sooth the savage beast, or drive them into a frenzy when needed.  Music can ease the pain of death, or celebrate the joy of life.

Music speaks directly to our soul (or subconscious if you don't believe in a soul).  Even horrible music, which can drive us to silence it .  Life is music, from the sounds of birds, to the symphony of horns (of vehicles).  If you enjoy a peace of music it doesn't matter who made it, what others think of it.  If it is popular, or hated.  Embrace it, enjoy it.
____________
Message received.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | PP | Quote Reply | Link
TheDeath
TheDeath


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
with serious business
posted July 04, 2009 07:50 PM

Actually I find it kind of a wonder that the laws of physics allow instruments to generate harmonics (all other frequencies are insignificant and chaotic, thus not amplified) so they are pleasant to the ear, otherwise we would hear noise.

(however, white noise is pleasant, but random noise is not).
____________
The above post is subject to SIRIOUSness.
No jokes were harmed during the making of this signature.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Jump To: « Prev Thread . . . Next Thread » This thread is 4 pages long: 1 2 3 4 · «PREV / NEXT»
Post New Poll    Post New Topic    Post New Reply

Page compiled in 0.1007 seconds