Socionics and Music Theory
I originally posted this as a reply to a very old topic, but it seemed a bit non-sequitor. So, here goes:
I've noticed that INFps tend to approach music from a more left-brained (you could say :Fe: ) perspective, as opposed to a right-brained (you could say :Te: ) perspective. We aren't termed "The Lyricist" for nothing. When INFps approach music, they tend to observe the underlying "narrative" of a piece of music. It is a reflection of the theoretical aspect, although INFps are usually not attracted to music theory, and will almost always justify the theory as a function of a more verbal, emotional pathos. Compare this with the approach of an INTp/j musician; INTxs often observe music from the opposite standpoint - using theory as the basis for their understanding of the music. Instead of justifying the theory by means of a pathos, they will often speak of theory as existing for its own sake.
I've noticed this even in the posts of INTx musicians on the forum, Cone and theodosis among them. I've also noticed a trend while visiting conservatories last year for auditions; there seemed to greater proportion of INFps in the Voice department of the school as opposed to those studying a non-vocal instrument, such as viola, piano, etc. The instrumentalists were more generally INTxs. (Perhaps Rocky's theory of NFs having a developed verbal motor function could apply here.) I also tend to think introverted types in general produce more cerebral music; extroverts tend to think of music as more of a diversion than anything else (as background music for dances, clubs, parties, etc. or as a social occasion), and thus, are more aloof to both the theoretical (Te) and emotional (Fe) implications.
Just putting this out there...
Re: Socionics and Music Theory
i've theorized that the music one listens too the most is related to the prodominent brainwave that person has. classical music is alpha, relaxing, and supposedly brain food (i think that's bull, but that's a different story). other's need a faster beat, something in the beta rythm to get them going.
i think in pictures, and i lean on as a whole brain thinker siding more to the right. my music changes every 3 months or so. from anime, to classical with bass, to heavy metal, to trance, to whatever. something that is a little faster than my heartbeat. i go by the beat mostly. but i listen to them over and over, each time i may hear something different.
i use music to concentrate with. it focuses my attention when doing a task, like driving. as a social thing it's another distraction, and i zone out. theory being that the voices in the room are causing a chaotic theta or alpha resonance - i simply space out, i don't like the feeling.
Re: Socionics and Music Theory
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_INTJ
i've theorized that the music one listens too the most is related to the prodominent brainwave that person has. classical music is alpha, relaxing, and supposedly brain food (i think that's bull, but that's a different story). other's need a faster beat, something in the beta rythm to get them going.
Classical music is relaxing? How degrading! They've obviously ignored like... everything! It makes no sense! Do they think The Rite of Spring is relaxing? I should think not!
Anyhow, speaking of "brain food", let's talk about the Mozart effect. It's said to improve spatial awareness, and seems to decrease the incidence of seizures in some epileptics patients. The catch - the music in question has also been known to trigger seizures. Damn. At least we know that there is an effect on the temporal lobes...
Re: Socionics and Music Theory
Quote:
Originally Posted by ishysquishy
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_INTJ
i've theorized that the music one listens too the most is related to the prodominent brainwave that person has. classical music is alpha, relaxing, and supposedly brain food (i think that's bull, but that's a different story). other's need a faster beat, something in the beta rythm to get them going.
Classical music is relaxing? How degrading! They've obviously ignored like... everything! It makes no sense! Do they think
The Rite of Spring is relaxing? I should think not!
personally i never found it relaxing. i find it grates my nerves - vanessa mae, however i can stand. it has enough of a beat. but many listen and relax to it. i've actually theorized that the bach and beethoven they pump into the womb, will actually change a baby into an ADD like child. where they wanted a smart kid, they actually got a slower one, because it enhanced the right side of the brain. of course they don't really relize that it did actually make him smarter, just not in the way they wanted.
Quote:
Anyhow, speaking of "brain food", let's talk about the Mozart effect. It's said to improve spatial awareness, and seems to decrease the incidence of seizures in some epileptics patients. The catch - the music in question has also been known to trigger seizures. Damn. At least we know that there is an effect on the temporal lobes...
the right brain specializes in spatial ability, the right side is alpha. a lot of classical uses alpha, so it makes sense that classical music should enhance that side of the brain. using alpha-theta tends to clear the mind, i find that Rammstien works well for this, it relaxes me anyway.
as far as siezures go, it could make sense. the classical has a tendency to have reverberating instruments from the string line. this back and fourth frequency may be just enough to send someone over the edge. same effect happens when you place a glass by a speaker (myth busters). only in this case the mind seperates these tones and the brain waves probably go all nutty.
Re: Socionics and Music Theory
Quote:
Originally Posted by ishysquishy
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_INTJ
i've theorized that the music one listens too the most is related to the prodominent brainwave that person has. classical music is alpha, relaxing, and supposedly brain food (i think that's bull, but that's a different story). other's need a faster beat, something in the beta rythm to get them going.
Classical music is relaxing? How degrading! They've obviously ignored like... everything! It makes no sense! Do they think
The Rite of Spring is relaxing? I should think not!
Thanks, Ishy, for saying what I was thinking. It's a sad state of matters when centuries of serious development, training, not to mention blood, sweat, and a great many tears are reduced to nothing more than elevator music.
Re: Socionics and Music Theory
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_INTJ
as far as siezures go, it could make sense. the classical has a tendency to have reverberating instruments from the string line. this back and fourth frequency may be just enough to send someone over the edge. same effect happens when you place a glass by a speaker (myth busters). only in this case the mind seperates these tones and the brain waves probably go all nutty.
Well, it's not quite what I meant. Some people just have auditory/musical triggers for seizures. It's very common, because the auditory cortex, the limbic system, and most structures associated with listening to music are in the temporal lobes - both the most easily damaged and the most epileptic region of the brain.
Vibrato is common (particularly the vibrato used by singers, me - I don't usually have problems with strings unless they are playing Strauss or something from the Romantic era which stylistically demands the type of vibrato which sends me over the edge). However, my biggest seizure issue isn't actually vibrato, it's rhythm. Vibrato and reverberation doesn't invariably set me off, but a metronome will (except between 50-58 bpm, above and below those tempi will invariably produce an aura, though not always a loss of consciousness).
My triggers seem to be fairly specific. They need to be specific volume and timbre. For percussion, it needs to be a specific tempo and "degree of percussiveness" (a metronome in another room will be ok but not in the same room as me). For vibrato - specific speeds and how wide/narrow it is. Some triggers need to be repetitious (Terry Riley's "In C" will do it with the repeated C's on the piano). Different instruments have different thresholds and slightly different "requirements" for them to trigger anything.
Re: Socionics and Music Theory
Quote:
Originally Posted by ishysquishy
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_INTJ
i've theorized that the music one listens too the most is related to the prodominent brainwave that person has. classical music is alpha, relaxing, and supposedly brain food (i think that's bull, but that's a different story). other's need a faster beat, something in the beta rythm to get them going.
Classical music is relaxing? How degrading! They've obviously ignored like... everything! It makes no sense! Do they think
The Rite of Spring is relaxing? I should think not!
I should probably clarify what I meant here...
I don't find music relaxing. I think if you found music relaxing you musn't be fully appreciating it. Music to me is very stimulating (some are over-stimulating and send me into an obsessive-compulsive frenzy which is quite unpleasant. Ironically, it's usually "mediation music" that does it).
Music is so complex, even one tone has so much within it, it boggles the mind. There is always something new to hear, something you didn't notice the last time you listened. There is always something new to feel, always a new thought to have. Music is so exciting and inspiring, how could one possibly relax?
I tell you this - if someone said the way I played was "relaxing", I would seriously rethink my interpretation. If someone said Bach was "relaxing", I would be offended on his behalf. If someone said The Rite of Spring was "relaxing", I would be gravely concerned!