Entry #6: Musical Effects

     Have you ever listened to a piece of music with a particularly happy or sad tone to it, which also ends up affecting your overall mood? You don't even need to be able to relate to the overall message or underlying meaning of the piece to have particular emotions evoked. These are called perceived emotions. Music, with the help and use of perceived emotions, is a powerful tool used in communication pertaining to emotional capacity, but it's not limited to just that. For example, take a young man or woman who had gone through a heart-wrenching break up recently. This person may choose to listen to sad or relatable songs about the break-up to better cope with the situation, and to prepare to move on. Or, happier songs may be chosen instead, to uplift and encourage the saddened individual. Music often tells a story. If you don't believe or understand what I am even saying, let us try a little experiment- but with instrumentals instead!

    Listen to this first, and pay attention to what you feel throughout the duration of the instrumental. You may listen to it on your own, or as you read this paragraph, because I will help guide you (I am only telling you what you should be feeling, not what you have to feel). Firstly, the very beginning of the instrumental has a very fantasy-like element to it, and it even sounds a bit upbeat, but within that, we can also hear a sorrowful tone. This feeling of sorrow is built upon in the next section, which slows down the tempo, allowing the feeling of sadness to kick in. Then we can hear the pace pick up a bit as it builds up and transitions into a different sound. This new sound offers a new feeling, a happier and chirpy sound, as it builds up even further. Once we get to the beat drop, everything cuts out momentarily, and then an orchestral-like piece begins. But if you listen closely, this piece sounds slightly messy and a bit distorted-like as well. Since it sounds happier, we get the satisfaction of a preppy feeling, but through the distorted twist to it, we can also hear that something is not right. There is something else going on in the story the song tells, which ties back and references the sadder tones in the beginning. As this orchestral piece nears its end, we get a more ominous tone as well, it has a kind of haunting feel to it. We are happy, but perhaps that happiness it misplaced. After this, the music once again cuts out momentarily and transitions into the familiar opening sound. Reminding us that something is wrong. This transition, in turn, transitions into a different sound, which is slower and more rhythm-like. This new tempo sounds very lonely and sorrowful, almost like it wants us to feel the pain of loss. then it picks up and dives into a more preppy tone once again, with a bit of guitar added in. The effect of this guitar amplifies the loneliness of the piece, on top of what is supposed to be the "happier" part of the song. next, we get the distorted and ominous orchestral piece come back once more, which plays into a real orchestra sound which ends in a sorrowful sounding violin. All throughout, we are hinted that there is something more to this false happiness that we have felt. Then the tempo slows to allow a piano to come through and build upon the sadness. After the piano, an electric guitar can be heard which kicks up the whole piece and has us end with what is supposed to be a "false" feeling of happiness and upbeat attitude. The whole instrumental ends with a soft and beautiful strum, once again, begging the question, "are you really happy, or have you deceived yourself?"

    I get the impression that the first instrumental we listened to was too difficult and complex to prove my point. The first one obviously had a story to it, so now, let's listen to something more simple and cut straight from the cloth that evokes emotion. Right from the get-go, we can hear that the melody is much softer and subtle than the one before. The combination of soft piano and acoustic guitar help set the mood in the beginning. It sounds like a Winter song. At about the 1:13 mark, a new and serene sound is introduced that resonates well with the established tempo. It is very calming and soothing to hear. At the 2:09 mark, the slow beat is picked up a little, and the addition of a "soft" electric guitar is incorporated and played with the beautiful sound from before. The piece ends with the same sequence that was played in the beginning. Surely, this instrumental is guaranteed to soothe even the most angered and disturbed individuals with its beautiful and soft and angelic sound. Might I dare say, it can even put your foes to sleep feeling happier and satisfied. 

    I may or may not have done a good job explaining my point, so if you felt something different or have additional insight to offer than what I had mentioned before, please let me know!