“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
- Aldous Huxley
We listen to different forms of music in different environments. Music is played at coffee shops, lounges, malls and even in an aircraft during the boarding process. All forms of music appear to have their own sweet effect.
We listen to different forms of music in different environments. Music is played at coffee shops, lounges, malls and even in an aircraft during the boarding process. All forms of music appear to have their own sweet effect.
- Music amplifies joy. A good mix by Armin Van Buuren or Enigma made late night drives in the empty streets of Pune much more fun.
- Music is a catalyst. It helps accelerate. Beats by David Guetta or Usher used to cause revelers in the night clubs dance harder.
- Music mitigates monotony. Nothing would compare to the Beach Lounge Mix by Tekiu (being played in low volume of course) when drafting that dissertation report.
- Music motivates. It provides the occasional boost. "Lord give me a sign" by DMX is an excellent number to listen to while sweating it out it the gym.
Can music be something more? Specifically, can music without any lyrics still convey?
I selected a pleasant track and tried to figure out what kind of thoughts it induced. Having a couple of pints before starting any task like this is always useful. This was the track I tried to perceive:
Since perceptions vary, this track may create an entirely different impression in the mind of some other listener. What follows is what I felt:
Dissection of the track:
There is nothing unique about the first 30 seconds. Numerous trance and chill out tracks seem to have this kind of a start.
The part between 00:30 and 01:00 uniquely characterizes this track. This tune continues in the background, more or less throughout the rest of the track, with very slight modulation. The high tempo of this tune made me picture the high pace, hectic, frustrating and sometimes monotonous city life that some young professionals may connect to. This tune seems to lower down by 01:34, very much like the way people tend to get bored with the same job over a period of time, at which point some of them may look at options like switching to some other firm or pursuing post graduation.
Between 01:45 and 02:20, a new tune comes in and overlaps the background tune. The tempo of this new tune is lower and it is more dominant than the background tune. This new tune has a higher pitch and is more pleasing to listen to. Reminded me of how one needs to let go of anxieties and tensions at times and just do something to lighten up. Go on a long drive, take a vacation, work on the garden, go to the park and watch the little kids play or better yet, behave like a kid. Take it easy. Take a break.
After 02:20, the background tune picks up again but the way it is modulated changes after 03:06, making it sound more pleasing. Another low tempo background tune comes up at 03:35 and continues till 04:23. This blending of tunes seems to suggest that even after taking a break, the stresses associated with life as a professional may not fade off completely, but their effects can definitely reduce.
Hereafter, the original background tune gradually comes back and continues almost till the end of the track. I guess this indicates that time has come for another break.
Verdict:
With great posts in great companies come great chances of dealing with a stressful life. Before the stress gets a chance to become too much, take a break, it does not matter whether long or short, just take a break and unwind.
Dissection of the track:
There is nothing unique about the first 30 seconds. Numerous trance and chill out tracks seem to have this kind of a start.
The part between 00:30 and 01:00 uniquely characterizes this track. This tune continues in the background, more or less throughout the rest of the track, with very slight modulation. The high tempo of this tune made me picture the high pace, hectic, frustrating and sometimes monotonous city life that some young professionals may connect to. This tune seems to lower down by 01:34, very much like the way people tend to get bored with the same job over a period of time, at which point some of them may look at options like switching to some other firm or pursuing post graduation.
Between 01:45 and 02:20, a new tune comes in and overlaps the background tune. The tempo of this new tune is lower and it is more dominant than the background tune. This new tune has a higher pitch and is more pleasing to listen to. Reminded me of how one needs to let go of anxieties and tensions at times and just do something to lighten up. Go on a long drive, take a vacation, work on the garden, go to the park and watch the little kids play or better yet, behave like a kid. Take it easy. Take a break.
After 02:20, the background tune picks up again but the way it is modulated changes after 03:06, making it sound more pleasing. Another low tempo background tune comes up at 03:35 and continues till 04:23. This blending of tunes seems to suggest that even after taking a break, the stresses associated with life as a professional may not fade off completely, but their effects can definitely reduce.
Hereafter, the original background tune gradually comes back and continues almost till the end of the track. I guess this indicates that time has come for another break.
Verdict:
With great posts in great companies come great chances of dealing with a stressful life. Before the stress gets a chance to become too much, take a break, it does not matter whether long or short, just take a break and unwind.
