arthurhenry Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Do you see notes as colours? I've spoken to other musicians who do and some who don't have a clue what I'm on about! For me: E is yellow F Grey F# Sandy G Green G# Greeny turquoise A Browny red A# Dark grey B Blue C Green C# Bluey turquoise D Red D# ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M4L666 Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 You have synthesisia. You lucky bastard, that's awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huw Foster Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 (edited) Yup that definitely sounds like synesthesia - a condition that involves the senses merging in varying ways. I think seeing sound as colours is one of the more common aspects of it (well, relatively speaking of course!). Very interesting subject IMO. I believe I'm right in saying Miles Davis had it? Edited February 17, 2010 by Huwberry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash_sak Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='arthurhenry' post='748297' date='Feb 17 2010, 12:23 PM']Do you see notes as colours? I've spoken to other musicians who do and some who don't have a clue what I'm on about! For me: E is yellow F Grey F# Sandy G Green G# Greeny turquoise A Browny red A# Dark grey B Blue C Green C# Bluey turquoise D Red D# ?[/quote] That is quite cool, to me anyway but at the same time i dont have it so it might be an annoying affliction. If you wanna read about it then either check out synesthesia online or read Musicophilia - Oliver Sacks (great book) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 No, not me. I think that form of synaesthesia's quite rare, compared to things like letters or numbers (or days of the week) having colours. That said, I do get a sensation of different "tones" and "feelings" (bright, dark, happy, strident, etc.) from different chords and keys, which apparently not everyone has. In fact, I agree with Nigel Tufnel that D minor is the saddest of all keys. No, seriously. An A major chord's bright and open to me, whereas Eb major's kind of solemnly smug. D minor's really sad, but A minor's just wistful. Hard to describe, but really useful at times. Chord extensions give me different sensations too (and usually combined with the associated feeling for the base chord too): maj7 = light, open, floating min7 = dense, thick, dark sus = sparkling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peted Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I don't have a clue what you're on about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 That's interesting. I can't see the notes as colours but I'm happier with the concept of identifying them as colours rather than alphabet letters. I shall tell the guitarist. "This new song goes maroon - red - yellow" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 A very good friend of mine has synesthesia, she sees different phonetic groupings in words as different colors! My partner's name is a lovely green colour to her apparently, which made my partners day as that would be her favoutite color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurhenry Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='peted' post='748317' date='Feb 17 2010, 12:36 PM']I don't have a clue what you're on about [/quote] I don't see a stream of colours when I'm playing or listening. It's just that each note has an inherent colour and as mentioned above, character for me. It dosn't bother me at all - it's "just there." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash_sak Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='arthurhenry' post='748323' date='Feb 17 2010, 12:39 PM']I don't see a stream of colours when I'm playing or listening. It's just that each note has an inherent colour and as mentioned above, character for me. It dosn't bother me at all - it's "just there."[/quote] I think the non-synaesthesiacs like to imagine it to be much more of a psychadelic experience (at least, i know i do). So long as it doesn't bother you though then that's good. I still advise you read Musicophilia, it's a pretty damn good book (That goes for everyone) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbird13 Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 (edited) funny you posted this - I dont see notes as colours but feel that they have a colour , if that makes sense, and G definitely feels green and E yellow but I feel A to be a stronger red. It only becomes apparent when I'm doing scales or listening to something in isolation so its not much use really Edited February 17, 2010 by thunderbird13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='ash_sak' post='748337' date='Feb 17 2010, 12:49 PM']I still advise you read Musicophilia, it's a pretty damn good book (That goes for everyone)[/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMX Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Interesting. I don't see colours, but in my head I can see an ascending line or descending, depending on the direction of the bassline. If you get me. Probably not unusual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 (edited) [quote name='HMX' post='748484' date='Feb 17 2010, 02:23 PM']Interesting. I don't see colours, but in my head I can see an ascending line or descending, depending on the direction of the bassline. If you get me. Probably not unusual.[/quote] No I don;t see notes as colours. My band might say I don't see them as notes either Edited February 17, 2010 by fatback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 (edited) [quote name='BottomEndian' post='748316' date='Feb 17 2010, 12:35 PM']That said, I do get a sensation of different "tones" and "feelings" (bright, dark, happy, strident, etc.) from different chords and keys, which apparently not everyone has.[/quote] Me too. Certain chords definitely have a character of their own. Bm = Disappointed CMaj = Thrifty G7 = Impulsive yet strangely remorseful afterwards A Aug = Roaring drunk on Schnapps Dm7 = Bi-curious F9 = Soulful, likes country walks and evenings in by the fire, would love to have kids Edited February 17, 2010 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathpanda Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I have always subconsciously thought of the notes as colours, like when I was first learning back in black on the guitar I thought of the chords as different colours. I don't think I have whatever this thing is though, it only ever works when I'm not thinking about it, but now that I know it exists, it will probably never happen again. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='748497' date='Feb 17 2010, 02:33 PM']Dm7 = Bi-curious[/quote] Bi-curious!? Sir, Dm7 is gayer than Liberace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu-khag Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I visualise notes as colours, but I can't actually see the colours. Instruments have colours also, havent done it for a while but when I used to map out tracks when recording onto a computer, each instrument track had a designated colour that had to be my way. If it was different, I'd swear it would sound wrong. I never mention this to people as it just makes me look mad. (probably explains why Ive never owned a bass or a guitar that isnt red or sunburst.) With drum rhythms I can draw the patterns on paper as well, couldnt tell you what the time signature is but I can draw a scrawly picture of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmaxblues Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I always see music as shapes - what does that say about me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='vmaxblues' post='748616' date='Feb 17 2010, 04:23 PM']I always see music as shapes - what does that say about me?[/quote] It says lay off the blotters for a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='arthurhenry' post='748297' date='Feb 17 2010, 12:23 PM']Do you see notes as colours? I've spoken to other musicians who do and some who don't have a clue what I'm on about! For me: E is yellow F Grey F# Sandy G Green G# Greeny turquoise A Browny red A# Dark grey B Blue C Green C# Bluey turquoise D Red D# ?[/quote] Fabulous! Does this also mean you have perfect pitch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbird13 Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='silddx' post='748623' date='Feb 17 2010, 04:26 PM']Fabulous! Does this also mean you have perfect pitch?[/quote] No but he does have 20 20 vision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash_sak Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='thunderbird13' post='748626' date='Feb 17 2010, 04:31 PM']No but he does have 20 20 vision [/quote] on a serious note: What if you're colour blind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.i.stein Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='silddx' post='748623' date='Feb 17 2010, 04:26 PM']Fabulous! Does this also mean you have perfect pitch?[/quote] you beat me to it. i'm trying to 'learn' perfect pitch at the moment. some people say it can't be done, others disagree. i have a friend with synaesthesia. he sees shapes when tasting. he makes wonderful beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 [quote name='M4L666' post='748303' date='Feb 17 2010, 12:26 PM']You have synthesisia. You lucky bastard, that's awesome![/quote] +1! Very cool if you've got it (at least, those who don't have it want to have it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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