Știința din spatele muzicii | Marius Moga | TEDxCluj

Introduction

• Music has the power to give us energy and can even heal us in places where medicine cannot, as stated in a quote that music heals us in places where medicine cannot reach (1m21s).
• There are four main ideas about music: it is an art, an industry, a science, and a medicine (1m37s).
• Music is an art because it can be understood differently by each person, and it is a way to explore our inner selves, just like looking at a painting where everyone sees something different (2m10s).
• Creating art through music can be challenging because it may not resonate with the public, and the artist may face criticism or disinterest (2m28s).
• Music as an industry views music as a commercial product, where it is created to sell and make a profit, and this type of music may not resonate with everyone (3m15s).
• Commercial music is still music, even if it does not resonate with some people, and it has its own audience and purpose (3m35s).
• The music industry is a significant part of our daily lives, with music being present in various aspects of our daily routines (3m46s).
• The speaker proposes to explore these four ideas about music in more depth, discussing how music affects us and its role in our lives (1m44s).

Music as Science

• Musicians often make calculations when creating music, even if they don't explicitly state them, as seen in the work of Max Martin and Desmond Child, who wrote songs for artists like Bon Jovi and Aerosmith (3m53s).
• The idea that creating a hit song is just a matter of luck is incorrect, and there must be some underlying calculations at play, which is why the title of this talk is "The Science Behind Music" (4m21s).
• The human body has a heart that responds to music by changing its pulse rate, and a brain that breaks down melodies into smaller parts that are understood subconsciously (4m29s).
• Music has three main elements: rhythm, melody, and lyrics, with rhythm being handled by the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement (4m51s).
• The cerebellum is responsible for counting the rhythm of music, and can become confused when a producer introduces syncopation or complex rhythms, leading to a physical response such as tapping one's foot (5m5s).
• The cerebellum is also responsible for calculating the bass line, guitar line, and percussion, making it a crucial part of the music-listening experience (6m13s).
• People listen to music both actively, such as at concerts, and passively, such as while studying, and the cerebellum plays a key role in both cases (6m20s).
• A good rhythm can be uplifting and energetic, while a straightforward rhythm is often referred to as "elevator music" because it is unchanging and unremarkable (6m47s).
• The brain has three parts: the reptilian brain, the mammalian brain, and the cortex, each playing a distinct role in processing music, with the mammalian brain focusing on intonation and melody (7m12s).
• The mammalian brain is attentive to the melodic line, expecting a response after an initial phrase, which is why popular music often follows a pattern of rising and falling melodies (7m21s).
• Intonation is crucial in music as it conveys emotion, and humans have used intonation to communicate since ancient times, with early forms of language relying more on intonation than words (7m59s).
• People use intonation to express their emotions, and some individuals may not be aware that their tone of voice can contradict their words, making them appear dishonest (8m27s).
• The cortex analyzes song lyrics, looking for relatability and context, and is more likely to pay attention to lyrics that tell a story or evoke emotions (8m50s).
• Women tend to pay more attention to song lyrics than men, who often focus on other aspects of music, such as melody or rhythm (9m21s).
• Men are often preoccupied with other tasks or thoughts, making them less attentive to lyrics, and are more likely to remember and hum or whistle a catchy melody (9m37s).
• One of the greatest compliments to a singer is when people hum or whistle their melody, indicating that the song has stuck in their memory (9m53s).

Music as Happiness

• Music is an expression of happiness, and people often whistle when they are joyful, as it is a way to express their emotions, and this is evident in the fact that no one says they are sad when whistling (10m43s).
• Music is present everywhere, and people often sing or hum along to tunes, even when they are alone, such as in the shower, or in a crowd where they feel comfortable and not judged (11m1s).
• Many successful people, including entrepreneurs, directors, and those who have changed mentalities, have a developed sense of music and rhythm, which is a part of them that resonates with the idea of listening to music and being passionate about notes and rhythm (11m39s).

Music and Creativity

• It is recommended to take a deeper dive into music, whether it's classical, jazz, or rock, as it can be a healthy and beneficial activity (11m53s).
• The concept of creativity is closely related to music, and creativity is a human expression that can be defined in many ways, but one definition is the ability to observe needs, imbalances, and try to find a solution (12m37s).
• Creativity is about solving problems through art, music, or other forms of expression, and music is a science that uses the brain's emotional and rational parts to create and appreciate it (13m23s).
• There are certain techniques and tricks that great musicians have discovered or learned throughout their lives, which can be applied to music and creativity (13m40s).
• Music producers often count the syllables in a musical phrase when creating music, and if the number of syllables is odd, it can leave the listener waiting for more, as demonstrated by the example "toată lumea mâinile ce urmează" (14m15s).
• In contrast, a phrase with an even number of syllables, such as "toată lumea mâinile sus", can be more satisfying and complete (14m33s).
• This technique is used to create a sense of balance and harmony in music, with a combination of odd and even phrases used to add interest and variety (15m7s).
• A song can be broken down into its component parts, including phrases with odd and even numbers of syllables, to analyze its structure and rhythm (15m10s).
• The song "Sus pe toc" is an example of a song that uses this technique, with a mix of odd and even phrases in its lyrics (15m13s).
• The use of odd and even phrases in music is a form of mathematics, and understanding this can help to appreciate the structure and rhythm of a song (17m0s).
• The discovery of this technique was made while working with Swedish musicians, who may have invented the idea, and it has been used to analyze and create music ever since (16m11s).
• The technique involves counting the syllables in a musical phrase and using a combination of odd and even phrases to create a sense of balance and harmony (16m47s).
• This approach to music can help to explain why some songs are more catchy and memorable than others, and why they may be more likely to become popular hits (16m52s).
• The use of mathematics in music is not just limited to counting syllables, but also involves the use of rhythm, melody, and other musical elements to create a sense of harmony and balance (17m11s).

Music as Medicine

• Music is a medicine, and just like food is for the body, music is for the soul, providing nourishment and comfort (17m36s).
• A personal experience illustrates the healing power of music, where a song helped overcome a difficult period in life, both personally and professionally (18m4s).
• The song was played repeatedly, morning, noon, and night, serving as a mental boost and helping to regain a positive mindset (18m14s).
• As a token of gratitude, a restaurant owner offered free food in exchange for the song, highlighting the value of music beyond monetary compensation (18m39s).
• Music evokes emotions and has the power to bring people together, as seen in the example of people singing a single note in unison (19m6s).
• The act of singing together creates a sense of community and shared experience, demonstrating the universal language of music (19m10s).
• A live demonstration of this concept involves the audience singing a single note, creating a unified sound and showcasing the power of collective music-making (19m35s).
• The exercise highlights the importance of music in bringing people together and creating a sense of harmony and unity (19m40s).
• The experience is meant to be enjoyable and uplifting, leaving a lasting impression on those involved (21m17s).

Conclusion

• After decades, Marius Moga is still learning. (21m26s)
• Marius Moga expresses gratitude. (21m30s)
• Marius Moga wishes everyone a wonderful day. (21m33s)