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Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

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Re: Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

#111

Post by mike_red5hift »

nostrademons wrote: post #22

“Expectancy violations (e.g., harmonic, rhythmic, and/or melodic violations) are strongly correlated to the onset of musical frisson, such that some level of violated expectation may be a prerequisite.” Interesting. The Spotify playlist didn't do much for me, but when I think of a couple moments in songs that always give me chills, they all feature that pattern: Nightwish, Ghost Love Score , Wacken 2013 @ 9:22, affec…

Not even a Nightwish fan and just that little snippet of the song gave me chills. Like immediately. Maybe I'm a fan now? Thanks for that.

Re: Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

#112

Post by divs1210 »

nonrandomstring wrote: post #48

I briefly mention this phenomenon in Designing Sound [1], and have since learned there are several forms of it elicited aurally. As well as the pleasurable goose-bumps associated with positive musical emotion there's another kind, an 'uneasy' frission that is the feeling of hairs on the back of your neck raising. While the "Wilhelm scream" is the most talked about sound design cliche, probably the one familiar to mos…

Commenting to refer in the future.

Re: Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

#113

Post by taylorius »

I think the feelings music can evoke in a listener (real, physical feelings) have a range and grammar that is not quite encapsulated by "Frisson" - though it's definitely a good word for the phenomenon as a whole.

For example: I could listen to Kenny Kirkland's piano solo on Sting's Bring on the Night live album - and when Kenny (utter jazz genius that he was) starts playing around with semi-discordant alterations to the normal song progression, I will get a powerful skin crawling sensation and involuntary muscle contractions (a bit like being tickled). A real physical response to an apparently unrelated sensory input.

Whereas, if I listen to certain tracks by the Verve, it will affect me in completely different ways - equally powerful, but different.

It really is fascinating - like a separate language that can communicate with our subconscious. Perhaps it is largely different for different people though - I wonder if the music that affects a person most strongly would correlate with any other aspect of their personality, of mental outlook.

Re: Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

#114

Post by jasonvorhe »

progre wrote: post #28
scruple wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Specifically black metal and blackened death metal for me. edit/ And Sludge.

Same here. There is someting with the almost complete saturation of the mid- and upper frequencies of BM that focuses me like nothing else.

Can definitely confirm that. It's one of the few genres (with general Metal, some Crust/Sludge/Old-school Rock being among the main alternatives) that's able to touch me on an emotional level while managing to keep my attention without me zoning out.

Re: Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

#116

Post by jasonvorhe »

nostrademons wrote: post #22

“Expectancy violations (e.g., harmonic, rhythmic, and/or melodic violations) are strongly correlated to the onset of musical frisson, such that some level of violated expectation may be a prerequisite.” Interesting. The Spotify playlist didn't do much for me, but when I think of a couple moments in songs that always give me chills, they all feature that pattern: Nightwish, Ghost Love Score , Wacken 2013 @ 9:22, affec…

Thanks for mentioning that Nightwish song. I hadn't listened to them in 18 years or so and I completely missed that they switched vocalists again. She's utterly amazing and her stage presence is formidable.

Re: Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

#117

Post by jonhohle »

jl6 wrote: post #51
nonrandomstring wrote: post #48

I briefly mention this phenomenon in Designing Sound [1], and have since learned there are several forms of it elicited aurally. As well as the pleasurable goose-bumps associated with positive musical emotion there's another kind, an 'uneasy' frission that is the feeling of hairs on the back of your neck raising. While the "Wilhelm scream" is the most talked about sound design cliche, probably the one familiar to mos…

Could you link to an example of a doom tone?

Not a link, but many (most) David Lynch movies/shorts have a low background drone that is discomforting in an otherwise normal scene. It often changes tone with shot changes giving the impression that impending physical danger is approaching or receding but never comes.

More than almost any other director, his movies make me “feel” a particular way (mostly uncomfortable).

Re: Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

#118

Post by sudosysgen »

r0bot wrote: post #20

That’s funny because I produced a remix with an original beat I composed over a 2pac acapela, and the number one comment I always get is that the song gives people chills and goosebumps. https://youtu.be/sHKdWOL1q8k

Sure enough, it does give me chills pretty fast. Do you reckon you could put it on Spotify or at least publish a higher quality file? The MP3 download seems dead

(Nvm for Spotify - it's there just not in my country :( )

Re: Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

#119

Post by vehemenz »

From my experience and from the comments here, frisson seems to be highly personal—what works for you won't work for me. And we can all agree that there is more going on than subverted expectations.

My two cents: context often plays a role. How a particular song "lands" in an album or live set is often the source of the frisson.

Obligatory recommendation: Wojciech Kilar - Love Remembered (Dracula soundtrack)

Re: Listening to songs can cause a physiological response known as “frisson”

#120

Post by 40four »

Great article, I think it nicely articulates something any of us music/ live music fans have always intuitively known. It’s one of the coolest things about music, and the clearest sign you found a song that really resonates with you. The songs that trigger this will be different for everyone I believe.

It’s interesting this phenomenon is actually being studied & quantified in the lab. Also interesting, no joke just by reading the opening description, an actual ‘frisson’ reaction was triggered in my body. Weird!

I also want to point out, for me, this is why my favorite genres/ bands are ones where improvisation are a central component. Jazz, blues, bluegrass, jam bands. I think on average they give me more frisson.

By far my favorite band is Umphrey’s McGee. I’ve seen them about 40 times live and I can’t get enough. Every show is a unique experience. When I see shows, I want to be surprised. And Umphrey’s consistently delivers every single time. You never know what to expect. Their improvisations are so good, it always blows my mind! They take you on a musical journey, through so many peaks & valleys. It’s the ultimate live ‘frisson’ experience!

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