By Aditya Shukla, psychologist and guitarist
Repetition makes a sound familiar, and thus likeable. But music runs through time, so the repetition process is slow.
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The brain predicts musical sequences because of the exposure we have since birth. But unexpected notes that build tension make the next sequence more pleasing.
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Flat music does not grab attention. People "move" through music. Music "moves" them. This is because the change in notes is interpreted as a path on a road.
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Repeating a sequence makes it digestible. But small changes to some repetitions add a unique flavor to the repetition, which a listener appreciates only after they have "learned" the melody through repetition.
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Catchy tunes become catchy because they are shareable and relatable by many. A catchy sequence can have deep details but it's structure is short and easy.
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Every scale and tempo is predictable once you get used to it. Changing it within a song adds surprise and intrigue to want to listen to more.
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Like a TV episode finale, a song has a pay-off where other elements in the song tie up together or an earlier melody returns to create a sense of reward in the listener's mind.
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A beat or rhythm is a repetitive pulsing of sound vs. empty space. It is the container & carrier for music. People often first respond to that and then get biased in favor of the music. It's in the beat.
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