Abstract
Music has always been esteemed for its power to speak directly to our higher consciousness, a power founded in the purity of simple harmonic ratios. In this book, Alain Danielou traces the development of musical scales and tuning from their origins in both China and India, through their merging in ancient Greece, and on to the development of the Western traditions of modal and polyphonic music. Understanding these potent harmonic relationships offers a way for today’s musicians to transcend the limitations of overly rationalistic music by drawing on its metaphysical roots.
Content
By Jacques COULARDEAU on April 20, 2008
Alain Daniélou is known first of all for his musical semantics based not on notes but on intervals, hence not on punctual sounds but on the articulation of one note onto another to form an interval and then on the articulation of intervals one upon another. In this book of articles and studies brought together, some of them being unpublished before, he used his approach to further some other ideas.
The basic principle is that an interval is the ratio produced by the frequencies of the two notes that define that interval. He tested and identified the psycho-mental effects of these intervals on listeners and connected them to three numerical elements appearing in such ratios (basically 2, 3 and 5).
But he further brings into his approach an important inspiration from the old Sanskrit approach of music. We have to note here he assumes that this Vedic tradition is the oldest human musical tradition, is the basic and sole because only possible musical approach, and it has been kept in later Hinduist music. We can see here he is totally unaware of the fact that Sumerian music is at least one thousand if not one and a half thousand years older.
Vedic music is not the original form of music. He also forgets that Hinduism is an old approach in India and he does not consider at all the Buddhist approach. All his symbolism with an ever present God as a creator would have to be challenged in the Buddhist understanding that there is no god and the world is not seen as created. Yet his symbolic approach that brings together musical notes, geometrical shapes, colors, animals, planets, basic elements, etc., … and gods, is interesting if we let the divine elements out of a modern assimilation.
The book is a lot more interesting when he shows how an interval has to go through an acoustic trip from the ear up into the brain and the mind to be interpreted and felt. Then his formal approach can lead to a new question he does not ask: are the effects of the intervals what they are because of the correspondence between the functional structures of these intervals and the brain cells that process the acoustic stimuli, and the stimuli of other senses?
And further on, that could lead to the question: are the formal structural characteristics of sounds in agreement or disagreement with the same in a building (like in a church) that has perfect acoustics? In other words Danielou’s agreement with the deistic and altogether rather purely experiential approach of the Hinduistic school limits his vision of his subject. What’s more, that blocks him totally against any form of music posterior to let’s say the romantics or at the latest Debussy.
He rejects all music composed over the last hundred years that does not follow the basic musical principles from the Renaissance to the Impressionistic era. In fact he states that all Vedic vision of music is the acme of music and he rejects the western principles of harmony that triumphed at the end of the 15th century. There is not much left then except going back to an exiled Tibetan monastery in some lost Himalayan mountain. I don’t think anyone wants to be that regressive. It could have been a marvelous book with a little distantiation from his hinduistic absolute reference.
“Music and the Power of Sound: The Influence of Tuning and Interval on Consciousness” is a fascinating topic that explores the profound effects of music and sound on human consciousness and well-being. Here’s an overview of some key aspects of this concept:
1. **Tuning Systems**: Different tuning systems, such as equal temperament, just intonation, and Pythagorean tuning, can profoundly influence the emotional and psychological impact of music. Each tuning system has its own unique set of intervals and harmonies, which can evoke different feelings and states of consciousness in listeners.
2. **Interval Ratios**: The ratios between musical intervals, such as the perfect fifth (3:2) or the major third (5:4), play a crucial role in shaping the emotional and perceptual qualities of music. Certain intervals are perceived as consonant and harmonious, while others may sound dissonant or tense, eliciting different emotional responses in listeners.
3. **Psychological Effects**: Music has the power to evoke a wide range of emotional and psychological states, including relaxation, joy, sadness, and awe. The choice of tuning system, intervals, and harmonic progressions can significantly influence the mood and emotional resonance of a musical composition, affecting listeners’ consciousness and subjective experience.
4. **Brainwave Entrainment**: Research suggests that music and sound can entrain brainwave activity, influencing the neural oscillations and cognitive processes associated with different states of consciousness. Certain frequencies and rhythms in music have been shown to induce relaxation, enhance focus, or promote meditation, leading to altered states of consciousness and heightened awareness.
5. **Cultural and Historical Context**: The perception and interpretation of music are also shaped by cultural and historical factors. Different musical traditions and genres have their own unique aesthetic preferences, tuning systems, and expressive qualities, reflecting the diverse ways in which music can influence consciousness across cultures and time periods.
6. **Therapeutic Applications**: Music therapy utilizes the power of sound and music to promote healing, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. By carefully selecting and composing music to match the individual needs and preferences of clients, music therapists can facilitate profound shifts in consciousness and emotional integration.
Overall, “Music and the Power of Sound” highlights the transformative potential of music as a tool for consciousness exploration, emotional expression, and personal growth. By understanding the influence of tuning, interval, and musical structure on consciousness, we can harness the power of music to cultivate greater awareness, connection, and harmony within ourselves and with the world around us.