Music Visualization: A Composers Perspective
Music visualization is more than just visualizing the music; it's about projecting the essence of a composition onto emotions, settings, and genres. As a music composer, I use a unique approach to turn the initial brief from a client into a fully realized piece of music. This article delves into the process and provides personal insights and examples from my work.
Understanding the Brief and Setting the Mood
The first step in my process is to understand the brief provided by the client. This includes the mood, setting, and desired musicality and emotion. Clients often provide details about the perceived atmosphere they wish to evoke through the music.
Example 1: Smartphone Game Track
For instance, I was commissioned to create a music track for a smartphone video game. The theme was futuristic with shades of glowing blue and green, evoking a Matrix-like vibe with 80s synth elements.
Visual Mind Mapping and Inspiration
Once the requirements are clear, I proceed to gather visual and auditory inspiration. I search for futuristic elements, Matrix-style videos, and 80s synth music on Google. I then create a visual mind map by downloading images and videos of elements that fit the brief of the composition.
During the composition process, I switch off all lights except for the LED TV, which plays the referenced images and videos for continuous inspiration. This visual loop helps me stay in the right mindset and emotional state, allowing me to create a track that aligns perfectly with the client's vision.
Result: "Glitch-Freeze"
The track I created, titled "Glitch-Freeze," is used in the Android smartphone game "Infinite Flydown" (also known as "Infinity Flydown"). The track perfectly encapsulates the futuristic and Matrix-like atmosphere, complementing the game's setting and mood.
Interpretation: Subjective and Personal
While my primary focus is on the mood and melody, interpretation of music can vary widely from person to person. Here are a few examples to illustrate this:
Track 1: Halloween
This particular track evokes a spooky, horror, Halloween vibe. I imagine sitting by a fireplace on a cold winter night, enjoying hot cocoa and hugging someone special as we look out into the night.
Track 2: Sunday Contemplation
Another track inspires a contemplative feeling, like sitting on a corner of a bus on a Sunday evening, contemplating life and past decisions and their impact on the present.
Track 3: Emotional Contrast
Other tracks can have a polar opposite emotional response. For example, a track about heartbreak can make me feel happy and joyful due to the music itself, even though the lyrics suggest a struggle with cocaine addiction.
The key takeaway is that music visualization is deeply personal and varies greatly from one person to another. There is no one 'right' way to interpret a piece of music.
Considerations and Cautions
When interpreting a song, especially one with explicit language, it's crucial to be aware of the true intent behind the lyrics. If a song consistently uses explicit language (such as "ass," "money," "dope," "pussy," etc.), interpreting it as pure romance or love can distort your perception of love's beauty.
Conclusion
Music visualization is a powerful tool for composers and creators. By understanding and setting the right mood, drawing inspiration from visual and auditory references, and interpreting the music based on personal feelings and experiences, we can bring unique and meaningful compositions to life.
While the interpretations vary, music remains a powerful medium for emotional expression and storytelling. Whether it's a futuristic game, a lonesome bus ride, or a heartfelt struggle, music has the ability to connect with us on an emotional level.
Share your interpretations and experiences in the comments below, and remember, the beauty of music lies in its subjective nature. Enjoy the process of visualizing and creating.