I can get drunk off of music. A certain part in a song can get me into extasy like nothing else. Yet, I worry if I am using music to isolate myself. It seems the more isolated I am, the stronger my feelings for music get. Could I be using music the way a drug addict would? As a fix? As an escape? As a way of not dealing with reality? If this is the case, is this really such a bad thing? Music, after all, is an inspiration. It feeds my desire to write and is a fuel to my stories. (especially My I and K story, it will have a great soundtrack!) But, am I missing out on a part of life by not being extraverted enough?
Posted by Danzig avoiding landmarks (Member # 6792) on :
Music can work as a type of drug. Personally I have found that after listening to certain songs on drugs (mainly psychedelics) hearing the song again will enable me to recall the trip more fully. I have found nothing musical that will simulate a narcotic, but some songs can stimulate me.
Despite what others will say, there is nothing wrong with escaping from reality for a few hours, but books and movies do a much better job for that than music or drugs. Do not fall into the other trap of never interacting with this reality, though.
There is a benefit to being at a minimum level of extroversion, but beyond that level it is largely whatever fits your personality the best.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
My son's guitar teacher is an amazing guitar player, one of the best in our area. He says the best guitar player around is a guy from Amherst who is so introverted he never played in public, though he could easily have been a session musician in Nashville. He is just starting to play with my son's teacher in a small jazz ensemble. it will be interesting to see how he does. I can't wait to hear him.
Posted by miles_per_hour (Member # 6451) on :
There's nothing wrong with being an introvert. Yes, you miss out on things by not being extroverted. But they also miss out on things by not being introverted.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Like what? I love the music drunkness. It's like a gift.
Posted by Danzig avoiding landmarks (Member # 6792) on :
The more extroverted someone is, the less they are able to just sit back and chill.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
quote: But, am I missing out on a part of life by not being extraverted enough?
I agree with what has been said here, being an extravert and being an introvert both have their positives and negatives.
I am an introvert who doesn't listen to music often. Not because I don't enjoy music, but because music is so powerful it tends to overcome me. I listen to it "sparingly". I also have to be careful about the lyrics, they have a powerful effect on me too. The feeling is so intense it is almost painful sometimes--too much to bear.
I am drawn to the power of music. There were a couple of albums that I used to like to listen to a lot. But I found that after listening to them, I got angry more easily. I decided the music was having a negative effect on me, and stopped. If I choose music now, it is often without lyrics and very soothing.
As a child and a youth I used to sit or lay while music blasted, imagining images and stories to the music. I would get carried away in it and lose myself. It is a great joy, but one I do not often partake of these days.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Which album? I wish I could totally lose myself.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
The two that tended to make me angry: The soundtrack to the musical "Chess" and probably any of my "Yes" albums. Pretty tame stuff, I know. Anything harder I probably wouldn't enjoy. But that is just the person I am and that is how this music effects me. I adore listening to both of those. Chess always gives me a high, and I never get tired of Yes.
Music that I would "fly away" to was more like the soundtrack to Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan, one of my all time favorites, and "The Planets". There are others, but those two come to mind first. I also am a big fan of Mozart (I remember you mentioning him yesterday) especially after seeing (and loving) the movie Amadeus. That movie always meant a lot to me for some reason.
These days if I choose music to listen to, it tends to be Celtic, folk, or New Age-esc. If it has lyrics, it is often in another language so as not to distract me. I don't want music to make me think anything, because it is almost like being possessed for me. I want to remain "myself" as much as possible.
I wish I knew a way to share this with you, Synesthesia, because I think you would love it: I assembled 13 hours of music for giving birth to Ivy. I used the music to go into trances leading up to the birth so as to deal with the intense experience of going natural for the first time. I would listen to it every night falling asleep. By the time I gave birth, it was an unspeakable comfort to me. I have loved it ever since, and everyone I have shared it with has loved it also. I don't know much about file sharing, but if I had a chance, I would make a copy for you. Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
oOoo. That sounds nifty. Do you have a CD burner?
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
I do. I suppose I could always mail you a CD! Duh, that makes sense.
I call it my Birthing Music. Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
excellent I could also mail you my latest mix It is so good... It's brilliant *wonders if a person would swap a cool hat for one of my mixes*
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Ah, still lookin' for that cool hat, eh? Well, Porter still has a couple, but they aren't exactly crisp-new. Also, I may be more hesitant for him to give them up than he is.
You and I could do a music-swap though!
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
cool. I have tons of great music for all tastes. And, I must get everyone in the world to like this Russian Baritone too. I don't mind if they are not new, old hats are neat and like Johnny Depp and Johnny Depp is COOL.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Who's?
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
My Birthing Music CD is broken down into the following categories:
Celtic: With a fair number of Enya pieces, most of a Narada Celtic CD and some random pieces picked off of other albums I like.
Classical: With most of an album called "Baroque for Bathtime" (*excellent* BTW) and some other random pieces I hand picked from a variety of sources. All of supreme beauty and peacefulness, but just uncommon enough to still be interesting. (No "Moonlight Sonata" and the like.) A notable favorite of mine, Mozart's Piano Concerto no. 21 in C (can't remember which movement).
Narada: This category is hand picked stuff from all my Narada. Excellent....
Officium: This is a small file, just a few pieces from a very unusual album that features Gregorian chants and saxophone--very, very random saxophone. This music is *amazing* when you are in a half-sleep state.
On a Starry Night: Another small file with most of the album by this name. It is lullabies from around the world. One of my favorite albums *ever*.
Other New Age: Pretty much what it says. Some Fresh Aire, some Green Forest, some George Winston--very nice.
Ottmar: Selections from Ottmar Liebert. Love that man's work.
Soundtracks: Not a lot here, actually. Just a few things from James Horner--my favorite soundtrack composer--like from "A Beautiful Mind" and also the Forrest Gump Suite.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Nice! I have- Yoko kanno Bjork Tori Amos Morrissey Depeche Mode Cocteau Twins Dir en grey Bel Canto Kagrra and Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
I think you can be an extrovert and still be laid back. I manage it. I think that as long as you are social some of the time, and you are not avoiding social interaction, there is nothing wrong with losing yourself in music for days. It sounds like a wonderful thing to do. I know what you mean about certain parts of songs being ecstasy. Bach's cello suites have some parts that have the same effect on me.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Mmm. The texture and taste of those...
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Speed, I have not heard of Will Ackerman--at least, I don't recall if I have. But if he is along those same lines, I imagine I would enjoy his works very much!
I also have not heard any Yoko Kanno.
Synesthesia, I would love to do a music swap. Sounds like you have some cool stuff put together.
Sometimes it isn't about listening to one artist you like, it's all about making a compilation of your favorites. Ahhh, nothing compares to that.
Edit: Porter and I tend to be somewhat loose on our concept of file-sharing. Ever since I have been listening to music, I have made compliations and copies of cassette tapes. It seemed like it wasn't such a big deal back then, though I believe it was technically illegal also. I figure if I like an artist enough, I will buy their work. But this is a subject for another thread.
[ September 18, 2004, 01:49 AM: Message edited by: beverly ]
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Mmmmm, I am listening to my Birthing Music even now and loving it! Thanks, y'all for getting my mind back on it. Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
Opiate is a great song by Tool.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
mmm Tool *loves Tool*
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
<too>
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Syn, I think you'd really like this album - it's Christopher O'Riley, the classical piano prodigy from From the Top playing Radiohead.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Oooo. That sounds really interesting. *samples*
And here is a link to samples of a Russian album of Dmitri Hvorostovsky as I am obsessed with him at the moment.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)