- #1
iVenky
- 212
- 12
What's the reason why beats sound pleasing to ears? It looks like the tones that beat with each other a lot more in general sound pleasing.
Are you sure you aren't thinking about "vibrato" instead of beats? Beats would generally refer to a longer-term spatial interference, versus the shorter-term musical vibrato emphasis...iVenky said:What's the reason why beats sound pleasing to ears? It looks like the tones that beat with each other a lot more in general sound pleasing.
Lol. . . I'll make a wild guess about the "depending on the situation" qualification, andberkeman said:Beats are annoying to me (depending on the situation).
I suspect that a single pure tone is tiresome for the brain; if we have near-harmonics, which create slow beats, it gives the brain something to do sorting it out.iVenky said:What's the reason why beats sound pleasing to ears? It looks like the tones that beat with each other a lot more in general sound pleasing.
IS this a question about harmony and dissonance and how we started having subjective likes and dislikes of musical chords - or at the 'beats' you refer to associated with low frequency 'modulation' of a sound. I suspect it's the musical option?iVenky said:What's the reason why beats sound pleasing to ears? It looks like the tones that beat with each other a lot more in general sound pleasing.
Which might be a reason why we like beats, since we hear the mother's heartbeat even before birth.OCR said:Lol. . . I'll make a wild guess about the "depending on the situation" qualification, and
assume it's called a heartbeat. . .
Maybe but if the structure of our hearing system comes into the thread then the Physics of the process is highly relevant. (I have never read a suggestion that Colour discussions should go to the Biology sub forum and we get those on a regular basis.)A.T. said:I also think this thread should be moved to the biology sub forum.
The question is about finding beats pleasing, not about the physics of the ear. It's somewhere between biology and psychology.sophiecentaur said:I have never read a suggestion that Colour discussions should go to the Biology sub forum ...
Do you know that? In an organ as clever as the Ear, I'd be very surprised if there wasn't quite a lot of filter theory and signal processing involved (temporal and frequency domain filtering). A brief look at Wiki on Hearing has plenty of serious Engineering and Physics mentioned. We have matching networks, resonant frequency sensors and a common mode rejection mechanism. I'd bet your average Biologist would struggle with that unless they had already done the hearing bit in detail.A.T. said:not about the physics of the ear
Everything in natural sciences is related to physics. But a question about why humans like something will likely get better answers in a biology / psychology forum, then here.sophiecentaur said:A brief look at Wiki on Hearing has plenty of serious Engineering and Physics mentioned.
iVenky said:What's the reason why beats sound pleasing to ears? It looks like the tones that beat with each other a lot more in general sound pleasing.
Let's see how it runs first. If you can't see the scope for a Physics based discussion about the psychology of hearing then you are not forced to contribute. If the OP wanted straight biology and psychology then why post on PF in the first place? Think outside the box.A.T. said:Everything in natural sciences is related to physics. But a question about why humans like something will likely get better answers in a biology / psychology forum, then here.
It's amazing that we actually enjoy music at all when it all seems to be built upon inconsistencies. I imagine that any early work would have been wavelength / string / pipe based and pretty crude. Problem would have been that the early 'Scientists' were all looking for common patterns and would fit the evidence to the theory (Music of the Spheres for instance) because they were all assuming some divine influence.etotheipi said:A problem with this is that the circle of fifths doesn't quite close
The most telling indicator I know is that the depth of tone in a pianoforte (to be formal) is greatly dependent upon the skill of the tuning person. Most of the strings are doubled and tripled and detuned ever so slightly when the piano is "in tune". Of course even-tempering is probably one reason for this process and the multiple string designsophiecentaur said:There is more to 'beating' than just getting a pleasing chord sound. A good solo singer or player will play a fraction higher than the accompaniment in order to stand out and impress. I think there's a similar trick with the dominant chick in a nest so that the parent will feed them more than the other chicks. Babies know (learn) what notes to sing / shout in order to get your attention - that sound is definitely not 'sweet' and must have a well designed spectrum.
I had an old piano which wouldn't hold the proper tension so it was tuned low. Nothing to lose, I tried tuning it. Total nightmare! That was despite reading what to do on the internet whilst I was doing it. Can you believe that?hutchphd said:The most telling indicator I know is that the depth of tone in a pianoforte
Yes. You are right but evolution can very often account for our characteristics. The identifiable structures in the ear are very much Engineering - based and that is surely a result of evolution. Sound as an intra species, social communication is as likely to have been a strong evolutionary influence so the word 'survival' has more to it than the ability to dodge the (anachronisitic) sabre tooth tiger.BWV said:the evolutionary arguments above are just personal speculation,
It's true that we tend to hear only small ensembles playing anything but European music and it's in ensembles that formal harmony is easiest to spot. Multi note instruments require high technology, for consistency. Western culture has been very strong and used technology to get to the modern set of instruments that are used. Even our classical and baroque favourites were not composed for modern orchestral instruments and modern harmonies have 'advanced' to make use of modern instruments. All this goes out the window, of course with the introduction of the fuzz box etc.. and harmony, as such, is taking more of a back seat in the new musical developments.BWV said:Harmony is exceedingly rare outside of European Music
LF beats can be very upsetting or at least very noticeable (piano strings etc). Sub sonic beats can be used as a military weapon (but the guy with the sound equipment needs protection too.)sandy stone said:it is not a given that beats are pleasing to the ear
It sure does. . . .sophiecentaur said:What you say about boats would also apply to prop aircraft.
sophiecentaur said:It was like having two London buses ticking over, neither side of me.
The perception of "pleasing" beats is subjective and can vary from person to person. However, there are certain elements that can contribute to the pleasantness of a beat, such as the tempo, rhythm, and melody. These elements can create a sense of harmony and balance in the beat, making it more enjoyable to listen to.
Beats can have a powerful impact on our brain and emotions. Studies have shown that listening to music, including beats, can stimulate the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This can lead to feelings of happiness and relaxation. Additionally, beats with a steady rhythm can also synchronize with our brainwaves, promoting a sense of calmness and focus.
Yes, the structure of a beat can play a role in its perceived pleasantness. For example, beats with a simple and predictable structure may be more pleasing to the ears as they are easier to follow and understand. On the other hand, complex and unpredictable beats may be less enjoyable as they can be more difficult to process and may create a sense of dissonance.
Yes, there can be cultural differences in what is considered a pleasing beat. Different cultures have their own unique music styles and preferences, which can influence what is perceived as pleasant. For example, certain beats or rhythms may be more common and pleasing in one culture, while they may not be as well-received in another.
Yes, beats can have a therapeutic effect on individuals. This is known as music therapy, where beats and other musical elements are used to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The rhythmic and repetitive nature of beats can have a calming and grounding effect, making it useful in managing stress, anxiety, and even pain.