MUSI 3261 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Harmonic Rhythm, Hear Music, Monophony
Document Summary
There are three major ways to experience music musically. Each touches upon the others, but shall be discussed individually to clarify their particular qualities. These ways are referred to as levels and are termed: (1) sensual (2) perceptual (3) imaginal. The sensual or sensuous level refers to the surface impact of sound itself. It is the powerful effect that music has on the human body and mind. It is the stimulation of the sense of hearing, resulting in strong responses in human beings. The sensuous response to music is almost entirely an involvement of the body with little, if any, involvement of the mind. Much rock (cid:370)n(cid:371) roll music fits into this category, as the pounding, throbbing, gut-shaking roar of some hard rock pieces is mainly a body experience. This is because much of our response to rhythm is rooted in the more (cid:373)primitive(cid:371) parts of the brain structure (the limbic structures of the brain - amygdala, in particular).
