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What makes music interesting?

I think that it is a broad question but would still provide interesting insights. After all, it is much more efficient to work towards a goal when you know what that goal is.

You'll get as many varied answers to this question as there as cultures on planet earth. Personally, I don't listen to music for the "interest" factor. I want an emotional experience.

and I hope I have time to read them all!

Well, music is interesting because it's a world-wide spoken language. Meaning it is versatile. It allows you to express emotions, to interpret other people's work. It lets you broaden your horizons...

There are a LOT of answers to this. It's the same as asking "What makes art interesting?".

The answer is different for everyone. For me, its about capturing the essence of the composer. Their music is an echo of their feelings, written onto a piece of manuscript hundreds of years ago. Music is also an excellent way to convey various emotions. It is a language, a form of communication. Things can be said in music that cannot be said in words.

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For me, what makes music (And I am referring to "classical" concert music here) interesting is that it is a mirror. A mirror of the time, place, conditions, and experiences of the composer's culture and those of the composer himself. Of course, there are exceptions. Beethoven wrote some of his most chipper music during his darkest emotional states, and Mozart's oeuvre seems relatively unaffected by his often positively rotten life. But in general, I am fascinated by the "window into the past" great music provides.

Thank you, but what I also want to know is in general, what makes the music itself interesting? Why does an assortment of sound invoke feelings in us?
But if you want to say any other reason, have fun. That's also very interesting.

You seem to know what answers you're looking for. Why don't you just tell us what you think makes music interesting?

Then we'll perhaps take it from there?

This guy seemed to know what makes music interesting.



In a word ... pizazz!

no comment on the last post, but I read somewhere once that the change in music keeps our ear interested, but there should be more to music than just that? Why do some melodies seem better than others? How do you think timing (of notes) affect the music?

Every individual is going to find music interesting for different reasons.

For me, I enjoy good harmony and emotion, as well as a confident use of a persons talent.

I like to think 'Wow! That was amazing, I wish that I could do that' every time I hear music.

I also like funny and entertaining music as well.

In a nutshell, I like to listen to almost everything with a good harmony =D.

What mainly makes music interesting is Tension and Resolution. This is why you see prevalance of the V7/I cadence. I was listening to Beethoven's 5th symphony, 3rd mmt the other day, pondering the same question. You could hear the melodic movement up, up, up, finally reaching the V note, but instead of resolving to the root he teases you starts a related melody in that key, but then eventually brings it back to the root with some big emphatic chords...making the eventual resolution extremely satisfying.

Just like a good story or movie with the buildup of tension when the hero escapes/rescues/fights etc. The tension is "will he make it?. The resolution is the happy ending.

Variety is also important. This is why motifs are repeated in other registers or done by other intruments in the orchestra. Variations on motifs add interest as well.

Thanks Stanza! Any more?

Oh, and another question:

What creates the emotion in music?

in response to a previous post!

Ok, students, how many of you think the "hidden" agenda of this thread makes it feel sort of weird and manipulative? Raise your hands high now...

Ears.