"Colorful" sounds

[Zephyr]

About a year ago, I noticed that some sounds sort of have a color to them... if you understand what I'm saying. For instance, when I hear a D and an A note, I generally think of it as red. The higher the chord, the lighter the red, and lower notes make darker reds. Other chords get their own colors. I don't know why, but that's what happens. I mentioned this to a friend today, and he thought it was weird enough to tell the psychology teacher about it. Apparently that is pretty unusual. They have some fancy term for it starting with an 'S', but I can't remember it. Does this ever happen to anyone else? Sometimes nothing happens, but every once in a while during my orchestra class, I see all sorts of color combinations in my head.

 

[Aqualung]

About a year ago, I noticed that some sounds sort of have a color to them... if you understand what I'm saying. For instance, when I hear a D and an A note, I generally think of it as red. The higher the chord, the lighter the red, and lower notes make darker reds. Other chords get their own colors. I don't know why, but that's what happens. I mentioned this to a friend today, and he thought it was weird enough to tell the psychology teacher about it. Apparently that is pretty unusual. They have some fancy term for it starting with an 'S', but I can't remember it. Does this ever happen to anyone else? Sometimes nothing happens, but every once in a while during my orchestra class, I see all sorts of color combinations in my head.

That happens to me too! Like certain singers have orangy or greyish voices, and when I hear my voice through a recording, it sounds greenish. It doesn't happen to the extent that it appearantly happens to you. It's just green-ish or orangy. And I don't get a whole symphony of colours when I listen to songs, but I definitely do associate colours with sounds.

 

[Zephyr]

My friend just emailed me a link to a wikipedia page. Sounds like it hits the nail on the head.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaesthesia

Synaesthetes often experience correspondences between the shades of color, tones of sounds, and intensities of tastes that provoke alternate sensations. For instance, a synaesthete may see a more intense red as the pitch of a sound gets higher, or a smoother surface might make one taste a sweeter taste. These experiences are not metaphorical or merely associations; rather, they are involuntary and are consistent throughout life, although some young synaesthetes seem to lose their ability by or during adulthood. Depressant drugs tend to increase the depth of the perception.

 

[Aqualung]

Hmm, yes. I think I'm one of those synaesthetes who seems to lose their ability by or during adulthood. I used to experience it fairly vividly, but not so much anymore. You're a stronger one, though, I guess. That's interesting.

 

[Zephyr]

Hmm, yes. I think I'm one of those synaesthetes who seems to lose their ability by or during adulthood. I used to experience it fairly vividly, but not so much anymore. You're a stronger one, though, I guess. That's interesting.

I just wish it were more consistent. Every once in a while nothing will happen, but then it hits me and I lose my train of thought . I wish it was one of those things you can turn on and off.

 

[Jaymes]

I've never really connected a sound with a color. Sometimes I connect them with feelings or sensations or even smells, but not color.

 

[NoName]

I've never really connected a sound with a color. Sometimes I connect them with feelings or sensations or even smells, but not color.

Yeah. They're weird, aren't they? :areyoucra

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

most other senses we have are useful in some way.
I can't see how we could make use of such an altered sense.
Perhaps those that have it should try to find out what it is good for.

Terry_____________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

 

[Zephyr]

most other senses we have are useful in some way.
I can't see how we could make use of such an altered sense.
Perhaps those that have it should try to find out what it is good for.

Terry_____________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

Next time I feel like composing, maybe I should try using notes that sound like colors that go well together.

Now if only I knew what colors go well together.

 

[Aqualung]

colours that are opposite each other on the colour spectrum go well together - red and green; yellow and purple; and blue and orange. Now, start composing!

 

[mr.guy]

Colour relation is often used for some perfect pitch training...furthermore it isn't that bizarre that a colour could relate to a sound; they both have wavelength correspondence. As far as i understand, it takes a special type of wiring in most instances.

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor...]

I was thinking of designing a guitar according to how i see sound. With LEDs changing with the notes. And like a stage light program hooked to a tuner that would change color.

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor...]

How many of us that see color with sound have used drugs?
Hallucinogens mainly?
I have

 

[Zephyr]

How many of us that see color with sound have used drugs?
Hallucinogens mainly?
I have

Me too, but I've been clean for a pretty long time now.