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Can something taste pink?
- Thread starter tplyons
- Start date
In answer to the original question, I think the answer is "yes" for some people. Look up synesthesia.
I have a mild and selective case. If something is very bright, I often find it too loud. Seriously. My last workplace had a flashing light that would signify something important, and if I was feeling especially touchy, it would start flashing and I'd stick my fingers in my ears. The first time this happened, my co-workers looked at me like I was crazy. I'm not saying they were wrong.
Musically, I "hear colors" in key centers. Don't ask me why the key of Db is dark purple. It just is.
I have a mild and selective case. If something is very bright, I often find it too loud. Seriously. My last workplace had a flashing light that would signify something important, and if I was feeling especially touchy, it would start flashing and I'd stick my fingers in my ears. The first time this happened, my co-workers looked at me like I was crazy. I'm not saying they were wrong.
Musically, I "hear colors" in key centers. Don't ask me why the key of Db is dark purple. It just is.
looks like it
digging a little further it looks like "red-yellow" was used to describe the color "orange"
Well, I was going to say "Yes, with the right hallucinogens", but I forgot about synesthesia. Must make for an interesting life.
I was not previously aware that those with synesthesia could taste color!
Ya learn something new everyday!
It seems absolutely fitting!
Ya learn something new everyday!
It seems absolutely fitting!
Okay, but what color is C#?
That's actually a good question, and one I've never tested. If I stumble across something in that miserable key, I'll check on it.
I suspect the answer will not be as obvious as we think.
My daughter has multiple types of synesthesia and all pretty strong, but she does not for have it for taste.
She talks about her music to color synesthesia in the link below along with an artist and neuroscientist who also have it. It's from Episode 241 from ImprovLive365.com (great series about all types of improvising)
Http://www.aubreyharrismusic.com/1/category/synesthesia/1.html
For her, it's a pretty cool thing to have and doesn't seem to interfere with anything else.
She talks about her music to color synesthesia in the link below along with an artist and neuroscientist who also have it. It's from Episode 241 from ImprovLive365.com (great series about all types of improvising)
Http://www.aubreyharrismusic.com/1/category/synesthesia/1.html
For her, it's a pretty cool thing to have and doesn't seem to interfere with anything else.
Is it not an enharmonic color?
While it's true that Db and C# are enharmonic, I'm not entirely sure that the keys would have the same color. It may depend on instrumentation.
Let me expand on that. If you play a bassline on your fretted bass, or if you play a piece on a piano, I would not be able to tell the difference between those two keys. That black key between middle C and a the next white key higher serves for both Db and C#.
However. In an orchestral setting, for instance, where there are no frets to be found and wind players can 'lip' all over the place, would this still be true? We're used to thinking in terms of equal temperament, but that's not all there is to it.
The wikipedia article on "just intonation" has sound files that are interesting.
The implications for key color? Not sure. I didn't read the whole article because my eyes started to glaze over. Probably the easiest thing would be for me to test myself and get back to you. Then we'd all know what ONE person's experience is....
