VISUALIZING MUSIC - Western Michigan University

VISUALIZING MUSICSENIOR THESIS PROJECT BY TOMMY GRILL

VISUAL ART VS MUSIC

rhythmmotionvibrationcontrastcolorloud/softvibrancetexture

THESIS STATEMENT

I will design a system for visualizing music, that represents a number of musical aspects including rhythm, dynamics, and pitch over a number of instrument parts. I will apply this system to three songs, each from a different musical genre in a different musical key. The system will yield results that are both technically informative and visually pleasing. In comparing the pieces, the viewer will gain some understanding of the musical pieces from the information provided visually.

RESEARCH

COLOR

COLOR TESTS

COLOR SCALES

CD bD Eb EF F# GA bA Bb B

CD bD Eb EF F# GA bA Bb B

bainbridge bishop- harmony of light

CD bD Eb EF F# GA bA Bb B

CD bD Eb EF F# GA bA Bb B

FORTE

MEZZO FORTE

MEZZO PIANO

PIANO

PIANO

MEZZO PIANO

MEZZO FORTE

FORTE

DYNAMICS

RHYTHM

WHOLE NOTE(one measure)

DOTTED HALF NOTE

HALF NOTE

DOTTED QUARTER NOTE

QUARTER NOTE

DOTTED EIGHTH NOTE

EIGHTH NOTE

DOTTEDSIXTEENTH NOTE

SIXTEENTH NOTE

TIED NOTES(any note length)

PIANO (right hand)

PIANO (left hand)

UPRIGHT BASS

VIOLIN

VIOLA

CELLO

BASS

VOCALS

GUITAR

BASS GUITAR

RHYTHM

WELL YOU NEEDN’T

Thelonius Monk

F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E

EIGHT DAYS A WEEK

The Beatles

D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db

AVE MARIA

Franz Schubert

C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B

FINAL RESULTS