Re: Re: ART: Mental-enhancing music

Entropyfoe@aol.com
Mon, 7 Sep 1998 22:42:07 EDT

Anders wrote..
>It is also interesting from an information theoretical point of
view. Music you can predict doesn't give you any new information - it is the unexpected stuff that is information-rich. Of course, not all information is equal.

I cant remember who proposed the theory that music is a balance of boredom and surprise. If the notes are too regular, the music is boring. If there is too much surprise, it is noise and cacaphony. Of coures the appropriate balance between surprise and boredom in music are cultural and individual. Bach or Ornette Coleman?!
-Jay