Visualizing Music

How Do You See music?

by Dave Nagy
Have you ever wondered how your mind (and body) keeps track of the music it is listening to or playing?  There are many different ways, but let’s take a look (pun intended) at one of the most important- visualization.  Visualization is an important tool that is employed by most musicians, often unconsciously.  I’ll attempt to define the term visualization as the organization of musical materials into some sort of visual representation (such as shapes, lines, or patterns) in the mind’s eye.  The term visualization can also be defined as a mental rehearsal of what is about to be done, but it is the former definition that will be treated here.
Take, for example, the way a guitarist thinks about the open D chord.  Most likely, the shape of a triangle comes to mind.  Similarly, a pianist may compare a close-position A-minor triad with a close-position A-major triad and feel that the A-major chord is extended slightly upwards (or out).
Most musicians will eventually develop a mental road map of their instrument based on these shapes and patterns, although many will be unaware of exactly how they are doing it.  Many also have the ability to interpret music as patterns of lines and curves, a concept that borders on synaesthaesia- a topic for another day.
It is important for beginning and advancing musicians to be aware of these tools.  Although they will develop naturally, one’s awareness of them facilitates this development.

Enjoy!

Dave Nagy is a classical guitar instructor at Elite Music Academy. Now with two locations at 822 and 2007 Danforth Avenue Elite Music offers private music lessons seven day a week to better accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. For a free consultation please contact the main desk at 416 406 5355 ext1.