The most boring music you've heard

[mahlertitan]

To be honest I am not familiar with Bruckner.  My experience with Mahler has left a bitter taste in my mouth (or ears as the case may be) and I lost interest in pursuing other composers "similar" to Mahler, which from what I have read is what Bruckner is all about.  Am I mistaken?  By the way I define boredom as loosing interest in a peice of music- whether that comes from a lack of understanding or a failure to relate (as is my case with Mahler) is irrelevant.   

  marvin

Bruckner and Mahler can not be more different, just because they were close friends does not imply that their music styles are similar. Like what Larry Rinkel has said, both wrote long, grand symphonies, but Mahler's music sounds emotional, sardonic; while Bruckner's symphonies are deeply spiritual, contrapuntal, and to some extent, Wagnerian.

I really think you should try Bruckner's music, after all, "hearing is believing".

[Larry Rinkel]

I agree with this wholeheartedly, and it's another reminder to listen for yourself and not rely on solely what you hear from others.

Or to pick and choose carefully the persons on whom you rely. . . . 

[prémont]

Wagner, is the most boring humbug I ever listen too!

AMEN!

[Larry Rinkel]

AMEN!

Again, that's another reminder to listen for yourself and not rely on solely what you hear from others, or to pick and choose carefully the persons on whom you rely. . . .   

[Szykneij]

be careful there, what you find boring is pure ecstasy for others...

Good advice. The question posed in a thread like this should be "What music do you find the most boring?" as opposed to "What music is the most boring?". A subtle change in wording, but a big difference in meaning.

[karlhenning]

[Muzak] is not TORTURE, its GENIUS! some of the best music cognition specialists work on this stuff.

...Some of the worst music cognition specialists also work on it.

So . . . music cognition specialists will produce work of artistic genius?  I ask only for information 

[LaciDeeLeBlanc]

What is that one song that everyone and their mom knows how to play on the piano? And only that song! Is it "Heart and Soul"? Everytime I hear someone plunking that out my impulse is, "Turn it off!!! Turn it off!!!!"

On minimalism, it's probably not a good idea to listen to if you're already bored. In another state of mind, I find it quite mesmerizing.

[Kullervo]

What is that one song that everyone and their mom knows how to play on the piano? And only that song! Is it "Heart and Soul"? Everytime I hear someone plunking that out my impulse is, "Turn it off!!! Turn it off!!!!"

When I was in high school there was this guy in my French class that would impress the girls by playing the piano line from a Coldplay song. I had to restrain myself from lobbing a boot at his head every time.

[karlhenning]

When I was in high school there was this guy in my French class that would impress the girls by playing the piano line from a Coldplay song.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose . . . .

[btpaul674]

...Some of the worst music cognition specialists also work on it.

their job is to make beloved Muzak EXTRA stagnant.

[btpaul674]

...Some of the worst music cognition specialists also work on it.


So . . . music cognition specialists will produce work of artistic genius?  I ask only for information 

If increasing productivity in the workplace and producing masking in a public area with music is art, then they are modern day Da Vincis. 


In all seriousness, the field of music cognition is not limited to just Muzak, it works closely with children with disabilities, major record companies (pop and classical), and the solitary listener just to name a few.

[karlhenning]

If increasing productivity in the workplace and producing masking in a public area with music is art

It isn't. Thank you for playing 

[karlhenning]

beloved Muzak

For most, perhaps, a poignant oxymoron 

[oyasumi]

I see the one liner-smiley combination works well for you.

[karlhenning]

Sure.

[btpaul674]

It isn't. Thank you for playing 

It is. Thank you for hosting!

[LVB_opus.125]

I'm going to tell you that Muzak is some of the most brilliant music ever devised. Muzak, as well as many other companies, make music for mostly 4 areas: heavy and light industrial, office, and public spaces. The way each song is structured in a list, the timing between the songs, the cycle of 'styles' of songs they use, all are predetermined and devised to react with certain phenomena in music cognition. The music is not to be paid attention to and they design it with that intention. It is supposed to alter your arousal. Most generally, Muzak counteracts the Burris-Meyer Cardinell fatigue curve (slump in activity mid morning and late afternoon) and coincide with the Yerkes-Dodson law. (simple tasks done with music stimulating high arousal and complex tasks done with music stimulating low arousal).

it's not TORTURE, its GENIUS! some of the best music cognition specialists work on this stuff.

Are you considering that Brittney Spears, Nsync, The Bee Gees, various American Idol winners, are composing "genius" music? Say what you want about research and all your jargon, but this music flat out sucks big time. If you didn't read my post, I'm not talking about the dumbed down instrumental muzak, but the muzak stations that now stream POPULAR MUSIC that is grating on the nerves.

"It is supposed to alter your arousal," or turn you into a mindless shopping zombie? That, my friend, is the question. I don't believe that this goal is to be admired. If anything, it's a sad comment on the collective intelligence of our fellow man.

[Szykneij]

In all seriousness, the field of music cognition is not limited to just Muzak, it works closely with children with disabilities, major record companies (pop and classical), and the solitary listener just to name a few.

Hi btpaul74 --

I'm guessing you've had to read a lot of Edwin Gordon at OSU?

[btpaul674]

Are you considering that Brittney Spears, Nsync, The Bee Gees, various American Idol winners, to compose "genius" music? Say what you want about research and all your jargon, but this music flat out sucks big time. If you didn't read my post, I'm not talking about the dumbed down instrumental muzak, but the muzak stations that now stream POPULAR MUSIC that is grating on the nerves.

Let me preface by saying that spears, nsync et al make a lot of money with their music and people like it and listen to it. I respect that. A listener of that music I am not nor do I consider these artists any kind of genius.

I could care less if it's a Muzak version King Crimson or Young Jeezy or Champaign. I could care less if its Muzak of 'my funny valentine' or 'giant steps.' The point people seem to be missing is these songs are put together in a fashion to increase your productivity in the workplace and increase sales in public areas by the phenomena I discussed and phenomena I haven't discussed. Its production is calculated to the minute. That is GENIUS. Functional music at a pinnacle.

Moreover, Muzak is a company and not a genre. People seem to place a genre to cheesy instrumental versions of original songs by calling it muzak.

If you find it disgusting to listen too or if it annoys you, good. You aren't supposed to listen. If you do, good.

[btpaul674]

Hi btpaul74 --

I'm guessing you've had to read a lot of Edwin Gordon at OSU?

No, actually. I'm very familiar with GIML but most of my reading is Huron, Sloboda, Levitin, Snyder, and countless journal articles.


On Muzak:

If you can get your hands on this book, read it:

http://www.amazon.ca/Muzak-Hidden-Messages-Psychology-Culture/dp/0889464340/ref=sr_1_10/702-4948943-3184828?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186170735&sr=1-10