@hominid: “I’m kind of confused about your original question since the details seemed to answer the question and then present a new one”
You’re not the only one who is confused (so is this guy => @hominid). I’d like to keep it open to interpretation. I mostly have questions. Some answers, maybe, but those are likely just hunches.
Let’s try this: you’re watching a movie. Something is happening. But if you have the volume down and you read the subtitles, you may feel very little if the movie is relying heavily (as it often does) on the music to create an emotional response. Your experience of that moment in the movie is significantly-influenced by the music. I suspect that many so-called “tearjerkers” wouldn’t require the box of tissue for it not for a film score that is tugging at our deep emotions.
Now, if I am someone who is driving around and I’m listening to aggressive* music (* this can be whatever the person feels makes them feel aggressive), will this affect their driving? Will this affect their mood and interactions once they stop listening. Now, of course – they are likely listening to this music because they chose to listen to music that fit their current mood. But there lies one of my big questions in this mess of questions: what is the effect of choosing the music we choose?
If I’m angry and I choose music that I can relate to in that moment, am I creating an anger-loop that may keep me trapped for longer than a non-musical moment would be? If I were cut off while driving, how would that event feel while resting with my anger silently vs. experiencing it with the music?
I’m just asking questions because I don’t know. I know that for me, music is powerful. And listening to it vs. creating it is a completely different experience. I haven’t even really explored the creative side – just the consumption.
There is much I would love to learn about music – not necessarily musical theory, but rather what you describe about consonance, dissonance, and what is universal, etc. It seems so cumulative and cultural. Every note and rhythm seems to be a reference to other music that was generated within a particular culture.