Visual Audio

Relaxation is not just about sound, and neither is this blog. Surprisingly, this post is inspired by an advertisement on Google. As it came on, for the first time in a while, I haven't spammed the "skip ad" button. I, then, followed the link to this video by Ridley Scott (Who you've probably heard of). Ridley says in an interview that he wanted to make an advertisement that "isn't just an ad, it's entertainment."

In this video, through 7 chapters, Scott visualizes the tasting notes of a Hennessy. I don't personally drink or know anything about tasting, but I can get a pretty detailed idea of what it looks like to take a sip from this video. The audio is stunning and matches the visual effects perfectly. With a run-time of only four minutes, this video surprised me both in the shortened ad and in the full version.

What matters more to you when you relax: the sound or the video? Do you like to watch looped videos, like waterfalls, or visual effects, like this one, when you relax?

Nerding out

As someone who plays D&D (Yes, I'm THAT guy), I have found ambient noises to be critical in game-play. Many times, I find videos on YouTube titled, "Five Hours DND Dungeon Music," or "Hour of Ambient Cave Sounds," and the thing that they all have in common is what, I believe, makes them so powerful: low, constant tones. Or high tones that you barely even notice. As I had my players exploring a cave yesterday, I was playing this music: (CAVE MUSIC) and I noticed a tone very similar to the 432hz 'heartbeat of the universe' I had discussed in a previous post. Throughout the video, this tone wavers but never really dies. Thus, the music invokes emotions like calmness, relaxation, and happiness. A slight bell sound compliments the tone as it ebbs back and forth, keeping the listener entranced. And it's not just in this particular video either. Exploring through other similar ambient videos, almost all of them use this style with a constant tone, usually very high or very low, with a simple beat over top to maintain the focus of the listener.
Here are some of the examples I listened to:

Atrium Ambient (uses low constant tones with high piano over it and general low strings)
d&d battle music (Low tones with fast paced drums and electric tones. Lots of bass for you low-rangers)
Cave Music (Described above: high ebbing tones, with bells and ambient noises above)

Anyone else play D&D? If so, what ambiance do you prefer?
What do these videos make you think about as you listen to them?

Relaxation (Discussion)

What makes a song "Relaxing"? Is it the tempo? The instruments? The volume?

According to scientists in a study involving people completing tasks while listening to music, The number one most relaxing song is Marconi Union - Weightless. This song features a tempo beginning at 60bpm and slowing over time to 50bpm. This pace is the optimal resting heart rate, and it has been found that most people's heart rate slows to match the songs tempo.

In my opinion, what makes this song so extremely relaxing is the music ebbing and flowing like the tide. In the background you can hear a steady heartbeat- the core of the song- but over that is an angelic piano-violin duo. As it swells and diminishes, you can almost feel the breath in your chest coming in and out.

What are your thoughts? What defines a "good" song? What makes it relaxing for you?

Remember to include your resonate tone at the beginning of your comment!

432 Hz

What is important about 432Hz?

432 hz is believed to be the "heartbeat" of the universe. Many say that music at 432 hz is 'healing' and the 'most relaxing tone possible'. This frequency can be calming and relaxing, or make you sleep. From research (links provided below) I have found that there may not be as much science behind this as some think. As calming as 432 hz may be, science has debated that there may not even be a "natural resonance of the universe".

What do you think? Is there something more here worth investigating? Give it a listen and discuss how it makes you feel, and if you feel 'connected to the universe'.

Unearthing the truth behind natures frequency.

Separating fact from fiction

432hz Miracle Tone (Video)

Whats your Resonate Range? (Discussion)

This is a discussion post. Use the comment section to post your Resonate Range.

Discussion topic:

• How did the tone make you feel? 
• Did you feel any sort of buzz or emotion when hearing a certain tone?
• What other tones did you find that you wish to share?

Comment using the format:

(XXhz-XXhz) *comment text*