In the sincere interest of bringing you something interesting to read this Monday, I've been perusing various research studies on music. Let me tell you, I've got content for the next four years based on what I've read about music and it's effect on us. What struck me most was a paper on Back Ground Music-(BGM) by Norman Weinberger. So while you read these little snippets from his paper, enjoy the BGM I've selected for today.
[BGM], "a music delivery system that permeates virtually all public indoor (and "in plane") spaces with "Background" or "Elevator" music. Often referred to as "Musak", background music (BGM) is actually offered by several music suppliers. BGM permeates our world. It is easier to think of places that lack BGM that to list all those where it is found. Most establishments in which we spend money, to purchase goods, services, food, or drink have BGM. So do many work places, be they factories or offices. BGM is currently being marketed for the home ... numerous channels, each with a distinctive type of music for different personal or social situations, all in digital stereo. And where there is no permanent installation, as in our cars, it is a simple matter to achieve self-supply of BGM by tuning the car radio to an appropriate type of station."
He goes on to discuss the power of BGM to direct or even manipulate us in any given situation....
"The widespread and increasing presence of commercial BGM testifies either to a large waste of money by BGM purchasers , or to the effectiveness of BGM in modifying human behavior, to the benefit of BGM purchasers. Even by the most inefficient of market forces, BGM would long be gone were it ineffective, or at the very least, believed to be ineffective. But it is effective. For example, in one study of the effectiveness of music in a national chain of supermarkets, the use of slow music increased sales over the use of fast music. Shoppers stayed in the store longer and purchased more, a lot more. The average gain was from $12,112.35 per store to $16,740.23, a gain of 39.2%"
Moreover, sound can permeate a space and reach all potential listeners, and do so simultaneously, something achieved only in special circumstances by visual images, as in a cinema. But here too, BGM has an important role. Although you may be only mildly aware of the effect of BGM in movies, a moment's thought will probably convince you that without music, the impact of a movie would be dramatically reduced. Moreover, researchers have shown that the remembering of filmed events is significantly better when they are accompanied by music, particularly music that which fits the mood of the visual images.
Weinberger discusses the presence of back ground music from the earliest times including Motzart and Beethoven's performances for royal courts. I'm sure everyone has a favorite (or sad) memory that is accompanied by music. Take a minute to listen to a song that brings back a memory.
Happy Musical Monday!
2 comments:
I listened to the music after 11PM and almost fell asleep at the computer. Thanks for the going-to-bed quiet time. It was lovely.
I like your music choice. We are avid listener's of "elevator music" and it drives our kids crazy! ha ha.. But I still think it's good for them.
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