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Do room colors affect how we hear music?

Scientists studied how colors could impact how we hear music, and discovered that it can impact our perception of timbre and warmth.  Results were published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America in February of this year.  Interestingly, experienced listeners appeared to sense they could detect differences in timbre to a greater degree than casual listeners.  There was no difference in perception of loudness.

This is another example of the amazing way our minds work.  Clearly, room color does not have any real impact on sound, but what we see affects what we think we hear, not unlike when we switch out equipment and accessories. 

karlss0n
stuartk
4,017 posts
 

@smodking1 

Who said anything about turning off senses?

The OP describes how one sense (color) might enhance another (timbral sensitivity).  

kennyc
2,969 posts
 

So, what’s the optimal color? Can one simply wear colored/shaded glasses?

macg19
1,377 posts
 

Everything matters. Colors/tone, lighting, smell/scent affects mood and therefore how we perceive and enjoy music.

faustuss's avatar
faustuss
831 posts
 

@thecarpathian 

"Not if your eyes are closed..."

I look out the window.

rivington66's avatar
rivington66
89 posts
 

In my experience the color of the guitar affects the inpiration to play - And If I’m in the mood to drink good wine, my tastebuds react differently than if I just have a good glass because it’s there.  Conversely, when we’re more inspired to listen to music, the brain operates differently - if the lighting in the room creates that inspiration then so be it.  Music/sound is not one dimensional, there are many human factors that affect the way we hear it.

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