mgresham@artsnet.UUCP (Mark Gresham) (06/30/90)
In article <2070@mindlink.UUCP> a577@mindlink.UUCP (Curt Sampson) writes: >> Why do musics used in religious trance rituals always have the same elements >> in common, namely repetitive polyrythms? > >I would postulate that it is done to distort the time sense of the people >listening. I would suggest there is more to it than distortion of the sense of time alone. Most people have difficulty at judging accurately how much time has elapsed with most kinds of music, or just sitting quietly (even reading, for example). Repetition of anything, any behavior or observed event, seems to have a more direct impact on altering the actual state of agents of thought and memory. [At this point, I ought to call on Steve Smoliar to comment or elaborate.] Also, note that such music, where it is a normal part of the culture, is not often dislocated from movement, rite, and community participation. (The various Sanghyang of Bali, for one example.) Cheers, --Mark ======================================== Mark Gresham ARTSNET Norcross, GA, USA E-mail: ...gatech!artsnet!mgresham or: artsnet!mgresham@gatech.edu ========================================