03

[edle_gestalt]

Greetings!

I have been pondering the topic of music. I know, I know - what else is new? But I was wondering if I could get some opinions.

How do people feel about the concept of music as a manipulative device?

I am aware that to some, it may not be effective. But others are quite sensitive to the effect of various tones, producing various results as well based on each individual's personal experience. But think about it - as practitioners of magic, we are constantly manipulating others, manipulating fate, and the physical appearance of those around us.

In terms of human emotion, is making music the closest a muggle can get to using magic?

I've taken conducting classes back home, at summer programs, and I have to say that holding the baton in my hand, taking that command over a large group of people to create exactly what I wanted, was not so different from holding a wand and casting a spell. There is a certain invigorating power that it inspires, having that control to realize exactly what is in your mind at the moment.

Is it dangerous? Can music, too, be used negatively? I wouldn't want to, mind! But it was a thought - obviously it doesn't have as direct an effect as a dark spell might, but if one were to manipulate another person, through music, for selfish reasons - is that dangerous? Think of the Minnesänger troubadours, think of the serenades used to woo women from high towers, think of the patriotic music used to stir loyalty in troops in times of war. In Ancient Greece, it was believed that a king was stirred to battle simply by hearing a tune played on a flute in the Phrygian mode.

Can music, or any sound, really, be used to enhance our own magic? Maybe even to help us defend ourselves? I would also appreciate opinions from those of you who normally aren't as interested in music. Even if just to ensure that I am not thinking too idealistically through the eyes of a musician myself. Objective reassurance would be nice, if you can give it sincerely.

Yours,
Roderich 

Comments

[marshall_lee]

Well, the Phantom of the Opera used it as a manipulative device. Sure, he's fictional but I think the same concepts could happen if someone is talented enough.

Music can be used in so many ways..it can inspire, make you relate to something and even incite a riot. I wouldn't call it magic per say but it's damn close to it in some ways.

[ink blots all over the place due to excitement]

I..can't believe I've never thought of trying to use music as an enhancement to spells.
...holy shit Roderich..I think this could be something amazing. I think this is something that should be studied further. I mean, we use words for spells and wand-less magic is harder but it exists. I don't see why you couldn't use music!

[edle_gestalt]

[Handwriting is a little bit less careful and precise due to his own excitement, too.]

You think so? I think it would be interesting to look into ancient cultures to see what sort of effects they believed music had. Like that story about the king I mentioned. And how tritones were forbidden because they were difficult, ugly, and ended up being associated with the Devil. And certain rules of music theory - harmonisation rules, I mean - they're there because of what is pleasing to the ear, and what is not. They affect the listener. They should affect spells, too.

We could always conduct experiments, too. See how people react to sounds. See how that affects any magic. Using harmless charms, of course!! But you know what I'm getting at, yes?

[marshall_lee]

Well, music is the central theme in a lot of stories and legends. Hell, there are even songs about songs like that. Ever hear that American Muggle song "The Devil Went Down to Georgia"? It's about an awesome fiddle player that beats the Devil in a fiddling contest. I'll try and find a copy on vinyl and I'll bring it in after break is over with.

I think we should. But we should try it on ourselves..I'll volunteer of course. We could also see if tone and inflection can enhance spells. I know spoken ones can be ineffective if the inflection is wrong but I wonder if they could be altered somehow?

[edle_gestalt]

Oh, that sounds familiar! I can't think of the melody off the top of my head so I'd love to hear it again.

...Or -- and this is getting ambitious -- could we find someone that creates spells, and ask them about it? Not sure how we'll find time, with schoolwork and all, but it would be very interesting to look into. But I'd definitely be willing to go back and forth with you trying out tonal inflection. Or if each of us playing our respective instruments leaves us more or less vulnerable to attack.

[marshall_lee]

I'm actually not sure I could play it and make it sound good..not on guitar anyways.

I wonder who we'd even talk to? I suppose we could ask all the professors and explain what we're trying to figure out and they might know someone? Researching something like this would look excellent on transcripts.
Oh, I didn't think about vulnerability. I think no matter what we decide we'll have to have a professor looking over us as we do this since it might be considered dangerous.
Either way I'm totally up for trying something like this out. We could discover a whole other branch of magic.

[edle_gestalt]

You know, you're right. It would look fantastic. I wonder if it has much to do with DADA? That might be the safest to look into, considering we might make ourselves emotionally vulnerable with music. We should talk to Professor Donoghue.

[marshall_lee]

Sounds perfect.
We should see if anyone else wants in on this as well. We could get a lot more varied kinds of results if we had more people participate.

[lefilschanceux]

The US has used music as torture before, I believe. Probably still does, really. So yes, I'd say music can be used negatively.

I'm not sure I'd call music itself a form of magic, but I don't think it's that far off to say it can have the same effects... There's certainly no lack of myths tied to music that can only be called magic.

[edle_gestalt]

Oh my goodness, I can't think of what it's called in English. Rattenfänger von Hameln? The story where the man led children out of the town after he led the rats out, with his pipe. Terrifying stuff, honestly!

It makes one wonder, though - if something like that happened, is the magic tied to the music, or is the music a front to hide a magic which is completely unrelated? That's what I would want to know.

[lefilschanceux]

Yes, I know the story you mean... But I can only remember the French name.

As for that... I suppose if you want to put it in terms of real magic, then you could say the music would be more akin to the incantation. But that'd probably work better with lyrics than something like a flute. I suppose it could be a form of wordless magic, if you could channel your magic through the instrument instead of a wand.

[edle_gestalt]

...Come to think of it, it would make for incredible code. Wordless magic through music, I mean. I think it's absolutely possible, though it might require specially crafted instruments that are responsive to magic.

[lefilschanceux]

Could any instrument be used, though? Unless you don't have a specific target in mind, something like a piano wouldn't be very precise.

[edle_gestalt]

That's true - although acoustics of a room could be utilized, or a concert hall could be secretly designed to direct sound at a particular audience member. I can't see a situation where that would be practical, though.

Any instrument would probably have to be crafted for the magic to exit through a specific point. Even with something like a trumpet, where the bell can be pointed at a target, it's still sound, and it's still going to dissipate. Or, one would have to acquire the skill of mentally directing the spell after it's been cast.

[lefilschanceux]

Assuming that's even possible... I suppose there's a reason even in myths, the most precise an effect gets is age or gender.

[edle_gestalt]

Wandless magic does exist, though. So... perhaps, the instrument wouldn't be able to channel it. It would be simple wandless magic, but variations and enhancements on spells could be made with the music itself.

[lefilschanceux]

I suppose that'd be the easiest way to go about it.

Of course, we could say that there's nothing wrong with a field of magic that can only be used on several people and that's there no need to try and narrow down its effects on one person, but it's an interesting thought exercise nonetheless.

[3potionproblem]

Music is only as strong as the person is weak. If they allow themselves to be inspired or manipulated by song, then they are searching for something to move them. But as there are several magical spells which also require a certain leniency in the target, it's as good a 'magic' as any, I suppose.

[edle_gestalt]

That is quite true, although I'd hesitate to call the enjoyment of music a weakness. To allow it to go that far under normal circumstances, yes - but if there is casual enjoyment in the first place, there is likely potential to expound upon that using magic.

As for spells - if they respond to spoken word, I don't see why a wand couldn't be trained or crafted to respond to simple tones as well. Music is very much a language in itself.

[3potionproblem]

I think perhaps you have given me a very bad idea for which I will likely thank you for at a later date.

[edle_gestalt]

[ink blots...]

And credit me as well, I hope?

I trust this isn't a malicious idea.

[3potionproblem]

Certainly, if you like.

No, not malicious. Not in my hands anyway.

[edle_gestalt]

Would getting a slight hint to these intentions be out of the question?

I'd like to clarify that I would not want my name attached to it if something goes wrong, mind you.

[Filtered]

[3potionproblem]

I play the violin. I plan to make a space in the bow for my wand and to try and compose something that will cast a spell musically.

Not for ill. But once a technique is created, how it is used by others can hardly be my fault. Or yours by extension. And I really can't say for certain what a set of notes will produce as a means of casting a spell. If anything at all.

[filtered]

[edle_gestalt]

...That is an excellent idea, probably much more accessible than wandless magic at this point. I also play, and if you don't mind I may try the same.

I'd already considered chanting spells with melodies based around various modal scales, rather than simply speaking them. My singing voice was more pleasant before it dropped, but I'm hoping I still have enough skill to get some results.

I'd also be curious how the wand in the bow would affect the timbre...

[filtered]

[3potionproblem]

It'll have to be rebalanced for the added weight. That in itself will take time. If it's a viable means of casting and if it can be built upon, perhaps there will be a market for bows with magic cores built-in.

Violin specifically or other stringed instrument? Mine's a Stradivarius.

Perhaps we should compare our results throughout the year.

[pastapasta_i_love_pasta]

I think music is magic! You know how when you listen to a song you really, really like and it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside? That's a special kind of magic that no spell can ever do! I like listening and singing my favourite songs, it makes me feel so much better than any potion that the Healers give me and it helps to take the pain away too.

[edle_gestalt]

I would agree with you there, Feli. I know that you and I both love music enough for it to have that effect. What I'm hoping is that maybe it could be effective for those who are just casual listeners, or that wands could respond to it.

Since music stirs memories, it might even require knowing something about the target. If you're fighting them or trying to help, it might work better when you research their background... which doesn't seem too impractical.

[pastapasta_i_love_pasta]

I know, I know! It's like when you're super sad and someone plays a happy song to make you happy, or if they're super mean they play a sad song on the violin to make you cry!! Music can really affect your emotions, that's why opera is so moving and so tragic because at the end where everyone dies (most of the time, there are happy ones and the endings are good too!!) the music builds up the crescendo and ends grandioso to complete the climax of the opera! It's amazing and everyone, Muggles, Mugbloods, Half-bloods and Pure-bloods will burst into tears!!

[Wait, he...he can't use that word right? Eventhough that's what most of his family call Muggleborns. Quickly he scribbled it out and corrected it.]

I mean, Muggleborns!! Sorry, that was an accident!!!!

[edle_gestalt]

That is exactly what it's like. It could be an excellent tool in intelligence, I think - taking advantage of that vulnerability. And also for therapy and healing, on the more positive end.

Feli, you really do need to be careful. I know it was an accident, and I know you don't mean it to be cruel, but you have to watch what you say. People might think you look down on them.

And you don't, do you?

[greenteengenius]

An interesting hypothesis, but how would we test it?

[edle_gestalt]

My thought is that one could start with simple spells that one knows quite well. Things we learn in our first year. Add tonal inflection to said spells. Observe.

We might also test it on willing subjects, to see if the use of melody enhances or detracts from the ability to defend against harmless attacks.

Not sure of how we might test its healing powers. It seems like it would be difficult to get permission to test something on an injured student.

[pomodoroo]

How much fucking time do you have on your hands to think of this shit...?

[edle_gestalt]

Excuse you!!

Passing thoughts while practicing. Good Lord.

[pomodoroo]

It's obvious still don't spend time with people.

[innocent_insanity]

motherfucker, first thing this here brother learnt that music can be used to do all sorts of shit to people. faeries from around the village used to teach me that shit. sometimes they up and get their teaching on for the muggle folk too.

shit's powerful as fuck if you know how to use it.