(word processor parameters LM=8, RM=75, TM=2, BM=2) Taken from KeelyNet BBS (214) 324-3501 Sponsored by Vangard Sciences PO BOX 1031 Mesquite, TX 75150 There are ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRICTIONS on duplicating, publishing or distributing the files on KeelyNet! August 25, 1991 SYNETH1.ASC -------------------------------------------------------------------- This file is from the Journal of General Psychology, 3:377-287, 1930. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Tone Shapes : A Novel Type of Synathesia by Michael J. Zigler -------------------------------------------------------------------- Vangard Note... Synathesia (SynEthesia in modern parlance) is the confusion of senses. Such phenomena allows the subject to "see sounds", hear colors, etc.. Any of the senses can be mixed with any other sense as a means of perceiving in a different manner. This file is placed on KeelyNet because it refers to a novel ability to see the geometric forms of sound without the direct use of Chladni waveplates (vibrating plates covered with sand and excited by sound). -------------------------------------------------------------------- The attention of the writer has recently been called to the occurrence in the experience of two Wellesley College undergraduates of an unique type of synaesthesia in which the sound of each of several musical instruments is accompanied by a distinctive TRI- DIMENSIONAL FORM. The fact that musical sounds are associated with color impressions, photisms, bidimensional patterns, etc. in the experiences of certain persons has been reported in various places since Goethe first mentioned the existence of this type of synaesthesia. The writer has been unable, however, to discover anywhere in the literature descriptions of synaesthetic phenomena in which the patterns excited by musical instruments are CLEARLY tri-dimensional in form. (3D) Summary. We have reported two cases of a novel type of synaesthesia. In which the tones of different musical instruments give rise to correspondingly DIFFERENT tri-dimensional shapes. Every instrument excites a specific form, which maintains roughly the same features at all pitches, intensities and durations. Page 1 The higher pitches occasion smaller and lighter, the lower ones larger and darker shapes. The forms may appear in colors, but color is not always present and always plays a role secondary TO THAT OF FORM. These phenomena occur chiefly in solo rendition, and possess high aesthetic appeal. One subject has experienced the forms as far back as she can remember, the other discovered suddenly several years ago her capability of realizing them, and they have since gradually somewhat improved in definiteness. There are striking differences in the forms of the two subjects for the same instrument, but the general conditions of their arousal and alteration have many points in common. In view of this fact, the interpretation is made that the two subjects represent a single type of synaesthesia. Evidences for and against the hereditary and acquired theories, although somewhat favoring the latter view, are inconclusive. Relationship of these shapes to EIDETIC imagery is suggested in the almost perceptual character of the phenomena, especially in the case of Subject A, as well as in the fact that for Subject B under all circumstances and for A under the more difficult conditions of their arousal, the shapes are realized under voluntary attention. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Instrument Subject A Subject B Flute Thimble or acorn cup Hollow tube Saxophone Cup with solid inner Bursting of a mass into core rough, jagged, and splintery particles Bugle Morning glory or pipe Sphere with opening on upper side Harmonica Series of spatially Flat rectangle distributed discs Jazz whistle Thick waving streamer Lumpy dough-like elongated mass Simplexophone Dagger Megaphone of very vague outline Musical saw Elongated globule with Yards and yards of round jagged surface ribbon-like material Cello Flat horizontal base Thick ribbon with spring-like vertical projections Violin Tube with enlarged Ribbon much thinner and nodules smaller than that of cello Piano Quadrangular blocks Spheres Page 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Vangard notes... The discrepancy in the forms seen by the two subjects is the most disturbing feature of the article. Either our subjects were faking or there is a perceptual "translation" method which differs between subjects. In addition, the work of Persinger with very low level magnetic fields (lower than the Earth's natural magnetic field) shows that hallucinations and "eidetic" imagery can be induced. It is even possible that the magnetic field in a very small local area can be modulated to induce such images. We must also not forget magnetic phosphenes, generated by pressure on the closed eyelids to produce flashes of light in the eye. The late Hans Jenny was attempting to construct a means of viewing forms created from sound waves in three dimensions. Being aware that John Keely used Chladni waveplates as analytical tools in his research with complex vibrations, we must also pursue such a line of investigation. Jenny used some form of very fine plastic pellets which had a degree of cohesiveness. This tendency to "stick" assisted the formation of a structure in the Z axis (height) and kept it together. Another approach used by Jenny was magnetized iron filings which also tended to stick together and form most interesting patterns. In the late 70's, one of the popular magazines (I believe it was Popular Science), reported on a substance called "Ferro-Fluid". When placed in a container and held over a speaker magnet, it formed very complex 3 dimensional patterns. Ferro-Fluid seems to have been very fine metal filings suspended in an oil in the form of an emulsion. An address was given for those wishing to buy it, but we have yet to locate the article. One of our approaches will be a very light, clear oil, something like vegetable or mineral oil, to hold such magnetized filings. This should provide a beginning for the study of 3-dimensional forms induced by sounds. -------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have comments or other information relating to such topics as this paper covers, please upload to KeelyNet or send to the Vangard Sciences address as listed on the first page. Thank you for your consideration, interest and support. Jerry W. Decker.........Ron Barker...........Chuck Henderson Vangard Sciences/KeelyNet -------------------------------------------------------------------- If we can be of service, you may contact Jerry at (214) 324-8741 or Ron at (214) 242-9346 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 3