Expression of music by colors

Abstract

Music comprises numerous components and is thus difficult to express. If an image of music could be visually articulated, smoother communication could be achieved. Previous research has demonstrated that color is able to express impressions, and this study aims to express music through colors. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 evaluated the impression of music and 40 compositions of varied genre were used as stimuli. Color stimuli were selected from the Practical Color Coordinate System (PCCS). 12 tones, 12 hues, and achromatic colors (in total 25 color stimuli) were used. Impressions were assessed using the 7 step Semantic Differential (SD) method that utilized 20 adjective pairs. Subjects first evaluated the impressions they received from the music, then selected colors that matched or mismatched those impressions. The music stimuli used in experiment1 were also employed for Experiment 2, which pertained to the expression of music through colors and an application was used for this purpose. The expression of the music was accomplished in two parts: by tone, and by hue through achromatic color. Subjects changed the size of the color patches displayed on the screen of the application to express the music they heard using colors. Results were recorded for each stimulus with each color designated a numerical value between 0 and 100. The results of the factor analysis for impression data revealed four factors. The regression analysis demonstrated that color expressions using tones in Experiment 2 corresponded to these factors.