I was diagnosed with Synesthesia about 26 years ago. In my case it was quite uninteresting; I saw bright flashes of light upon sudden noises, such as doors shutting, etc. After about 2 years it went away. I had a lot of other symptoms though too at the time, such as hallucinations (in various sensory areas), and while I was living in France some of the neurologists there described the syndrome as 'artistic hypersensitivity.' Others thought I had a brain tumor. In the end, it was the artistic sensitivity I guess. Long story, but I rather like the artistic sensitivity bit. Aside from a childhood period of strange (but extremely pleasurable) 'out-of-body' experiences, I have been completely normal, unfortunately. ;-) (also, see: Oliver Sacks et al on temporal lobe epilepsy/migrane equivalents)
Robert Dickow Lionel Hampton School of Music -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 7:46 PM To: horn@music.memphis.edu Subject: Re: [Hornlist] Re: Synesthesia Hello- For more info about "synaesthesia" look at the Wikipedia article at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia I know that this can vary greatly in severity. The wonderful Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944) also had this. This quite obvious from his very brilliant colors. Apparently he painted some of his masterpieces when listening to Gershwin. I remember reading that he experienced music as an ocean of colors in his mind. I know a few students in my ear-training class who can tell (quite reliably) what key something is in by its "color." I don't mean color as in sound timbre, I mean actual visual color. F major is blue, A major is Yellow, like that. Certain psychedelic drugs can induce this affect - though I will not comment on whether I know of this from first hand experience... - and it can be quite vivid. Happy Practicing Everyone, Dave Meichle Lawrence University ________________________________________________________________________ FREE Reminder Service - NEW from AmericanGreetings.com Click HERE and never forget a Birthday or Anniversary again! http://track.juno.com/s/lc?s=197335&u=http://www.americangreetings.com/produ cts/online_calendar.pd?c=uol5752 _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/dickow%40uidaho.edu _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
