Capital

Mind your vibes

You've heard the adage, "music is a universal language" several hundred times. So much that the barely logical adage is in danger of losing all meaning. Okay, I can identify with the idea of music being able to be understood/enjoyed across the language barrier but then I ask myself, if music were such a global medium, why hasn't it made the world a better place (Heal The World is clear enough a message …).
Be that as it may, and since this week, Society is more about whether or not the music we like is a reflection on our inner self, I'll try approaching this from…lets see, yeah, why not cite from personal experience.
As an 80's teenager I was captivated by artists that today are regarded as legends. My gang at school called ourselves the Wire-Heads. The metallic reference alludes to the fact that all four of us wore wire-rimmed glasses (prescription) and 'head' accounted for what we believed was another fact: Wire-heads were the ultimate in geeky-cool because despite our laid back attitude, we were the brightest kids on campus.
The hip gang was also intensely aware of all current events so we had been ripe for the reggae revolution spearheaded by Bob Marley (RIP). His songs - of Black Redemption, Social Equity and Love-of nature and all things natural, struck a chord that remains to this day.
Musicologists maintain that music is defined as a rhythmic sequencing of sound waves. This accounts for the varying emotions that we glean from our preferred music genre or favorite tunes.
These experts also correlate heart beat frequency with the tempo (speed) of music, concluding that the most relaxing tempo is that which is most similar in pace to the heart rate at the precise moment.
According to this theory, it is logical to assume then, that the faster our heart rate, the more drawn we are to faster music. Similarly, we prefer slower beats when readying to go to bed, when dining, praying and other calmer activities. Such arguments powerfully make the case that music preference is a strong determiner of personality.
Of course, there are other factors that come to bear. Among these is age - what does it not affect…?. Many believe and with some justification since it is life experience they are sourcing from, that they have noted, as the years go by, their taste in music has slowed in pace and mellowed in tone. Well, even I must admit that, although Bob Marley, Michel Jackson and Dire Straits are still my all time favorite choices, I don't crank up my stereo as loud as I used to. Once, dancing to Thriller crunching out of Bose speakers energized by a Sansui amplifier, a bedroom window shattered. Today 24 years after Michael Jackson's superb - yet to be eclipsed album, I am still thrilled whenever I listen to Billie Jean, You Gotta Be Starting Something and all the other hits---but with the LED showing a modest - even prudishly low volume level.
Personal taste in music does reflect on character. However it can never be so clear out since it works both ways. Who are we to say that it is one's personality that determines music preference …? I hope I have confused you enough to get up from where you are, dust off those old tapes and records … (okay, even CD's) and, get down on it!

Does one’s taste in music reflect personality characteristics?

Your question presupposes that all humans like music. I think your question should have been: Does not liking music reflect on personality? Of course it does! By extension then the , original question is also answered. People that can live with out music are downright scary. Its not normal. These people are usually grumpy, loveless and in turn, unloving. Same with people (ogers, really) who tell me they don't like children.
Tekle Abraham
37, Teacher
To answer you, taste in music is absolutely determined by personality. Although I’m no expert, I have observed that those into reggae are much calmer and peaceful than africiandos of gangsta rap.
Israel Kidman
33, Clinician

I’ve read somewhere that all sound felt vibration has psycho-physical effects on not just humans and other animals, but also on plants, natural and artificial materials – in short , on everything. Music is produced from deeply felt emotions from the life experienced of the artist. It is precisely this intense emotional aspect of the original composition that results in the effect it has on us.
Temesgen Mihiret
26, University student