Professor of popular music Allen Moore and musician/conductor Jeremy Summerly offer theories on why certain pieces of music are easier to recognize and remember.
In a radio commentary, two UK musicians speculate on why certain works, such as Beethoven's 5th Symphony, are widely recognized and remembered, even by those who claim no knowledge of classical music.
Allen Moore, professor of popular music at the University of Surrey, does not think that there is any universal formula: memory is dependent upon each individual's experience. Often a variation of an ordinary chord sequence or rhythmic pattern can set and trigger a memory. However, what our brains will perceive and notice as a significant variation will depend upon our listening experiences, both with the piece itself and in general.
Jeremy Summerly, musician and conductor of the Royal Academy of Music, believes that memorability is related to the rhythm of a piece. Just take Beethoven's 5th, for example. If asked to sing the opening melody or name the harmonic pattern, few but accomplished musicians would be able to comply. But almost anyone can chant "da-da-da-dum...da-da-da-dum." Similarly, it is the rhythms of John Williams' film music that people remember, rather than the actual melodies.
What do you think? How do you recognize a piece, or what makes something worth remembering to you? Is it the melody, the rhythm, the instruments used, the harmonies?
