Music is a universal language that has been present in societies across the world throughout history. Researchers like Yuto Ozaki from Keio University in Tokyo have been exploring the evolution of music and its relationship to speech. By comparing samples of songs and speech from various cultures, they have uncovered some interesting patterns.
One of the key findings of the research is that songs tend to be slower than speech, with higher and more stable pitches. This suggests that singing is not just a by-product of speaking, but may have its own unique role in human society. Patrick Savage, a musicologist from the University of Auckland, suggests that slower and more predictable melodies in songs may help people synchronize and harmonize, bringing them together in a way that language cannot.
To delve deeper into these findings, the researchers analyzed 300 audio recordings from 75 collaborators speaking 55 languages. Each person sang a traditional song, recited its lyrics, played an instrumental version of its melody, and described its meaning. This comprehensive approach allowed them to observe how pitch height, tempo, and pitch stability vary as a person transitions from instrumental music to singing to speech.
The study also visualizes two recordings of the English folk song “Scarborough Fair” – one sung and one spoken. The sung version of the song is slower, with generally higher and more stable pitches compared to the spoken version. This comparison highlights the unique qualities of music that set it apart from speech.
Overall, the research sheds light on the commonalities found in songs and instrumental melodies across different cultures. Despite the diverse forms that music can take, there are underlying patterns that connect them all. This exploration of the evolution of music offers valuable insights into the role of music in human society and how it has the power to bring people together through shared rhythms and melodies.
