Through the self to music: The self as the creative origin for composing in time frames

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Musicology
• Psychology

Background:

• Composer Peter Michael Hamel's lifelong immersion in music.
• His interest in the scientific underpinnings of music and sound.
• A novel encounter with brain science findings regarding temporal processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the significance of the brain's approximately 3-second temporal window.
• To investigate the role of this temporal window in communication, empathy, and self-awareness.
• To reflect on the concept of the "self" in relation to musical composition and experience.

Main Methods:

• Composer's personal reflection on neuroscience research.
• Composition of a string quartet, "The Time Frame," inspired by the temporal window.
• Analysis of the temporal window's function in integrating continuity and simultaneity.

Main Results:

• Identification of a 3-second temporal window as an anthropological universal.
• The temporal window serves as a basis for communication, empathy, and self-awareness.
• This window acts as a platform for integrating continuous and simultaneous experiences.

Conclusions:

• The "self" is a creative starting point for composing and experiencing music within temporal windows.
• The relationship between the self and music is complementary, as explored in "Through the Self to Music."
• Understanding temporal processing in the brain offers new insights into musical creation and perception.