SOP - Why we love repetition in music

https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_hellmuth_margulis_why_we_love_repetition_in_music
Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis talks about why we like repetition. What do you think about repetition? How often does your favorite song repeat a part?

Artist: Bob Tozier
School: North Allegheny

Notes:

https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_hellmuth_margulis_why_we_love_repetition_in_music

How many times does the chorus repeat in your favorite song? How many times have you listened to that chorus? Repetition in music isn't just a feature of Western pop songs, either; it's a global phenomenon. Why? Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis walks us through the basic principles of the 'exposure effect,' detailing how repetition invites us into music as active participants, rather than passive listeners. [Directed by Andrew Zimbelman, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Joshua Smoak and Alex Admiral Collier].

Comments

Joshua Morton from: North Allegheny - posted: May 3, 2022
I feel when i'm listening to my favorite songs it repeats multiple times. Thats how the main motifs get so well known.

Quinn Volpe from: North Allegheny - posted: May 6, 2022
I often do like songs with repetition, though I feel as if my favorite songs are packed with a variety of poetic lyrics that do not repeat. However, I know that most songs have repetition when it comes to the background music.

Dillon Ferraro from: North Allegheny - posted: May 11, 2022
I think that most often times, the repetetive part of a song is the catchiest which makes sense. Sometimes though, my personal fave part of a song might only happen once. just depends.

Alli Kern from: North Allegheny - posted: May 23, 2022
It is widely recognized that repetition is a popular tactic when composing music, but just how far can songwriters go? Especially in modern songs, refrains and melodies repeat almost excessively--in my opinion it almost doesn't sound like a song anymore. There needs to be a correct balance of repetition versus variation to make a good song.

Charles Cubelic from: North Allegheny - posted: May 24, 2022
I think a good chorus will repeat typically two to three times in the song. I have listened to that chorus more than thousands of times.

Zachary Brkovich from: North Allegheny - posted: May 24, 2022
My favorite song does not have a ton of repetition in it. I think that this is the reason I like it because it feels like it is telling a story rather than repeating the same thing over and over again.

Zoe Tracey from: North Allegheny - posted: May 24, 2022
I think choruses and repeptitiveness is what catches the initial ear of the listener but for me personally a slight change is always my favorite part of the song. For example, in NIrvanas Heart Shaped Box the chorus changes when he says "when you turn black" and that little change of the notes and point of view stuck with me and makes me continue to come back to the song.

Bri Cobbey from: North Allegheny - posted: May 26, 2022
repeition is great when used properly because it makes the tune catchy and keeps the listener entertained. Other times though, I feel like too much repitition can ruin a song.

Dylan Shields from: North Allegheny - posted: May 26, 2022
Repetition is often important to make a melody stick into your head. I often dont like repetition because it kindof annoys me and i like songs that are more diverse and have different parts.

Cassandra Pultorak from: North Allegheny - posted: May 27, 2022
Honestly what song doesn't constantly repeat? Almost all choruses repeat along with the verses that it's almost impossible to find a song that doesn't repeat.

Charlotte Bentrim from: North Allegheny - posted: May 27, 2022
I feel like repetition is popular because since you’ve heard it once before, it's more familiar and expected, which makes people like it more

Sabrina Ferron from: North Allegheny - posted: June 3, 2022
I love repetition in music, especially when different parts are emphasized each time the melody repeats. One of my favorite artists right now is Alex G. Most of his songs are the same melody that is repeated with different lyrics, harmonies, or instrumentals each time. But it does take skill to prevent repetitive sections from becoming boring, and I think this is what separates skillful/talented writers from the rest.