Mix in Music

"Music is the art of thinking with sound." Juleshome video game equivalent of the silent film: "Pong."
CobarieThe Continuing SerenadePong offered a limited visual
Music is the rhythmic accompaniment to our lives.presence, and more importantly, an auditory signal that
People are born to music, studyconsisted of only a single
to music, drive, eat, sleep, and dream to music. People"pong" as the electronic ball bounced from side to
spend more money on musicside.Home video games progressed from this simple
than on books, and music stars become our idols andbeginning, becoming more
companions.We expect to hear an auditory signal andinteractive and visually stimulating, while largely ignoring
will usually supply one when none exists.the auditory signal. Like
Some people will talk to avoid silence. Others willsilent films, home video games didn't emanate warmth.
leave a TV or radio on in theAnd also like silent films,
background, or provide their own music by singing,the bottom fell out of the home video game market.
humming, rapping or whistling.By 1984 American stores were
An extreme example is person who whistles whilerefusing to carry video games.And then in 1985
walking through a graveyard.something revolutionary happened. Nintendo introduced
Their auditory signal adds comfort and warmth to thegamers
cold and forebodingto the Super Mario Brothers. By 1990, Mario the Italian
environment.The auditory signal is critical to success inplumber was recognized by
live training. Imagine training devoid ofmore American children than Mickey Mouse!Super
audio (no laughter, no conversation and no lecture)Mario Brothers succeeded because it was a complete
and you see the point. Audio ispackage, offering
present in training. What that auditory presentationstriking visuals and, more importantly, auditory
lacks is variety, especially wherecoherence. Lead designer Shigeru
music is concerned.Composer George Burt onceMiyamoto in describing the game's design stated, "The
commented, "When we see pictures and hear musicstate of mind of a kid when
athe enters a cave alone must be realized in the game.
the same time we invariably make a connection, ifGoing in, he must feel the cold
only on an unconscious level."air around him. Not just the experiences but the
When music is combined with information powerfulfeelings connected with those
brain connections occur.events were essential to make the game meaningful."
Anyone who learned their ABCs by singing a song,The game's music was
learned to say words by watchinginstrumental in connecting those feelings.Mix In Music
Sesame Street, or remembers the song that wasFortunately for live training, it already has an audio
playing on the radio during a criticalsignal: the trainer.
moment in their life knows first hand the power ofUnfortunately, listening to that one auditory signal all
auditory signals.There is ample evidence of theday makes for really boring
effectiveness of music in aiding learning. A wealth oftraining. It's not an accident that we refer to it as
studies from the education, musicology and health"death by lecture."Film composer George Burt once
care fields demonstrate theobserved, "When placed together (video and audio)
effectiveness of music in increasing learning, healingto achieve a common goal, a great deal more is
and self-esteem.expressed than would be possible
History also proves the point. Twice in the past, audioby means of either medium alone." Music, when
and video were separate andproperly inserted into the training
then combined. The result was electrifying.Sound Winsenvironment can lift some of the cold, lifeless quality
The first silent films were short scenes lasting only athat often typifies training.Among other usages, music
minute or two. They werecan provide cover for silent activities and small group
immediate, but short lived sensations. Absolute silence,discussions, announce the beginning and ending of
the total absence of bothbreaks, reflect the emotions of
voice and musical sound proved to be a deadlythe learning and enhance activities.Twice in history an
combination. Viewing a silent filmaudio-visual medium faced a crossroads. In both cases,
was described as "cold and bare, ghostly, lifeless andsuccess
colorless."Fortunately for the theater owners, musiciansresulted when the auditory and the visual signals were
were already on their payroll. Theintegrated. Trainers who,
theater owners told the musicians to play something,with history as their guide, integrate the auditory
anything. They did, and itcomponent will gain a huge
worked. Music became so effective at solving theseadvantage over the competition. They will never hear
problems that film critics of thecomplaints about "death by
era called music the "flame which brought life andlecture."Visit Lenn on line at
warmth" to the experience.Blog with Lenn at Millbower, BM, MA, the
Live music accompaniment continued out of necessityLearnertainment(R) Trainer is an expert in applying
until The Warner Brother'sshow biz techniques to learning. He is the author of
"talking" picture "The Jazz Singer" came out in 1927.the ASTD Info-Line, Music as a
Within one year, silent filmsTraining Tool, focused on the practical application of
were extinct! Silent film stars, directors, musicians, andmusic to learning; Show Biz
non-talkie theater locationsTraining, the definitive book on the application of
went silent themselves. The public had spoken forentertainment industry
sound.Several years later radio found itself threatenedtechniques to training; Cartoons for Trainers, a popular
by television. Radio networks fearedcollection of 75 cartoons for
that the combined audio and video signals of TVlearning; Game Show Themes for Trainers, a
would put them out of business.best-selling CD of original learning
There were some dislocations, but radio did notgame music; and Training with a Beat: The Teaching
die.The comparison between silent films and radio isPower of Music, the foremost
instructive. When people had abook on the application of music to learning. Lenn is an
choice between a solitary auditory signal (radio) or anin-demand speaker, with
auditory signal combined withsuccessful presentations at ASTD 1999-2005 and
a visual signal they favored the combination, but stillSHRM 2006; a creative and
patronized the audio signal.dynamic instructional designer and facilitator formally
Conversely, when people had a choice between awith the Disney University
solely visual signal (silent films) orand Disney Institute; an accomplished
one combined with audio, they, by acclimation, chosearranger-composer skilled in the
the combined signal. TVpsychological application of music to learning; a popular
AFFECTED radio. Talkies DESTROYED silent film.comedian, magician and
Sound won.Sound Wins Againmusician; and the president of Offbeat Training(R),
Home video games had been around since the lateinfusing entertainment-based
1970s when Atari introduced thetechniques into learning to keep 'em awake!