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Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
How does one define love? Is it an emotion, action, or experience? How does love take on various forms in each person’s life, making it such a prevalent subject in music? This capstone project will address how music and songwriting can be used as tools for emotional connection and expression to explore different kinds of love. The artist presents an extended play (EP) of six songs that each introduce and define a different type of love. Each is uniquely expressed through genre and original lyrics, instrumentation, production, and performance by the artist
Literature Review
Literature Review
Literature Review
Influence
Muni Long and NIKI are singer-songwriters who explore Muni Long explores types of love such as consummate and passionate with genres such as R&B and soul in her album “Public Displays of Affection,” (Muni Long 2022) while NIKI uses indie folk and pop to express romantic and familial love in her album, “Nicole” (NIKI 2022). These artists use figurative language in their lyrics, different instrumentation, and styles in their songs to convey their emotions and experiences differently. This inspired the artist to compose each song in the EP with a different genre to differentiate and define each type of love.
Subject
The artist identifies six types of love most commonly identified among psychological research on love taxonomy - companionate, familial, and altruistic love describe love among friends, family, and for all beings/nature (Berscheid). Romantic, passionate, and consummate love are associated with the “Triangular Theory of Love” (Sternberg), which distinguishes love based on 3 core ideas of passion, intimacy, and commitment within a relationship. Romantic love includes passion and intimacy but lacks commitment; passionate love describes passion while lacking intimacy and commitment; consummate love encapsulates all 3 core ideas within an ideal, strong, and loving relationship (Sternberg).
Methods
Methods
Methods
After investigating six types of love, the artist formulates interview questions that inquire about six subjects’ familiarity with love taxonomy, experiences with love, if the subjects relate to the characteristics in literature, and which emotions they connect their experiences to various types. Responses and stories are used as songwriting inspiration, and written songs are recorded and produced in the digital audio workstation, Soundtrap. This music software program is used to record and mix vocals and instruments with electronic synthesizers.
Audience and Impact
Audience and Impact
Audience and Impact
This project is intended for those who enjoy or connect with love songs, and those interested in psychology and the subject of love. Listeners would be able to enjoy and relate to the sentiments expressed or may have greater knowledge of love psychology that enhances the connection to the work. The audience will develop a better understanding of types of love they experience, and be encouraged to use music as a form of expression. The artist hopes to gain songwriting and composition experience working with Soundtrap while drawing on knowledge of the creative process and integrating peer feedback learned throughout Art Scholars.
References
Berscheid, Ellen. “Love in the Fourth Dimension | Annual Review of Psychology.” Annual Reviews, Annual Reviews, 2010, https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.psych.093008.100318.
Sternberg, Robert J. “A Triangular Theory of Love.” Psychological Review, vol. 93, 1986, pp. 119–135., https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295x.93.2.119.
Muni Long. Public Displays of Affection, Def Jam Recordings, 2022, https://www.munilong.com/releases/public-displays-of-affection-the-album/
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the Arts Scholars faculty - Heather Bremenstuhl, Harold Burgess, and Gabrielle Tillenburg - for continuously supporting me and this project throughout the semester. Thank you to Huan Pham, Trisha Nguyen, Abigail Song, Chris Kim, Mae Kim and Alex L. for allowing me to interview them, share their stories, and inspiring my songs. Thank you to my peers in Art Scholars who have provided feedback and encouragement throughout the semester.
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