What a question! Sounds like grad school.

Still... here's a response.

Lets talk about the music, rather than the listener. And I'd venture to say that all interesting music is a combination of all four.

For example, take anything by Stravinsky. Or, specifically, the Rite of Spring. Any close reading demonstrates the craftsmanship immediately. The formalism is there (and a number of books have been written about just that.) On the axis of emotion, it's way out there, from the ecstatic to the internal. The metaphysical is obvious (it IS a primitive ritual), and the ethical? Hmmm... it was an important statement about Russia's pre-Christian past, something that was being rediscovered when he wrote it in 1911.

I think you could do a similar analysis with just about any significant work of art. The insignificant ones lay only on one axis, and get boring pretty quick.

Other composers whose work might fit on all four axes are Olivier Messiaen and Monk (T. Monk, that is, not M. Monk)

And Ellington.

I find that the music I dislike most show up nowhere on these axes.

Maybe these are qualities that Pandora should add to its musical DNA panel. (There are probably others, too.)

Are these areas describing how we think of music and how we are connected to it or the music itself? I think its the former. From my perspective Michael seems like a formalist with a touch of expressivism and Richard seems like a full blown formalist.

I tend to focus on how a particular song/recording makes me feel when I listen to it. That's why I think I'm an expresivist with a smidge of ethnicity.

What the f**k are you guys going on about? Philosophy of music? who the f**k cares? People use this service to listen to music to help them get through the day. They don't think about it. You want a philosophy to chew on, buddy?
Why the f**k do they play everything on these selections EXCEPT for the bloody group that you asked for??????????
Now there's something that you could think about

Ranking:
1. Formalist
2. Ethical
3. Metaphysical
4. Expressive

Oh man Rich, this is good. You know, I'm all over these camp grounds. Were talking the soul of Usher and Anthony Halmilton, the pure symplisticness of James Taylor and Amos Lee, the perplexing tapestry of Miles Davis, Mozart and Duke Ellington , or the gutsiness of Celia Cruz and Abby Lincoln. Composers and lyricest two different compounds but from the same common ground. Both true wizards of their crafts spinners of colors from places where there is no light. I think that most of us Pandorians have these composites of this musical DNA creating havoc sometimes in our blood system. Its a good problem to have. Keep roasting those marshmellows its going to be a long musical night.

Rather than a ranking, the four can be seen as axes on a map, with "Formalist" and "Expressive" being North and South, and "Ethical" and "Metaphysical" being East and West.

A piece of music sits somewhere on this plane. And individual listeners might map out a contour on the plane that forms their "zone of interest".

To satisfy Mr Slaby, maybe extend a fifth axis, for "Whatever". A lot of music sits quite well on that axis.

So much for a philosophy of music.

Now go read Jeremy Denk's account of almost the same thing:
http://jeremydenk.net/blog/2008/02/25/dithyramb-or-how-i-stayed-sane-during-a-joshua-bell-tour/

You know, I always thought the so-called "default setting" was listening to music from a melodic point of view... not analytically of course. That's how it was for me, and a lot of my current friends who frustratingly don't seem to be able to appreciate much beyond that.

Whereas now I have an equal interest from an expressive perspective, very much inspired by Tori Amos.

Expressive, which is focused on "the connection between music and human emotion."

i believe that this is ALL music is about, at least for me. it's how you connect with a song, album or artist and tie it to a particular time in your life. it's how we reminisce, how we date events in our lives, and how we share the common experience.

Personally, I find myself able to listen in all of these "groupings". However, I disagree that they fit on a plane "like a map", where North is opposite of South, and East vs West. Music can be extremely complex (formalist) and still be very emotional (expressive). Take for instance groups like Riverside, Porcupine Tree....even Stravinsky. The forms are extremely complex, but in listening to them you get a sense of anger, frustration, happiness, or whatever it may be. Just because something is complex doesn't mean it has no emotional value.

The same goes for metaphysical and ethical. Bach wrote much of his material for the churches and courts in Germany. Back in that time, religion was a HUGE part of society. Nowadays everyone has their own viewpoints on religion, but back then you were frowned upon for not following it. The music back then was written for religious practices, as a part of society.

I guess my point being that MOST of these "groupings" are present in MOST music, but some less than others. And being that everyone is different, they will each perceive music differently than someone else. MOST listeners don't actually INTENTLY listen to music. Therefore I don't think they get everything out of it that they potentially could be getting out of it.

I try to listen in all of these categories, but it varies depending on what I am listening to.

However, I do agree. There should be a 5th category. And I think labeling it "Whatever" or possibly "Non-purpose/Noise" would fit it quite well.

The trick is to find music that doesn't belong in this category....its out there. Just TYPICALLY not on your mainstream radio station. At least nowadays.

Brilliant feature suggestion for Pandora: Mood-oriented ratings / stations.

Sometimes I don't want to listen to a certain type of music (even from a particular artist that I like, or in my favorite genres, or whatever) just because I'm not in the mood for it.

I suggest creating a "Mood" feature, that lets me create "Mood Lists" of qualities I like in music when I'm in a particular mood. Then instead of selecting a station, I can choose one of my Moods, and only hear music that seems to match up with that mood.

This would make Pandora about 50 times more useful for me!

I basically agree with Mr. Basmt to a degree, though on a less vulgar level. When I listen to music, I don't listen for its rhythmic values, or any of that other stuff... I just take it in face value.

That being said is there a way to filter the songs presented so that only one type of song plays? For example, If I only wanted to listen to Japanese songs, how would I go about doing that? I've tried making my root song a Japanese song, and thumb up any Japanese song that comes by, and giving a thumbs down to everything else... yet I still get some very, very randomly odd songs.

First, what a wonderful find your site is! Thanks to the friend who pointed me to you.
That said, your question has me pondering my position, both as a musician and as a constant listener to all kinds of music. Like Roland, I think the idea of "ranking" sets up an artificial construct; appreciation of music is not linear, it's global. For my part, I think what's most important to me about music is the emotional, mixed with the ethical. I'm not much of a classicist- give me a 1/4/5 progression, with a 7th thrown in now and then and I'm happy- but the music has to mean something to me or I won't bother playing or singing it. Unless I'm paid to, of course, but that's another thing.
Still, as I've developed "jazz ears', part of the fun has been learning to hear the variations on the old, well worn themes and progressions. One thing is sure: love for music is a life long love that never stops developing into something else. I look forward to hearing whatever you throw into the play list, and I'll be happy to give you feedback, friendly, gentle feedback, whenever something comes up for me.
Be well, all-

This is actually a very good analysis of the different forms of music, but theories like these are designed for broad interpretation. For instance, if a band is trying to copy a sound (lets take the emo voice, for instance), is that band being expressive or formal? It could be seen as copy catting or fitting in to the culture or being expressive.

The categories hit on important points, especially in this new day of loads of horrible sound.

random seaching for an internet radio and I happen on Pandora. What the hell, let's give it a try. At the first blank type in a something, I tried The Band. I have been stunned at the assortment of wonderful sounds/music streaming from this site. It all fits just what I was looking for.
As for the leadin article, just this last Friday night I was partying with the kids and playing various tunes that we'd find on the 'net. My girls found the older sounds that I like most were "moving" or "substantial" to what they get as new music or their generational sounds. Their bf's were little more skeptical, at least until they hit a couple of songs they thought were somewhat newer and I was singing along with them, commenting about the first time I heard it was in the late 60's. One of the guys asked what we listened to when we were angry and wanting to get out some frustration. I said we just went outside to a race riot or anti-war march and got the police to pound on our heads, then we'd come home and listen to some quieting music, the music that he found so slow and mellow. Yeah, that's right, good music.
ps. They don't get that history at school and really didn't believe that sort of stuff went on.
- Owsley

I really wish this site had a feedback area, just somewhere where members can email in suggestions or something.

I mean, this is ok here, but I feel I need to be talking about the subject of the blog entry, otherwise I'll be "off topic".

To clear the record I was not the one swearing, that would be Gerald Slaby

There can be vast differences in music that sits firmly in each camp. Take Mozart and Carl Nielsen for example, both would have very exciting and rigid formal musical styles, but that formality (stucture) is expressed in very different ways, noone would confuse the two.
Likewise an expressive style can have uplifting lyrics in a major key that sends our thoughts soaring, or melancholy lyrics in a minor key that leaves us depressed or feeding our pain.
But a formal Carl Nielsen as in his 4th symphony, can have as much theological impact as even the most powerful sermon.

Ranking:
1. Formalist
2. Ethical
3. Metaphysical
4. Expressive

I think Brian Lacy had a great idea! A mood filter would be awesome for the next feature added.
I've been a loyal, proud, Pandorian for over two years now. I try to turn on allot music lovers to this station. Pandora has been the host to a few of my house and garden parties. I flaunt the the cap and shirt whenever I'm out looking rough and artsy. Like at some of the open mic's and cafes I perform at. I've grown musically as a singer song writer through this station Because your Pod cast are to die for with musical education. I carry a few of them around in my Zune. The features you guys have added over the years are superior. I say all this; because I'm grateful to have this musical enlightment available.

Believe me, I'm in grad school right now, doing a lot online and these questions totally smack of it!! (So why am I creating extra work for myself is more my question!) At any rate, IMHO, music dances in-between all four theories-I don't think they can be seperated. Even rap and current pop-as equivalent to trash as I can think of any type of music is--express ethical overtones of our American society and serve their function, as base as they may be to our intrinsic human qualities.....you know, sex, violence, predjudices,....
I myself am an expressive listener at heart--music goes beyond ourselves, our capacity for words and language to express our feelings (and others) and it's great to be in an audience, watching a great singer/songwriter and feel this unity amoung everyone there with these feelings--there is hope we can all see things the same way, if only for a moment!! That connection is priceless......

Music must be like "art" - I don't know all the big stuff about music, but I know what I like! My station playing "blues" is just about the best thing I've enjoyed in a long time.

I like different kinds of music, but the variety of my station is fantastic! I listen all day (most days) at work.

Any effect a particular piece of music has on the listener or on society is emotional, whether that effect was intentionally written in or not. Think of national anthems, protest music, work songs, worship songs, love songs, marches.... Some of them are intended to move us to action or reflection, and all of that starts by affecting our feelings. This was a good question, proven by the variety of interpretations. Way to go!

Formalist

MUSIC IS OLDER THAN WORDS. WHALES WERE SINGING BEFORE WE HAD SYNTAX. WE LISTEN, SOMETIMES WE HEAR - BUT A GROWING MAJORITY OF US REALLY JUST WANT TO...

DANCE,
YOU HEARD ME - DANCE,
MOVE AND REACT WITH OUR PHYSICAL BODIES
TO WHAT THE MUSIC IS SAYING!!!

YES, A MOOD FILTER, THE ENTIRE GENOME OF HUMAN EMOTIONS, THIS WOULD BE QUITE THRILLING, I HAVE BEEN MAKING COMPILATIONS TO THIS EFFECT FOR OVER TWO DECADES NOW - A COMPLEX NEVER ENDING LABOR OF LOVE, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING MORE THAN THIS... I AM SWIMMING TO WHERE THE FISH MAKE THEIR OWN GLOWING LIGHT AND THE SEA IS ONLY AN ECHO OF ITSELF...

THERE IS THE LOST CHORD.

AND IT IS STILL MISSING.

NOT UNLIKE THE HOLE IN OUR OZONE. WE NEED TO DREAM UP SOME PRETTY SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY TO MEND THE AIR, PERHAPS SOMETHING AKIN TO A SONIC OR VIBRATIONAL FIELD, A MOLECULAR STABILIZATION OF SOME KIND, SADLY - WE ARE PAST THE POINT WHERE A MASSIVE FILTER WOULD BE OF ANY BENEFIT.

PANDORA COULD HOLD MORE ANSWERS THAN WE EVER DARED TO IMAGINE... VOICES IN THE SKY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_MzJyI-AtA&feature=related

SHE SEA CALLS TO ME SING OF WHAT THE BLUE BIRD KNOWS, CHILDREN ARE WAKING - THEIR EYES DANCE, THEIR FEET ARE DANCING, THEY KNOW NOTHING OF MUSIC BUT EVERYTHING OF MOTION... YET THEY SING AND KNOW NOT WHAT THEY SAY.

MUSIC IS DANCE, THE SOUNDS ARE MOTION, WATCH THE WAVES, YOUR EYES WILL DANCE WITH INNOCENCE - LIKE A CHILD'S!

DANCE AND YOU WILL KNOW THE MUSIC AS IT HAS ALWAYS KNOWN YOU.

DANCE, expressively - this is the connection between music and human MOTION.

Why is it that when u bookmark a song u can only listen 2 a sample of the song? Why can't u listen 2 the whole song ,I mean when I bookmarked a song I expected 2 b able 2 listen 2 it whenever I want.Now,other than that I luv pandora!

I love music and this website. Every time i come home i just jam and sing along,I even record myself, i notice how better my voice changed.when me and my buddies were about to make a band i got excited but we didnt even know were to start and they didnt like my drummer so they quit and now im just trying to make my own music by myself with the piano and lyrics it actually is fun but sometimes i could get lazy.