Musical Semantics

Extramusical Meaning

Extramusical meaning emerges from musical sign qualities with reference to the extramusical world of objects, qualities, or psychological states. Three different categories of sign quality have been differentiated: iconic, indexical, and symbolic. The term iconic (Greek: “picture”) refers to a sign that has a perceivable resemblance with the designated object. In music, iconic meaning emerges from musical sounds, musical patterns, or musical forms that resemble objects or qualities. One example for an iconic resemblance is the imitation of animal calls in Western music; for example, the calls of nightingale, cuckoo, and the quail in the coda of the second movement of Ludwig von Beethoven's 6th Symphony.

Indexical signs indicate something that is not inherent in the sign. One example is that of smoke signaling the presence of fire. In music, indexical sign quality refers to psychological states such as emotions, moods, or intentions. Other terms for indexical sign quality are intentional use of natural significance, or motivational structure. Both the use of iconic sign quality and the use of indexical sign quality are referred to as “tone painting.” Patients with fronto-temporal dementia show impaired recognition of indexical, but not iconic, musical sign quality (these patients can tell if music sounds “like raindrops,” but have difficulties identifying the emotions that a musical piece is supposed to express).

Symbols are conventional, and are culturally formed, and specific knowledge is required to discern and understand them. Other terms for symbolic sign quality are extrinsic referring or designative meaning. For instance, a national anthem or the sound of the trumpet commonly symbolizes royalty. The meaning of a symbol can also be idiosyncratic, that is, it can have an individual meaning for the subject. For example, a song or melody can be imbued with symbolic meaning because of personal memories.

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