Saturday, March 1, 2008

This Pandora's Box Has Nothing But Gifts

I should be packing. I"m Traveling tomorrow with my friend Sheila to beautiful Santa Sabina for the second installment of the Embodied Life Mentorship Program. Lucky me!

However I can’t drag myself away from my computer because I’ve just discovered a great place to play. Pandora! Have you been there yet? An Internet radio station that plays your kind of music. I can safely make that bold statement because, whatever your likes in music, you’ll find it at Pandora. It’s soooo interactive. That’s why I’m hooked, of course.

It is the outgrowth of the Music Genome Project. This from their website:

Each song in the Music Genome Project is analyzed using up to 400 distinct musical characteristics by a trained music analyst. These attributes capture not only the musical identity of a song, but also the many significant qualities that are relevant to understanding the musical preferences of listeners. The typical music analyst working on the Music Genome Project has a four-year degree in music theory, composition or performance, has passed through a selective screening process and has completed intensive training in the Music Genome's rigorous and precise methodology....

I haven’t had time to explore fully, but the short story is that you choose a favorite song or artist, and Pandora (which means “all gifted” in Greek) plays a similar song or a selection by the artist. They give you a quick explanation of the musical components of your choice and then proceed to choose other songs based on your original selection. Right now I’m listening to Jennifer Berezan’s Returning. And, while I put my clothes into the suitcase, I'll be gifted by Pandora with more of that same vibe. They even give you the rundown on what that vibe is. For example: Fado, by Clannad, has folk roots, new age influence, a subtle use of vocal harmony, etc.

When I've had enough beautiful, mellow, folk-like harmonies, I'll go back and plug in Born to Run.

5 comments:

MizMell said...

Pandora sounds quite interesting. I'm heading over there now...
but first, I've tagged you with a meme. You can find more details in today's post.

Unknown said...

That sounds very cool! I will have to check it out when I get a chance.

P.S. I did the memed you tagged me for today.

MaryContrary said...

We found Pandora some weeks ago when AARP linked with it. They don't any more. Pandora and my own music on I-Tunes are my favorite listening.

Anonymous said...

We're really glad to hear you're enjoying Pandora, Sharry!

I hope your trip is going well. :)

-Lucia, from Pandora

Taru Fisher said...

I'm trying it right now and so far I love it. Music is food for my soul, and my soul needs food right now. Thanks, Sharry for sharing this great find with us.