when an artist violates a musical expectation (or fulfills it in an unexpected way), resulting in listener chills when combined effectively with an Acoustic Pattern
“I did not see that climax coming at all. Makes me feel tingly every time”
How It Works
When artists use the Surprise pattern, they directly trigger our startle response. This involuntary reaction prompts us to take defensive measures when we hear an unexpected sound, whether its an unseen door slamming or a clever musical surprise. Sudden changes in sound reliably trigger this response because hearing is the fastest of the five senses (while light travels faster than sound, its processed more slowly in the eye than sound in the ear). When musicians feature surprises that are effectively integrated into the musical flow, this can trigger a fear response that moves listeners to chills.
Technique 1: Sonic surprise
Certain large shifts in loudness or usage of the frequency range, typically preceded by a repetitive or simple passage that makes the shift especially jarring. Some of the ways artists implement this technique are:
— Abrupt broadening or contracting of the frequency range (e.g. ensemble entrance after sparse solo section)
— Certain large changes in dynamics (e.g. loud stab after a pause, drop out from loud ensemble to quiet solo)
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Frisson Reported by Listeners
Technique 2: Harmonic surprise
Certain unexpected chords or chord structures at prominent moments, typically at the end of well-signaled cadences. Some of the ways artists implement this technique are:
— Novel harmonizations (e.g. diminished chord after a sequence of major triads)
— Sudden transitions from inharmonic to harmonic sounds
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Frisson Reported by Listeners
Technique 3: Tonal surprise
Certain abrupt key changes or modulations to unexpected tonalities, typically at the end of well-signaled cadences. Some of the ways artists implement this technique are:
— Certain direct modulations to “remote” keys (e.g. shifts by half step, whole step, minor third)
— Tonal resolution after prolonged tonal ambiguity (e.g., verse hits at EbM and CM, chorus confirms EbM)
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Frisson Reported by Listeners
Technique 4: Rhythmic surprise
Certain tempo changes or abrupt shifts in rhythmic emphasis, typically during transitions or at the peaks of phrases when they are least expected. Some of the ways artists implement this technique are:
— Shifts between even vs. odd-numbered subdivisions (e.g., hemiolas, “skipped” beats)
— Shifts in BPM (e.g., subtle shifts involving 4:3 or 3:2 BPM ratios, or straight vs. rubato shifts)
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Frisson Reported by Listeners
Technique 5: Melodic surprise
Certain changes in interval size or introduction of new thematic material, typically during transitions or at the peaks of phrases when they are least expected. Some of the ways artists implement this technique are:
— Return of a theme (e.g. after seeing theme early in piece, artists brings tune back at prominent climax)
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Frisson Reported by Listeners