If we consider the broadest idea of synesthesia, then I would absolutely say you experience it with what you say of how you associate tones with colour. Particularly regarding its place with cognitive memory. And the photisms that you experience being different to those outlined by Theosophic thought does not in any way invalidate your own : ) These are abstract inner maps.Kavi wrote:
I can't really say that I experience synesthesia as I don't see heard music as colors, but these colors helped me out in the youth when I learnt the correct musical notes. Even nowadays I associate the notes with colors so I believe the colors helped me to memorize things, but the problem is that it doesn't really fit the color spectre or system of Theosophy's.
For example C for me is yellow, where as D is orange and E is red.
I wonder, does your experience of associating tones so specifically to colour give you perfect, or at least very good pitch recognition?
Interestingly, in relation to synesthesia and this thread, I think that the impetus of scent as a trigger for memory, feeling, thought, synesthesiastic experience etc is one of the least explored senses of the 80+ variants of synesthesia proposed.
Interesting to mention this. Similarly, the seven predominant ancient Greek modes, which still largely form the tonal structure of Western music today, are named after the locations which first developed their character. And 'Ethos' was applied to their rhythmic, melodic, harmonic and really every musical concept, meaning that everything had a deeper meaning and function other than just sonic expression. They were used to convey, take on and even create certain emotional and mental states.Kavi wrote:
Also as Nayana, I can usually "see" structures in connection with music. But for me emotions are actual places with colors. Musical mode system in arabic music is called "maqam" (station, place, location) so I could imagine that there is somekind of connection. Placing of notes and intervals and building up of certain mode or "mood".