Does music help you connect?

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A while back, I had the idea that somehow, in autism, I could find the answer to why I'm so into music. Now, at the time, given my understanding of autism, and given me being who I am, I didn't at all think of autism I might be, or might be to some degree. But, I was willing to recognize those traits I had in common and felt there was something real there.

Well, I tried looking on the internet for information on music and autism. Didn't get me anywhere. However, I recently found an answer in something not talking about music. It was from one of the books listed on the book page here at Wrong Planet, Solving the Relationship Puzzle. The book talks about shared experience. There are two types of interactions with others, I forget the exact term for the first one, but, basically, task oriented. Like interacting with a clerk to buy something. The other being experience sharing. Where what matters is not what's done, but doing it together. The relationship. And, it says, those with autism and Asperger's tend to do just fine at the task oriented interaction, but not at experience sharing.

And, reading that, I realized, music was my way of connecting. Like, I didn't have the skills to emotionally connect with others in the normal/NT way. Didn't get that emotional connection through shared experience. But in music I could connect.

Music was never that big of a deal for me, until I had access to the internet and thus less common/popular music, and starting from then I realised just how amazing music can be. I love being able to get a sense of mood from something just from the notes and scales, and being able to construct my own music from nothing. I think having AS is one of the causes that allows me to not only think and analyze philosophical and logical questions fully, but also to truly appreciate music and all it's complexities - so many people just see music as a casual thing or white noise replacer, or as a way to bond with peer groups, but you can truly get so much more from it.

Music has always struck me... as a composer now, it is a primary mode of expression. Strangely, at this point in my life I appreciate the passage of time it indicates; I have problems with time perception and having music or cinema going helps me to meter that.


M.

I do not at this time; there are a few tracks that I helped a tech-hop group with... most of what I've done lately has been contract arranging/orchestration work, so it just goes direct to the performing group once I'm done. If you'd like, PM me and we'll figure out a way to send a track or two. Thank you for your interest.


M.

Music is great. When turning on music, it drowns out all second guessing so that I can do tasks and it helps keep me motivated and going when doing tasks in a more timely manner. Music is the key to starting up the engine.