WILD's utilising musical backdrops. Pros, Cons, and a few tips.

**HARRISANDERSON** · 09-24-2012 09:32 PM

Background info.

Hi folks!
Well over the last week or so, I have been attempting to prove that it is easier to create a dreamscape while performing a normal, bog-standard WILD (as per usual), with one extra element; Music.This may seem odd, as some people view music as a distraction, but please allow me to explain.

The music.

Now, I like many genres of music, but there only a few that felt appropriate for this experiment. Classical (Ludovico Einaudi - Primavera - YouTube) and other instrumental pieces, such as "Never stop" by Chilly Gonzales.

What it does.

This is VITAL to the whole process working. You see, the type of song you use can aid you in creating your ideal dreamscape. For example, I chose to use "Primavera" because I needed a piece of dramatic, powerful yet etheral music. It seemed to go well with the theme of flight, over an ocean, hence why it was used. I found that this helped me to create this dreamscape up to twice as fast as non-musical WILDs.
"Never Stop" seemed like a good choice for inducing upbeat, happy, productive dreams, as it seems to build, and build, and build.
So I can conclude that yes, certain pieces of music can be used to create specific types of dreamscapes faster, with higher levels of vividness and lucidity.

Ok, so now that we know this method can be useful, let's break it down into pros, cons, and a few tips.

PROS:

Dreamscapes are created faster
Dreams become more vivid
dreams are easier to focus on
less audable distractions are heard

CONS:

Music may be distracting for some
Cannot turn music off during dream
May prevent sleep
Music may not be availible for specific dreams
Could induce nightmares of wrong genre is used

A few tips.

Remember. Music may help me to create quick dreamscapes, but it may not work for you. Try to experiment, and find your own niche. Feel free to contact me if needs be.
Try to stick to the act of WILD itself, rather than focusing on the music itself. Think of it like a movie; During an action scene in a film, you don't generally focus on the background music. You tend to focus on the visual aspects.The music in a movie is only there to create an atmsphere, and draw you into the on-screen performance. Apply the same mentality to the WILD. The music is a backdrop, not a main feature!
I hope this article has helped you in some way, and, as ever, feedback is greatly appreciated.
(I would also like to point out that my grammar is awful in this article as it's been a rather long day)
All the best, Harris.

**HARRISANDERSON** · 09-24-2012 10:19 PM

Feel free to post your opinion's, folks!

**gab** · 09-25-2012 01:24 AM

Moved to WILD

**lonewolf101** · 09-25-2012 02:05 AM

this really works. i remember i was planning on taking a nap while listening to music, to see how this would help with lucid dreaming. i found that some music might increase my imagination, creating some kind of adventure along with the music. Another thing is that since i'm eclectic (i listen to different types of music: rock, rap, classical, hip hop, dubstep, etc..) i can like dose off, and when another genre of music plays on my phone or pandora i would regain consciousness because of change of pace in music.

Well all im trying to say that what you're suggestion works. you just have to experiment on it a few times

**sramsay12** · 09-25-2012 04:46 PM

I believe that this actually falls under Externally Induced Lucid Dream, and you haven't invented.
Sorry about that

**HARRISANDERSON** · 09-25-2012 05:01 PM

Don't worry mate, I'm not suggesting that it was my invention, but I couldn't find any threads related to the topic, so I created my own.

**sramsay12** · 09-25-2012 08:23 PM

I've seen at least three other threads to do with music and they all think they invented it xD
Anyway I know three good songs to help you guys out.
Two of them are "Wolves of Timberline" and "Sowilo Rune" by Agalloch, my favourite band. They are both instrumental and very beautifully done.
Wolves of Timberline:http://m.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&client=mv-rim&v=OsSn4Y1nGa4
Sowilo Rune:http://m.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&client=mv-rim&v=6q3ZYhu6h8k
Then there's a song from the game Halo 3, which is "epic" without being action-packed. Basically it's what the Matrix soundtrack SHOULD have sounded like.
Farthest Outpost:http://m.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&client=mv-rim&v=GLmKxAiKM2A
You might use the "kick" song from Inception if you want to be the mother of all cliches.
Hopefully these will help you out.
Also, Agalloch do both "folk/alternative" metal and these slow, sad, neofolk-style songs. They excel at both.
Unfortunately their newest album is too black-metal style for my taste, the singer has always used growling vocals but they are good, skillful, quite alright to listen to, but it sounds to harsh now. It's also got far less acoustic and far more electronic, which I personally don't think is a good thing.

**HARRISANDERSON** · 09-25-2012 08:31 PM

I'll give them a shot mate!

Anyhow, I guess it depends on what relaxes you/fits the theme of the dream you wish to acheive. And, as I said, this thread exists to clarify the pros and cons, not to claim my copyright.

**sramsay12** · 09-25-2012 08:38 PM

I didn't intend to induce feelings of great threat and intimidation, comrade!
The Agalloch songs are the most sad things you'll ever hear, but in a good way.... I can get high off that music

Listening to Grindcore or Goregrind or something would be quite different, namely you'd dream of catching the blood pouring from your ruptured eardrums with a skull

**HARRISANDERSON** · 09-25-2012 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by sramsay12

I didn't intend to induce feelings of great threat and intimidation, comrade!
The Agalloch songs are the most sad things you'll ever hear, but in a good way.... I can get high off that music

Listening to Grindcore or Goregrind or something would be quite different, namely you'd dream of catching the blood pouring from your ruptured eardrums with a skull

Sounds like one hell of a dream....