• Ferdinand de Saussure coined the term
  • Dyadic model : Signifier and Signified
  • Signifier (for examples the word “Tree”, a musical phrase, a musical sound, or a musical visual).
  • Signified (The Concept – what it stands for / its meaning)

Musical Signifiers

  • Scales / Modes
  • Musical Phrases
  • Chords or Harmonic Progressions
  • Production Effects (EG: Reverb, Distortion)
  • Posture of performers
  • Dress of Performers
  • Musical Gestures such as crescendos, time signature changes, tempos, etc.
  • Combinations of these

Examples of Aural Signifier/Signified

  • Signifier: A piece with slow tempo, high pitched solo female vox, synthesised strings, or gently arpeggiated piano chords
  • Signified (Could Be:) Vulnerability, love, romance, social acceptance, etc.

Song Examples

Adagio For Strings – Samuel Barber

  • Signifiers: Slow, Strings, sustained notes, minor key, homophonic texture
  • Signified: Emotes Sadness, gentleness, solemness

Symphony of Sorrowful Songs – Henryk Gorecki

  • Signifiers: Minor Key, Slow, Emphasis through repetition of notes, crescendo, strings, female vocals, sparce, light playing
  • Slow, Sorrowful, Woe

Music and Image combined

  • Platoon