- 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