Synesthesia & creating your own score | Devonté Hynes | TEDxMarthasVineyard

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. A description of synesthesia and demonstration of how I use that to create music compositions via my own scoring techniques.
Devonté (Dev) Hynes is a producer, songwriter, and artist currently based in New York City. He has written and produced songs for a wide range of artists including Solange Knowles, the Chemical Brothers, Florence and the Machine and Sky Ferriera. Dev also writes music under the moniker of Blood Orange, and has released two albums, titled Coastal Grooves and Cupid Deluxe, on Domino Recording Co. Most recently, Dev composed the score for the Gia Coppola directed, and TriBeCa Film Festival featured film, Palo Alto; and in addition, was a speaker at the 2014 TED conference held in Vancouver.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@angeladelsol222]

"When I was younger I was scared to do this because I didn’t think it was the right way to really work… then as I got older I realized we can really do what we want and create how we want, as long as it makes sense to ourselves."....this is beautiful

[@vanessaescalera4117]

i absolutely fell in love with his music. listen to it every single day. he is an angel

[@ames8114]

he needs to do an animated music video to show what colours and patterns he’s seeing! love him so much

[@SavMcIntyre]

"(they are) my favorite color palettes, so I don't really feel the need to change them for people" such a beautiful, well-rounded and grounded human

[@vinceangelety5324]

So much about music we have yet to discover... music like this has healing properties

[@goodarnold3307]

I love how gifted he is as a musician but still knows sometimes you just need P Diddy adlibs on the track.

[@within_worlds_]

This comment aged poorly 👀 No Diddy 🙈

[@arxsyn]

I never knew he had the condition! but it's so cool. he's been around as a talented composer. the video is great cause we get to have a little peak into his mind and thought process. If I were to describe his "vocal colour" it would be an inky, smooth navy or indigo. as he sings higher and higher, it's like watercolour, you simply dilute the pigment with water...

[@bandvault]

“If you want to do something new, you need to find new ways of doing it”. 🙌🏾

[@mm-lh1nt]

A gifted Angel.

[@jasminedakota3958]

the deeper the note, the heavier, darker, and more textured it is. the higher, the lighter, thinner and smoother

[@lydiab823]

Blood Orange is my spirit produce.

[@drtyslzy]

Inspirational. I've never heard of Devonté Hynes, but I am definitely going to give his music a listen! I am a little bit envious of those with synesthesia [even though I am very certain what I am imagining is much different than what they actually experience]. I have been fortunate enough to experience it a handful of times, but that was induced by LSD.... Which I probably shouldn't take too often..

[@mm-lh1nt]

Listen to blood orange- chosen

[@bluejaystone9994]

I would suggest starting with his Cupid Deluxe Album (it is what it is & you're not good enough), then jump to his Coastal Grooves Album, follow up with FreeTown. His sound has changed thru out his career. If you get really into it you will hear what I am talking about. It's cliche, but start with his first debut tracks before getting into his other songs. Starting with some of his lesser known songs may disappoint the first impression.

[@karenchan8713]

His music is pretty awesome, and he's a true artist. It's pretty cool to see his process. I see colours and associate them with emotions. Sometimes in yoga, in final relaxation, I see colours and can turn them into things like butterflies or change the colour. I think it helps me paint and so do some other things ;). Drugs in gentle moderation are fine in beautiful places with safe people or animals. @Hearing Colours

[@christinas.3461]

I have synesthesia (several forms of it) and it is amazing and I would not enjoy life as much without this brain wiring, however, it probably isn’t quite what you are believing it to be or envying (as you said.) It is an artistic tool for me though but it is difficult to verbalize. For me it feels like I speak a different language in a different world with no way of translating to others and it can be alienating at times

[@kaylanicole3859]

Geeeez I love him so much 😭😭😭

[@CamilaLee_]

I love him, he is so talented

[@contrastprinciple4389]

Love the coastal grooves album and its penchant for minimalism with the guitar.

[@lavendermind6883]

I love the music you created and thank God I see different colours..the ones I like.....its beuatiful in my mind

[@starryeyes2846]

he is just so brilliant!

[@abrehouse6860]

I wish there was a pan of the crowds reaction to this beauty.

[@mickymouse2445]

He's so talented! I admire him a lot!!!

[@dajaniererice8267]

He is extremely amazing and talented. This is truly amazing and inspirational. Gives me chills - in a good way.

[@wordysmithsonism8767]

Fascinating. Thank you

[@getogirl7]

so synesthesia is a super power then bc Dev always makes music feel good❤ colors and music intertwined makes for a blissful time 🎶

[@alliblackman5020]

Soooooo cool!!!!

[@cedardreamsLLC]

wow I've never heard someone with synesthesia describe it like this!

[@maximilian5305]

Jimi Hendrix also had synesthesia in his song Bold as Love he even sings about it.

[@user-ic3vm3kt4j]

I LOVE U DEV

[@marleymoore1330]

ily dev x

[@MrJimmyVT]

Beautiful

[@freakrainbo]

Dev is so great

[@Numiful]

Wow. Pure beauty.

[@haitianhendrix]

Amazing human!

[@edollaz24]

He’s such a genius ✊🏾

[@allure2276]

Genius ✨

[@ameyaltzin6994]

Im absolutely feeling fraser right now

[@MrBreadisawesome]

love that dev recreated the Minecraft soundtrack live

[@poojamanne4221]

KING

[@friedorange2853]

when u paint the picture infront of u and no one even knows it 😳

[@lezcano777]

Thats why hes the GOAT

[@cathal7825]

What kind of equipment is he using there does anyone know?

[@marycdacat]

what is he playing? is it a line6 synth ? which one?

[@yosmelaraujo3470]

He's gorgeous.

[@DuskAndHerEmbrace13]

I can smell taste sometimes

[@Johari-pf7cy]

goat

[@patrickdavis7058]

what are his shoes they look cool

[@VanIsleBC]

heard they were viberg SERVICE BOOT AGED BARK ROUGHOUT's this nigga go hard either way

[@Kumurajiva]

amazing, i just found this artist. jeeez, am i out of it

[@kee04O]

i would like to know more about him youguys get some video？

[@80siix]

i whant this song

[@bokkalay]

Oh my gosh, imagine him and Anna Calvi working together!

[@robertosandoval9094]

new beat just drop?

[@stephenw9573]

Does anyone know of what interface/keyboard he's using here?

[@geographyman562]

I think it is a maschine ?

[@howdragonsdisappear]

line6 mobile keys

[@musicmodeon9684]

[@20thingsgoing62]

I totally think of C as yellow and A as red wth

[@ethereal-synchronicity-444]

Funny that I see C as Yellow but A as Green and E as Red.

[@thetrickisirarelyrespond5945]

I can chew sounds.

[@wheely]

I've practised for three years but so far I can only lick frets

[@AnaLuiza-nx2id]

Looking for people discovering Dev after his feat w Harry Styles

[@shawna_mills8414]

I'm a Synesthete

[@maximilian5305]

Jimi Hendrix also was

[@3VLN]

well nice watching you make music bro, i was expecting a bit more insight but cool nonetheless hahha

[@jhsaiv4003]

It seems like he has ideathesia more than synethesia

[@jeffreyohler2599]

Is it just me or has anyone else been getting a lot of McDonald's job ads before Ted videos? They need to stop trying to promote McDonalds as if it's a desirable job. As If in a "properly functioning" society anyone would say "yeah that's my career". It used to be looked at as a starting level or part time job. something for kids/people in school or in between better paying careers. Now they try to pedal these minimum paying jobs as the way to go. Sorry those ads just struck a nerve so I had to vent. However I am curious if anyone else feels the same!!!

[@J35h13]

You're just mad because they have over 1 billion served.

[@AntonioKowatsch]

The good thing about synesthesia is that no one is able to prove if you actually have it. And even if you have it that doesn't actually make you a special snowflake/an expert in the respective field. Just a weird guy with fucked up senses LOL

[@deniselujan1379]

AntonioKowatsch you sound a little bitter haha I think he was just trying to explain how he makes music

[@shiningdawn8578]

Yeah... someone sounds like a pissy little princess.

[@ateanorange]

what is your problem, go get a life goddamn

[@Haassan1]

I think he's colour-blind.