ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Aeolian harmony

Have you ever heard the sounds that the wind makes when it blows through the trees? Like a soft, gentle music that seems to come from the air itself? Well, aeolian harmony is kind of like that, except that it involves musical instruments that are played by people.

Aeolian harmony happens when musicians play certain notes that are chosen specifically because they sound good when played together, but they don't necessarily follow the traditional rules of music theory. Instead, they take inspiration from the sounds that are made by natural phenomena, like the wind, and try to recreate those sounds in their music.

For example, imagine that you are playing a guitar outside on a windy day. As the wind blows through the strings, it might create a series of harmonics that sound beautiful and ethereal. Now imagine that you try to mimic those sounds by playing certain notes in a specific order, using the vibration of the strings to create a kind of wind-inspired melody.

Aeolian harmony is often associated with a type of music called ambient or new age music, which is meant to create a peaceful, calming atmosphere. The idea is to let the music blend seamlessly into the background, creating a kind of soundscape that enhances the listener's mood and helps them to relax.

So, in short, aeolian harmony is a type of music that takes inspiration from natural sounds, particularly those created by the wind, and tries to recreate those sounds using instruments played by people. It's often associated with ambient music and is meant to create a peaceful, soothing atmosphere.