The 7-38-55 Rule:
Through two famous studies, UCLA psychology professor Albert Mehrabian created the 7-38-55 rule. According to this rule, only 7 percent of a message is based on the words, while 38 percent comes from the tone of voice, and 55 percent from the speaker’s body language and facial expressions.
Body language and tone of voice, not words, are our most powerful tools for delivering a message and assessing its reception. When someone’s tone of voice and body language do not align, there is an incongruence in the message being delivered.
Voss, C., & Raz, T. (2017). Never Split the Difference. Random House Business Books.
My Thoughts:
The 7-38-55 rule offers a lesson in language and communication: what we are trying to communicate, how it’s delivered, and how it is assessed or interpreted. I believe that music is its own language—an expressive, emotional blend of sonic textures that we use to communicate feelings. The principles of the 7-38-55 rule align with how we communicate and interpret music.
Think of words as solely the rhythms of our musical content, while tone of voice represents the dynamic range, and body language represents the physical expression you convey.
- 7% Words = Rhythms
- 38% Tone of Voice = Quality of Sound/Dynamic Range
- 55% Body Language = Physical Expression
Only 7 percent of our communication of a musical phrase is based on the rhythmic content (words), while 38 percent comes from the quality of sound/dynamic range (tone of voice), and 55 percent from the musician’s physical expression (body language).
Physical expression, quality of sound, and dynamic range—not rhythmic content—are our most powerful ways to communicate the language of music and, in turn, are our most powerful assessment tools.
It should be our mission to communicate at the highest level with ourselves, each other, and the audience. Our focus needs to expand beyond general technique, approach, or clarity alone. Developing a deeper understanding and execution of the 93%—the tone of voice and body language, which include the quality of sound/dynamic range and physical expression—is how we elevate the message we want to deliver through music to the highest level.
