Orchid XP v8 wrote:
>>> You show me a piece of music, and I can tell you exactly why it works 
>>> and why it sounds cool. But you show me a blank piece of paper and 
>>> I'm like "hmm, what would sound cool?"

We're performers, not writers. ;)

>> "why does everyone use the same scales" and such.  "Why does this form 
>> of music sound sad, and what distinguishes it from happy music."  Etc.

It's the balance between harmonic tensions and relaxations present in 
adjacent intervals.  In minor scale modes, points of tensions are 
positioned a little bit earlier in the scale than in major (happy) scales.

Of course, rhythm might have a say on this too... :)

> Chromatic scales, diatonic scales, pentatonic scales, Pythagorean 
> tuning, equal-tempered tuning, harmonic series, the circle of fifths, 
> major and minor scales... it's amazing what you can pick up if your 
> bored but curious.

I don't think that has to do with boredom.  Whichever field you choose 
for hobby or career, you're likely to want to know more about it, its 
history, techniques etc.

> And FWIW, not everybody uses the same scales. (Particularly people you 
> wouldn't class as "Westerners".)

They use theirs (particularly the pentatonic). ;)

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