Does location effect your compositions?

During one of Eric Whitacre's interviews (in this video, at 6:19) he briefly mentioned that as a result of him living in England, his music started to "sound more British", which I thought was an interesting concept as i've never considered my location (Texas) to influence my music. If you've noticed a change in your music after having a drastic change in location, or if you believe your location influences how/what you compose, please let me know! I'm curious about y'all's opinion on this.

-Carmen

Hi Carmen.

Welcome the YC. I agree. Location affect your music. I'm Iranian and my music (even electronic/rock music I compose) sounds "Persian". Iranian/Arabic/Turkish music has a lot of secrets and it's hard to discover the secrets, but it's easy to "sound oriental". But "why" living in Iran affects my music? Because I heard lots of traditional music here. I never played an Iranian instrument but I heard a lot from Oud, Setar, Tar or Santoor. I never played a quartertone on my instruments but I heard lots of Homayoun, Segah, Shur, etc.

In my case, I don't thin Spanish traditional music has particular influence in my music...

Yes, I think so.

I am from Hong Kong and is ethnically a Chinese. In traditional festivals like Lunar New Year or Dragon Boat Festival, I often hear traditional Chinese tunes in celebration events or advertisements. Some ancient themed TV dramas also included Chinese background music to recreate some reminiscent ambiance. Moreover, many children are taught to sing Chinese folk songs, so there is some influence there. 

Other than those moments, I can seldom listen to those tunes nowadays. But I reckon I may get some composition ideas from the folk songs or maybe subconsciously get inspired by them.

Also, it depends on the popularity of instruments in your region, and what your choice is. For example, in Hong Kong, both Chinese and Western Orchestras/ Instrumental training is available, but I choose Violin as my instrument. So I naturally write western music mostly. 

I'd say it's less of location and more of tradition.

Everyone seems to be thinking of traditional music, but I think the real question is what is the music that you hear around you daily because other people are listening to it, and what is the music that is particularly easy for you to seek out in your area.  Does your town have a country station?  If it does, you'll hear it occasionally through other people's open car windows even if it's not something you choose to listen to yourself.  Does your local grocery store play 90s pop music?  Or 70s hair rock?  That's their choice, but there are chord choices and ways to modulate that are likely to either creep into your music, or which you'll get sick and tired of and make a real effort to avoid in your own work.  Does your city have a professional orchestra specializing in Baroque?  Or does your local symphony director feel strongly about premiering new works?  That's going to affect what you can plan to do with your Friday night.  Yes, everything is available on the internet, but to develop a taste for something and seek it out, you have to have stumbled upon it at random first, and the path you take is largely influenced by chance encounters with other people's musical taste.  

I think that what ever interests you, despite geography will have an effect..  Yes, easily location could  play a part, But it requires consciousness.  If I moved to Ireland but disliked jigs, I doubt it would have an effect.  I live in NYC,  birthplace of rap and hiphop.  It has had very little effect on me.  I do like some hiphop, but I would not write in that genre, and sometimes put a bit of that flavor.  

Sometimes we are not always 'conscious' of factors affecting us.. it might take some time for us to become aware, our viewpoint, or creative processes are changing, growing. I do think that one should take in new geographies, types, of music etc. It will help us to become more individualistic in our approach to music