A computer implemented method for authoring a message includes enabling a user to compose an electronic message that includes a sequence of musical note emoticons, embedding the musical note emoticons in the electronic message, and sending the electronic message. The sequence of musical note emoticons represent an audible musical sequence. A computer implemented method for receiving a message includes receiving an electronic message, including at least one musical note emoticon embedded in the electronic message, displaying the electronic message, including the musical note emoticon; and audibly playing the embedded musical note emoticon.