The Art of Music
Music is a worldwide experience that is included in almost every culture. Despite music's universality, people view and interpret music based on their cultural background. Music has several defining elements, which include rhythm, pitch, melody, dynamics, tempo, vibrations, notation, and instruments. Music includes many symbolic aspects unrelated to that of sound. For instance, music can be linked to the feelings we express. Emotions can be expressed through the different genres of music we listen to. If you and your boyfriend/girlfriend had just broken up you might listen to gloomy music, or find comfort in listening to songs that remind you of them.
Music plays a very important role in the rituals and traditions of cultures all around the globe. The feature that makes music so beautiful, is the unity it brings throughout many diverse cultures.
In Iran, music is integrated into the Ashurayi religion through a series of specific rituals. The style of music incorporated into their practices is described as Lamentation.
“Lamentation music is either polyrhythmic melodies followed by symbolic rituals such as chain beating, breast beating, and hand clapping. In the Iranian ritual and religious music wind and drum instruments are continued to be used.”
On the complete opposite side of the spectrum we can view music’s involvement in the lives of deaf individuals. Believe it of not, but just like you and I, deaf individuals are able to enjoy music as well! From the famous composer Beethoven, composing his ninth symphony with impaired hearing, to your average deaf teenager you see at the supermarket.
The article titled "Beyond Vibrations: The Deaf Experience In Music", discusses the impact music has on the deaf community. Powerful emotions are generated through the experience of music in their culture.
“With in the deaf and hard of hearing world, there are people not only creating music, but people who love and make music a part of their lives.”
“A hearing person tends to process music differently than someone who is deaf. We can rely only on our sense of sound to give us a large part of what a particular song has to offer, but the one aspect of music that doesn't need to be heard is the part that can trigger emotions and feelings.”
Now take a moment to reflect music’s impact in your life. What aspects of your life would change if music cease to exist? Have you ever experienced an emotional connection to music in a culture other than your own?
I definitely agree with you, music makes a much larger impact on an individuals life than many fail to notice. I believe that every aspect of my life would change if music would cease to exist because i can relate to all different genres of music and/or specific times to different moments in my life. Music has the power to unlock memories that may have forever been forgotten without the sound of a certain tune. I am Mexican American and have been able to connect with Latin music and Country music that both bring out very different emotions in me. I don't know that I could cope with daily life in a world without it! Great read!
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