Music Appreciation
So We Say Thank You for the Music: An Ode to Music Appreciation
By: Shannon Alfonso
“Without a song or a dance, what are we?” - Thank You for the Music, ABBA
It is hard to imagine a world without music, except maybe in movies such as Footloose (1984) or Coco (2019). However, in such instances music seems to repair people’s relationship with it, essentially fostering solutions to problems. Music builds cultural ties, ignites relationships, encourages the pursuit of relationships, and encompasses emotions that we can’t particularly express. When you come to think about it, music has always existed, but it has evolved just like everything else in life. But what are its origins? Why is it so special? This question will be answered in the following article.
Origins of Music
The origins of music can be traced back to the Paleolithic Era (40,000 BP). Historians have found evidence of bone flutes and percussion instruments from this period. However, it is not definite as music existed to some extent in different countries and civilizations. Some say that music began in the Xia dynasty in China and the Indus River Valley civilization in India. There are also many theories that music evolved simultaneously with language, according to biologist Herbert Spencer. Below is a detailed summary of the evolution of music to the present day.
Middle Ages (500 AD -1500)
Music was considered to be culturally rooted in many places, especially in Western Europe where Christianity was prominent. It was used to justify God’s greatness and power during the Middle Ages. This created liturgical music of the Roman Catholic Church which is known as the Gregorian chant, which was sung in unison. Along with this a variety of instruments such as the harp, flute, bagpipe, and drums were used to accompany dances.
Classical Period (1750- 1820)
Decades after the Middle Ages, the classical period which many of us are familiar with, saw a growth in composition and the replacement of opera singing with instrumental music. Wolfgang Mozart was a central figure during this period and composed 600 pieces, including Sonata No. 11 which demonstrates the transition into longer pieces of music. The whole piece takes around 20 minutes to play all the way through!
Romantic Period (1780 - 1910)
In the Romantic period, music began to become more expressive and emotional. In the late 19th century, there was a great expansion in the size of orchestras and the role of attending concerts as a staple leisure activity. Famous composers of this time period were Johann Stratuss II, Gustav Mahler, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and more. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, was a renowned piece of music from this time, especially ‘Ode to Joy.’ This song captures the feeling of joy and universal brotherhood, which aligns with the idea of music connecting to emotions.
20th and 21st century (1920 - present)
With the popularity of the radio, music listening increased rapidly. Jazz music became very popular with the Harlem Renaissance and there was more experimentation with different instruments such as the synthesizer. It also saw the growth of pop music in the 80s, which is essentially music that appeals to the majority of the population. Pop music retains a chorus/ verse that repeats and a bridge which contrasts the rest of the composition.
Here is a video that shows the evolution of music: https://youtu.be/7gIwPimylnU?si=sgy-l1wac8lxaLjA
Importance of Music
Music is important as it not only alleviates stress and improves cognitive abilities, but also creates a universal language. Even though people don’t necessarily speak the language, we can still appreciate the music. For example, many k-pop listeners don’t speak Korean, yet they still like the music. In this sense, music brings people together across the world, despite language barriers. Along with this, music can do great things for your mood. If you wish to feel happy you can listen to an uplifting song, and if you're sad you can listen to a sad song and feel a sense of comfort. Music offers a safe haven for your emotions and validates them. Finally, it adds to the ambiance. Can you imagine going to a party without music or watching the Super Bowl halftime show without music? Probably not. This adds to our enjoyment and entertainment.
Why should we express gratitude for music?
We should express gratitude for music as it is a simple and uplifting way of becoming aware of music’s positive impacts on one’s life. Once in a while, it is important to step back and write down things that are meaningful and important to us. If we do this, music can be stored in our hearts forever.
My Playlist
My playlist features songs that show appreciation for music, dancing, and more. I hope to make more people acknowledge that music is an important aspect in society, and we shouldn’t take it for granted.
Listen here! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5zQ2wWV3smQ4h0QlAeSCnU?si=0QkdPX4FSZKqanCgvSbJWw&pi=u-4QVfVEGeRzeI
