What Would Life Be Like Without Music?
What would life be without music? The world would be a very quiet place. Music is in many ways the fabric of our lives and the definition of society. It is a reminder of how things once were, an indication of how things are, and a view of where society is headed. Music is a direct reflection of the picture of society. Music can be a way to deliver messages, a poetic medium, a fine art, or nothing more than a source of entertainment. No matter what it is used for, music is the perfect art and our lives would be that much less complete without it that life as we know it would not at all be the same without music. Music is the perfect art. It has movement, because it progresses over a set period of time. All musical works have a beginning and an end. However, music does not restrict the audience in the way that movies or graphic art does. The listener can create whatever image she or he wants to when listening to music. It is an art that appeals to the conscious mind, but the best music also appeals to the subconscious. No thought is required to enjoy good music, though it is often thought inspiring. Instrumental music does not bind the listener into a fixed template in the way that literature and poetry do: the reaction to music is
different from person to person. Although it is probably the most difficult to produce the desired imagery in instrumental music, it can be done. Beethoven's Opus 27, Number 2, Piano Sonata No. 14, First Movement gives the image of a tired old man writing by the light of the moon and his passion without using any words at all. Music with lyrics is often referred to as "words set to music." This is not always the case. Sometimes it is more accurate to refer to music with lyrics as "music set to words." This form both widens and restricts the composer's artistic range. Lyrics make it easier for composers to bring out their main ideas without expressing them in notes. Not all composers have the power of Beethoven! However, they restrict the images of the musical work in the same way that prose and poetry limit their subject. Whether instrumental or lyrical, music comes from the people and can enlighten us all. It was during the 1960s that the social revolution and the struggles for civil rights inspired such musicians as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Joan Baez to write songs of protest. In turn, the music of these artists, and many others, influenced the younger generations and spread the word of the revolution. Without music, many teenagers of the time would not have been given the influence of the time or its associated mentality. Music was, and continues to be, a kind of social education to the younger generation. Teenagers turn to popular music for their philosophies and get a sense of their place in the world. In fact, cliques of young people are often defined by the music they listen to: "punks" listen to punk rock and heavy metal; "nerds" are reputed to listen to classical music; the "in" crowd listens to the latest material alternative music has to offer; the "loners" listen to o
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Approximate Word count = 1209
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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