Music is an expansive form of cultural activity. It can be used in many social situations from listening alone at home to attending live concerts.
Extroverts may prefer Ed Sheeran’s “Shivers”, while agreeable individuals might appreciate Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. Research indicates that music serves multiple functions including emotional, cognitive and social.
Origins
How did music come about? Many find great comfort and joy from it, yet its origin remains unclear. Some scientists propose it is an evolutionary adaptation which confers survival benefits; other experts take a more nuanced view.
Early ancestors may have created rhythmic music by clapping their hands together, before later creating instruments crafted from swan and vulture bone – perhaps played by sucking air in through their mouths instead of hitting with their fingers.
Parncutt opines that the shared gestural vocabulary between mothers and infants communicates important health and emotional information to their offspring, while loud primate calls provide another plausible evolutionary precursor for human music as they signal territory ownership in many species (Goodall 1986; Wich & Nunn 2002). But why did such behaviors persist over time?
Functions
Researchers have attempted to understand musical functions by studying its everyday usage. They have used statistical techniques which reveal some basic distinct dimensions among numerous variables (factor analyses).
These studies typically center around different forms of music. Researchers have discovered that some functions of music are universal, like the inducing of physical responses or communicating messages; others can be more specific, like reinforcing certain behaviors or beliefs; music also acts as a bonding agent, such as work songs, war anthems or national anthems which have come together families, groups or entire nations.
Studies have examined how music is utilized by different cultures. Furthermore, they have explored how cultural background has an effect on developing musical preferences.
Genres
Genres in music, like poetry, paintings and books, reflect the social and cultural trends of their time – be they hippie movement and disco era; grunge scene in 1990s; or emo culture of early 2000s.
Classical music stands out as one of the most widely performed genres, alongside pop, rock, jazz and Latin music. Classical compositions typically include intricate orchestral arrangements; its melodies take their cue from traditional musical forms such as baroque or romantic styles.
Jazz music is an ever-evolving style characterized by improvisation and experimentation, its syncopated rhythms and expressive melodies having inspired various other forms, including rock music. Metal (also referred to as hard rock) is another popular form characterized by electric guitars producing distortion-induced sounds.
Composers
Music composers are responsible for crafting new musical pieces. This can include vocal or instrumental composition. Songwriters compose songs; those writing song lyrics are known as lyricists. Composing can be an intricate process requiring extensive knowledge of music theory.
Music composition can be an extremely rewarding career path for those skilled enough to do it well. Many musicians begin composing as a hobby before progressing into professional practice and having their music published.
Composing requires patience and practice in order to acquire the necessary skills. New composers are advised to seek guidance from professional composers, so their pieces are performed correctly by other musicians – this is particularly important if writing for an orchestra or large ensemble.
Audiences
Music can be experienced in an infinite variety of social settings, from listening alone at home to attending large concerts with thousands of others. All these experiences contribute to creating a unique music community which cannot simply be explained as the result of individual choice or happenstance.
Music can both evoke age-old traditions and inspire social transformation. With its worldwide appeal, it has fostered egalitarian values while loosening sexual mores and creating wide ranging changes.
Genre categorizations can be restrictive and restrictive; yet they also serve as an invaluable organizational tool on platforms that measure success with sales, streams and awards. When multiple new music communities come together for audience development efforts, divides among showgoers and concertgoers can significantly hinder cultivation efforts.