essay on different types of music

• Music Genres

The 12 Most Famous Types of Music Genres (with Examples)

• April 4, 2024
• No comments

A music genre is a category of music belonging to a shared collection of conventions . It’s distinguished from musical form and musical style, although these terms are often used interchangeably in practice.

Music can be categorized into several genres, such as popular music and art music, sacred music, and secular music. Music’s imaginative nature means that these classifications are arbitrary and divisive .

Some genres can overlap. Even the academic meaning of the term “genre” itself differs.

Musicologists have often categorized music according to a trichotomous distinction, such as Philip Tagg’s “axiomatic triangle,” consisting of ‘Folk’, ‘Art’ and ‘Popular’ (or Pop) music.

Alternatively, music can be measured on the three dimensions of “arousal,” “valence” and “depth.” Arousal represents physiological mechanisms such as arousal and relaxation (intense, vigorous, abrasive, exciting vs. gentle, mellow).

Valence reflects the emotion and mood processes (fun, happy, lively, enthusiastic, joyful vs. depressing, sad). Depth represents cognitive processes (intelligent, sophisticated, inspirational, nuanced, poetic, deep, emotional, reflective vs. party music, danceable), which helps explain why many people like similar songs from various historically separated genres.

Rock, also known as Rock and Roll, Rock & Roll, or Rock ‘n’ Roll, is a popular music genre from the 1950s. It can definitely be argued that by the end of the 20th century, Rock was the dominant genre of popular music.

It originated in the United States in the 1950s and spread to other English-speaking countries and throughout Europe in the 1960s. Its influence was visible worldwide in the 1990s.

Rock’s economic value was expressed in the structure of the multinational music industry, in the sales racks of international album stores, and the playlist strategies of radio and television.

If other forms of music – Classical, Jazz, easy listening, Country, Folk, etc. – are sold as minority interests, Rock determines mainstream music . So, over the past half of the 20th-century, music labels have been the most inclusive. To appreciate the cultural value of Rock, one needs to understand how it functions both socially and musically.

Electronic Music

Electronic music is a genre that requires electronic processing, such as tape recording and editing, and replication, which involves loudspeakers.

While any music generated or modified by electrical, electromechanical, or electronic means can be considered Electronic music, it is more precise to state that, for a piece of music to be electronic, the composer must predict the electronic processing subsequently added to its musical concept. So, the final result represents the relationship of the composer with the medium.

A wide range of sound resources creates Electronic music – from sounds captured by microphones to those produced by electronic oscillators, sophisticated device installations, and microprocessors. Generally, except one music genre performed that has come to be considered “live electronic music,” Electronic music is played either by loudspeakers alone or in association with ordinary musical instruments.

Electronic music is represented by a wide range of works from the 20th-century. This includes serious concert works, extensive stage, film and television literature, and digital works using all sorts of audio-visual techniques. Electronic theatre and film music tend to be a highly apt alternative for the disembodied, non-existent orchestra heard from a tape or soundtrack.

Soul music is a popular music genre that emerged in the African-American community in the United States in the 1950s and early 1960s. It incorporates elements of African-American Gospel music, Rhythm and Blues, and Jazz.

Soul music became more popular for dancing and listening when record labels such as Motown, Atlantic, and Stax became prominent during the Civil Rights Movement. Soul has since been popular worldwide, with a direct influence on both Rock and African music .

As per the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Soul is “music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of Gospel and Rhythm and Blues into a form of funky, secular testifying .” Catchy beats, stressed by handclaps and extemporaneous body movements, are an important aspect of Soul music. Such features are the call and response between the lead vocalist and the chorus and a particularly strained vocal tone.

At times, the style also uses improvisational additions , twirls and auxiliary sounds. Soul music both represented and perfectly highlighted the importance of the African-American culture. Newfound African-American consciousness has contributed to new forms of music that boast black identity.

Soul music has dominated the U.S. By 1968, the Soul music genre had begun to split. Some Soul musicians developed Funk songs, while other singers and groups developed slicker, more complex , and more politically aware forms.

In the early 1970s, Soul music was inspired by Acid Rock and other styles, contributing to a Psychedelic Soul. The United States saw the development of the Neo-Soul around 1994. There are also many other Soul music subgenres and offshoots.

The various subgenres of soul music are:

• Detroit (Motown) Soul.
• Southern Soul.
• Memphis Soul.
• Birmingham Soul.
• New Orleans Soul.
• Chicago Soul.
• Philadelphia Soul.
• Psychedelic Soul.
• British Soul.
• Northern Soul.
• Modern Soul.
• and soul-influenced Electronica.

Funk is a music genre that emerged in African-American communities in the mid-1960s, where artists created a rhythmic, danceable modern style of music with a fusion of Soul, Jazz, and Rhythm and Blues (R&B). Funk concentrates on the strong rhythm of the bass line played by the electric bass player and the drum, sometimes at slower tempos than most popular music.

Funk usually includes a complex groove with rhythm instruments playing interlocking grooves that create a “hypnotic” and “danceable” sound. Funk uses the same richly-coloured chords used in Bebop Jazz, like minor chords added with sevenths and elevenths, or dominant seventh chords with altered ninths and thirteenths.

Funk emerged in the mid-1960s, with James Brown creating a trademark rhythm that stressed the downbeat – with a strong focus on the first beat of each measure, the application of swung 16th notes and syncopation on all bass lines, percussion rhythms, and guitar riffs – and Rock and Psychedelic artists.

Country Music

Country music is also known as Western music . It’s a form of traditional music rooted in styles such as Blues , old-time music, and various forms of American Folk music, including Appalachian, Cajun, Cowboy-Western, New Mexico, Red Dirt, Tejano, and Texas Country music. Its mainstream origins originate in the southern United States in the early 1920s.

Country music mostly consists of ballads and dance tunes with core concepts, Folk lyrics, and harmonies often backed by string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, steel guitars (such as pedal steels and dobros) and fiddles. According to Lindsey Starnes, in the 1940s, the term Country music became more popular than the earlier term “Hillbilly music;” in the mid-20th century, Western music developed parallel to Hillbilly music .

Today, the term Country music is used to describe many styles and subgenres. The roots of Country music can be found in the American working class’s Folk music and the blue-collar music of American life. It was influenced by American Folk music and rooted in Celtic music , early British Isles music, cowboy singing, Corrido, Ranchera, Norteño, French Folk music, African-American music, and other traditional Folk music.

Latin Music

Latin music originated from the musical cultures of Mexico, Central America, areas of South America, and the Caribbean, which were colonized by Spanish and Portuguese conquerors. These customs reflect the distinctive mixture of Native American, African, and European influences that have changed over time.

Music and dance are interdependent and, to some degree, dance is part of the musical story, both in the sacred and secular folk realm. As folk dances were turned into social and ballroom dances in the 21st-century, Latin American music and dance became important elsewhere, particularly in the United States.

Present Hispanic Folk music and dance are outside the reach of this report. They are discussed in Latin American dance and individual reports such as merengue, rumba, salsa, and tango.

Reggae is a musical genre that emerged in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also applies to the contemporary popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. Toots and the Maytals “Do the Reggay” was the first famous music to use the term “Feggae,” essentially naming the genre and taking it to a worldwide audience.

Reggae typically relates news, social gossip, and political commentaries. Reggae expanded to a commercialized Jazz area first known as “Rudie Blues” then “Ska,” then later known as “Blue Beat” and “Rock Steady.” It is easily identifiable from the counterpoint between the bass and the drum downbeat and the offbeat rhythm section.

Voices appear to be sung in Jamaican Patois, Jamaican English, and Iyaric dialects. Reggae’s songs aim to increase political consciousness and cultural viewpoints.

Hip-Hop music is also known as Rap music . It is a form of mainstream music produced in the United States by inner-city African-Americans and Latin Americans in the Bronx neighborhood of New York City in the 1970s. It consists of stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic speech.

It emerged as part of the Hip-Hop culture, a subculture characterized by four main stylistic element s:

• MC-ing/rapping.
• DJing/scratching with turntables.
• breakdance.
• and graffiti composition.

Other components include capturing beats or bass lines, instrumental songs, and rhythmic beatboxing.

The term Hip-Hop music is often used synonymously with Rap music, but rapping is not an essential part of Hip-Hop music. Although often used to refer solely to Rap, “Hip-Hop” means the whole subculture’s activity.

Hip-Hop music was not formally recorded for radio or television until 1979, primarily due to insecurity at the emergence of the genre and lack of recognition outside ghetto communities. Old school Hip-Hop was the first mainstream of the genre, characterized by its Disco influence and party-oriented lyrics.

The success of Hip-Hop music persisted through the late 1990s to mid-2000s, with Hip-Hop elements gradually making their way into other popular music styles, such as Neo-Soul, Nu-Metal, and R&B.

Punk   Rock

Punk Rock is a genre of music that originated in the mid-1970s. Rooted in Garage Rock in the 1960s, Punk bands opposed the alleged excesses of popular Rock in the 1970s. They generally produced short, fast-paced songs with hard-edged melodies and singing styles, stripped-down instrumentation, and mostly political anti-establishment lyrics.

The term “Punk Rock” was initially used by American Rock critics in the early 1970s to define the garage bands of the 1960s. When the movement, which now bears its name, developed from 1974 to 1976, acts such as Television, Patti Smith, and the Ramones in New York City; the Runaways in Los Angeles; the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Damned in London; and the Saints in Brisbane formed its vanguard.

Punk became the main cultural phenomenon in the United Kingdom at the end of 1976. It has led to a Punk subculture that expresses youthful rebellion through distinctive clothing styles and a variety of anti-authoritarian ideologies.

The Polka is mainly a Czech dance and music genre known throughout Europe and the Americas. It emerged in Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic, in the middle of the 19th-century. Polka continues to be a popular Folk music genre in many European and American countries and is performed by plenty of Folk artists.

A dance and accompanying music called Polka are usually attributed to a young lady, Anna Slezáková. The music teacher Josef Neruda observed her dancing to the local Folk song “Strýček Nimra koupil šimla,” or “Uncle Nimra Bought a White Horse,” in 1830.

Polka dance enjoyed a revival in popularity after the second World War, when many Polish refugees moved to the United States, adopting this bohemian style as a cultural dance. Polka dances are still held every week in many parts of the United States. It has also been found in parts of South America.

K-Pop is a genre of popular music from South Korea. It’s influenced by styles and genres worldwide, like Experimental, Rock, Jazz, Gospel, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Electronic Dance, Folk, Country, and Classical music, along with its traditional Korean origin.

The modern form of the genre emerged with the formation of one of the early K-Pop groups, Seo Taiji and Boys, in 1992. The experimentation with different styles and genres of music, and the integration of foreign musical elements, helped reshape and modernize South Korea’s contemporary music scene.

K-Pop “idol” culture began with the boy band H.O.T. in 1996, when K-Pop grew into a subculture that amassed teenagers and young adults’ huge fandoms. After a slump in early K-Pop, TVXQ and BoA began a new generation of K-Pop idols in 2003 that broke the music genre into the neighboring Japanese market and continues to popularize K-Pop internationally.

With the advent of online social networking services and Korean TV shows, the recent spread of K-Pop and Korean entertainment – which is known as the Korean Wave – has taken center stage not only in East Asia and Southeast Asia, but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Latin America, North Africa, South Africa, East Africa, the Middle East, and the entire Western world.

The word “K-Pop” has been popular since the 2000s. Previously, South Korean Pop music used to be called Gayo .

While “K-Pop” is a common term for mainstream music in South Korea, it’s also used in a narrower context for the genre mentioned here. K-Pop witnessed tremendous success in 2018 and became a “power player” with a rise of 17.9 percent in sales growth .

Traditional and Folk Music

Traditional and Folk music are related. While Traditional music is an inclusive term , it’s generally agreed that traditional music includes Folk music. As per the International Council for Traditional Music, Traditional music is the songs and melodies played over a long period of time.

The Folk music genre is categorized as music that’s orally passed down by one generation to another. Usually, the artist is anonymous, although there are a few variations of the same song.

The genre is transmitted through the singing, listening, and dancing of popular music. Examples of the Folk genre can be found in English Folk music and Turkish Folk music.

Traditional Folk music typically refers to songs composed in the 20th-century, which appear to be written as universal truths and main problems of the time they were composed. Artists like Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, James Taylor, and Leonard Cohen have turned Folk music into what is recognized today.

Newer composers such as Ed Sheeran (Pop-Folk) and The Lumineers (American Folk) are examples of Contemporary Folk music that has been captured and adapted to the young way of listening to music.

Every country in the world – in some cases every city, district, and culture – has its own Folk music style. The subdivisions of the folk genre are made up of every region, cultural identity, and history. Since music is produced in various countries, certain instruments are typical of location and population  – but others are found everywhere.

Music genres deal with the aspects of identity, culture, and purpose to distinguish between different music styles. Genre helps people identify what music is, from instrumentation to rhythm and beat, and how it sounds.

Genre plays a role in cultural identity by giving people an idea of where music comes from. Genres create expectations that give each music style a sense of belonging, while also helping people all over the world discover what types of music they prefer listening to or identifying with.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Types of African Music: 17 Sub-Genres You Should Try Out!

What Is Pop Music? Definition, Types, Characteristics, Examples

22 Types of Country Music You Should Know Today

The 11 Types of Rest in Music You Need to Know

10 Types of Musical Compositions You Need to Know About

The 22 Best Online Music Distribution Companies (Review, Comparison & Guide)

What is Instrumental Music? Definition, Types & Examples

April 7, 2024

Writing Task 2 # Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic:

There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

You should write at least 250 words.

Use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Model Answer 1 (275 Words)

Music nowadays has turned to be an activity by which many of us relax. Many people feel so much relaxed by listening to music and while others find themselves more comfortable with playing music more often. Music is used to cheer up your mood and state of mind. You feel internal peace and its help you forget all your tensions.

The World is divided into many different cultures and traditions. Every part of the world has its own unique identity. Different countries of the world and people of different countries have their own likes and dislikes. Similarly, when we talk about music, it also differs from region to region. While subcontinent people are more attracted towards classical music which is often a slow rhythmic music and people of western people like the fast track music because classical music is the part of the culture of the subcontinent and mostly on different occasions and on different events people prefer classical music over rock music.

But as the world is forwarding fast day-by-day and advancement are taking place in every field, the same is true for the music. In music nowadays there are different kinds of music introduced which are also good for listeners.

I personally believe that people put more attention and show a high level of interest when something which is directly related to their tradition and culture and the same goes for music. Especially in our subcontinent, people are attracted towards traditional music as compared to international or foreign music and people give more importance to their traditions because tradition is something which makes you proud or we can say that it’s your identity.

Model Answer 2 (308 Words)

It’s often said that “music is like magic” and it is indeed true, since music work as a divine magic for us. Music, for many of us, is a way of living. There are many who can’t live a life without listening to music each day. Music is the foods of a soul to them.

Music impresses us, inspires us, tells an untold story, remedy us and let us understand others. There are many different types of music almost in each language of the world and they vary from religious type to anthem and even hard rock or rap. The listeners of the music decide what to listen and it greatly depends on upon mood, time, level and age. But I believe no matter what type of music one listens, we need to listen and preserve our own traditional music hence traditional music says what we really are. There are lots of importance of music in our life. Music let us know the position of a nation against war and music it’s a message that reaches to all for all over the ages. Music refreshes ourselves and inspires us to do something.

With the modern communication facility, satellite channels and the internet, people today hear music from other parts of the world. Teenagers are greatly influenced by western music and they even don’t like traditional or country music. It’s very natural that generation will follow their own trends and choices and will accept only what they feel like to accept, but traditional music bears the old history, lifestyle and tradition of a country. And as part of education, everybody should know about his/her own tradition. So we should listen to the music that attracts us and really inspires not matter where are they from what whatever their genre are, but we should not ignore our own traditional music.

Model Answer 3 (304 Words)

Music can be presented in several ways and variations that we can observe in the world these days. Many people consider music as part of their life and get motivation and inspiration from the music they listen to. However, some people argue about the significance of music in our life. Many others compare the importance of folk music and global music in term of people’s preference to listen. Furthermore, people tend to enjoy life better when they put music to listen to their daily activity. In my view, music can bring some advantages to improve people’s life and local music and international music has both advantages in our life.

In every place, music and people are hard to be separated. They love music because it can revive stress and bad feeling that we usually have. Moreover, the rhythm of the music that is playing triggers our body to feel free and relax each moment. In addition, different varieties of music are available to everyone. For example, people can feel free listening to soft, classic and loud music based on their choices.

Another issue of this essay is whether traditional music or popular world music has more importance. Traditional music has an important as an identity of a nation. Indeed, every citizen has to maintain this legacy for their generation. Nonetheless, global music is surely good to be heard regarding people’s passion. In other words, none can be forced to stop listening to popular music because it is their right to choose any kinds of music that are suitable for them.

Hence, every person has the choice to listen to many genres of music. It describes how music becomes so popular today. In fact, music just serves benefits depend on individuals’ preference for it. Folk or international music contributes to aid someone through their life.

• IELTS Writing Task 2

Be First to Comment

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Types of music

No one agrees exactly, about how music should make one feel. Some use music to kill time while they travel to work, others base their morals and values on it. Some follow a musical icon like they were a spiritual leader, while others never even know who they are listening to. There are two types of music listeners, those who listen for entertainment, and those who listen for enlightenment. It seems odd that people could like one thing for two such different reasons .

Probably the most common type of music listener is the one who wants to forget about what they are doing. They want the cares of the real world to be washed away by soft, melodic songs about kittens and rainbows and how great it is to be alive. The more unrealistic the better. Of course, they know things arent always so wonderful in the real world , but they would just rather just not think about unpleasant things. This type is usually characterized by easy listening, teckno classical, country, and pop music.

The, not as common, second type listens to music that teaches. This type often finds meaning in more controversial music like rap , rock, punk rock, and alternative. They often believe that good music is objective, not for each person to decide, but for the musically elite to discover and dictate. One cannot just listen to something and decide if its good, they must know the genre, analyze the history of the band and its influences , compare it to similar music, and basically answer every question except: did you like it?

I dont know which is better of the two. The first type of person lives a less stressful life, but only because they dont want reality. The second type sees what is going on and changes things , but will never know the peace of losing themselves in a beautiful song. Although these are two very different types of people, they both enjoy the simple act of listening to music.

Although some claim certain genres arent actually music because they are so different, we all recognize a few musical elements in even the most questionable of genres. Those who think music must have precedent, must envy these new musicians for being able to experience music in a different way. In fact, I think this is the main reason why people conflict about certain genres being more or less legitimate than others, because they are jealous that they cannot enjoy the music in question too.

To export a reference to this essay please select a referencing style below:

Related essays:

• Music has been around for thousands and thousands
• Music History Outline
• Pop Culture Essay
• History of Heavy Metal
• The History of Music
• Music History and Its Influence on America
• A Brief Background and History of African Music
• Steve Reich’s Music Analysis
• Theory of music in ancient chinese philosophy
• Latin American Music Research Paper
• The Negative Effects Of Music On The Brain Essay

What is Music? – Definition, History, Types, Importance, and Benefits

Bridging all divides, music is a universal language that has spanned centuries, continents, and cultures. This art form, as diverse and multifaceted as humanity itself, is more than just an aural pleasure; it’s a powerful conduit of emotion and a remarkable tool for connection. This blog post seeks to delve into the enigmatic world of music – unraveling its definition, retracing its historical lineage, unwrapping different types, underscoring its importance in our lives and society, and highlighting the far-reaching benefits it bestows upon us. Prepare to embark on an enthralling journey that explores the depths of this captivating symphony called music. You’re about to discover why it isn’t just sound— it’s an anthem for life.

Music is the art of arranging sounds, typically involving melody, harmony, rhythm, and expressive elements. It is a means of personal expression, cultural preservation, and communication that has been present in human societies throughout history. Music encompasses various genres and styles, played on diverse instruments or using the human voice. It can evoke emotions, convey messages, and provide entertainment or catharsis.

Defining Music

Music, a universal language that has resonated throughout human history, is a rich and complex art form that defies a singular definition. The essence of music lies in its ability to evoke emotions, convey narratives, and connect individuals across cultures and time. While defining music precisely may prove challenging, various perspectives offer insights into its multifaceted nature.

Imagine attending a concert where you are moved to tears by the haunting melody of a violin or dancing uncontrollably to the infectious beats of a drum. Such experiences embody the power of music to elicit emotional responses.

Embracing a broad perspective, one could define music as “organized sound” or “domesticated sound,” encompassing the arrangement of sonic elements such as rhythm, melody, harmony, and form. This definition recognizes music as a structured artistic expression that utilizes naturally occurring acoustic phenomena.

Another approach to defining music suggests that it is what individuals have an aesthetic experience while paying attention to sounds. Essentially, this definition places the interpretation of music in the hands of the beholder, acknowledging the subjective nature of musical experiences. It allows for inclusivity and acknowledges that anything can be considered music if someone experiences it as such.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the diverse cultural contexts in which music exists. Different societies have varying conceptions of what constitutes music, influenced by their traditions, customs, and beliefs. Thus, attempting to confine music within a rigid definition would be limiting.

In essence, music transcends boundaries between cultures and individuals, offering an avenue for emotional expression and connection. While different definitions exist, they all highlight the fundamental idea that music is an art form capable of eliciting profound emotional responses.

Exploring Various Definitions

To comprehend the full scope of what defines music, let us delve into various perspectives on this captivating art form.

Some scholars argue that music is a form of art that elicits an aesthetic experience similar to the emotional responses evoked when experiencing other forms of art. This perspective emphasizes the expressive and creative nature of music, positioning it as a medium through which artists communicate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas.

On the other hand, some scholars view music as sonic or auditory art, highlighting its dependence on the auditory senses to perceive and appreciate its artistic elements. This perspective underscores the inherent connection between music and sound, suggesting that the combination of various sonic elements creates musical compositions.

Moreover, certain definitions emphasize music’s role in social and cultural contexts. Music plays a vital role in social activities, religious rituals, celebratory events, and cultural traditions across diverse communities worldwide. It serves as a means of communication, expression, and preservation of cultural heritage.

Think of music as a tapestry interwoven with threads representing different cultures, bringing people together through shared experiences.

It is crucial to acknowledge that individual interpretations of music may vary based on personal taste and background. Some might find solace in classical symphonies’ intricate harmonies, while others find joy in the energetic rhythms of popular music genres . The beauty of music lies in its ability to cater to a wide range of emotions and preferences.

While there may be differing opinions on what constitutes music, it is essential not to dismiss subjective interpretations. The definition of music should be inclusive rather than exclusive because restricting its boundaries can stifle creativity and limit exploration within this vibrant realm.

• As per a study by the U.K.’s Royal Academy of Music, classical music comprises about 1.4 percent of the total recording industry market share as of 2020.
• A Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2019 found that 53% of adults state that music plays ‘a somewhat – or very – important’ role in their lives, highlighting its universal prevalence and significance.
• Around 82% of people agreed with a statement that stated ‘Music is a key part of my life’ in a global Nielsen survey conducted in 2017.

Tracing the History of Music

Music, as we know it today, has evolved over centuries, with its roots deeply embedded in human civilization. Tracing the history of music is like embarking on a fascinating journey through time. From the earliest forms of musical expression to the complex compositions of modern times, understanding this evolution provides us with valuable insights into our cultural heritage and the universal language that music represents.

The origins of music can be traced back to prehistoric times . Archaeological evidence suggests that early humans used musical instruments made from natural resources such as bones, shells, and rocks. These primitive instruments served as tools for communication and expression, enabling our ancestors to convey their emotions and tell stories through rhythmic sounds.

As human civilizations began to emerge, so did the sophistication of musical practices. In ancient Egypt , for example, music played a significant role in religious rituals and was considered a divine art form. Instruments such as the harp, flutes, and percussion were used to accompany hymns and chants during temple ceremonies.

Meanwhile, ancient Greece placed great importance on music’s educational value. The philosopher Plato believed that musical training profoundly impacted the development of character and moral values. Students were taught music alongside other subjects as part of their holistic education.

Throughout history, different cultures have embraced their unique musical traditions and created distinct styles and genres. For instance, Indian classical music is known for its intricate melodies and improvisation techniques influenced by centuries-old ragas (musical scales). Similarly, African music often relies heavily on rhythm and percussive instruments to create energetic and vibrant compositions.

Understanding the impact of music in ancient cultures allows us to appreciate its significance in shaping societies across time. Let’s explore further how music became an integral part of ancient civilizations and contributed to their social fabric.

Impact of Music in Ancient Cultures

Music played a crucial role in the social and cultural life of ancient civilizations. It served various functions, ranging from religious rituals to entertainment, and even had therapeutic qualities. Let’s delve into some notable examples of how music left its mark in ancient cultures.

In ancient Egypt, music held a sacred status and was deeply intertwined with religious practices. Temples had dedicated musicians who performed during ceremonies honoring the gods. The melodic compositions and rhythmic patterns were believed to please the deities and strengthen the connection between humans and the divine. Music was also present at joyous occasions like weddings and banquets, where lively performances accompanied celebrations.

Ancient Greece embraced music as a form of artistic expression and entertainment. It played a pivotal role in dramas staged in Greek theaters, serving as a tool for emotional catharsis and enhancing the theatrical experience. Musicians would perform on instruments like lyres or flutes, setting the mood for each scene. Greek society recognized the transformative power of musical performances in stirring emotions and creating a shared experience among audience members.

In ancient China, music was highly regarded and considered an essential part of Confucian philosophy. The belief was that music had the power to influence individuals’ behavior and promote harmony within society. Royal courts employed skilled musicians who composed intricate melodies using traditional Chinese instruments such as the guqin (a type of zither). These musical compositions aimed at fostering peace, wisdom, and moral righteousness.

The impact of music in ancient cultures not only shaped their traditions but also laid the foundations for future musical developments. Each civilization contributed unique perspectives on how music could enrich human experiences from Egypt to Greece to China.

Unpacking Music Genres

Music is a vast and diverse art form, encompassing various genres that cater to different tastes, preferences, and cultural backgrounds. Unpacking music genres allows us to explore the unique characteristics, origins, and influences of each genre. Let’s dive into some popular genres and understand what sets them apart.

One prominent genre is classical music, known for its rich history and complexity. Originating in Europe during the medieval and Renaissance periods , classical music is characterized by its formal structure, intricate compositions, and orchestral arrangements. It encompasses symphonies, concertos, sonatas, and more. Composers like Mozart , Beethoven , and Bach have played significant roles in shaping this genre.

On the other end of the spectrum lies rock music, which emerged in the 1950s as a fusion of various musical styles such as rhythm and blues, country music, and gospel. Rock is recognized for its energetic guitar-driven sound, passionate vocals, and rebellious lyrics. From iconic artists like Elvis Presley and The Beatles to contemporary bands like Foo Fighters , the evolution of rock has been nothing short of influential.

Another influential genre is hip-hop or rap music. Originating in African American communities during the 1970s in New York City , hip-hop has become a global cultural phenomenon. It features rhythmic beats coupled with spoken-word poetry-like lyrics that reflect societal issues and personal experiences. Artists like Tupac Shakur , Jay-Z , and Kendrick Lamar have used their voice through this genre to empower and shed light on social injustices.

These are just a few examples among countless other genres such as jazz, country, pop, reggae, electronic dance music (EDM), and many more. Each genre holds its unique soundscape and appeals to specific audiences across cultures worldwide.

Now that we’ve explored the diverse world of music genres, let’s discuss the influence they have on cultures and societies.

• Music is a vast and diverse art form encompassing various genres, each with unique characteristics and influences. Classical music, originating in Europe, is known for its formal structure and intricate compositions. Rock music emerged in the 1950s, combining different styles to create an energetic guitar-driven sound. Hip-hop or rap music originated in African American communities and uses rhythmic beats and spoken-word lyrics to address social issues. These genres are just a few examples among countless others, each appealing to specific audiences across cultures worldwide. The influence of music genres on cultures and societies is significant, as they reflect the values, emotions, and experiences of different communities.

Influence of Different Genres on Cultures

Music is more than just a collection of sounds; it has the power to shape cultures, bridge divides, and provide an avenue for self-expression. Different music genres have significantly influenced cultures throughout history and continue to do so today.

One prime example of musical influence is seen in traditional folk music. Rooted in cultural heritage and passed down through generations, folk music reflects a community’s values, stories, and history. It brings people together, preserving cultural identity and fostering a sense of belonging. Not only does it celebrate diversity, but it also serves as a reminder of shared experiences and common humanity.

Another genre that has left an indelible mark on culture is reggae music. Originating in Jamaica in the late 1960s , reggae emerged as a form of expression for marginalized communities, addressing social issues such as poverty, racism, and political oppression. Artists like Bob Marley used reggae as a platform to spread messages of love, unity, and social change worldwide.

Music genres can also shape fashion trends, dance styles, and even language usage within certain cultures. For instance, the punk rock movement of the 1970s not only influenced music but inspired a distinctive fashion style characterized by rebellious attire, bold hairstyles, and DIY aesthetics.

The influence of music genres on cultures extends beyond societal aspects; it also impacts emotions and personal experiences.

The Role of Music in Expression

Music has long been recognized as a powerful medium for self-expression. Whether through lyrics or instrumental melodies, music allows individuals to convey their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a way that words alone cannot capture. It is a universal language that transcends cultural, language, and background barriers.

People can express joy, sadness, anger, love, and other emotions by listening to or creating music. Think about your favorite song – it might evoke memories and feelings that resonate with you deeply. For example, a melancholic melody can evoke feelings of nostalgia or longing, while an upbeat rhythm can inspire joy and excitement.

Moreover, music acts as a creative outlet for artists and musicians who use their talents to express personal narratives and connect with listeners on an emotional level. Songwriters often pour their hearts into their lyrics, using metaphors and imagery to convey complex emotions. Musicians bring these lyrics to life through the power of melody and rhythm, enhancing the emotional impact.

Music also plays a significant role in cultural expression. Different genres and styles reflect various communities’ unique identities and experiences worldwide. For example, traditional folk songs may capture the history and traditions of a particular region or ethnic group.

In addition to its role in personal and cultural expression, music has proven to be an effective tool for learning. Let’s explore how music enhances educational experiences and promotes cognitive development.

Music as a Tool for Learning

From early childhood to adulthood, music profoundly impacts our ability to learn and retain information. Numerous studies have shown that incorporating music into educational settings can enhance memory, concentration, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

For young children, nursery rhymes and catchy tunes serve as mnemonic devices that aid in memorization. Repetitive melodies help reinforce the learning of letters, numbers, and other fundamental concepts. Furthermore, music engages multiple brain areas simultaneously, stimulating neural connections and promoting cognitive development.

In school settings, subjects like literature, history, and science can be complemented by incorporating music. For example, students studying a historical period might listen to music from that era to gain insights into the culture and social climate of the time. This interdisciplinary approach fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for the subject matter.

Imagine studying Shakespeare’s works while listening to dramatic orchestral compositions that capture the intensity of his plays. The combination of music and literature creates a rich sensory experience that brings the words on the page to life.

Additionally, learning to play a musical instrument or participate in group performances develops discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. Collaborative musical endeavors such as choirs or orchestras enhance interpersonal skills and promote a sense of community among participants.

The power of music extends beyond academic environments as well. Music therapy has been used effectively in therapeutic settings to help individuals with emotional or cognitive challenges. It provides an outlet for self-expression and can aid in emotional regulation and communication.

The Impact of Music on Human Well-being

Music profoundly impacts human well-being, affecting us emotionally, mentally, and physically. It can evoke strong emotions, create connections, and enhance our overall quality of life. From ancient to modern times, music has been an integral part of various cultures and societies.

Emotional Effects : Music possesses the remarkable ability to evoke a wide range of emotions within us. It can uplift our spirits, bring tears to our eyes, or even soothe our troubled minds. For example, listening to our favorite song after a long and tiring day can instantly lighten our mood and make us feel happier. Conversely, a melancholic melody might resonate with feelings of sadness or nostalgia. These emotional effects make music a powerful tool for self-expression and catharsis, enabling individuals to process their thoughts and emotions.

Think about when you felt blue and turned to music for solace. The soothing melody or relatable lyrics provided comfort and reassurance in a way that words alone couldn’t express. Music has an uncanny ability to speak directly to our hearts.

Mental Effects : In addition to its emotional impact, music also influences our cognitive functions and mental well-being. Research has shown that listening to or playing music can improve concentration, enhance memory retention, and stimulate creativity. For instance, classical compositions have been found to promote focus and productivity during study or work sessions. Moreover, engaging with musical instruments or participating in singing can boost brain development and sharpen cognitive skills in children.

Mozart’s sonatas are often recommended for enhancing concentration while studying because of their rhythmic patterns and harmonies that prime the brain for focused attention. Many people find that listening to instrumental music like jazz or ambient tracks helps them enter a state of flow while working on complex tasks or projects.

Physical Effects : It is no secret that music has the power to move us physically as well. When we listen to upbeat and energetic tunes, our bodies instinctively respond by tapping our feet, nodding our heads, or even dancing. This physical engagement provides a form of exercise and releases endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers. In certain scenarios, music therapy is utilized to aid in the rehabilitation process for individuals with motor disabilities or to manage chronic pain.

Consider attending a live concert or music festival where the crowd’s collective energy is palpable. The bass reverberating through your body and the rhythmic vibrations stirring your senses create a truly immersive experience that uplifts and energizes you.

Now that we have explored the impactful role of music on human well-being let’s delve into one of its significant aspects – the emotional and performance effects it holds.

Emotional and Performance Effects of Music

Imagine watching a film without any background score. The absence of music would significantly alter the emotional impact of various scenes, leaving viewers feeling detached and less engaged.

Music possesses an incredible ability to heighten emotional intensity, whether it’s in films, theatrical performances, or our daily lives. It serves as a powerful tool for enhancing mood and atmosphere. From suspenseful melodies creating tension in a horror movie to triumphant orchestral arrangements accompanying scenes of victory in an epic battle, music plays an indispensable role in elevating emotions and intensifying our overall experiences.

But beyond being a passive listener, actively engaging with music can have performance-enhancing effects as well. From athletes warming up to their favorite pump-up tracks before a game to students playing instrumental pieces while studying for exams, music has been known to improve focus, motivation, and performance across various domains.

For example, research suggests that listening to motivational songs can enhance athletic performance by increasing arousal, enhancing focus, and decreasing perceived exertion. Similarly, background music has improved productivity in work settings by creating a more pleasant and stimulating environment.

Picture a scene: You’re at the gym, and your energy is waning. Suddenly, that one high-energy song comes on through your earphones, and you can feel an instant surge of adrenaline coursing through your veins. Your workout intensifies, and you find yourself pushing harder, lifting more weights, without even realizing it. Music has the power to transcend physical limits and unleash our inner potential.

Ultimately, the emotional and performance effects of music are deeply intertwined, as an elevated emotional state often translates into improved performance. Whether it’s boosting our mood during daily activities, enhancing concentration and creativity, or fueling our drive for success, music holds immense power over our well-being.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Essay on Music for Students and Children

500+ words essay on music.

Music is a vital part of different moments of human life. It spreads happiness and joy in a person’s life. Music is the soul of life and gives immense peace to us. In the words of William Shakespeare, “If music is the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die.” Thus, Music helps us in connecting with our souls or real self.

What is Music?

Music is a pleasant sound which is a combination of melodies and harmony and which soothes you. Music may also refer to the art of composing such pleasant sounds with the help of the various musical instruments. A person who knows music is a Musician.

The music consists of Sargam, Ragas, Taals, etc. Music is not only what is composed of men but also which exists in nature. Have you ever heard the sound of a waterfall or a flowing river ? Could you hear music there? Thus, everything in harmony has music. Here, I would like to quote a line by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the greatest musicians, “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.”

Importance of Music:

Music has great qualities of healing a person emotionally and mentally. Music is a form of meditation. While composing or listening music ones tends to forget all his worries, sorrows and pains. But, in order to appreciate good music, we need to cultivate our musical taste. It can be cited that in the Dwapar Yug, the Gopis would get mesmerized with the music that flowed from Lord Krishna’s flute. They would surrender themselves to Him. Also, the research has proved that the plants which hear the Music grow at a faster rate in comparison to the others.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Magical Powers of Music:

It has the power to cure diseases such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc. The power of Music can be testified by the legends about Tansen of his bringing the rains by singing Raag Megh Malhar and lighting lamps by Raga Deepak. It also helps in improving the concentration and is thus of great help to the students.

Conclusion:

Music is the essence of life. Everything that has rhythm has music. Our breathing also has a rhythm. Thus, we can say that there is music in every human being or a living creature. Music has the ability to convey all sorts of emotions to people. Music is also a very powerful means to connect with God. We can conclude that Music is the purest form of worship of God and to connect with our soul.

FAQs on Essay on Music:

Q.1. Why is Music known as the Universal Language?

Ans.1. Music is known as the Universal language because it knows no boundaries. It flows freely beyond the barriers of language, religion, country, etc. Anybody can enjoy music irrespective of his age.

Q.2. What are the various styles of Music in India?

Ans.2. India is a country of diversities. Thus, it has numerous styles of music. Some of them are Classical, Pop, Ghazals, Bhajans, Carnatic, Folk, Khyal, Thumri, Qawwali, Bhangra, Drupad, Dadra, Dhamar, Bandish, Baithak Gana, Sufi, Indo Jazz, Odissi, Tarana, Sugama Sangeet, Bhavageet, etc.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Guide on How to Write a Music Essay: Topics and Examples

Let's Understand What is Music Essay

You know how some school assignments are fun to write by default, right? When students see them on the course syllabus, they feel less like a burden and more like a guaranteed pleasure. They are about our interests and hobbies and therefore feel innate and intuitive to write. They are easy to navigate, and interesting topic ideas just pop into your head without much trouble.

Music essays belong to the category of fun essay writing. What is music essay? Anything from in-depth analysis to personal thoughts put into words and then to paper can fall into a music essay category. An essay about music can cover a wide range of topics, including music history, theory, social impact, significance, and musical review. It can be an analytical essay about any music genre, musical instruments, or today's music industry.

Don't get us wrong, you will still need to do extensive research to connect your opinions to a broader context, and you can't step out of academic writing standards, but the essay writing process will be fun.

In this article, our custom essay writing service is going to guide you through every step of writing an excellent music essay. You can draw inspiration from the list of music essay topics that our team prepared, and later on, you will learn what an outstanding essay on music is by an example of a music review essay.

What are Some Music Topics to Write About

There are so many exciting music topics to write about. We would have trouble choosing one. You can write about various music genres, be it country music or classical music; you can research music therapy or how music production happens.

Okay, forgive us for getting carried away; music makes us enthusiastic. Below you will find a list of various music essay topics prepared from our thesis writing service . Choose one and write a memorable essay about everyone's favorite art form.

Music Argumentative Essay Topics

Music essays can be written about an infinite number of themes. You can even write about performance or media comparison.

Here is a list of music argumentative essay topics. These edge-cutting topics will challenge your readers and get you an easy A+.

• Exploring the evolution of modern music styles of the 21st century
• Is it ethical to own and play rare musical instruments?
• Is music therapy an effective mental health treatment?
• Exploring the Intersection of Technology and Creativity in electronic music
• The Relevance of traditional music theory in modern music production
• The Role of musical pieces in the Transmission of cultural identity
• The value of historical analysis in understanding the significance of music in society
• How does exposing listeners to different genres of music break down barriers
• Exploring the cognitive effects of music on human brain development
• The therapeutic potential of music in treating mental disorders

Why is Music Important Essay Topics

Do you know which essay thrills our team the most? The importance of music in life essay. We put our minds together and came up with a list of topics about why music is so central to human life. Start writing why is music important essay, and we guarantee you that you will be surprised by how much fun you had crafting it.  

• Popular Music and its Role in shaping cultural trends
• Music as a metaphorical language for expressing emotions and thoughts
• How music changes and influences social and political movements
• How the music of different countries translates their history to outsiders
• The innate connection between music and human beings
• How music helps us understand feelings we have never experienced
• Does music affect our everyday life and the way we think?
• Examining the cross-cultural significance of music in society
• How rock music influenced 70's political ideologies
• How rap music closes gaps between different racial groups in the US

Consider delegating your ' write my essay ' request to our expert writers for crafting a perfect paper on any music topic!

Why I Love Music Essay Topics

We want to know what is music to you, and the best way to tell us is to write a why I love music essay. Below you will find a list of music essay topics that will help you express your love for music.

• I love how certain songs and artists evoke Memories and Emotions
• I love the diversity of music genres and how different styles enrich my love for music
• I love how music connects me with people of different backgrounds
• How the music of Linkin Park helped me through life's toughest challenges
• What does my love for popular music say about me?
• How the unique sounds of string instruments fuel my love for music
• How music provides a temporary Release from the stresses of daily life
• How music motivates me to chase my dreams
• How the raw energy of rock music gets me through my daily life
• Why my favorite song is more than just music to me

Need a Music Essay ASAP?

Our expert team is quick to get you an A+ on all your assignments!

Music Therapy Essay Topics

One of the most interesting topics about music for an essay is music therapy. We are sure you have heard all the stories of how music cures not only mental but also physical pains. Below you can find a list of topics that will help you craft a compelling music therapy essay. And don't forget that you can always rely on our assistance for fulfilling your ' write my paper ' requests!

• The effectiveness of music therapy in reducing stress and pain for cancer patients
• Does pop music have the same effects on music therapy as classical music?
• Exploring the benefits of music therapy with other genres beyond classical music
• The potential of music therapy in aiding substance abuse treatment and recovery
• The Role of music therapy in Addressing PTSD and Trauma in military veterans
• The impact of music therapy on enhancing social interaction and emotional expression in individuals with developmental disabilities
• The use of music therapy in managing chronic pain
• Does musical therapy help depression?
• Does music reduce anxiety levels?
• Is music therapy better than traditional medicine?

History of Music Essay Topics

If you love analytical essays and prefer to see the bigger picture, you can always write a music description essay. Below you can find some of the most interesting topics for the history of music essay.

• The Significance of natural instruments in music production and performance
• Tracing the historical development of Western music theory
• How electronic music traces its roots back to classical music
• How the music industry evolved from sheet music to streaming services
• How modern producers relate to classical composers
• The Origins and Influence of Jazz Music
• How folk music saved the Stories of unnamed heroes
• Do we know what the music of ancient civilizations sounded like?
• Where does your favorite bandstand in the line of music evolve?
• The Influence of African American Music on modern pop culture

Benefits of Music Essay Topics

If you are someone who wonders what are some of the values that music brings to our daily life, you should write the benefits of music essay. The music essay titles below can inspire you to write a captivating essay:

• How music can be used to promote cultural awareness and understanding
• The benefits of music education in promoting creativity and innovation
• The social benefits of participating in music groups
• The Impact of Music on Memory and Learning
• The cognitive benefits of music education in early childhood development
• The effects of music on mood and behavior
• How learning to play an instrument improves cognitive functions.
• How music connects people distanced by thousands of miles
• The benefits of listening to music while exercising
• How music can express the feelings words fail to do so 

Music Analysis Essay Example

Reading other people's papers is a great way to scale yours. There are many music essay examples, but the one crafted by our expert writers stands out in every possible way. You can learn what a great thesis statement looks like, how to write an engaging introduction, and what comprehensive body paragraphs should look like. 

Click on the sample below to see the music analysis essay example. 

How to Write a Music Essay with Steps

Writing music essays is definitely not rocket science, so don't be afraid. It's just like writing any other paper, and a music essay outline looks like any other essay structure.

• Start by choosing a music essay topic. You can use our list above to get inspired. Choose a topic about music that feels more relevant and less researched so you can add brand-new insights. As we discussed, your music essay can be just about anything; it can be a concert report or an analytical paper about the evolution of music.
• Continue by researching the topic. Gather all the relevant materials and information for your essay on music and start taking notes. You can use these notes as building blocks for the paper. Be prepared; even for short essays, you may need to read books and long articles.
• Once you have all the necessary information, the ideas in your head will start to take shape. The next step is to develop a thesis statement out of all the ideas you have in your head. A thesis statement is a must as it informs readers what the entire music essay is about. Don't be afraid to be bold in your statement; new outlooks are always appreciated.
• Next, you'll need a music essay introduction. Here you introduce the readers to the context and background information about the research topic. It should be clear, brief, and engaging. You should set the tone of your essay from the very beginning. Don't forget the introduction is where the thesis statement goes.
• One of the most important parts of essay writing is crafting a central body paragraph about music. This is where you elaborate on your thesis, make main points, and support them with the evidence you gathered beforehand. Remember, your music essay should be well structured and depict a clear picture of your ideas.
• Next, you will need to come up with an ideal closing paragraph. Here you will need to once again revisit the main points in your music essay, restate them in a logical manner and give the readers your final thoughts.
• Don't forget to proofread your college essay. Whether you write a long or short essay on music, there will be grammatical and factual errors. Revise and look through your writing with a critical mind. You may find that some parts need rewriting.

Key Takeaways

Music essays are a pleasure to write and read. There are so many topics and themes to choose from, and if you follow our How to Write a Music Essay guide, you are guaranteed to craft a top-notch essay every time.

Be bold when selecting a subject even when unsure what is research essay topic on music, take the writing process easy, follow the academic standards, and you are good to go. Use our music essay sample to challenge yourself and write a professional paper. 

If you feel stuck and have no time our team of expert writers is always ready to give you help from all subject ( medical school personal statement school help ). Visit our website, submit your ' write my research paper ' request and a guaranteed A+ essay will be on your way in just one click.

Need Help in Writing an Impressive Paper?

Our expert writers are here to write a quality paper that will make you the star of your class!

FAQs on Writing a Music Essay

Though music essay writing is not the hardest job on the planet, there are still some questions that often pop up. Now that you have a writing guide and a list of essay topics about music, it's time to address the remaining inquiries. Keep reading to find the answers to the frequently asked questions. 

Should Artists' Music be Used in Advertising?

What type of music is best for writing an essay, why do people love music, related articles.

267 Music Essay Topics + Writing Guide [2024 Update]

Your mood leaves a lot to be desired. Everything around you is getting on your nerves. But still, there’s one thing that may save you: music. Just think of all the times you turned on your favorite song, and it lifted your spirits!

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

So, why not write about it in a music essay? In this article, you’ll find all the information necessary for this type of assignment:

• 267 brilliant music essay topics,
• a sample paper,
• a step-by-step guide and writing tips.

And don’t forget to bookmark  custom-writing.org  where you can find helpful essay tips in articles like this one.

🔝 Music Essay Topics: Top 10

• 🎵 Music Essay Definition
• 🎼 Essay Topics
• ✍️ How to Write
• 📑 Essay Sample

🔗 References

• Compare different recording formats.
• The purpose of music.
• Ternary and rondo: compare and contrast.
• Music as a lifestyle.
• The benefits of singing.
• Ethnomusicology as a career.
• Evolution of the radio.
• The importance of school musicals.
• Music as a tool for meditation.
• Music in sports.

🎵 Essays about Music: What Are They?

A music essay describes or analyzes a piece of music, its context, or one’s personal attitude towards it. This type of assignment requires a compelling primary argument and a clear structure.

To write well about music, you don’t have to be a professional musician. All you need is to be able to listen, understand, and evaluate it. You should also provide your interpretation and opinion on it.

Writing about Music: Assignment Types

An essay on music is a popular assignment in high school and college. However, many students find it hard to describe sounds in a written form. In this article, we will give you some tips on writing about music.

Just in 1 hour! We will write you a plagiarism-free paper in hardly more than 1 hour

Here are the typical tasks that you might receive:

• Concert report. It requires describing the music you’ve heard using as many details and terms as you can.
• Historical analysis of a piece. Your aim is to describe the historical context of a piece or its relation to the historical setting. For this type of assignment, you may need to do some research.
• Song analysis. In this type of essay, you explore song lyrics’ meaning and show how they work together with the melody.
• Performance or media comparison. Here you need to compare several interpretations or performances of one piece of music.

All of these assignments require a different approach and topic. You will find topics for these types of tasks below.

How to Choose a Music Essay Topic

First things first, you need to find a suitable music essay topic. To accomplish this task, you might want to take the following steps:

• Analyze your relationship with music . What role does it play in your life? Your topic choice will be different if you are a musician or merely a listener.
• Think about how music influences your everyday life . For instance, you can study how listening to music affects our mental health. Impressing your readers with some historical facts from the world of music is also a great idea.
• Try reflecting on the role of different music genres in your life . Whether you prefer rap or classical music, exploring a genre is an excellent topic idea. Topics related to musical instruments are also worth attention.
• Narrow your topic down. Otherwise, it will be too difficult to focus your essay on just one idea.

🎼 Music Essay Topics List

The first thing you need to do is to choose your topic. We have prepared a variety of music topics perfect for research papers and short essays. You can also use them for speeches or college application essays.

Argumentative Essay about Music: Topics & Ideas

Argumentative essays about music are usually concerned with a specific music-related issue you choose to address. Just like with any other argumentative essay, you should present both sides of the topic. Also, reliable facts are a must for this type of essay.

Receive a plagiarism-free paper tailored to your instructions. Cut 20% off your first order!

• The influence of modern technologies on the music industry. Technologies allow artists to create and promote their songs independently. Because of this, record labels are less critical to musicians than before. However, the emergence of new technologies also gave rise to piracy . Do the positives outweigh the negatives?
• What’s the effect of pop music on the modern generation? Today’s pop songs are usually commercial . Because of this, some people say that pop has ruined the current generations’ perception of music. Others argue that contemporary pop music expanded the possibilities of the genre.
• Rock music makes people more aggressive . Some consider rock music merely an arrangement of aggressive tunes that foster violence. On the counter side, science has proven that people who prefer rock to other genres are calmer and more concentrated. Which position do you agree with?
• Can people with hearing impairments become famous musicians ? Many believe that access to fame and fortune is limited for disabled people. The deaf may seem especially unsuited for the music business . Yet, the examples of Beethoven, Neil Young, and Chris Martin show that hearing problems don’t have to be an issue.
• Will streaming completely substitute physical copies? Digitalization is on its way to replacing LPs and CDs. For most people, it’s simply more convenient. But their opponents claim that an MP3 file can never sound as good as a physical copy.
• Some music genres can be a catalyst for violence. While their beats may be calm, hip-hop and rap’s lyrics are often aggressive and brutal. Does it have adverse effects on a listener?
• Can a person become addicted to music?
• Censorship on the radio: why stations shouldn’t bleep out obscenities.
• Is mandatory musical education in high schools practical?
• The impact of Mozart’s music on toddlers.
• Should a musician’s personal life affect people’s perception of their art?
• How susceptible are teenagers to political messages in songs?
• Music influences one’s mental and physical capabilities .
• Are children who listen to music more intelligent than others?
• Music genres are inherently dependent on musical instruments .
• Is music as an art form more popular than cinema ?
• Debate whether rap musicians promote a frivolous and careless lifestyle .
• Many musicians became famous only because they’ve had connections.
• Music festivals are the best form of entertainment.
• Does music always sound better live than on records?
• Is classical music better than modern genres?
• Is it justified that some religions view music as a sin?
• Typically, music defines a culture and its traditions: true or false?
• Rap music has a strong connection to rebellious movements.
• Jamaican music’s link to the stoner lifestyle is unjustified.
• Synesthesia: how is music related to visuals?

Opinion on Music: Essay Topics

Opinion essays about music might seem similar to the argumentative type. Here, you are expected to write your personal opinion on a topic. Naturally, you can have many opinions on musical topics. Why not broadcast them? Keep in mind that you also need to provide reasons for your point of view.

• Music therapy can help people with mental illnesses . It’s a well-known fact that music affects the human brain. This ability makes it perfect for treating mental health problems. On the one hand, psychologists established that listening to classical music increases one’s cognitive capacity . On the other hand, listening to heavy rock impacts responsiveness.
• The questionable treatment of women in the music industry . While it may seem that both sexes are treated equally, women still earn much less than they deserve. Moreover, the extreme sexualization of girls persists as one of the most pressing problems in the industry.
• Which musician or band impacted your worldview ? Discuss what makes your favorite artist special. Consider analyzing their lyrics, genre, and evolution. If you want to, add a review of one of their albums .
• What are the challenges of being an independent artist? Typically, independent artists deal with all the financial, promotional, and distributional affairs by themselves. In the increasingly complex music business, this is not an easy task.
• Is social media efficient for promotion? Almost every modern artist uses social media to promote their albums or songs. Users often check their networks for updates, which increases the musician’s visibility. But do such methods help in the long run?
• Passion is the essential personal quality for every musician . If an artist is not eager to continually produce high-quality output, they’re unlikely to succeed. However, qualities such as responsibility, honesty, hard work, and creativity are also vital.
• Is music good for stress relief?
• How does music connect people ?
• Analyze qualities that good musicians shouldn’t have.
• Who are the most excellent musicians in the country genre ?
• Is it possible to live without interacting with music ?
• Choose three successful rappers and analyze their influence.
• How can a musician become famous without having money or connections?
• What are the difficulties of being in a band ?
• Who impacted the development of indie music the most?
• Is pop music losing its popularity? If so, why?
• Three factors that affected your choice of a favorite genre .
• Which artists are the most prominent in power metal?
• Which record label is the most influential now?
• Can Justin Bieber’s songs be considered legendary?
• Did Kanye West introduce a new kind of rap?
• Which rock bands lost their fame because of a scandal ? How did it happen?
• Discuss Dire Straits’ impact on music history .
• Who are currently the most successful women pop singers ?
• Why are some music genres more popular than others?
• What does success in the music world depend on ?

Topics for a Persuasive Essay about Music

Is there anything music-related you want to convince people of? A persuasive paper is your chance. Carefully craft your arguments to show your readers you’ve always been right about the beauty of cowbells. If it’s not your jam, consider these essay topics about music:

• A seven-string guitar is superior to a six-string one. The additional string gives more room for creativity. It might be challenging to master, but in the end, the music has a fuller sound . Do you think it’s worth the effort?
• The lyrics don’t matter as long as the melody is good. It’s possible to like songs from different countries, even if the listener doesn’t understand the language. The singing is simply part of the composition. Does this mean that what the vocalist says is unimportant?

• Most people living in big cities neglect country music. People from urban areas tend to think that country music is tasteless. For them, its tunes and lyrics sound too simple. Does the strong association with cowboys, farms, and long roads simply not appeal to the city lifestyle?
• Should rap music be performed only by black people ? The genre hosts a large portion of African American artists . Not only that, but black rappers are widely considered the best of their craft. Do white artists do the genre justice?
• Music that artists make merely to get money is soulless. Passion is a critical factor for every musician. If money is the primary driver for creating a song , the result is inevitably flawed. Do you agree?
• Pop music is undergoing a transformation. Listeners acknowledge pop as the primary genre of contemporary music . Yet, new musical instruments are changing the game. Even the lyrics touch on more serious topics than before.
• Indie is the new pop. Indie music is a relatively novel genre. Still, it continues to gain popularity. The light-hearted tunes paired with existential lyrics have captured the audience’s hearts. Is it possible to envision the future of music without bands such as Coldplay, The 1975, and the Arctic Monkeys?
• The meaning of freedom for jazz as a musical genre .
• Punk rock has recently witnessed a renaissance.
• Exposing plants to classical music makes them grow faster.
• Classical music: intellectually stimulating or relaxing ?
• Is it justified that some countries legally prohibit artists from performing?
• Is it easier for children to learn with music?
• Can a person ever become a great artist without a natural talent ?
• Should workplaces allow their employees to listen to background music ?
• Jimi Hendrix’s guitar skills are still unmatched.
• The impact of pop music on European culture and trends.
• Kurt Cobain’s death should have been a wake-up call for the music industry .
• Why is music beneficial to society?
• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s legacy can be felt even today.
• Nintendocore is a legitimate genre that the industry should take more seriously.
• Should you listen to a bands’ music even if you disagree with their opinions ?
• Musicians should receive more government support.
• Patriotic songs make people feel passionate and energetic about their country.
• Depressive and sad tunes can worsen a person’s mood.
• Doctors and therapists need to understand the importance of music .

Music Evaluation Essay Topics

Do you want to know how to evaluate music? The point is to divide your overall impression into several parts. Music evaluation requires much attention and concentration, so try to do your best to stay focused while listening.

Use these criteria for evaluating music performances:

Now all you need to do is choose a topic and get down to writing!

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

• Discuss the rise and fall of hardcore punk. Many bands that started in the hardcore punk scene softened their sound over time. Why did this genre disappear from the mainstream?
• Copyright laws are going too far . It’s getting increasingly difficult to use somebody else’s intellectual property. Creators on YouTube have to fear lawsuits for creatively repurposing copyrighted music. Moreover, laws such as the DMCA are frequently abused to generate revenues.
• More bands should use their influence for political purposes . Renowned artists have a broad reach. Bands like Rise Against or Anti Flag use this influence to raise political awareness among their fans. Is it a fair approach?
• Borrowing and plagiarism in contemporary music . New artists don’t emerge without having listened to other musicians. They draw inspiration from their predecessors. Thus, songs are always a mix of already existing tracks. In your essay, discuss the difference between homage and plagiarism.
• What are the similarities between poetry and song lyrics? Songs and poems are similar in that they deliver a message to the audience. Their creation demands extensive knowledge of rhyming, literary devices, and other components.
• Why do some musicians ask others to write lyrics for them? It is a common practice to have a crew of songwriters who create texts for performers. Sometimes it happens due to a lack of imagination or inspiration. Does finding out that your favorite artist doesn’t write their lyrics destroy the magic of their music?
• How can popular music diversify as a genre? Pop music reached its peak. Adding and borrowing elements from different genres can be one way to diversify a streamlined genre.
• The history of music as political propaganda .
• Explain the difference between high and low contemporary music culture .
• How is contemporary music related to that from other periods?
• What are the connections between pop music and the hip-hop genre?
• What connects popular music and contemporary culture ?
• How does music in the United States relate to Spanish music ?
• Analyze the evolution of Indian music .
• Discuss why certain albums manage to climb to the top of the charts.
• The link between social classes and musical genres.
• Differences and similarities of music and other art forms .
• How does a musical instrument’s origin influence its development?
• What is the role of traditional music today?

• What are the main processes in music production?
• How is music theory relevant today?
• Analyze which contemporary artists’ albums had an effect comparable to that of Queen’s A Night at the Opera .
• Eurodance: Europe’s most extravagant genre.
• Songs and everyday life of Michael Jackson vs. Madonna: who wins the ultimate pop crown?
• What difficulties has Eminem faced throughout his career?
• Over-ear headphones provide a better sound experience than on-ear ones.

Topics for an Expository Essay on Music

An expository essay explains or describes a subject. In the colorful world of music, topics can range from the physics of sound waves to artists’ social impact.

• The importance of Blues music in the late 19 th century and now . Blues originated in the 19 th century American South. It was an outlet for African Americans to express their sorrows. Later, it exceeded by far the cultural boundaries that confined it.
• The role of music in prison camps. Singing was an essential part of life in the Nazi concentration camps . One of the most well-known songs of that time is called Peat Bog Soldiers . In your expository essay, explore why prisoners started singing and how it developed.
• How did Chester Bennington’s death impact the music industry? Linkin Park was a giant in the business for decades until depression made their lead singer take his own life. The event sparked debates surrounding mental health and pressure in the creative industry. What long-lasting effects did these discussions have?
• How did Baroque music reflect the zeitgeist? Compared to the Renaissance period, Baroque was in all aspects very pompous. The artists of the Sun King’s time didn’t shy away from the extravaganza. This ideal is especially prominent in architecture. How does music fit into the picture?
• Investigate the development of musical harmony. The Ancient Greeks already had an idea of some tones fitting together better than others. However, it wasn’t until the 1600s that tonality became a crucial part of music theory.
• Music in commercials: an analysis. Songs and jingles are commonplace in TV commercials. But what are they good for? In your essay, you can compare the success of advertisements with and without music.
• What causes music trends to change? It’s easy to define various eras of music . Naturally, the invention of new instruments has influenced this development. What other factors played a role in these transformations?
• Why is 4/4 a universal beat?
• Examine the origins of The Star-Spangled Banner .
• The effects of dissonance on the human mind .
• How do staccato, legato, and other forms of articulation influence the perception of a musical piece ?
• Discuss the significance of music in video games .
• Music drives people’s motivation.
• Explain the calming effects of nature sounds .
• How does music influence literature ?
• Celtic music is known to have an extraordinary impact on the psyche. How does it work?
• How does music impact the discharge of hormones such as dopamine?
• Music therapy is suitable for those who have bipolar disorder .
• What made Falco such a unique artist?
• How does the perception of a silent film differ from that of a movie with sound?
• A rock concert by Kansas: How the relevance of live concerts changed over time .
• Is being able to read music important for a composer ?
• How did Beethoven write music after losing his hearing?
• Should all songs have proper rhythm and structure?
• Why do so many indie artists become commercial?
• Is it essential for song lyrics to rhyme?

History of Music: Essay Topics

If you’re interested in the evolution of music, you’ve come to the right section. Historical research reveals the significance of music throughout time. Unsurprisingly, songs and melodies have been part of human culture for centuries. Dive deeper into this exciting subject with one of the following ideas:

• How did the Catholic Church influence music development in Europe? During the Middle Ages , religious movements had a significant impact on music. Consequently, composers used to create more sacred music. It became a way of personal expression since it often contained religious texts. 
• The cultural meaning of Renaissance music and its influence on other styles . During the time of the Renaissance , sacred and secular music heavily impacted each other. As a result, more variety emerged. The chanson and madrigal, for example, became popular around Europe.
• Research archaeological findings of early musicality. The search for the oldest musical instrument delivers thrilling insights. Archaeologists have excavated a flute made of ivory and bird bones, dating approximately 43,000 years ago. They found it in a cave in Germany where Neanderthals lived.
• History of early music and appearance of musical instruments. The beginning of the human culture was the turning point of musical instruments’ appearance. They were primarily used for spiritual rites; typically, they were horns or drums for ceremonies.
• Louis Armstrong’s contributions to the jazz world. Jazz originated in New Orleans and was a favorite among African Americans. Louis Armstrong’s improvisations forever changed the genre, making the soloist-improviser the center of the performance.
• The phenomenon of pop music and its origins. Popular music dates back to the second half of the last century. It comes from the US and the UK. Its main peculiarity lies in the variety of tunes and lyrics .
• Native American music before the discovery of the New World . Incas and Aztecs had particular styles of music. Findings show that these ancient civilizations used instruments for ceremonies. Researchers also discovered that various American cultures mingled, thus creating new techniques.
• The use of string instruments in classical Greek songwriting.
• Famous composers of 18th century Italy and their influence.
• Mozart vs. Beethoven: comparison of techniques.
• Deliver a thoughtful analysis of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony .
• What role do acoustic instruments play in jazz compositions ?
• Explore the history of the Ocarina.
• Due to what circumstances did Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart become one of the greatest musical geniuses in history?
• Influence of the Romantic period on modern music .
• How and why were the swing era and jazz connected?
• Rock and roll as an international language in the 20th century.
• Explore the rise of techno music.
• Is there a historical connection between music and math ?
• How did music become a staple subject in many schools?
• The greatest musicians of World War I .
• Industrialization and its effect on music development.
• How did female producers such as Kate Bush impact the music industry?
• Analyze Frédéric Chopin’s contribution to classical music .
• Music evolution in ancient Greece vs. the Roman Empire .
• How does archeology help to uncover musical traditions ?
• Tupac’s influence on modern rap music .

Classification Essay about Music: Topic Ideas

In a classification essay, you explain how a whole relates to parts or vice versa. To do it, you need to divide one broad category into several subcategories. Each classification paragraph focuses on one subcategory, so you need to find a key feature that will be your basis of division. For example, you can divide music by genre, volume, musical instruments, etc.

Here is our list of musical topics for this essay type:

• The most popular types of alternative music among teenagers. Naturally, teens like different kinds of rock and experimental music . Try to dig deeper and ask some teenagers about their preferences to get a clear picture.
• Types of modern dance music . Describe the tendencies and popular genres. You can also focus on a specific country.
• The most popular types of jazz music in Europe . Although jazz emerged in the United States, this genre became recognizable all over the world. You can analyze the most popular streamed songs, or the concerts and other mass events.
• Rock music in the ’70s. You can describe the genres, styles, or types of performers. The concerts, clothes, and lifestyles are also suitable for this topic.
• Blues musicians of different time periods. Analyze the lyrics, the musical instruments they used, and how long their careers lasted.
• Classification of music for children . Some of it can be for dancing, development, or just listening. Research the purposes of different kinds of music for children.
• Types of music used in films. The soundtrack is one of the main things we remember after watching a movie. There can be popular songs or tracks composed specifically for a film .
• Rock bands that represent different subgenres.
• Rap subgenres in the United States.
• Periods of classical music.
• What motivates people to start a musical career?
• Different kinds of music for relaxation.
• The industries where composers work .
• Types of opera singers and instrumental music .
• Different professions in the music industry .
• Unpopular genres of independent music.
• Different types of music listeners .

College Essay about Music: Topics

When you apply to your dream college, you need to write an impressive essay. Admissions officers pay attention not only to your grades and achievements but also to your personality. Your writing can indicate your motivation, academic interests, and how well you fit into the college. Writing an essay about “music in my life” is a great way to demonstrate your passion and creativity.

Choose one of these topics related to music for your college essay:

• The role of music in your life . Describe what music means to you, how often you listen to it, and how it helps you in life. For example, you can write about inspiration, motivation, or the sense of freedom that it gives you.
• What are the essential aspects of music for you? Try to write down everything you like about music. It might be melodies, lyrics, vocals, or mood. You can choose several aspects if you feel that you can’t decide.
• The time when music changed your life. In this essay, you can pick one occurrence or describe how music changed your life gradually. It’s important to indicate where you started from and where it led you.
• How do you see the future of the music industry? Demonstrate to the admissions officer how well you know the art and the business.
• Your role model in the music industry. You may write about the qualities of the person you admire and why you want to develop them in yourself. Remember that admission officers want to read about you, not your idol.
• How did your musical taste change over the last ten years? Describe the evolution of your preferences. Explain why you have changed some of your past choices. Do you think your musical taste has improved?
• Your favorite musical genre .
• Does listening to music help to heal body and spirit?
• What is the best music performance you have ever seen?
• Why do people become fans of particular musicians?
• Your favorite song lyrics .
• Can people be judged by their musical taste?
• Why is music an essential part of human culture?
• Quote about music that appeals to you the most.
• How can music education help you in the future?
• Do you prefer listening to music or performing it?
• How can music change your mood?
• Why you want to become a musician.
• Which culture has the most beautiful ethnical music ?
• Is music more of an art or business?
• What are the essential parts of musical education ?

Other Music Essay Topics

• Why do supermarkets play music? Think of the reasons why marketers use music in advertising and how it impacts customer behavior.
• An analysis of Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music . Evaluate how the director uses music to tell a story.
• The impact of music on the human brain . Examine the latest research in the mental health field and how music therapy affects depression treatments.
• The workings of the music industry . Assess how contemporary audio technology and touring lifestyle affect musicians.
• The role of music in different cultures. Choose and compare two countries to analyze their perspectives on the music industry.
• Music on television . Evaluate how the music of TV shows and movies impacts the audience’s feelings and behavior.
• Oliver Sacks’ contribution to music psychology. Explore the theories he discusses in Musicophilia and describe its influence on music psychology.
• Should all music be available for free download? Think about the ethical and legal aspects of this issue.
• How did music psychology help the development of music education ? Try to find a correlation between these two fields.
• Britney Spears and the adverse effects of teen popularity. Writing about this topic, you might want to focus on how her early fame affected her life. What happened after her famous breakdown in 2007?
• The half-life of one-hit-wonders. Focus your paper on quantitative research. How long do one-hit-wonders stay famous on average? Why do they fail to maintain their success?
• Journalism and the music industry. Examine the effects positive or negative press had on a musician of your choice.
• Festivals and sponsorship. Discuss the benefits that corporate sponsors and the creators of music festivals gain from working together.
• Rock songs and pessimistic lyrics. Why do most popular rock songs have such sad and angry lyrics?
• Discuss the development of your music taste. Write about what pushed you to change and how it influenced your life.
• The psychology of music. Examine what someone’s favorite music genre can tell about their personality.
• Is ASMR music? ASMR artists make quiet sounds to soothe their audience. But can we really consider it music?
• A historical analysis of jazz. Explore how African Americans influenced the flourishing culture of jazz that has spread worldwide.
• The effect of classical music on children’s cognitive abilities. Supposedly, classical music is great for kids. Study this theory and make your conclusions.
• Discuss the characteristics of modern Latin American music . Dive into its diversity and describe the reasons for its popularity.
• How do Chinese artists make traditional music? Write about its complex creation process. Analyze the importance of articulation for composers.
• The history of music . With this essay, explore the six periods of music history. To top it off, you can predict what music will be like in the future.
• The music industry goes online. Discuss the importance of the internet for the industry and the challenges associated with it.
• The magic of instrumental music. Pick your favorite orchestra pieces and find unique features in each of them.
• Musical education: the sound of success? Does everyone need a musical background?
• Explore the latest techniques in songwriting . Look into the song creation process of contemporary musicians. How do they get the audience to enjoy their art?
• Compare and contrast e-pianos and keyboards . In doing so, consider their structure, sound, and features.
• The Woodstock festival as a game-changer. How has the Woodstock Music and Art Fair influenced the current state of the music industry? Additionally, investigate how current festivals hold up to the standards set by Woodstock.
• Music therapy for stroke patients . Find out whether incorporating elements of music therapy can support the treatment of patients who suffered a stroke.
• How do amplifiers work? If you’re a musician, you’ve likely used an amplifier before. Now it’s time to figure out what they are actually doing.
• The Killers’ contributions to indie rock. How would you define their style of music? What makes them a key player in indie music?
• Analyze the music in Grease . Pick some of the most popular songs from the musical and write about their influence on American culture.
• What’s the best way to interpret songs? Describe methods to deconstruct songs and how the music style affects this process.
• Teufel vs. Sennheiser: the ultimate comparison. German sound equipment manufacturers are known for their cutting-edge technologies . But which brand is the best?
• What role does harmony play in music composition? Choose several pieces of music and describe how the artists used harmony.
• How necessary are double bass drums? Do musicians place them on stage just to impress people, or do they have actual use?
• Compare regular festivals and free ones. Why spend hundreds of dollars on Coachella if you can go to Woodstock for free? In your essay, focus on the differences such as size, participating artists, and general entertainment .
• A historical analysis of choral music. Singing in groups is a practice common across various cultures . You might choose one or two to work on.
• How did The Rolling Stones influence British culture? The Rolling Stones are one of the longest-standing rock bands of all time. Naturally, this left significant marks on their home country.
• How important are regional accents for English-language singers ? When working on this theoretical topic, include some examples and your personal opinion.
• The world of musical instruments: medieval music . This fun essay can focus on different types of medieval instruments and their evolution.
• Does the creative process differ for electronic and acoustic music? Look at how artists usually write songs. Do they start with the melody, the rhythm, or the lyrics? Does it depend on the medium?
• The correlation between poems and medieval songs. Find out how composers were reinventing poetry to create songs.
• Hip-hop and gender equality . What is the role of women in the development of this music style? Don’t forget to give examples.
• When politics interferes with art: Eurovision. Analyze the role of the political situation in this song contest. Is there anything left of its original idea?
• How did Vladimir Vysotsky become a beloved musical figure outside of Soviet Russia? It’s unusual for Russian-language musicians to gain fame outside of their home country. Research how Vysotsky managed to mingle in the USA and have some of his work posthumously released in Europe.
• K-pop conquers the world . You may narrow the topic down to a specific artist. Focus on the influence of Korean music in other cultures.
• Music school students vs. amateurs. Discuss the different experiences and outcomes of music school students and those who learn to play instruments at home.
• Do music choices shape one’s identity , or is it the other way around? It’s an exciting question that lets you dig deep into the psychology of music.
• The music of dissents. Energizing songs play an essential part in rebellions and revolutions. For example, analyze how protesters used music during the Arab Spring .
• The development and popularity of electronic music . Starting from the early experiments, analyze the development of this style and its increasing influence
• How do artists use social media to promote their music? You might want to choose one or two examples to illustrate the tools they use.
• Organum as one of the oldest written types of music . Study the development of this music style throughout various cultures.
• The appeal of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters. Many people consider the song one of their favorites. Examine its structure , melody, and lyrics. What makes it unique?
• Africa’s hidden musical gems. African music is as diverse as its people. Pick two countries and compare their style. How do they differ from Western art ?
• Did people’s music tastes improve compared to previous decades? Here, you have the chance to express your views on the evolution of people’s music preferences.
• Is the life of pop stars as easy as people think? Share your thoughts on whether famous musicians and singers have a leisurely lifestyle.
• Physiological reactions to different types of music . Study how your body reacts to various beats and tones.
• Why do people tend to listen to specific songs on certain occasions? In your essay, ponder the effects of love songs or powerful anthems on one’s mood .
• What does someone’s ringtone say about their personality ? Think about how it affects your perception of a person.
• The impact of music on the individual’s productivity . Studies suggest a positive effect on people’s performance when they listen to something pleasant while working. But all the noise can get overstimulating. That’s why finding the balance is central.
• Music is natural. In the depth of nature, there is music. Rain, a bird’s song, or the tapping of a squirrel’s feet melt together to create a beautiful composition . Music is everywhere—one only needs to listen carefully.

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for, you’re welcome to use our topic generator .

✍️ Music Essay: How to Write

So, you have chosen your essay title. Now it’s time to start writing! But before you begin, read the sections below and learn how to organize your work.

How to Describe Music in Writing

You might think that writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Well, it is not an easy task, but we know how to cope with it.

Follow these tips while writing:

• Make a comparison.  Explain which characteristics of a piece remind you or are identical to those of another one. It’s better to avoid comparing music from different composers in this case. Instead, evaluate and analyze two musical pieces from the same composer.
• Describe the melody and dynamics.  You may want to use musical terms to show your knowledge and proficiency. Define the genre and what kind of instruments and tones are used.
• Explain how it makes you feel.  You can use basic human emotions to describe the feelings of a listener. For example, it can be anger, tenderness, irritation, excitement, or nostalgia.
• Use metaphorical language.  You may try using your imagination to create analogies. Be careful not to make your metaphors overcomplicated, as it may confuse the readers.

Essays about Music: Descriptive Words

Do you want your essay on music to be interesting and expressive? Then you may want to use descriptive vocabulary. Here are some of the terms that you can use in your essay to make it sound more professional:

• Tempo is the “speed” of music. There are fixed expressions to define tempo—for example, largo, moderate, or presto. You can also describe how fast the music feels.
• Timbre is the term that evaluates the “color” of music. Even if two instruments play the same note of the same volume, the sound is still different. This is how you can notice the color of the tone. For example, gentle, clear, heavy, or warm can be the adjectives to describe timbre.
• Dynamics define the volume levels of music. The volume can be the same all the time, for example loud or soft. If the volume of music changes, you can use such expressions as “gradually gets louder” “or suddenly becomes soft.”
• Harmony characterizes how all the notes and chords sound together. The sequence of chords—chord progression—defines how satisfying the melody is for the listener. For example, if the transitions are smooth, you can use such words as “relaxed” or “warm.”

Music Essay Outline

Like any other assignment, writing about music requires a proper essay outline that will guide you through the writing. The following sections will help you with that.

Before you start, here are some tips that will help you prepare for writing:

• Do some prior research. Try to learn as much as possible about the piece you will be writing about. It’s also helpful to listen to the music several times with headphones to notice more details.
• Don’t be afraid of asking questions. Consult your instructor if you’re unsure about your topic or the piece you have chosen.
• Choose the topic that you like. If you’re passionate about a subject, it is always easier to write about it. Who said that homework could not be interesting?
• Follow the recommendations that your instructor gives. It includes word limit, formatting style, deadline, and essay type.

Music Essay Introduction

The introduction is the section where you come up with a brief explanation of the topic. You may start it with a quotation, definition, or short statement that catches your reader’s attention and leads them to the essay subject.

A thesis statement is usually the last sentence of the introduction that defines the content of body paragraphs. It needs to be specific and not longer than two sentences. If you decide to shift the focus of your essay while writing, it’s crucial to change your thesis too.

Different types of essays require different thesis statements. Let’s take a closer look:

Music Essay Body

Your essay’s body is the most significant part of your writing. Here, you provide evidence and explanations of your claims.

The typical body paragraph structure includes:

• A topic sentence explaining the argument for a particular paragraph.
• An introduction to the evidence you gathered to support an argument.
• Quotes and facts (don’t forget about proper citation!) and their explanation.
• A connection between the evidence and the essay topic.
• Paragraph transitions  leading your reader to the next section.

Topic Sentence about Music

Topic sentences can be used as a roadmap to writing your essay. Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that defines what the paragraph is about. It introduces the argument or main thought that will be explained. It’s also connected with the thesis statement.

It’s essential to make your thesis easy to understand, so it’s better not to overcomplicate it. For example, here’s an unsuccessful topic sentence with unnecessary words:

As stated above, the guitar is an essential musical instrument in rock music that defines how it sounds.

Instead, you can formulate it like this:

The guitar is the most iconic musical instrument in rock music that defines how it sounds.

Music Essay Conclusion

When writing a conclusion for your essay on music, you can use the following structure:

• Summarize the text in a few sentences.
• Review the key points of your paper.
• Paraphrase the thesis.

To make your essay conclusion more effective, avoid the following:

📑 What Music Means to Me: Essay Example

Now you know all about writing an essay on music! To make it even easier for you, we’ve prepared an essay sample that you can use for inspiration. Check it out:

Now all you need is to turn the music on and get down to writing! We hope you liked this guide. If you did, don’t hesitate to share it with your friends.

Further reading:

• How to Write a Good Critique Paper: Killer Tips + Examples
• How to Write an Art Critique Essay: Guidelines and Examples
• How to Write a Movie Critique Paper: Top Tips + Example
• Modern Fairy Tale Essay: How to Write, Topics and Ideas
• 200 Creative Topics for Opinion Essays
• 182 Free Ideas for Argumentative or Persuasive Essay Topics
• 180 Excellent Evaluation Essay Topics

✏️ Music Essay FAQ

Music is a vast topic. An essay might deal with anything ranging from trends in the 1950s to the best guitarists of all time. Writing an introduction to certain music styles or bands is also possible. In any case, the paper should be well-structured, logical, and cohesive.

Writing about music doesn’t necessarily require any specific skills. If you’re not familiar with the theory of music and can’t play musical instruments, you can just write about the music you like. Here are some topic ideas: favorite music band, style, or how you perceive music.

You can interpret music as a topic in various ways. If you are getting a degree in this field, you might want to write something more specific and technical. If your essay aims to merely inform and entertain, write about your favorite music style or band.

If you are writing an essay for school, a good choice would be an expository essay. It doesn’t require any specific knowledge of the music industry. Title suggestions might be: “My perception of music,” “My favorite band,” “How music can change the world.”

• What is the Music Industry? Definition and Facts: Study.com
• What Music Do You Write To?: Writers & Artists
• A Music Review: British Council
• Music: UNC Writing Center: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Sound and Sense: Writing about Music: Colorado State University
• Music analysis Research Papers: Academia.edu
• The Power of Music Therapy: Belmont University
• Musicology: Northwestern Bienen School of Music
• Musicology: Areas of Study: Indiana State University
• Music Facts: Facts.net
• Music History from Primary Sources: Library of Congress
• Music: Encyclopedia Britannica
• A History of Classical Music: Part 1: The List
• What Is Jazz: Smithsonian Institution
• The 50 Greatest Composers of All Time: Classical Music
• Musical Terms and Concepts: SUNY Potsdam
• Ethnomusicology: University of Oxford
• Music Research Process: Syracuse University
• Journal of Popular Music Studies: University of California Press
• The History of Pop Music in 5 Defining Decades: The Culture Trip
• Music of the 20 th Century: Lumen Learning
• Explainer: Indie Music: The Conversation
• Your Brain on Music: University of Central Florida
• Music and Health: Harvard University
• The Psychological Function of Music Listening: NIH
• Essays that Worked: Hamilton
• Writing in Music: Writing Thesis Statements: The City University of New York
• Academic Writing about Music: University of Denver
• How to Write Song Lyrics: Berklee
• Essay Introduction: University of Maryland
• Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements: Purdue University
• Writing Body Paragraphs: Monash University
• Some Tips for Writing Efficient, Effective Body Paragraphs: University of California, Berkeley
• Writing a Paper: Conclusions: Walden University
• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to email

Not everyone knows it, but globalization is not a brand-new process that started with the advent of the Internet. In fact, it’s been around throughout all of human history. This makes the choice of topics related to globalization practically endless.  If you need help choosing a writing idea, this Custom-Writing.org...

In today’s world, fashion has become one of the most significant aspects of our lives. It influences everything from clothing and furniture to language and etiquette. It propels the economy, shapes people’s personal tastes, defines individuals and communities, and satisfies all possible desires and needs. In this article, Custom-Writing.org experts...

Early motherhood is a very complicated social problem. Even though the number of teenage mothers globally has decreased since 1991, about 12 million teen girls in developing countries give birth every year. If you need to write a paper on the issue of adolescent pregnancy and can’t find a good...

Human rights are moral norms and behavior standards towards all people that are protected by national and international law. They represent fundamental principles on which our society is founded. Human rights are a crucial safeguard for every person in the world. That’s why teachers often assign students to research and...

Global warming has been a major issue for almost half a century. Today, it remains a topical problem on which the future of humanity depends. Despite a halt between 1998 and 2013, world temperatures continue to rise, and the situation is expected to get worse in the future. When it...

Have you ever witnessed someone face unwanted aggressive behavior from classmates? According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 1 in 5 students says they have experienced bullying at least once in their lifetime. These shocking statistics prove that bullying is a burning topic that deserves detailed research. In this...

Recycling involves collecting, processing, and reusing materials to manufacture new products. With its help, we can preserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save energy. And did you know that recycling also creates jobs and supports the economy? If you want to delve into this exciting topic in your...

Expository writing, as the name suggests, involves presenting factual information. It aims to educate readers rather than entertain or persuade them. Examples of expository writing include scholarly articles, textbook pages, news reports, and instructional guides. Therefore, it may seem challenging to students who are used to writing persuasive and argumentative...

Expository or informative essays are academic papers presenting objective explanations of a specific subject with facts and evidence. These essays prioritize balanced views over personal opinions, aiming to inform readers without imposing the writer’s perspective. Informative essays are widely assigned to students across various academic levels and can cover various...

Your computer stores your memories, contacts, and study-related materials. It’s probably one of your most valuable items. But how often do you think about its safety? Cyber security is something that can help you with this. Simply put, it prevents digital attacks so that no one can access your data....

A problem solution essay is a type of persuasive essay. It’s a piece of writing that presents a particular problem and provides different options for solving it. It is commonly used for subject exams or IELTS writing tasks. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to write this...

Have you ever wondered why everyone has a unique set of character traits? What is the connection between brain function and people’s behavior? How do we memorize things or make decisions? These are quite intriguing and puzzling questions, right? A science that will answer them is psychology. It’s a multi-faceted...

Thank you very much for this post on music essay writing! You don’t know how long I looked for the helpful information on writing music essays!

Music takes an important part in my life. I wake up and go to bed listening to music. And now when I’m writing my music essay, I also listen to music. And it’s also a pleasure to read an article on how to write an essay on music!

• CBSE Class 10th
• CBSE Class 12th
• UP Board 10th
• UP Board 12th
• Bihar Board 10th
• Bihar Board 12th
• Top Schools in India
• Top Schools in Delhi
• Top Schools in Mumbai
• Top Schools in Chennai
• Top Schools in Hyderabad
• Top Schools in Kolkata
• Top Schools in Pune
• Top Schools in Bangalore

Products & Resources

• JEE Main Knockout April
• Free Sample Papers
• Free Ebooks
• NCERT Notes
• NCERT Syllabus
• NCERT Books
• RD Sharma Solutions
• Navodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2024-25
• NCERT Solutions
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12
• NCERT Solutions for Class 11
• NCERT solutions for Class 10
• NCERT solutions for Class 9
• NCERT solutions for Class 8
• NCERT Solutions for Class 7
• JEE Main 2024
• MHT CET 2024
• JEE Advanced 2024
• BITSAT 2024
• View All Engineering Exams
• Colleges Accepting B.Tech Applications
• Top Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main
• Top IITs in India
• Top NITs in India
• Top IIITs in India
• JEE Main College Predictor
• JEE Main Rank Predictor
• MHT CET College Predictor
• AP EAMCET College Predictor
• GATE College Predictor
• KCET College Predictor
• JEE Advanced College Predictor
• View All College Predictors
• JEE Main Question Paper
• JEE Main Cutoff
• JEE Main Answer Key
• JEE Main Result
• Download E-Books and Sample Papers
• Compare Colleges
• B.Tech College Applications
• JEE Advanced Registration
• MAH MBA CET Exam
• View All Management Exams

Colleges & Courses

• MBA College Admissions
• MBA Colleges in India
• Top IIMs Colleges in India
• Top Online MBA Colleges in India
• MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
• BBA Colleges in India
• XAT College Predictor 2024
• SNAP College Predictor
• NMAT College Predictor
• MAT College Predictor 2024
• CMAT College Predictor 2024
• CAT Percentile Predictor 2023
• CAT 2023 College Predictor
• CMAT 2024 Registration
• TS ICET 2024 Registration
• CMAT Exam Date 2024
• MAH MBA CET Cutoff 2024
• Download Helpful Ebooks
• List of Popular Branches
• QnA - Get answers to your doubts
• IIM Fees Structure
• AIIMS Nursing
• Top Medical Colleges in India
• Top Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Score
• Medical Colleges accepting NEET
• List of Medical Colleges in India
• List of AIIMS Colleges In India
• Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
• Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET PG
• NEET College Predictor
• NEET PG College Predictor
• NEET MDS College Predictor
• DNB CET College Predictor
• DNB PDCET College Predictor
• NEET Application Form 2024
• NEET PG Application Form 2024
• NEET Cut off
• NEET Online Preparation
• Download Helpful E-books
• LSAT India 2024
• Colleges Accepting Admissions
• Top Law Colleges in India
• Law College Accepting CLAT Score
• List of Law Colleges in India
• Top Law Colleges in Delhi
• Top Law Collages in Indore
• Top Law Colleges in Chandigarh
• Top Law Collages in Lucknow

Predictors & E-Books

• CLAT College Predictor
• MHCET Law ( 5 Year L.L.B) College Predictor
• AILET College Predictor
• Sample Papers
• Compare Law Collages
• Careers360 Youtube Channel
• CLAT Syllabus 2025
• CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
• AIBE 18 Result 2023
• NID DAT Exam
• Pearl Academy Exam

Animation Courses

• Animation Courses in India
• Animation Courses in Bangalore
• Animation Courses in Mumbai
• Animation Courses in Pune
• Animation Courses in Chennai
• Animation Courses in Hyderabad
• Design Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in Bangalore
• Fashion Design Colleges in Mumbai
• Fashion Design Colleges in Pune
• Fashion Design Colleges in Delhi
• Fashion Design Colleges in Hyderabad
• Fashion Design Colleges in India
• Top Design Colleges in India
• Free Design E-books
• List of Branches
• Careers360 Youtube channel
• NIFT College Predictor
• UCEED College Predictor
• NID DAT College Predictor
• IPU CET BJMC
• JMI Mass Communication Entrance Exam
• IIMC Entrance Exam
• Media & Journalism colleges in Delhi
• Media & Journalism colleges in Bangalore
• Media & Journalism colleges in Mumbai
• List of Media & Journalism Colleges in India
• CA Intermediate
• CA Foundation
• CS Executive
• CS Professional
• Difference between CA and CS
• Difference between CA and CMA
• CA Full form
• CMA Full form
• CS Full form
• CA Salary In India

Top Courses & Careers

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Master of Commerce (M.Com)
• Company Secretary
• Cost Accountant
• Charted Accountant
• Credit Manager
• Financial Advisor
• Top Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Government Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Private Commerce Colleges in India
• Top M.Com Colleges in Mumbai
• Top B.Com Colleges in India
• IT Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• IT Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
• MCA Colleges in India
• BCA Colleges in India

Quick Links

• Information Technology Courses
• Programming Courses
• Web Development Courses
• Data Analytics Courses
• Big Data Analytics Courses
• RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test
• Top Pharmacy Colleges in India
• Pharmacy Colleges in Pune
• Pharmacy Colleges in Mumbai
• Colleges Accepting GPAT Score
• Pharmacy Colleges in Lucknow
• List of Pharmacy Colleges in Nagpur
• GPAT Result
• GPAT 2024 Admit Card
• GPAT Question Papers
• NCHMCT JEE 2024
• Mah BHMCT CET
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Delhi
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Hyderabad
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Mumbai
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Maharashtra
• B.Sc Hotel Management
• Hotel Management
• Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Diploma Colleges

• Top Diploma Colleges in Maharashtra
• UPSC IAS 2024
• SSC CGL 2024
• IBPS RRB 2024
• Previous Year Sample Papers
• Free Competition E-books
• Sarkari Result
• QnA- Get your doubts answered
• UPSC Previous Year Sample Papers
• CTET Previous Year Sample Papers
• SBI Clerk Previous Year Sample Papers
• NDA Previous Year Sample Papers

Upcoming Events

• NDA Application Form 2024
• UPSC IAS Application Form 2024
• CDS Application Form 2024
• CTET Admit card 2024
• HP TET Result 2023
• SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2024
• UPTET Notification 2024
• SBI Clerk Result 2024

Other Exams

• SSC CHSL 2024
• UP PCS 2024
• UGC NET 2024
• RRB NTPC 2024
• IBPS PO 2024
• IBPS Clerk 2024
• IBPS SO 2024
• Top University in USA
• Top University in Canada
• Top University in Ireland
• Top Universities in UK
• Top Universities in Australia
• Best MBA Colleges in Abroad
• Business Management Studies Colleges

Top Countries

• Study in USA
• Study in UK
• Study in Canada
• Study in Australia
• Study in Ireland
• Study in Germany
• Study in China
• Study in Europe

Student Visas

• Student Visa Canada
• Student Visa UK
• Student Visa USA
• Student Visa Australia
• Student Visa Germany
• Student Visa New Zealand
• Student Visa Ireland
• CUET PG 2024
• IGNOU B.Ed Admission 2024
• DU Admission 2024
• UP B.Ed JEE 2024
• LPU NEST 2024
• IIT JAM 2024
• IGNOU Online Admission 2024
• Universities in India
• Top Universities in India 2024
• Top Colleges in India
• Top Universities in Uttar Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Bihar
• Top Universities in Madhya Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Tamil Nadu 2024
• Central Universities in India
• CUET Exam City Intimation Slip 2024
• IGNOU Date Sheet
• CUET Mock Test 2024
• CUET Admit card 2024
• CUET PG Syllabus 2024
• CUET Participating Universities 2024
• CUET Previous Year Question Paper
• CUET Syllabus 2024 for Science Students
• E-Books and Sample Papers
• CUET Exam Pattern 2024
• CUET Exam Date 2024
• CUET Syllabus 2024
• IGNOU Exam Form 2024
• IGNOU Result
• CUET Courses List 2024

Engineering Preparation

• Knockout JEE Main 2024
• Test Series JEE Main 2024
• JEE Main 2024 Rank Booster

Medical Preparation

• Knockout NEET 2024
• Test Series NEET 2024
• Rank Booster NEET 2024

Online Courses

• JEE Main One Month Course
• NEET One Month Course
• IBSAT Free Mock Tests
• IIT JEE Foundation Course
• Knockout BITSAT 2024
• Career Guidance Tool

Top Streams

• IT & Software Certification Courses
• Engineering and Architecture Certification Courses
• Programming And Development Certification Courses
• Business and Management Certification Courses
• Marketing Certification Courses
• Health and Fitness Certification Courses
• Design Certification Courses

Specializations

• Digital Marketing Certification Courses
• Cyber Security Certification Courses
• Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses
• Business Analytics Certification Courses
• Data Science Certification Courses
• Cloud Computing Certification Courses
• Machine Learning Certification Courses
• View All Certification Courses
• UG Degree Courses
• PG Degree Courses
• Short Term Courses
• Free Courses
• Online Degrees and Diplomas
• Compare Courses

Top Providers

• Coursera Courses
• Udemy Courses
• Edx Courses
• Swayam Courses
• upGrad Courses
• Simplilearn Courses
• Great Learning Courses

Access premium articles, webinars, resources to make the best decisions for career, course, exams, scholarships, study abroad and much more with

Plan, Prepare & Make the Best Career Choices

Music Essay - 100, 200, 500 Words

“Where words fail, music speaks” - Hans Christian Andersen . Music is an art form, one of the best creations of humanity. It is the most pleasant form of communication and the vehicle of spirit and soul. Here are some sample essays on Music .

• 100-Word Music Essay

Music is a form of art crafted by mankind thousands of years ago. It has been the way to express emotions since prehistoric times. Our ancestors used music and dance to celebrate occasions such as a big hunt. Hence, music has been integral to human life since its origin.

Music can be defined as the soothing combination of vocals and instruments that provokes a wide range of emotions in the listeners. Music in the modern world is classified into many different types. Some of the most popular music genre of the modern world are -

Country Music

Blues Music

200-Word Music Essay

500-word music essay.

Music is the universal language of humankind. It has the power to unite humanity as it flows beyond the barriers of country, language or religion. People from all sections of society can enjoy the same music.

Music is the pleasant sound from a combination of melodies, harmony, instruments and vocals that soothes you. It is a form of art and has existed since the dawn of human civilisation. In India, music has been an essential part of our society. Our land had legendary musicians such as Tansen from the time of Akbar in the mediaeval era. Even in ancient times, our mythologies, such as Ramayana and Mahabharata, were written in prose and sung to the listener. Hence, it can be said that music has played a massive role in elevating the culture of India.

In India, owing to its vast diversity, there are numerous styles of music. Some of them are -

Music is the beauty of Life. Human beings are formed by music in a philosophical sense. Our heartbeat, breathing, pulse - everything has a rhythm and music. There is music in every living creature. The powers of music are vast; it can strengthen our emotions and even aid as a way to convey our feelings.

“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” — Kahlil Gibran.

It is rightly said in the above lines, capturing the true essence of music. Music is the language of the spirit - the human soul. It is the key to peace. In the past, music has often been seen as a way to unite nations. People from different classes and sections enjoy the same music even if they don’t understand the lyrics.

What Is Music?

Music is the simple and soothing combination of different instruments, sometimes aided by singers' vocals. It is one of the earliest art forms used by humans to display their emotions. Music has often been associated with happiness and joy in ancient times, but in the present-day - music is used to convey all kinds of emotions - joy, rage, sadness, anger and has been successful in doing so.

Power of Music

Music is often attributed to having the power to heal people mentally and physically. While listening to music, a person gets into his comfort zone and forgets his worries and problems for some time. It has also been proven that even plants grow faster when they are in the presence of music. Music has the power to change human emotions.

Different Kinds Of Music

Over time, we have developed many kinds of music according to different cultures and societal norms. Yet there are many kinds of music, but no one kind is restrained to just a particular group of people. From time to time, different types of music forms have transcended man-made boundaries and become a global phenomenon. India has been a culturally rich country. Music is an essential part of Indian history. Since ancient times different tribal groups in India have had their specific type of music. The literature composed at that time was also meant to be sung.

Music As A Career -

Music has a lot of potential for those who are talented at it. True talent is always acknowledged; thus, if someone is a skilled musician, he or she may use it as a fantastic job chance. If one has an interest in pursuing music as a career, he can get admission himself to music academies and train himself in any genre of music.

He can also start his own Youtube channel or Instagram page to showcase his talent in music. Successful musicians such as Arijit Singh or A.R Rehman generate considerable money and fame. Thus, music is an excellent career choice, though the scope to reach the topmost is less competitive. If one has full confidence in his skills, he should try his best.

My Favourite Music

My favourite songs are the ones composed by Lata Mangeshkar. She was a classical musician and one of the prominent playback singers and composers of modern Indian history. She is known as the Nightingale of India. Whenever I am stressed, I listen to the classical playlist of Lata Mangeshkar. It calms me down and has a very soothing effect on me. I also love the patriotic songs sung by her. She is a true inspiration and idol to me.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

• Construction
• Entertainment
• Manufacturing
• Information Technology

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi . 

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software. 

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story. 

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or  MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.  

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

Information Security Manager

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

ITSM Manager

Automation test engineer.

An Automation Test Engineer job involves executing automated test scripts. He or she identifies the project’s problems and troubleshoots them. The role involves documenting the defect using management tools. He or she works with the application team in order to resolve any issues arising during the testing process. 

Everything about Education

Latest updates, Exclusive Content, Webinars and more.

Download Careers360 App's

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

Cetifications

We Appeared in

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Music Essay

Essay on Music

Music is like a universal language of life. It is basically the sound that is brought together through the harmony of various instruments. Our life would have been totally empty and different without music. It is something that every human being enjoys. It is a very powerful thing. Music helps to destress, heal, and motivate.

If you are looking for a short essay on music, then take a look at the short essay given in the following. This is created by the in-house exports of Vedantu keeping the understanding ability of the students. Those who are looking for references can look up to this following essay. It will be easy to figure out the pattern of how to write an essay on music. One can also download the Vedantu app to get access to the same file.

Music Essay for Students

“Without music, life will be a mistake” the statement of Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher, simplified the importance of music in one’s life so easily. Music has a magical impact on humans. It's the best form of magic. 

The origin of the word ‘music’ is the Greek word ‘mousike’ which means ‘art of muses’. Music is a form of art and artists decorate it. The music consists of lesser words with deeper meanings. Frequently people use music as a painkiller to escape from the pain of life.  ‘Musical Notations’ is the leading form to write music. This provides a reference to an artist so he can share with others if necessary. Music is a mood freshener and accompanies us in our pocket devices, on televisions, movies, and the most effective in live concerts.

Different forms of music have different effects on human nature. Music is the greatest creation of mankind in the course of history. A combination of deem lights and calm music encourages the listener to eat less and enjoy the food more. Listening to music positively in a car influences one’s mood leads to safer behaviour and fewer road rages ultimately minimising accidental destructions.

If the students love the music, it helps them in recalling the information more significantly along with improvement in verbal intelligence. The studies have found that listening to favourite songs helps fibromyalgia patients to experience less chronic pain. Music has a direct effect on our hormonal levels. Listening to music decreases the level of the hormone cortisol in our body and counteracts the effect of chronic stress.

The heart-touching music is nothing but creativity with the purest and undiluted form. The combination of vocal or instrumental sounds in such a way that it produces beauty and expresses emotions. Anyone can make their day by enjoying music by listening or by composting or by playing. The global facts say parents intensively use music to soothe children even to interact.

Music touches the heart through the ears. It has divine power to act as an energy booster. Some music assists in motivation while some play the best role in sympathy. Music helps us to fight insomnia. Listening to classical or relaxing music, just before going to bed, improves one’s sleep.

Though music helps to counteract depression and loneliness, people underestimate the impact of music on the human mindset in the age of irony age. On the other side of the coin, there are some types of music that can result in deleterious effects on the human mind and body. Listening to music with high decibels can damage neurons. The effect on the brain subjected to continuous exposure to electronic amplification of rhythmic music is similar to that of drugs.

Genres of Music

While talking about a wide variety of music that ranges from ages belonging to different places, cultures, and types, the list of genres is endless. However, some of the major genres of music are stated as below:

Folk & Traditional Music

Traditional music holds an impression of the culture that it represents. It is usually illustrated and sung with folk music. Folk music is taught by one generation to another vocally through singing it and by listening to it. Various dance performances are in order to make it stay intact through ages. In India, the state of Rajasthan is well known for its Traditional-folk music with its dance. Several other regions are also popular.

Art music describes the characteristics of both classical and contemporary art forms. It is usually sung by just one person and demands a high level of attention from its listeners. It is quite well known in Europe.

Religious Music

The type of music that is affiliated to the worshipping of God by singing it, is known as Religious Music. Every religion has its own style and way of singing it. Christian music is one of the most famous religious music known all over the world.

Popular Music

As the name suggests, the type of music that is popular and accessible to everyone and everywhere is known as Popular Music. Such music is composed mostly by the entertainment industry for the purpose of monetary income. As compared to other types of music, Popular Music attracts a notable audience through different concerts or Live shows.

It has gained immense popularity over a period of time and varies from country to country and from culture to culture. One can listen to it on public platforms, digital platforms, television commercials, radio, and even at shopping centres.

Popular music can be subcategorized into numerous types such as Hip Hop Music, Rock Music, Polka Music Music, Jazz Music, Pop Music Latin Music, Electronic Music, Punk Music, and many more. Among different types of Popular Music, Hip Hop Music is vividly famous, especially among the youth population. The culture of Hip Hop music originally started in New York City and now has taken over its place everywhere. The culture of Hip Hop dance has also emerged because of the same. With passing time, a lot of changes are happening in the field of Music but it will never go out of style.

Music is a healer to all human emotions from sadness to depression. It is a cause of happiness. Music content has many genres to play. Emotional expressions have been regarded as the most important criteria for the aesthetic value of music. Sometimes, some crises of life are impossible to express in proper sentences and their music plays its best part. Log on to Vedantu to find exciting essays on other topics and learn how to frame one perfectly from experts.

FAQs on Music Essay

1. What Role Does Music Play in Our Life?

Music is a very important part of our life as it is a way to express our feelings as well as emotions. For some people, music is a way to escape from all the pain. It gives you relief and allows you to destress yourself. Music plays a crucial role in our life rather than just being a source of entertainment. More importantly, music is something that can be enjoyed by everyone irrespective of their caste, creed, age, or gender.

2. Why is Music So Powerful?

Music is a language of emotion in that it can represent different feelings of a soul without any boundaries or limitations. When people feel really low and think that no one understands them, they listen to music. It is a good weapon to imitate emotions and reduce them. Music is something that can be felt from within our soul. Music is connected with Nature. There are numerous incidents of various singers where singing had led towards the showering of rains. 

3. How Can I Write an Essay on Music?

Get to know the topic. You can't start writing about music until you've familiarised yourself with the concept. Do research thoroughly. Understand the important points and jot them down. Then draw a structure and start writing an essay. A student needs to realise the importance of music and the belonging of its culture for a better understanding and ease of writing. Talking to different artists from this field may also help in writing the essay. Refer to this essay framed by the experts of Vedantu and compile on your own.

4. Is Music a Means of Therapy?

In this modern era where everyone is busy living their hectic life, music plays an important role in soothing one’s mental health. Over a course of time, it has been scientifically proven that music acts as a therapy for a person suffering from depression or anxiety. Even the sound of waves in the ocean helps to heal a person mentally. Thus, psychologists suggest hearing calm and soothing to gain relief from worldly distress.

10 Essays About Music Anyone Can Write

Are you interested in writing essays about music? There are plenty of essay topics from which to choose.

Just about everyone loves music. Whether they like to listen to music, play musical instruments, or read about it, music is an essential part of our society. As a result, it should come as no surprise that many people like to write music essays.

If you want to write a music essay, there are plenty of directions you can go. For example, you might want to write about the different forms of music. Or, you might be interested in writing about the importance of music. You can focus on popular music, classical music, rock music, or even hip-hop. 

The music industry has changed significantly during the past few years, and listener preferences have changed. Take a look at a few of the top music essay topics you can write about below.

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

1. Write About the History of Music

2. write about the effects of music on human beings, 3. write an essay on music therapy, 4. write about the differences between the genres of music, 5. write about a specific classical composer, 6. write an essay on basic music theory, 7. go on a tour of the world of music, 8. talk about the benefits of learning how to play a musical instrument, 9. write about how to get started in the music industry, 10. talk about the history of the piano.

One of the top essay topics you should consider is the history of music. Music is as old as human history itself, and you could even turn this into a thesis. Some of the ideas for this essay include:

• Consider writing about some of the earliest musical instruments people played. Then, you might need to focus on archaeological findings at some of the oldest dig sites in the world.
• Dive into classical music. You can go into three separate eras, including the baroque period, the traditional classical period, and the romantic period.
• Discuss the split between the romantic period and jazz music. Then, you can talk about how both jazz and romantic music evolved into today’s popular music.

As you craft this essay, there are plenty of types of music you can write about. Music as an art form has long been a central part of the lives of human beings. You can use this point to place the various parts of your essay in context, helping to emphasize the importance of good music to your reader.

Looking for more? Check out these essays about dance .

You might also want to write about the various effects of music on listeners throughout the years. If you are struggling with how to start this essay, think about how music has impacted you. How does it make you feel? Some of the points to keep in mind include:

• Think about the type of music you like to listen to. For example, if you like pop music, why do you choose to listen to it?
• Consider the impact that music has on your mood. Does music help you melt the stress away? Does music give you energy? If so, think about why that might be.
• Do you listen to international music? Or do you stick to American music? Think about why your preferences are the way they are.
• Consider talking to other people about the music they listen to. Ask them why they like that specific type of music.

You can use these points to help you with your essay. This is a deep essay topic that can be taken in several directions. However, if you focus on the effects of music on yourself, you will have an easier time getting the essay started.

Another popular essay topic is music therapy. When people feel down, they often seek the care of a mental health professional. While traditional talk therapy and prescription medications can be helpful for some people, music therapy can also play a role in the recovery process. Some of the top benefits of music therapy include:

• It rarely leads to any complications or side effects. Music therapy can be the answer if you are looking for a treatment option that doesn’t throw off other parts of your body.
• Music therapy is accessible to everyone, including college students, elderly individuals, and even children.
• Music therapy can be customized to meet your needs. For example, you can choose the type of music you listen to and change the track depending on your mood.

This could be a great essay writing topic because it is so versatile. For example, you can talk about how music gets you ready to party, helps you relax in the evening, and might play in the background to help you focus on your studies. In addition, you can separate this essay into defined sections and focus on various types of music therapy.

Another essay topic you might want to write about involves the different genres of music. Some of the prompts for this topic include:

• Focus on yourself. What is your favorite genre of music? What do you remember listening to as a child? Have your preferences changed over time?
• Focus on a genre of music you have never listened to before. For example, if you do not like country music, listen to it for the first time. How does it make you feel? Do you think you will keep listening to it?
• Try to get analytical. Put on some classical music. What are some of the biggest differences you notice between classical music and other types of music?

There are many ways you can use your music essay to highlight different genres. You might even want to consider turning this essay into a series that focuses on different genres with each publication.

If you are curious about the impact of music, you might want to highlight specific classical composers throughout human history. Unfortunately, many people believe that all types of classical music are the same. Some of the time periods and composers you might want to highlight include:

• Start with the Baroque period and write about Bach. Bach was known for his preludes and fugues, and he wrote a set of compositions called the Goldberg Variations. Consider highlighting these compositions and their impact on composers in the Classical and Romantic periods.
• If you need to write about a Classical composer, think about exploring the impact of Mozart or Beethoven. Mozart did not live a long life, but he wrote his first composition at five years old. Beethoven wrote 32 piano sonatas and is one of the most popular composers even to this day. Could you focus on the impact they had?
• Think about writing about Chopin if you need a Romantic period composer. You can write about the iconic Four Ballades he published, which are still played at conservatories worldwide. You can focus on the inner voices the pianist needs to bring out.

These are just a few specifics you might want to highlight if you write on different composers. Think about picking a composer from each of the periods, and publish an essay on each of them. You will be busy for a while!

If you want to dive into the weeds, you can publish a short essay on music theory. If you haven’t taken classes in music theory, this is a great way to focus on something new. Some of the components you might want to highlight in this essay include:

• Highlight the influence of Alberti bass from Baroque music to today’s music.
• Focus on the Circle of Fifths and why this is important to composers and songwriters.
• Talk about the different styles of music, ranging from sheet music to improvisation, and how this might impact the singer or performer.

One of the challenges of this topic would be taking something relatively dry and making it more interesting. Imagine yourself trying to explain how music is written to the reader. You can highlight the other clefs, explain how to count out the beats, and talk about different mnemonics to learn the notes.

Music is a vital part of just about every society, so consider taking the reader on a tour of music. There is a saying that music is the universal language because it does not need to be translated. This means that people understand the meaning of music, no matter where it is from because they can feel the impact that music has on them. Furthermore, if you put notes on a page, anyone who knows how to play a musical instrument can play that song because the notes are the same everywhere. 

A few possible directions to take this essay include:

• First, talk about traditional music from China and what makes it different from the kind of music found in other parts of the world. Then, talk about what makes it similar.
• Move across the ocean to the United States and talk about the different types of music that evolved here. You can highlight country music, folk music, and jazz, which got their start right here.
• You can move across another ocean to Europe and talk about the music played there during the Middle Ages. Then, you can talk about Classical music and its role in the growth and development of modern music. You can even talk about electronic music and what has made it so popular.

High-quality music has come from every part of the globe. As you write your essay, you might notice that we have more in common than we realize.

While just about everyone takes music classes during their secondary schooling, not everyone learns how to play a musical instrument. Learning how to play an instrument can be difficult, from the time involved to the cost of lessons. However, there are a lot of benefits to learning how to play an instrument.

In your essay, some of the benefits you might want to highlight include:

• Playing a musical instrument fosters creativity.
• Learning how to play a musical instrument works on  both sides of the brain simultaneously.
• A major time commitment is involved, and learning how to play an instrument teaches good time management.
• It takes persevering through countless mistakes to learn how to play a new piece.
• Learning a musical instrument is a skill that will last for the rest of someone’s life.

As you explore the benefits of learning a musical instrument, you might want to learn how to play one yourself!

Many people look up to music stars, and they might be wondering how to start a career in music themselves. This could be a great research topic. Some of the points you might want to highlight include:

• Highlight the average number of hours someone spends practicing to become a professional musician.
• Talk about some of the competitions that could help someone get noticed, such as the International Chopin Competition .
• Write about the different types of music careers, including touring classical pianists, popular rock stars, and music professors.
• Explore the different parts of the music industry and how someone could get involved if they aren’t performing.

You might want to reach out to music professionals in the local area to see if you can interview them. Then, you can weave personal stories into your essay to make it more interesting.

There is a saying that the piano is the central instrument. When someone goes to a conservatory to study, it doesn’t matter what instrument they focus on. They need to learn a bit about the piano. You might want to write about how the piano evolved.

A few points to keep in mind include:

• The precursor to the modern piano was the harpsichord. Most of Bach’s pieces were written for the harpsichord. So, you could research and write about the harpsichord, its similarities to the modern piano, and its differences.
• Write about the pianoforte. This came after the harpsichord but is still significantly smaller than the modern piano.
• Discuss the pedals on the piano and what they do. For example, there is a soft pedal, a sustain pedal, and a sostenuto pedal. When did each of these pedals become a part of the modern piano?
• Dive into the different types of modern pianos. Examples include the spinet piano, an upright piano, and the grand piano. How much do they cost?

There is a lot of history behind the piano, and you can highlight some of the most important historical facts for your readers.

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

View all posts

• Search Menu
• Advance articles
• Author Guidelines
• Submission Site
• Order Offprints
• Open Access Options
• Self-Archiving Policy
• Why Publish with JAAC?
• About Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism
• About American Society for Aesthetics
• Editorial Board
• Advertising & Corporate Services
• Journals on Oxford Academic
• Books on Oxford Academic

Article Contents

I. kania's definition, ii. intuitions and norms, iii. close enough for jazz, iv. motley music, v. facing the folk versus facing the music.

• < Previous

What Is Music? Is There a Definitive Answer?

• Article contents
• Figures & tables
• Supplementary Data

Jonathan Mckeown Green, What Is Music? Is There a Definitive Answer?, The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism , Volume 72, Issue 4, November 2014, Pages 393–403, https://doi.org/10.1111/jaac.12127

• Permissions Icon Permissions

Philosophers frequently defend definitions by appealing to intuitions and contemporary folk classificatory norms. I raise methodological concerns that undermine some of these defenses. Focusing on Andrew Kania's recent definition of music, I argue that the way in which it has been developed leads to problems, and I show that a number of other definitions of interest to philosophers of art (and others) run into similar problems.

Philosophers often develop and defend definitions of kinds of things by enlisting intuitions about what it takes for something to be of the kind and appealing to empirical facts about society's classificatory practices. They consider the implications of these data and posit necessary and sufficient conditions for kind membership that they support by reflecting on the evidence as a whole. Andrew Kania employs this strategy to advance his preferred definition of music. 1 I evaluate that definition and highlight methodological dangers that threaten projects of this sort, arguing that definitions like his cannot be successfully defended in this way. Exclusive appeals to intuitions and classificatory practices only work if the nature of the thing being defined is determined by our conception of it, that is, by the way we construe it—the features we take it to have in virtue of being the thing it is. Even if this condition is met, hurdles remain for Kania and others.

Section I presents Kania's account. He defines music in terms of intentions to manifest particular sonic properties or to promote experiences characterized by reference to those properties. Sections II to IV introduce difficulties for this proposal as well as for an earlier one by Jerrold Levinson to which Kania is responding and, indeed, for any definition of music that foregrounds sonic or experiential properties. Assuming that it is an analysis of the folk conception of music , any such definition tells us, at best , what we currently take to be music, and this information proves to have little practical value. Section V examines what happens if the assumption is suspended. It explores alternative approaches to the business of defining things, but, for these, a defense reliant on intuitions and classificatory practices is insufficient. Consequently, definitions like Kania's must either be defended differently or rejected.

Kania defines music as: “(1) any event intentionally produced or organized (2) to be heard, and (3) either (a) to have some basic musical feature, such as pitch or rhythm, or (b) to be listened to for such features.” 2 He thinks many avant garde works flout (3a). His examples are “John Cage's Williams Mix (1952)—a tape composition painstakingly spliced together out of a variety of sound sources, without regard to their basic musical features—[and] Yoko Ono's Toilet Piece/Unknown (1971)—an unedited recording of a flushing toilet.” 3 Yet these are music, if they satisfy (3b): “one can listen to sounds under a particular concept without the sounds actually falling under that concept. Thus we can admit as music sounds intended to be listened to for basic musical features that everyone is aware they do not possess.” 4 (3b), though, is violated by melodic or rhythmic events—like the practicing of scales to improve dexterity—that are not intended to be listened to for such features but that Kania takes to be music. Hence, his third condition is a disjunction: “Condition (3a) should capture most music across history and the globe, while (3b) should capture the remaining modernist and postmodern musical experiments, such as Ono's Toilet Piece/Unknown and Cage's Williams Mix .” 5

Basic musical features are crucial for determining what counts as music, on Kania's view. His list is open ended, but they are clearly features from which there has been only comparatively recent or sporadic departure in the traditions where Western commentators normally think music occurs. Music that lacks, and is not intended to have, such features qualifies derivatively by being heard against a background that frames listening in terms of them.

Considering potential counterexamples may help to elucidate Kania's definition. Morse code is not music, but Kania cannot easily exclude it without defining rhythm in a way that also excludes some metrically irregular music. 6 Somebody who intentionally produces or organizes sound for artistic purposes might not intend it to have, or be listened to for, basic musical features but may nonetheless produce something tuneful. (Imagine a bank of pipes arranged to face the wind, broadcasting pleasant tones. Imagine that by chance the sound produced when air blows through them is an arresting, hummable melody.) (3) is violated here, but some might think music happens. The solitary drummer wearing earplugs while practicing rudiments violates (2), since he or she does not intend that anything be heard. Yet one might think he or she makes music, if one agrees with Kania that pianists practicing scales do. The sole relevant difference is that the drummer endeavors to render the material unheard.

Arguably, some avant garde works that Kania would happily call music actually flout (3b): it is not obvious that they all were, or are, intended to be listened to for basic musical features. The intentions of many creators who depart from, but somehow still belong to, a tradition centered on basic musical features are surely indeterminate on this matter, and others may have intentions that are contrary to the one Kania ascribes to them. Appreciating and classifying John Zorn's challenging game pieces might be facilitated, no matter what anybody intended, by bearing in mind that in other works Zorn references grunge and that he writes uncontroversially tonal and rhythmic music for conventional forces. Kania is right to think that some works lacking all basic musical features can and perhaps should be appreciated against a conventional musical tradition and that many of these can reasonably be counted among the music. But plausibly, in his eagerness to admit some but not too much arrhythmic, unpitched, contemporary, or otherwise outlying material, Kania fastens on an arbitrary criterion.

[T]here are works of sonic art that will not count as music according to my definition. These are works such as Toilet Piece/Unknown that lack basic musical features but (unlike Toilet Piece/Unknown ) are not intended to be listened to for such features. (It could be argued that Williams Mix is in fact such a piece.) This is an advantage of the definition I have suggested, since there does seem to be just such a division in contemporary art practice between music and sound art. 7

It is indeed widely accepted that a lot of material can be helpfully called sound art. 8 Yet influential people think some events lacking basic musical features are both sound art and music. Andy Hamilton, recounting a telephone conversation with Philip Samartzis, says: “Though happy to call himself a sound artist, [Samartzis] is ambivalent about dividing avant garde musical exploration from sound art. He concedes that he thinks in musical terms.” 9 Karlheinz Stockhausen wrote that “nowadays any noise is musical material.” 10 Edgard Varèse said: “When I was … giving concerts of modern music, I got sick of the stupid phrase ‘Interesting, but is it music?’ After all, what is music but organized sound—all music! So, I said that my music was organized sound and that I was not a musician, but a worker in frequencies and intensities.” 11 Sympathizers with these standpoints may propose counterexamples to Kania's definition: events that they take to be music, either on the basis of their own reflection, or because they recognize that the community has so decided, even though the events lack all basic musical features and are not intended to be listened to for such features.

I delay assessing counterexamples until Section IV, but they raise a methodological issue that is worth remarking on now. I am not sure what resources Kania would rally in response to them. If he brandishes intuitions, his opponents can too. If he appeals to institutional practice, as he does when dividing music from sound art, his opponents can insist that the practice is equivocal. If he prioritizes some data over others, seeking reflective equilibrium, on what grounds does he decide which data to prioritize? It is unclear what additional evidence Kania would adduce to defend his definition. This becomes important in the final section.

Intuitions and classificatory practices form Kania's evidence base. These bear on what people take music to be . Since Kania is proposing a definition of music , he can only be fully vindicated by these data if the nature of music is settled by our conception of music . I assume throughout the next three sections that it is. But I argue that what counts as music according to our folk conception is so controversial and dependent on historical accident that we must doubt the extensional adequacy and usefulness of Kania's definition, assuming it is taken to specify our conception of music. Section II examines how intuitions and social norms constitute folk conceptions. Section III, a case study, investigates our folk conception of jazz, prefiguring the worries raised subsequently for Kania's definition of music. Section IV raises those worries: when construed as specifications of our folk conception, Kania's definition and others that appeal to sonic and experiential properties or intentions to produce them are controversial and not future proof. This severely constrains their usefulness. Section V considers ways of defining music (and other things) that are not hostage to folk conceptions.

Hunches, gut feelings, and sober judgments about which pegs fit which holes fix on various features of the items they concern. Some of these intuitions , as we shall call them, are about what something is made of: cottage pie contains mince and potato. Some are about how we perceive things—always, typically, or ideally: rainbows present as bands of specific colors in a specific order, arched across the sky. Some are about what something does or is for: banks store and lend money. Some are about procedures involving a thing, such as its connection with an institution or its creator: banks are accredited by governments. Some intuitions are criterial: part of what makes something a bank is that it lends money. Others are evidentiary: a rainbow is the kind of thing that we identify by observing colors, whether or not those colors help to make something a rainbow.

Many factors influence the development, maintenance, and updating of classificatory intuitions. Different people generalize differently from similar exemplars—of music, mental states, or moral rectitude—depending on, inter alia , which heuristics they adopt for recognizing new instances, what authority figures say, which aspects of culture they think are universal, which states of affairs they take to be unchanging, their capacity for imagining alternative pasts and futures, their metaphysical proclivities, and how reflective they are. One informant may intuit that music always has a tune or a beat. Another suspects that nothing constrains the principles of organization or the sonic elements that can generate music. One may judge that bananas are well qualified to be fruit because of their constitution or function and that tomatoes only just qualify or are clearly on the border between fruit and nonfruit. Another may regard the status of tomatoes as unclear or indeterminate. A third may distinguish a botanical from a culinary kind of fruit. No one need be intransigent; they just have different starting points.

Agents’ intuitions and any reflecting they do fuel the furnace that emits communal classificatory practices. Such practices are subject to norms that likewise address various features of objects—perceptual, functional, and so on, and they too may distinguish central cases from vague, controversial, or hybrid cases. The norms constitute folk conceptions of kinds of things. These manifest psychologically among community members as dispositions to lump roughly the same things together, perhaps for roughly the same reasons.

When unfamiliar objects surface or fresh insights are gained, communally sanctioned taxonomies are often sorely tested. Is heavy water water? Is unauthorized downloading theft? Such questions prompt decisions about which unfamiliar cases to include under existing categories. There may be tentativeness, disagreement, or indifference about marginal cases and arbitrariness in the ways practices accommodate unprecedented phenomena. These need not undermine a classificatory practice's coherence or utility. An indignant carnivore can argue with a waiter about whether some vegetarian dish is a cottage pie without anybody doubting that rules govern what counts as one. Whales are classed as mammals, though they might not have been. This precisifies the criteria for being a mammal along one trajectory rather than another, but those criteria are still consistent and handy.

Nevertheless, extensive uncertainty or disagreement about how to classify marginal cases may imply a lack of consensus about why even central cases clump together. And where there is much arbitrariness in the way categories stretch to subsume new cases, maybe loud voices, rather than coherent, serviceable rules, are calling the shots. One off uses of old words to cover new, marginal instances sometimes penetrate public discourse and affect the way the folk classify those instances thereafter. Bloggers, broadcasters, lobbyists, legislators, arbiters of fashion, and pundits disproportionately influence updating of classificatory norms in new circumstances, perhaps because of their public profile rather than because their views are uncommonly well informed. Hence, the assortment of cases satisfying a folk conception can become hard to subsume under a single principle. (This is one story about why our conception of sport, for example, invites a family resemblance style analysis.)

The prospect of unprincipled conceptions is increased by the prevalence of conceptual conservatism. This ensures that if something counts as a clear instance of a concept at some time, it counts as an instance of that concept at all subsequent times, regardless of how far the concept gets warped to cover new cases. (“Greensleeves” will always count as music, no matter what newfangled stuff does or does not.) Where there is conceptual conservatism, extending a folk conception to cover new cases is like building new rooms on a house. When the loudest voices are not the most reasonable, there is no guarantee that the resulting structure conforms to a plan. 12

Unmoderated conceptual drift sometimes signals that, despite appearances, multiple folk conceptions are in play, simultaneously or in succession. Close attention to language may reveal this. ‘Breakfast’ currently has at least two meanings: first meal of the day (as in: I haven't had breakfast yet) and the kinds of food typically eaten as the first meal of the day (as in: we serve all day breakfast). So the fact that we use the same word to describe two things does not always mean that our intuitions incline us to regard them as kind mates satisfying a single conception of something. Meanwhile, ‘nice’ once meant fastidious, but seldom does nowadays. So the fact that a new case comes to fall arbitrarily within the extension of an old word might signal an old folk conception giving way to a new one rather than a single conception updating. Yet, conceptual disorder cannot always be thus described. Intuitions and classificatory tendencies often harbor evidence that the folk (however untidily) regard multiple conceptual norms, diachronically and synchronically, as bearing on the same notion. When diversity of opinion (as with the vegetarian cottage pie) is routinely interpreted as disagreement, when an institution (like the American Society for Aesthetics) coordinates activity across a wide spectrum, when there is conceptual conservatism, or when a term subsumes sundry cases without checking out as ambiguous, we have (defeasible) evidence of a single conception. Both ‘jazz’ and ‘music,’ for instance, tick all of these boxes.

Analysts of folk conceptions gather intuitions and postulate societal norms to explain verdicts on particular cases. Some data may be discarded and some prioritized in the hunt for a coherent principle that summarizes and perhaps explains all, or most, verdicts. If the items falling uncontroversially under a folk conception differ greatly in their constitution or perceptual properties, either at a time or over time, they might still turn out to perform, or be meant to perform, the same function. Banks and letterboxes are like this; their functions unify our conceptions of them. Alternatively, all the items falling under some conception may turn out to be mandated in similar ways by similar institutions. Legal rights and duties might be like this. If all else fails, a conception that applies to new things in an apparently ad hoc manner might evolve in a recursively describable fashion: new instances are always causally connected with slightly older ones in the same way, even if they end up differing markedly from very early ones. 13

Sometimes, though, the analyst might reasonably conjecture that no principle at all subsumes the things picked out by a particular folk conception. Given the way practices evolve, this is not surprising. In the next section, I illustrate this situation by documenting the haphazard evolution of our conception of jazz. Then, in Section, I argue that some of the lessons we learn about jazz apply to music. Specifically, I argue that if there is any unity and practical utility to be found in our conception of music, we will only find it by examining features—perhaps functional, institutional, or recursively describable ones—other than the sonic, experiential, and intentional features that Kania invokes in his definition.

Bebop, swing, and Dixieland count as jazz. Rock ’n’ roll does not. Most Broadway songs do not, though jazzers routinely improvise on them. There are areas of doubt, disagreement, and indifference. Some Third Stream music might be borderline jazz, or maybe people disagree about whether some of it is borderline or most of it is hybrid. Disputes rage about whether Miles Davis stopped playing jazz and whether Kenny G started.

We are hard pressed for criteria distinguishing even central cases of jazz from most nonjazz. Much canonical jazz does not emphasize improvisation; much country and folk music does. People who enjoy central cases of jazz from one subgenre are not especially likely to enjoy jazz from other subgenres. Such disunity is easily explained historically. For example: influential swing soloists invented bebop; their experiments influenced swing performance style; since swing was jazz, it was natural to authorize bebop. Rock ’n’ roll, despite sharing many features with swing, had roots in rhythm and blues and country. By covering some styles more than others, DownBeat and other jazz journals steered readers toward those styles.

No rigorous constraints govern the evolution of the criteria for identifying instances of jazz. No Academie de Jazz arbitrates. Nor does jazz, like atoms and mammals, play a well defined causal role in some theory about the world's workings. Thus, the story of jazz could easily have gone differently. The beboppers might have left jazz critics behind, attracting new listeners. Bebop might then not have been regarded as jazz. Fledgling rock ’n’ roll might have occupied more space in DownBeat . Nothing in the previous practice signaled that certain styles, and not others, would count as jazz later. Nor is it likely that actual jazz history reflects a more principled, strategic, elegant, or otherwise defensible program than all counterfactual ones.

Nevertheless, suppose that I successfully characterize our current folk conception of jazz in terms of experiential and sonic properties and intentions to manifest them: I accurately distinguish jazz, nonjazz, and penumbra. My definition would exploit classificatory facts not available to a definer circa 1920. I, in turn, lack access to data about future stylistic innovations and the unforeseeable tendencies of our heirs to dub or disqualify them. Like one from 1920, my definition would not be future proof . Mine would only specify the extent to which an item counts as jazz now. It might be sociologically interesting, but arguably no other benefits accrue.

Consider four purposes for which a definition of a kind of thing might be consulted. Not every definition whatsoever need meet all four expectations, and there are other rewards that definitions can deliver, but, I suggest, quadruple failure strongly indicates a dearth of practical applications.

First, one might want a definition to illuminate the shared nature of the kind mates. We expect this from a definition of a natural kind. Maybe jazz lacks a shared nature. Anyway, a successful characterization of our current conception like the one we envisage supplies none. It yields a procedure for generating the current extension of our conception, but the folk treat jazz as a persisting kind, and we cannot trust our definition to foretell its fortunes.

Second, one might want a definition to state criteria used in practice to identify whether (or the extent to which) something is of the kind. A good definition of a mother in law obliges: you identify mothers in law by identifying spouses’ mothers. Our envisaged specification of our conception of jazz will not yield identificatory criteria. These are likely to include a network of defeasible heuristics associated with subgenres, central cases, and individual careers: “This is jazz because it's hard bop; that's jazz because of the breathy sax solos; those are jazz because Monk wrote them.” Heuristics vary from person to person, even for central cases where there is no disagreement about whether there is jazz.

Third, one might want a definition to isolate the criteria implicit in decisions about which marginal or novel things are of the kind. We expect this from a legal definition of malice aforethought. We do not find it here. Jazz evolves desultorily, and some of the relevant decisions are in the future, where the definition cannot reach.

Finally, one might want a novice to efficiently learn which things belong to the kind by applying the definition. This works for mothers in law. 14 But, for a start, our specification of our conception of jazz will probably be a complicated cluster definition or an opaque lengthy disjunction. Expect hedge clauses, reflecting doubt, disagreement, and indifference. Also, since it is confined to what currently counts as jazz, the definition might misleadingly reveal transitory, adventitious orderliness. Our newcomer can do much better. If he were quite interested in discovering jazz, he should learn some history. That will acclimatize him to what counts as jazz and when. It will demonstrate why some kinds of drift occur but not others. If he is only mildly interested, he should sample canonical instances so that he realizes what people mean when they allude to jazz. Suppose that, instead, another newcomer learns my hypothetical specification of what our conception currently licenses. Then she learns only some of what she ought to know, together with arbitrary facts peculiar to the period on which the definition reports. Had she known enough history or central cases to match her curiosity, my definition would have been superfluous.

Perhaps a serviceable, accurate, future proof characterization of our folk conception that respects the fuzziness of the boundaries is recoverable from our intuitions and classificatory trends, but surely it would invoke properties other than sonic and experiential ones. It might be a recursive historical definition that details how an event gets to be jazz if it is suitably related to prior jazz. A successful definition of this kind would plot a pattern through the evolution of our conception, revealing either deep stability in that conception or a network of different, but related, conceptions that change and cross fertilize in ways that can be explained systematically. Alternative characterizations would say that an event gets to be jazz just when or to the extent that it performs a particular function in our cognitive or social lives or is accepted as jazz by a relevant institution . Because of the unruliness and consequent unpredictability of jazz's development, I doubt that any definer could reliably discern a recursively describable historical pattern or diachronically stable function. Perhaps an institutional definition would fare better, but such definitions are subject to well known difficulties, and I will not speculate here about the prospects of characterizing our conception of jazz in this way. What matters for what follows is that, because of border skirmishes and especially future uncertainties, we cannot usefully define our conception of jazz solely in terms of sonic or experiential properties or intentions like those that Kania invokes in his definition of music.

Not every folk conception is as unruly as jazz, but our conception of music is unruly enough to warrant skepticism about the utility of definitions like Kania's. As with jazz, there is doubt, disagreement, and indifference about what counts as music and how borderline or hybrid various cases are. Much that is routinely treated as music by the elite, Western artworld or by metallers is apparently not music to the public's ears (except in movies). As noted in Section I, some of it is not music according to Kania's definition, though it would be included by many sonic revolutionaries who regard themselves and are often regarded as music makers. Securing broad agreement about what counts as music is unlikely when commentators differ not merely over where to draw the boundaries but over what makes something music. Nor can one say uncontroversially that there are just different conceptions of music in play: some might insist that there is one core notion that fragments around the edges.

Moreover, as with jazz, institutional decisions about what is music and what is not seem no more coherent or inevitable than some alternative histories. Just as bebop might not have been regarded as jazz, material by Cage and Varèse could easily not have been regarded as music. Much of it eschews the tonal, rhythmic, and timbral resources of their native tradition, and they celebrated this discontinuity. However, they took their work to signal an expansion and liberalization of that tradition and influenced many, including musicians working primarily in more established styles. Maybe that helps to explain why their work is often regarded as music. Furthermore, just as rock ’n’ roll might have been regarded as jazz, foley—the addition of sound effects to a film after shooting—might have counted as music. The foley artist's inventive manipulation of assorted objects and the resulting play of sound are akin to much twentieth century percussion work. However, foley did not emerge from that tradition and differed sufficiently from mainstream music to be distinguished from it in studio postproduction. Maybe that helps to explain why it is not regarded as music. In short, the sequence of decisions of the communities in which a conception of music is used to classify things could easily have gone differently but just as coherently.

All of this controversy and haphazardness is bad news for definitions of music in terms of experiential and sonic properties and agents’ intentions to generate them when those definitions are defended by appeals to current intuitions about what counts as music together with past and present institutional classificatory facts. There are potentially two flavors of bad news. The first is boundary controversies. In the previous section, we imagined a hypothetical characterization of our conception of jazz in terms of sonic and perceptual properties and related intentions that took boundary disputes to be just that. Perhaps a characterization of our conception of music in similar terms could do likewise, but Kania's does not. As we have seen, it passes confident verdicts on some cases about which the folk are noncommittal or ambivalent, categorically excluding some avant garde offerings that sonic revolutionaries regard as music and including others that most people, including many music lovers, exclude. This prevents that particular definition from being extensionally adequate. The other bad news item was fatal even to our hypothetical definition of jazz, and I think the sort of definition of music we are discussing cannot avoid it either. Any such definition can only aspire to specifying what currently gets counted as music. Given conceptual conservatism, we can expect it to include among the music most if not all of what clearly counted as music in former times. However, if the definition accurately identifies criteria that always will track what gets counted as music, this is a fluke.

To see why, suppose Kania's definition was anticipated 180 years ago by a columnist in Robert Schumann's Neue Zeitschrift für Musik . Only fortuitously could this visionary produce a definition of music in terms of its real or intended sonic or experiential properties, whose extension includes Ono's Toilet Piece/Unknown . There were insufficient clues in the musical landscape of mid nineteenth century Europe to motivate the inclusion of any material that lacks all basic musical features. A columnist who was musically, philosophically, and anthropologically capable enough to diligently reflect on music as it was and could be might have pictured a future in which such items were regarded as music. But even if this prevented him or her from discarding the possibility that those items should count as music, categorically including them would mean riskily predicting, beyond the mandate of prevailing intuitions and practices and perhaps contrary to the definer's own intuitions, that the criteria for delineating music would follow a particular path. So even if Kania's definition accurately captures the folk's conception of music at the beginning of the twenty first century, his anticipator's success in describing that same conception is lucky, not prescient.

If Kania has aspirations beyond his time, he faces the same plight: he cannot be expected to rule in everything that might count as music 180 years hence. By then, there might be a tradition of performing, in front of an audience, works that resemble Western concert music, except that they are not intended to be heard. When they are performed, by dropping feathers onto cushions or blowing ultrasonic whistles, aficionados appreciate the performers’ skill, the intricacy of the motivic development (revealed by the details of their actions), the nuanced effect of the recital on canine spectators, or the play of sounds (clicking keys, furtive breaths) attendant on the realization of the inaudible content. Such works violate Kania's second condition and perhaps also his third. But, given that some present day commentators believe in silent music, we can coherently envisage futures in which these works are regarded as music. Equally, given present day unease about whether there can be silent music, we can envisage futures in which they do not.

Another scenario reinforces the point. One hundred eighty years hence, deaf people might routinely make and appreciate music, taking advantage of sophisticated enhancements of current technology that enables them to monitor vibrations tactually. Suppose this mode of perception turns out not to be a form of hearing: it is processed very differently from the way auditory signals are processed. If this is part of our future, there will one day be music that violates condition (2): it will not be intended that it be heard; yet we can also envisage futures from which this scenario is absent.

So even if Kania is right about what gets counted as music now, he cannot, except flukily, predict what else will get counted as music in the future. Maybe posterity will require additional disjuncts in condition (3) and a retraction of (2).

An earlier definition to which Kania is responding shares his difficulties. Jerrold Levinson defines music as “sounds temporally organized by a person for the purpose of enriching or intensifying experience through active engagement (e.g., listening, dancing, performing) with the sounds regarded primarily, or in significant measure as sounds.” 15 Like Kania, Levinson has difficulties negotiating the boundaries of our conception: he gleefully excludes Muzak, but surely many people, even on reflection, think Muzak is music and Kania cheerfully includes it. 16 In the imagined futures of the previous paragraph, the music will not be captured by Levinson's definition.

Perhaps there are analyses of our conception of music that do not rule unsafely on marginal or future cases. A theorist in any period, reflecting on our intuitions and classificatory norms, might propose a historical recursive, functional, or procedural analysis. This is still risky, given the definer's ignorance about the future. 17 Still, for all I have argued, such definitions might accurately and nonflukily inform us about a temporally stable folk conception of music (with fuzzy edges) that is manifested differently at different times or about conceptions that succeed one another in accordance with a pattern. They would do so without being as specific as Kania's proposal is about the causal, experiential, and contextual features in virtue of which we regard something as music, at a given time, but, as we have seen, proposals like his are sensitive to the indeterminacies and transformations of societal norms.

Boundary disputes and expiry dates are not automatically slights on a definition. Yes, our criteria for identifying music are awkwardly controversial at the margins, and they evolve, but puzzling concepts that play a role in classifying items need not be fully determinate or stable to be worth understanding, and a partial understanding could be better than nothing. However, our discussion of jazz illustrated how our conception of something can be at the mercy of haphazard development to such an extent that the question of what currently counts as falling under it is of mainly sociological import. This cap may or may not fit our conception of music, but it does if that conception can be analyzed only in terms of the kinds of features to which Kania alludes in his definition. Recall the four potential benefits of definitions from our jazz discussion. Definitions of music of the kind under scrutiny satisfy none of them.

First, a specification of our current folk conception, couched in terms of sonic and experiential features and related intentions, cannot illuminate the shared nature of all that counts as music. Like jazz, the folk regard music as a kind with a future. Whatever the definition says, we cannot know what counts as music in the future. (Kania's proposal also represents boundaries as more settled than they are.) So we cannot even confirm extensional adequacy.

Second, this sort of definition does not state the criteria used in practice to identify whether something counts as music. In central cases, people might fasten on Kania's basic musical features: “This, I can sing”; “That's got rhythm.” 18 Further out, other desiderata often hold sway. For you, Penderecki's Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima is music because he prescribes a string orchestra. For me, it is music because it sounds like something I studied for a music exam. A specification of an aggregated folk conception will not be this idiosyncratic.

Third, a definition like Kania's, construed as analyzing a current folk conception, will not isolate the criteria implicit in decisions about which novel stuff counts as music. As with jazz, some of these are decisions about the future.

Finally, a beginner would not efficiently learn what counts as music by encountering this sort of distillation of what we currently take to qualify. It would provide, at best, a potentially misleading snapshot of a turbulent, evolving practice. And, as with jazz, an interest in the issue of what gets regarded as music should cue a history lesson.

The pitfalls outlined above presumably affect definitions of many kinds that are defended in large part by appeals to intuitions and past and present classificatory decisions about what is of the kind. I have drawn particular attention to analyses of our conceptions of jazz and of music that make claims about actual or intended sonic or experiential properties. However, we can expect similar allegations of extensional inadequacy and lack of utility to dog any characterization of a folk conception that rules unequivocally on contentious cases or only reliably tells us the story so far about an undisciplined bundle of evolving features.

Kania might insist that his definition is not a report of what the community takes music to be: he has a different take on how to define music. If so, he may need to consider which sorts of evidence should be used to support his definition, and this will depend on what kind of thing he takes music to be.

Proposed definitions that are answerable only to intuitions and community norms should be regarded primarily as attempts to unpack our conceptions of things. If it is adequate, a definition of a rainbow supported by such data reveals what we take rainbows to be. It only reveals what a rainbow is if the nature of rainbows is settled by our conception of them. Knowledge and games may be like this, and jazz almost certainly is. Plausibly, defining them amounts to specifying what we take them to be. Rainbows are not like this. To discover what a rainbow is or to define rainbows, one must do physical science. Even so, Frank Jackson argues that to know which physical science matters here, we must know what we take rainbows to be. 19 We must know which situations count for us as ones with rainbows, which do not, which are borderline, and which are contested. Only thus equipped can we discover which kind of thing or which phenomenon typically occurs in the rainbow laden situations (and perhaps with an attenuated profile in the penumbra), playing the rainbow role in our lives. Only something like that can be a rainbow because wondering about rainbows is wondering about things that we can identify and distinguish from other things. If Jackson is right, conceptual analysis, the specification of the criteria that constitute our conception of a thing or kind of thing, illuminates not only stuff like jazz, whose nature is determined solely by our conception of it, but also things like rainbows, whose natures are settled at least partly by facts distinct from our conceptions of them.

It is controversial whether every phenomenon whose nature is scientifically or philosophically interesting must be investigated in the light of conceptual conclusions. Some have argued that when Noam Chomsky theorizes about I languages and when Ruth Millikan explores representational states, they are simply inquiring scientifically into the nature of objective reality and are not constrained by our conceptions of things. 20 Chomskian I languages are posited to explain certain phenomena that are informally described as linguistic: chiefly, deep similarities among syntactic descriptions of diverse languages and the rapidity of children's language acquisition. For this role, perhaps I languages need not accord with the everyday conception of a language.

What is music? Is it like jazz in that its nature is plausibly exhausted by our conception of it? Is it like a rainbow, on Jackson's story, in that its nature is at least partly determined by factors beyond our conception of it but constrained by that conception? Is it like I language is sometimes taken to be in that it could turn out rather different from any current folk category—a theoretical posit that helps to explain widespread phenomena? 21

Consider definitional endeavors that seek to vindicate our intuitions about possible cases and our past and present classificatory practices. How they fare turns on how the nature of the definiendum—music, say—relates to our conception. If music is like jazz, its nature is plausibly determined entirely by our conception of it, and then, as detailed above, care is needed to avoid defining music in ways that make contentious (including future) cases seem uncontentious. To produce a more promising account of our conception, and, hence, of music, one should probably investigate the conditions that determine the evolution of our shifting classificatory practices. A recursive, functional, or procedural account might illuminate these. Perhaps Kania's definition of music, understood as an attempt to characterize music by characterizing our conception of it, should be revised in this direction.

If instead, music is like a rainbow and Jackson is right, one must explore our conception in order to target the aspect of reality we aim to describe. Conceptual untidiness might not be fatal here, since the definition is not a restatement of our conception. Our conception merely constrains our search so that it pinpoints features of the world that are typically present when we claim there is music and typically absent when we claim there is not. To find out what those are, expect to import other evidence, perhaps about commonalities in neural responses to audible stimuli, evolutionary functions of music related behavior, cross cultural social norms associated with music, material heard in music venues, or curricula delivered under the heading ‘music’ (rather than, say, ‘physics’ or ‘sculpture’). We can also expect this evidence to be gathered and tested rigorously against scientific standards. Maybe we will eventually rule that music is best defined in terms of Kania's basic musical features as all and only the events meeting conditions (1), (2), and (3a). This hypothesis might cover all the cases that the folk regard as paradigmatic. Of course, it departs from important tenets of our folk conception, but it might be called for by an objective assessment of which kinds of stuff truly belong together and hence of which natural aspect of the world is tracked (imperfectly) by our musical thought, talk, and behavior. 22 If Kania's definition is supposed to conform to this picture, according to which our conception of music is a reference point for the investigation of the nature of music, he owes us an account of the kind of evidence that must supplement data about our folk conception in order to vindicate the definition.

Finally, if music is like I language, on the view entertained above, our intuitions and communal norms need not constrain our definition at all, since we are not interested in what people are trying to fix on when they enter into thought or talk about music. We simply want to understand the world around us in its own terms. Again, this raises the possibility of a revisionary definition: music might be characterized as a scientific posit that helps to explain many interesting phenomena, like cross culturally similar responses to small ratio intervals. In that case, music is whatever plays that explanatory role rather than something whose nature is determined by our folk conception of it. Again, some things that some folk call music might turn out not to be. 23 If Kania's definition is supposed to fit this mold, according to which music is independent of our folk conception, he should not only explain what sort of theoretical role music is meant to play and what kinds of evidence are required to determine what realizes it but also eschew the sorts of evidence relied upon in his defense thus far.

Maybe none of these three options captures the relationship between the folk conception and the nature of music. Maybe more methodological reflection on this relationship is needed. But I hope to have shown that Kania and others who mount similar campaigns must find new ways to argue for their definitions. 24

Andrew Kania, “Definition,” in The Routledge Companion to Philosophy and Music , eds. Theodore Gracyk and Andrew Kania (London and New York: Routledge, 2011), pp. 1–13. See also Andrew Kania, “Music,” The Routledge Companion to Aesthetics , 3rd edition, eds. Berys Gaut and Dominic McIver Lopes (London and New York: Routledge, 2013), pp. 639–648, especially p. 640, and “Silent Music,” The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 68 (2010): 343–353.

Kania, “Definition,” p. 12.

Kania, “Definition,” p. 9.

Kania, “Silent Music,” p. 348.

Kania, “Definition,” p. 11.

See Stephen Davies, “On Defining Music,” The Monist 95 (2012): 535–555, at p. 538.

See Andy Hamilton, Aesthetics and Music (New York: Continuum, 2007), chap. 2. Like Kania, Hamilton distinguishes music from sound art. He postulates a conceptual difference between them, due to music's reliance on “tone.” Hamilton's view is not one of my targets: he is not proposing a definition of music in terms of necessary and sufficient conditions; also, his argument is not especially beholden to intuitions or existing institutional rulings.

Hamilton, Aesthetics and Music , p. 62.

Karlheinz Stockhausen, Stockhausen on Music: Lectures and Interviews , ed. Robin Maconie (London and New York: Marion Boyars, 1989), p. 109.

Alfred L. Copley, “Edgard Varèse on Music and Art: A Conversation between Varèse and Alcopley,” in Leonardo 1 (1968): 187–195, at p. 194.

Conceptual conservatism may not always have been active in our conception of jazz: arguably, Al Jolson should no longer be called a jazz singer.

Jerrold Levinson, “Defining Art Historically,” British Journal of Aesthetics 19 (1979): 232–250 offers a recursive definition of art.

And fugues: a good definition is complex, but a neophyte who masters it knows what fugues are.

Jerrold Levinson, “The Concept of Music,” in Music, Art, and Metaphysics: Essays in Philosophical Aesthetics (Cornell University Press, 1990), pp. 267–278, at p. 273.

See Levinson, “The Concept of Music,” p. 274, and Kania, “Definition,” p. 10.

In “On Defining Music,” Davies is gloomy about the prospects for functional and recursive definitions of music.

Kania, “Definition,” pp. 7–8.

Rainbows succinctly illustrate Jackson's methodology, though he himself does not mention them. See Frank Jackson, From Metaphysics to Ethics: A Defence of Conceptual Analysis (Oxford University Press, 1998).

Justine Kingsbury and Jonathan McKeown Green argue that this is how we should understand Chomsky's and Millikan's projects, but that Jackson's view accommodates rainbows and much more. See their “Jackson's Armchair: The Only Chair in Town,” in Conceptual Analysis and Philosophical Naturalism , eds. David Braddon Mitchell and Robert Nola (MIT Press, 2009), pp. 159–182.

Even on this construal, which things are music might still be determined, at least in part, by facts about human intentions, responses, or purposes.

The sociohistorical program for characterizing music sketched by Davies in “On Defining Music” is probably of this “rainbow” type.

One might, for instance, argue that we process auditory signals with basic musical features in an encapsulatedmental module (see Isabelle Peretz and Max Coltheart, “Modularity of Music Processing,” Nature Neuroscience 6 [2003]: 688–691) and that signals with these features form an interesting class: music. The evidence supporting this hypothesis might include evidence of musical universals or experimental findings about systematic variations in responses to audible signals.

Thanks to Stephen Davies, Maite Ezcurdia, Justin Horn, Justine Kingsbury, Phillippa McKeown Green, Glen Pettigrove, Aness Webster, an anonymous referee, and the editors of this journal for extensive help with earlier drafts.

Email alerts

Citing articles via.

• Recommend to Your Librarian
• Advertising and Corporate Services
• Journals Career Network

Affiliations

• Online ISSN 1540-6245
• Print ISSN 0021-8529
• Copyright © 2024 American Society for Aesthetics
• About Oxford Academic
• Publish journals with us
• University press partners
• What we publish
• New features  
• Open access
• Institutional account management
• Rights and permissions
• Get help with access
• Accessibility
• Advertising
• Media enquiries
• Oxford University Press
• Oxford Languages
• University of Oxford

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide

• Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
• Cookie settings
• Cookie policy
• Privacy policy
• Legal notice

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

Music and Its Impact on Our Lives Essay (Critical Writing)

No one can even imagine our life without music. For centuries it was an integral part of our everyday life, our traditions and culture. Listening to the charming sounds of nature, man could not help trying to reproduce it in order to enjoy music at any time. That was the reason for the first primitive musical instruments to appear. Since that time music and mankind were never torn apart. With the development of the society the instruments and the whole music changed. The mankind and music were always at the same stage of development. Starting with the mysterious melodies of the ancient cults and ending with the energetic military marches. Music follows humanity step by step, working its magic on it, showing its power. The ability of music to influence human consciousness was known from the earliest stages of development of the society.

Relaxing and calming at the beginning, it can become energetic and aggressive just in a moment, causing great changes in your mood. “Without even thinking about it, we use music to create desired moods- to make us happy, to enjoy movement and dance, to energize, to bring back powerful memories, to help us relax and focus. Music is a powerful tool for our personal expression within our daily lives– it helps “set the scene” for many important experiences” (Brewer, n.d., para. 2). Music can even serve as a basis for peoples segregation, dividing them into the different social groups according to their preferences or abilities to understand a certain type of music. Nothing could create the appropriate atmosphere better than music. The church music can serve as an ideal example of it. Religions all over the world use the music in the rituals in order to maximize the influence on people and help them to achieve eupathy and humility. Nowadays, with an unrestricted access to the sources, music has conquered the world, sounding from everywhere, suggesting the great variety of genres for any demands. Everyone could find something up to his or her taste.

Talking about my life it is impossible not to mention music. It is a huge part of my everyday routine. My day starts and ends with it. Early in the morning it is quite vital for me to listen to a portion of a good energetic music in order to get up and have a charge for a long day. But it is not enough of course. Like a real melomaniac, I always take my player with me. I have noticed the great growth of my productivity if I do something with music in background. The type of chosen music depends on the type of the job I have to do. If there is some kind of a physical activity I need some fast and energetic music. However, when some sort of mental activity is demanded, I need some calm, not very loud music playing somewhere in the background. This is by no means a panacea for everyone who wants to raise their productivity , but I cannot imagine me working without music

Having come home late at evening, it is just necessary for me to listen to another portion of music in order to relax and forget about all the stresses of the outside world. I even go to bed with the headphones in my ears, listening to my special “good night” song.

Taking into account the fact that I am a great admirer of rock music, it is not difficult to guess that all my friends are great admirers of it to. I am more than sure that common tastes in music are the good basis for friendly relations. This is not only the question of having something to discuss or to listen to together. If a person has the same preferences in music that means that he has something in common with your inner world and with your soul. Of course, there is that type of music that you will never listen with your friends. It is that kind of music which affects the deepest parts of your soul and you can only listen to it while keeping to yourself. At that moments no one is allowed to trouble you.

Music also has a great impact on the way we communicate within our company. The excessive tension or some miscommunication in relations can be easily dispersed by means of music. The sounds of the familiar song cool heads and return friendly atmosphere.

There is one more aspect of music which is worth mentioning. It is its lyrics. Being not less ancient part of our culture than music, the word has even more influence on peoples hearts and minds. The combination of such powerful remedies gives a marvelous results. This combination of sounds and words affects all your senses, penetrating deep inside your soul. Looking through the lyrics of my favorite songs, I can say that the text is of the same importance as music in the song. While listening to it for the first time you pay special attention to lyrics, especially if it resonates with your mood. The song runs in your head and you repeat it over and over, enjoining the harmony of the words and your soul.

The most common topic for all songs is, of course, relations of any kind. It is the basis of human life and music, as an integral part of it, cannot stand off. Love and hatred, faith and betrayal, and all others shades of human feelings are praised in thousands of songs. The mans attempts to find his reason to live should also be mentioned. The great number of songs is devoted to that problem, making people think or helping them to find an answer. One of my favorite songs “ The Show Must Go On ” by Queen (Queen 1990) is also one of the best compositions touching the problem of self-determination. While listening to it you cannot but feel the great suffering of a man who realizes the duality of his inner world and necessity of playing the annoying part. The Freddie Mercurys heart cry makes the great effect on the listener, making you think about your own place in the world, the way you live and spend your lifetime and reconsider your values and priorities.

The love theme is also one of the especially beloved by lyrics authors. Everyone on this planet has its own favorite love song and I am not an exception. The great song “ Not Strong Enough ” by Apocalyptica (Warren 2010) tells us about the pangs of the love-crossed man who cannot be with his darling. The most dramatic moments of the lyrics are wonderfully emphasized by music, the most powerful beats comes with the most bitter worlds, projecting the singers and the authors mood on you, making you feel the same. That great interplay of words and music makes you shiver. Especially strong effect is achieved if the song correlates with your mood or life experience. In that case the song becomes a some kind of an anchor, which evokes certain memories and feelings connected with a certain life period. No matter where you are and what your feel, from the first beats of the song you will remember the first time you have listened to it and your emotions at that moment.

The love theme is a part of a bigger theme of gender relations, which is also quite popular in music. According to the generally accepted tradition there is some stereotypical pattern of behavior for both genders which is praised in the songs. Historically, man always strives for womens love, trying to overcome all the obstacles on his way. He fights the injustice, erases the boundaries of social or race segregation just to reunite with his beloved one. Music is a reflection of the mans thoughts that is why all this issues are blended in it, The artists want to share their feelings and experience with us, to warn and protect from the mistakes they made, to show that all the prejudices are only in our heads and we have to overcome it.

Summing it up, we should say that music is not just part of our lives, it is something bigger, and that determines our mood and emotions. It helps us to forget everything and enjoy one of the greatest gifts of nature – the sound.

Reference List

Brewer, B. (n.d.). Music and Learning: Integrating Music in the Classroom . Web.

Queen, (1990). The show must go on [Reordered by Queen]. Innuendo [7″, 12″, CD]. London, England: Metropolis Studios.

Warren, D. (2010). Not strong enough [Reordered by Apocalyptica]. 7th Symphony [CD]. Germany: Sony Music.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, January 24). Music and Its Impact on Our Lives. https://ivypanda.com/essays/music-and-its-impact-on-our-lives/

"Music and Its Impact on Our Lives." IvyPanda , 24 Jan. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/music-and-its-impact-on-our-lives/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Music and Its Impact on Our Lives'. 24 January.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Music and Its Impact on Our Lives." January 24, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/music-and-its-impact-on-our-lives/.

1. IvyPanda . "Music and Its Impact on Our Lives." January 24, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/music-and-its-impact-on-our-lives/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Music and Its Impact on Our Lives." January 24, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/music-and-its-impact-on-our-lives/.

• An Energetic but Practical Mini Cooper Car
• Social Values in Modern Songs' Lyrics
• "Being Boring" by Pet Shop Boys
• MTV Pop Culture: The Lyrics by Dire Straits
• Frank Sinatra’s and Mel Torme’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”
• Popular Music and Thinking Errors
• The What a Wonderful World Song by Louis Armstrong
• Chicano Music and Lyrics
• Listening to Good Music
• Lyric Essays: Structure and Content
• Sargeant: Music of Russia
• Three Reflections Russian Music Critics
• Reflection on Glinka’s A Life for the Tsar
• Jay-Z and His Book Overview and Analysis
• Conductor Observation: Carlos Kleiber

Welcome Guest!

• IELTS Listening
• IELTS Reading
• IELTS Writing
• IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Speaking Part 1
• IELTS Speaking Part 2
• IELTS Speaking Part 3
• IELTS Practice Tests
• IELTS Listening Practice Tests
• IELTS Reading Practice Tests
• IELTS Writing Practice Tests
• IELTS Speaking Practice Tests
• All Courses
• IELTS Online Classes
• OET Online Classes
• PTE Online Classes
• CELPIP Online Classes
• Free Live Classes
• Australia PR
• Germany Job Seeker Visa
• Austria Job Seeker Visa
• Sweden Job Seeker Visa
• Study Abroad
• Student Testimonials
• Our Trainers
• IELTS Webinar
• Immigration Webinar

There are Many Different Types of Music in The World Today – IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated On Jan 05, 2024

Share on Whatsapp

Share on Email

Share on Linkedin

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

The Essay Writing section of the IELTS Writing Module can be a difficult task for many IELTS Aspirants. Thus, it is vital that you polish your essay writing skills before attempting the IELTS.

Below is a sample IELTS Essay for the IELTS Essay topic:

There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

Direct question essay

Introduction

State your opinion clearly. Explain in brief what you are going to write in the body of your essay.

Nowadays, there are many different types of music genres all around the world. Music can stimulate the mind.

Paragraph 1: Music helps to uplift the moods of people. It also helps people unwind from the tedious, monotonous daily routine.

Paragraph 2: There are several different types of music practised and listened to in the world. However, some people believe that traditional music is compelling.

Restate your opinion in clear and direct sentences.

Sample Essay

Nowadays, there are many different types of music genres all around the world. Music can stimulate the mind. There are many healing attributes in music that one can listen to and get benefitted. The melodies or themes, the harmony, the driving or relaxed rhythm, and many other factors can all be considered. Every country recognizes two sorts of traditions: traditional and internal. Traditional music connects people to their cultural roots, whereas international music promotes globalization.

Primarily, music helps to uplift the moods of people. It also helps people unwind from the monotonous daily routine. Many individuals use music as a kind of therapy to cure mental illnesses and reduce anxiety. Music also helps individuals learn and grasp the whole range of human emotions and experiences. Besides that, music at celebrations, festivals, and gatherings, generates a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. Music has been seen as a form of human expression and enjoyment since the dawn of time.

There are several different types of music practised and listened to in the world. However, some people believe that traditional music is compelling. Traditional music is said to have its origins in culture and expresses a community’s history, customs, and thoughts. Indian classical music, for example, represents the people’s faith and is revered as holy as religion. In contrast, international music is solely for enjoyment. Traditional music connects a man to his cultural history, but international music promotes globalization, and, as a result, one’s cultural identity may be lost.

Overall, music is essential for human beings as it provides the tired mind a healthy entertainment and helps release work pressure. Despite the fact that international music entices people and is a fantastic source of entertainment, traditional music has roots in one’s culture. Therefore, it can help one learn more about their country and its foundations.

Band 9 Vocabulary

Meaning: (noun) a style or category of art, music, or literature. Eg: Elsa likes to listen to the pop music genre.

Meaning: (verb) to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity Eg: An increase in employment wages might stimulate production.

Meaning: (noun) a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying; a tune. Eg: Rita likes the melodies of the violin.

Meaning: (noun) the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce a pleasing effect. Eg: William likes to live in harmony with nature.

Meaning: (verb) attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage. Eg: Special discounts during the festive season entice people to buy.

• Foundations

Meaning: (noun) an underlying basis or principle. Eg: Students should have a solid foundation in English.

Meaning: (adjective) dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest. Eg: Fiza is tired of her monotonous life.

Meaning: (adverb) not involving anyone or anything else; only. Eg: Your success solely depends on your hard work and perseverance.

• Dawn of time 

Meaning: (phrase) time when new period in history begins Eg: Since the dawn of time, the British empire has been the most powerful.

• Contemporary 

Meaning: (adjective) belonging to or occurring in the present. Eg: Daniel is a contemporary writer.

More Writing Task 2 Essay Topics

• Under British and Australian Laws a Jury in a Criminal Case Has no Access to Information
• Modern Technology is Now Very Common in Most Workplaces
• Many Criminals Commit Further Crimes as Soon as They Released From Prison
• Consumers Are Faced With Increasing Numbers of Advertisements From Competing Companies
• Some People Think That a Sense of Competition in Children Should be Encouraged
• IELTS Essay Topics
• IELTS Sample essays
• IELTS Writing task 2 Tips
• Tips to Improve IELTS Writing Skills
• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

Start Preparing for IELTS: Get Your 10-Day Study Plan Today!

Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

Explore other Direct Question Essays

Raajdeep Saha

Kasturika Samanta

Post your Comments

Recent articles.

Nehasri Ravishenbagam

Our Offices

Gurgaon city scape, gurgaon bptp.

Step 1 of 3

Great going .

Get a free session from trainer

Have you taken test before?

Please select any option

Get free eBook to excel in test

Please enter Email ID

Get support from an Band 9 trainer

Please enter phone number

Already Registered?

Select a date

Please select a date

Select a time (IST Time Zone)

Please select a time

Mark Your Calendar: Free Session with Expert on

Which exam are you preparing?

Great Going!

IELTS General Training

A hub for IELTS GT test takers to help them reach their goal.

Essay 22 – Is traditional music more important than International music

Gt writing task 2 (essay writing) sample # 22.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic:

There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

You should write at least 250 words.

Use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Model Answer 1: [View: Neutral Opinion]

Music is an intrinsic part of human culture and plays a significant role in our lives. This essay aims to explore the importance of music and examine whether traditional music holds more significance than international music in today’s globalized world.

One of the primary reasons why we need music is its ability to evoke emotions and enhance our well-being. Music has a profound impact on our mood, relieving stress, and providing comfort and solace. It serves as a universal language that transcends barriers and allows individuals to connect with their inner selves and with others. Moreover, music serves as a means of cultural expression and promoting cultural identity.

The traditional music of a country carries the legacy of its people, their history, values, and customs. It serves as a cultural archive, reflecting the unique heritage of a nation and providing a sense of belonging to its citizens.

However, in today’s interconnected world, international music has become increasingly prevalent. It offers a platform for cross-cultural exchange and allows individuals to appreciate diverse musical styles and genres. International music fosters cultural understanding and promotes unity among people from different backgrounds. While traditional music holds cultural significance, it is important to recognize the value of international music in enriching our musical experiences. Global music collaborations and fusion of different styles can lead to the creation of innovative and captivating melodies that resonate with a wider audience.

In conclusion, music serves as a universal language that evokes emotions, promotes well-being, and fosters cultural expression. While traditional music is vital in preserving cultural heritage, international music has its own merits in promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Rather than viewing traditional and international music as mutually exclusive, it is essential to embrace both and celebrate the richness and diversity of musical expressions.

Model Answer 2: [Neutral opinion]

We love listening to music whether we are at home, at work or on the streets. In fact, music has become a part of our daily life whether it is traditional music or international music. Therefore it is fair to suggest that we need music because it is good for our souls, and it helps calm us down during the time of stress and anxiety besides conveying our human feeling from generation to generation. Because both “traditional music” and “international music” types enjoy a certain degree of popularity among music lovers, I am not hesitant to say that both of them are equally important for a country.

Traditional music, of course, can help understand the important elements of culture, heritage, history and the emotions of a particular country. But that does not necessarily mean that those particular “elements” always remain the same. They also go through some internal changes as time progresses, and simply because we, humans, are just not programmed to remain the same always. These changes are certainly reflected in “traditional music” as well, be it through a different kind of rhythm or a different kind of musical instrument. And, if these “changes” indeed are incorporated into the “traditional music”, they do not always remain “traditional”! Besides, who is to decide what is “traditional music” and which is ‘international music”, when many “not-so” traditional elements of international music are getting integrated into traditional music easily and rather “successfully” sometimes. For example, the “traditional tabla” (made of woods) in Bangladeshi folk songs is frequently being replaced by “metal made drums”, but it doesn’t exactly reduce the appeal and traditional value of that particular type of folklore songs in any manner.

Then, of course, there are satellite TV channels and the internet which have virtually erased the already “not-so” visible boundary line between traditional music and international music whereby we are continuously being “subject” to the music of other countries. Sometimes, we actually even like music from other countries. But in that case, it does not mean that our traditional music is becoming any less important to us.

To conclude, traditional music and international music are equally important for a country if it wants to preserve and also carry forward its traditions and cultures.

Model Answer 3: [View: traditional music is more important than the international music ]

Music is an essential cultural and traditional component of a nation and a rich variety of music could be found all around the world that not only entertains us but also expresses our joy, nationalism, freedom, happiness, love and struggles in the finest form of arts. Despite the huge popularity of international music, traditional music is still more important due to its adherence to the traditional aspects of a country.

We need music because it makes our life meaningful and accompanies us throughout our lives. In our childhood, we listen to and learn music simply as a form of entertainment and joy. We learn to sing our national anthem and our parents sing to us to help us sleep. Later in life, we come across a variety of songs and music as part of our life stories and our favourite music often defines the person we become. In our old age, we see life and recite memories through music we love. Music both expresses and arouses emotions in a way that words alone cannot, and it tells stories of our lives that we long to hear. Thus we need music to relax, be entertained, be inspired, express our feelings and often relieve boredom in life.

In considering which kind of music is the most important, we must acknowledge that traditional music teaches people about their history and helps people remember and retain their national and cultural identity. International music is often set in a totally different environment that we have no experience in and despite engaging and entertaining lyrics and music style, it is often a commercial product which fails to reflect the true stories in our life. Traditional music, by contrast, expresses the culture, tradition and history of a country and gives narratives of people and their life in a way that will be always relevant. Thus traditional music, without any doubt, is more important for us as people in a society and a country.

In conclusion, music is a crucial part of our life and existence, and I believe that traditional music should be given more importance than international music so that we can enjoy music not only for entertainment’s sake but also to learn who we really are.

Model Answer 4: [View: International music is more important than traditional music ]

In this day and age, different kinds of music genres prevail around the globe and one can find a stunning range of categories and styles according to his choice. No doubt, music is of critical importance to us for several reasons and despite conventional music nurturing nationalism, I unswervingly believe that global music is highly significant by reason of diversity.

No matter when, where and how music was invented, it has been playing a vital role in our society for a really long. Music can touch our feelings and even change them by soothing the nerves and many researchers suggest that music can invoke catharsis feelings in the listeners who have emotional stress and tension. In addition to this, music can reach the core of our minds and inspire us greatly. That is why, in nursing homes, they commence with musical therapy so as to let the old people remember the incidents of their sweet past.

International music is of considerable importance despite the fact that folk music resonates with the culture, heritage and legacy of a nation. There are myriad reasons in favour of international music. The most prominent one is solidarity. In simple words, world music brings together a diverse range of cultures and histories and thereby demonstrates different paradigms of notions, worldviews and so forth; which in turn transcend cultural differences and tear down the barriers of social class, ethnicity, national identity and so on. A case in point is the song “Wind of Change” by Scorpions, which is a rallying cry for unification and for freedom and a message of hope.

On a final note, traditional music is a strong carrier of the culture, history, and heritage of a nation. Nevertheless, global music paves the way for international unity which is crucial as the world we live in has become a global village.

One Comment to “Essay 22 – Is traditional music more important than International music”

The importance and popularity of various genres of music, all around the world, are undeniable, and music is called the food for our soul. Nevertheless, with the popularity of various international music, it is necessary to underline the importance of traditional music in an era of globalization, as traditional music allows small nations to keep their tradition alive.

We need music because music speaks out the heart and aids cognitive development. It also allows people to pass through the hard moments in life by inspiring them. Music not only calms our nervous system but teaches us how to continue to persuade our aims, regardless of the external circumstances. That is why music is extremely important and popular among people. When humans fall in love or struggle to find themselves in the big world, music accompany them. In an era of competition and mechanisation and immediate gratification, music plays the role of the counter-balance, which balances our life by affiliating our emotional tensions.

It is at the same time crucial to underline the significance of traditional music in an era of globalization and cutting-edge portable devices which promote international music and decrease the diversity of cultures. Traditional music nowadays is not popular, especially among the young generation but plays a crucial role in keeping our important traditions, national customs alive. Therefore traditional music is often played in various national holidays and events. Traditional music is able to gather people who belong to the same cultural and religious affiliations together and enrich the bonds among the same nations who live today in a different part of the world. For example, a range of Indian communities, which nowadays exist all around the globe, still listen to their own traditional music, and it allows them to maintain and successfully translate various national traditions to the next generation who was born and grew up abroad, away from their homeland.

In conclusion, music is a necessary element of our life that supports and cures our emotional states. The significance of traditional music might be seen in its ability to save and translate cultural traditions among generations.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Overview

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Front Psychol

The psychological functions of music listening

Thomas schäfer.

1 Department of Psychology, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany

Peter Sedlmeier

Christine städtler, david huron.

2 School of Music, Cognitive and Systematic Musicology Laboratory, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

Why do people listen to music? Over the past several decades, scholars have proposed numerous functions that listening to music might fulfill. However, different theoretical approaches, different methods, and different samples have left a heterogeneous picture regarding the number and nature of musical functions. Moreover, there remains no agreement about the underlying dimensions of these functions. Part one of the paper reviews the research contributions that have explicitly referred to musical functions. It is concluded that a comprehensive investigation addressing the basic dimensions underlying the plethora of functions of music listening is warranted. Part two of the paper presents an empirical investigation of hundreds of functions that could be extracted from the reviewed contributions. These functions were distilled to 129 non-redundant functions that were then rated by 834 respondents. Principal component analysis suggested three distinct underlying dimensions: People listen to music to regulate arousal and mood , to achieve self-awareness , and as an expression of social relatedness . The first and second dimensions were judged to be much more important than the third—a result that contrasts with the idea that music has evolved primarily as a means for social cohesion and communication. The implications of these results are discussed in light of theories on the origin and the functionality of music listening and also for the application of musical stimuli in all areas of psychology and for research in music cognition.

Introduction

Music listening is one of the most enigmatic of human behaviors. Most common behaviors have a recognizable utility that can be plausibly traced to the practical motives of survival and procreation. Moreover, in the array of seemingly odd behaviors, few behaviors match music for commandeering so much time, energy, and money. Music listening is one of the most popular leisure activities. Music is a ubiquitous companion to people's everyday lives.

The enthusiasm for music is not a recent development. Recognizably musical activities appear to have been present in every known culture on earth, with ancient roots extending back 250,000 years or more (see Zatorre and Peretz, 2001 ). The ubiquity and antiquity of music has inspired considerable speculation regarding its origin and function.

Throughout history, scholars of various stripes have pondered the nature of music. Philosophers, psychologists, anthropologists, musicologists, and neuroscientists have proposed a number of theories concerning the origin and purpose of music and some have pursued scientific approaches to investigating them (e.g., Fitch, 2006 ; Peretz, 2006 ; Levitin, 2007 ; Schäfer and Sedlmeier, 2010 ).

The origin of music is shrouded in prehistory. There is little physical evidence—like stone carvings or fossilized footprints—that might provide clues to music's past. Necessarily, hypotheses concerning the original functions of music will remain speculative. Nevertheless, there are a number of plausible and interesting conjectures that offer useful starting-points for investigating the functions of music.

A promising approach to the question of music's origins focuses on how music is used—that is, it's various functions. In fact, many scholars have endeavored to enumerate various musical functions (see below). The assumption is that the function(s) that music is presumed to have served in the past would be echoed in at least one of the functions that music serves today. Of course, how music is used today need have no relationship with music's function(s) in the remote past. Nevertheless, evidence from modern listeners might provide useful clues pertinent to theorizing about origins.

In proposing various musical functions, not all scholars have related these functions to music's presumed evolutionary roots. For many scholars, the motivation has been simply to identify the multiple ways in which music is used in everyday lives (e.g., Chamorro-Premuzic and Furnham, 2007 ; Boer, 2009 ; Lonsdale and North, 2011 ; Packer and Ballantyne, 2011 ). Empirical studies of musical functions have been very heterogeneous. Some studies were motivated by questions related to development. Many related to social identity. Others were motivated by cognitive psychology, aesthetics, cultural psychology, or personality psychology. In addition, studies differed according to the target population. While some studies attempted to assemble representative samples of listeners, others explicitly focused on specific populations such as adolescents. Most studies rely on convenient samples of students. Consequently, the existing literature is something of a hodgepodge.

The aim of the present study is to use the extant literature as a point of departure for a fresh re-appraisal of possible musical functions. In Part 1 of our study, we summarize the results of an extensive literature survey concerning the possible functions of music. Specifically, we identified and skimmed hundreds of publications that explicitly suggest various functions, uses, or benefits for music. We provide separate overviews for the empirical literatures and the theoretical literatures. This survey resulted in just over 500 proposed musical functions. We do not refer to each of the identified publications but concentrate on the ones that have identified either more than one single function of music listening or a single unique function that is not captured in any other publication. In Part 2, we present the results of an empirical study whose purpose was to distill—using principal components analysis (PCA)—the many proposed functions of music listening. To anticipate our results, we will see that PCA suggests three main dimensions that can account for much of the shared variance in the proposed musical functions.

Review of the research on the functions of music

Discussions and speculations regarding the functions of music listening can be found in both theoretical literature concerning music as well as in empirical studies of music. Below, we offer a review of both literatures. The contents of the reviews are summarized in Tables ​ TablesA1, A1 , ​ ,A2. A2 . Table ​ TableA1 A1 provides an overview of theoretical proposals regarding musical function, whereas Table ​ TableA2 A2 provides an overview of empirical studies regarding musical function. Together, the two tables provide a broad inventory of potential functions for music.

Theoretical approaches

Many scholars have discussed potential functions of music exclusively from a theoretical point of view. The most prominent of these approaches or theories are the ones that make explicit evolutionary claims. However, there are also other, non-evolutionary approaches such as experimental aesthetics or the uses-and-gratifications approach. Functions of music were derived deductively from these approaches and theories. In addition, in the literature, one commonly finds lists or collections of functions that music can have. Most of these lists are the result of literature searches; in other cases authors provide no clear explanation for how they came up with the functions they list. Given the aim of assembling a comprehensive list, all works are included in our summary.

Functions of music as they derive from specific approaches or theories

Evolutionary approaches. Evolutionary discussions of music can already be found in the writings of Darwin. Darwin discussed some possibilities but felt there was no satisfactory solution to music's origins (Darwin, 1871 , 1872 ). His intellectual heirs have been less cautious. Miller ( 2000 ), for instance, has argued that music making is a reasonable index of biological fitness, and so a manifestation of sexual selection—analogous to the peacock's tail. Anyone who can afford the biological luxury of making music must be strong and healthy. Thus, music would offer an honest social signal of physiological fitness.

Another line of theorizing refers to music as a means of social and emotional communication. For example, Panksepp and Bernatzky ( 2002 , p. 139) argued that

in social creatures like ourselves, whose ancestors lived in arboreal environments where sound was one of the most effective ways to coordinate cohesive group activities, reinforce social bonds, resolve animosities, and to establish stable hierarchies of submission and dominance, there could have been a premium on being able to communicate shades of emotional meaning by the melodic character (prosody) of emitted sounds.

A similar idea is that music contributes to social cohesion and thereby increases the effectiveness of group action. Work and war songs, lullabies, and national anthems have bound together families, groups, or whole nations. Relatedly, music may provide a means to reduce social stress and temper aggression in others. The idea that music may function as a social cement has many proponents (see Huron, 2001 ; Mithen, 2006 ; Bicknell, 2007 ).

A novel evolutionary theory is offered by Falk ( 2004a , b ) who has proposed that music arose from humming or singing intended to maintain infant-mother attachment. Falk's “putting-down-the-baby hypothesis” suggests that mothers would have profited from putting down their infants in order to make their hands free for other activities. Humming or singing consequently arose as a consoling signal indicating caretaker proximity in the absence of physical touch.

Another interesting conjecture relates music to human anxiety related to death, and the consequent quest for meaning. Dissanayake ( 2009 ), for example, has argued that humans have used music to help cope with awareness of life's transitoriness. In a manner similar to religious beliefs about the hereafter or a higher transcendental purpose, music can help assuage human anxiety concerning mortality (see, e.g., Newberg et al., 2001 ). Neurophysiological studies regarding music-induced chills can be interpreted as congruent with this conjecture. For example, music-induced chills produce reduced activity in brain structures associated with anxiety (Blood and Zatorre, 2001 ).

Related ideas stress the role music plays in feelings of transcendence. For example, (Frith, 1996 , p. 275) has noted that: “We all hear the music we like as something special, as something that defies the mundane, takes us “out of ourselves,” puts us somewhere else.” Thus, music may provide a means of escape. The experience of flow states (Nakamura and Csikszentmihalyi, 2009 ), peaks (Maslow, 1968 ), and chills (Panksepp, 1995 ), which are often evoked by music listening, might similarly be interpreted as forms of transcendence or escapism (see also Fachner, 2008 ).

More generally, Schubert ( 2009 ) has argued that the fundamental function of music is its potential to produce pleasure in the listener (and in the performer, as well). All other functions may be considered subordinate to music's pleasure-producing capacity. Relatedly, music might have emerged as a safe form of time-passing—analogous to the sleeping behaviors found among many predators. As humans became more effective hunters, music might have emerged merely as an entertaining and innocuous way to pass time during waking hours (see Huron, 2001 ).

The above theories each stress a single account of music's origins. In addition, there are mixed theories that posit a constellation of several concurrent functions. Anthropological accounts of music often refer to multiple social and cultural benefits arising from music. Merriam ( 1964 ) provides a seminal example. In his book, The anthropology of music , Merriam proposed 10 social functions music can serve (e.g., emotional expression, communication, and symbolic representation). Merriam's work has had a lasting influence among music scholars, but also led many scholars to focus exclusively on the social functions of music. Following in the tradition of Merriam, Dissanayake ( 2006 ) proposed six social functions of ritual music (such as display of resources, control, and channeling of individual aggression, and the facilitation of courtship).

Non-evolutionary approaches. Many scholars have steered clear of evolutionary speculation about music, and have instead focused on the ways in which people use music in their everyday lives today. A prominent approach is the “uses-and-gratifications” approach (e.g., Arnett, 1995 ). This approach focuses on the needs and concerns of the listeners and tries to explain how people actively select and use media such as music to serve these needs and concerns. Arnett ( 1995 ) provides a list of potential uses of music such as entertainment, identity formation, sensation seeking, or culture identification.

Another line of research is “experimental aesthetics” whose proponents investigate the subjective experience of beauty (both artificial or natural), and the ensuing experience of pleasure. For example, in discussing the “recent work in experimental aesthetics,” Bullough ( 1921 ) distinguished several types of listeners and pointed to the fact that music can be used to activate associations, memories, experiences, moods, and emotions.

By way of summary, many musical functions have been proposed in the research literature. Evolutionary speculations have tended to focus on single-source causes such as music as an indicator of biological fitness, music as a means for social and emotional communication, music as social glue, music as a way of facilitating caretaker mobility, music as a means of tempering anxiety about mortality, music as escapism or transcendental meaning, music as a source of pleasure, and music as a means for passing time. Other accounts have posited multiple concurrent functions such as the plethora of social and cultural functions of music found in anthropological writings about music. Non-evolutionary approaches are evident in the uses-and-gratifications approach—which revealed a large number of functions that can be summarized as cognitive, emotional, social, and physiological functions—and the experimental aesthetics approach, whose proposed functions can similarly be summarized as cognitive and emotional functions.

Functions of music as they derive from literature research

As noted, many publications posit musical functions without providing a clear connection to any theory. Most of these works are just collections of functions of music from the literature. Not least, there are also accounts of such collections where it remained unclear how the author(s) came up with the functions contained. Some of these works refer to only one single function of music—most often because this functional aspect was investigated not with the focus on music but with a focus on other psychological phenomena. Yet other works list extensive collections of purported musical functions.

Works that refer to only one single functional aspect of music include possible therapeutic functions for music in clinical settings (Cook, 1986 ; Frohne-Hagemann and Pleß-Adamczyk, 2005 ), the use of music for symbolic exclusion in political terms (Bryson, 1996 ), the syntactic, semantic, and mediatizing use of film music (Maas, 1993 ), and the use of music to manage physiological arousal (Bartlett, 1996 ).

The vast majority of publications identify several possible musical functions, most of which—as stated above—are clearly focused on social aspects. Several comprehensive collections have been assembled, such as those by Baacke ( 1984 ), Gregory ( 1997 ), Ruud ( 1997 ), Roberts and Christenson ( 2001 ), Engh ( 2006 ), and Laiho ( 2004 ). Most of these studies identified a very large number of potential functions of music.

By way of summary, there exists a long tradition of theorizing about the potential functions of music. Although some of these theories have been deduced from a prior theoretical framework, none was the result of empirical testing or exploratory data-gathering. In the ensuing section, we turn to consider empirically-oriented research regarding the number and nature of potential musical functions.

Empirical investigations

A number of studies have approached the functions of music from an empirical perspective. Two main approaches might be distinguished. In the first approach, the research aim is to uncover or document actual musical functioning. That is, the research aims to observe or identify one or more ways in which music is used in daily life. In the second approach, the research goal is to infer the structure or pattern underlying the use of music. That is, the research aims to uncover potential basic or fundamental dimensions implied by the multiple functions of music. This is mostly done using PCA or factor analyses or cluster analyses that reduce a large number of functions to only a few basic dimensions. In some cases, the analyses are run exploratively whereas in other cases, they are run in a confirmatory way, that is—with a predefined number of dimensions. The empirical studies can be categorized according to several criteria (see Table ​ TableA2). A2 ). However, when discussing some of the most important works here, we will separate studies where respondents were asked for the functions of music in open surveys from studies where the authors provided their own collections of functions, based on either literature research or face validity.

Surveys about the functions music can have

A number of studies have attempted to chronicle the broad range of musical functions. Most of these studies employed surveys in which people were asked to identify the ways in which they make use of music in their lives. In some studies, expert interviews were conducted in order to identify possible functions. Table ​ TableA2 A2 provides a summary of all the pertinent studies including their collections of functions and—where applicable—their derived underlying dimensions. We will restrict our ensuing remarks to the largest and most comprehensive studies.

Chamorro-Premuzic and Furnham ( 2007 ) identified 15 functions of music among students and subsequently ran focus groups from which they distilled three distinct dimensions: emotional use, rational use, and background use. Some of the largest surveys have been carried out by Boer ( 2009 ). She interviewed more than a thousand young people in different countries and assembled a comprehensive collection of musical functions. Using factor analysis, she found 10 underlying dimensions: emotion, friends, family, venting, background, dancing, focus, values, politic, and culture. (Lonsdale and North, 2011 , Study 1) pursued a uses-and-gratifications approach. They identified 30 musical uses that could be reduced to six distinct dimensions. In a related study employing a larger sample, the same authors came up with eight distinct dimensions: identity, positive and negative mood management, reminiscing, diversion, arousal, surveillance, and social interaction (Lonsdale and North, 2011 , Study 4). When interviewing older participants, Hays and Minichiello ( 2005 ) qualitatively identified six dimensions: linking, life events, sharing and connecting, wellbeing, therapeutic benefits, escapism, and spirituality.

The various surveys and interview studies clearly diverge with regard to the number of different musical functions. Similarly, the various cluster and factor analyses often end up producing different numbers of distinct dimensions. Nevertheless, the results are often quite similar. On a very broad level, there are four categories that appear consistently: social functions, emotional functions, cognitive or self-related functions, and physiological or arousal-related functions (see also Hargreaves and North, 1999 ; Schäfer and Sedlmeier, 2009 , 2010 ).

Empirical studies using predefined collections of functions of music

Apart from the open-ended surveys and interview methods, a number of studies investigating musical functions begin with researcher-defined collections or even categories/dimensions. Some of these predefined collections or categories/dimensions were simply borrowed from the existing published research, whereas others were derived from specific theoretical perspectives.

Empirical studies on functions of music emerging from specific theoretical approaches. Some of the above mentioned theoretical approaches to the functionality of music have been investigated in empirical studies. Boehnke and Münch ( 2003 ) developed a model of the relationship of adolescents' development, music, and media use. They proposed seven functions of music that relate to the developmental issues of young people (such as peer group integration, physical maturation, or identity development). In two studies with a large number of participants, Lonsdale and North ( 2011 ) applied the model of media gratification (from McQuail et al., 1972 ) and used a collection of 30 functions of music they assembled from literature research and interviews. In both studies, they ran factor analyses—reducing the number of functions to six dimensions and eight dimensions, respectively. Lehmann ( 1994 ) developed a situations-functions-preference model and proposed that music preferences emerge from the successful use of music to serve specific functions for the listener, depending on the current situation. Lehmann identified 68 ways in which people use music, from which he was able to reduce them to 15 music reception strategies (Rezeptionsweisen) such as compensation/escapism, relaxation, and identification. Misenhelter and Kaiser ( 2008 ) adopted Merriam's ( 1964 ) anthropological approach and attempted to identify the functions of music in the context of music education. They surveyed teachers and students and found six basic functions that were quite similar to the ones proposed by Merriam ( 1964 ). Wells and Hakanen ( 1997 ) adopted Zillmann's ( 1988a , b ) mood management theory and identified four types of users regarding the emotional functions of music: mainstream, music lover, indifferent, and heavy rockers.

Empirical studies on functions of music emerging from literature research. A number of studies have made use of predefined musical functions borrowed from the existing research literature. The significance of these functions and/or their potential underlying structure has then been empirically investigated using different samples. As mentioned, not all of those studies tried to assemble an exhaustive collection of musical functions in order to produce a comprehensive picture of the functions of music; but many studies were focused on specific aspects such as the emotional, cognitive, or social functions of music.

Schäfer and Sedlmeier ( 2009 ) collected 17 functions of music from the literature and found functions related to the management of mood and arousal as well as self-related functions to be the ones that people highly ascribe to their favorite music. Tarrant et al. ( 2000 ) used a collection of 10 functions of music from the literature and factor analyzed them resulting in three distinct dimensions of music use: self-related, emotional, and social.

Sun and Lull ( 1986 ) collected 18 functions of music videos and were able to reduce them to four dimensions: social learning, passing time, escapism/mood, and social interaction. Melton and Galician ( 1987 ) identified 15 functions of radio music and music videos; and Greasley and Lamont ( 2011 ) collected 15 functions of music, as well. Ter Bogt et al. ( 2011 ) collected 19 functions of music from the literature and used confirmatory factor analysis to group them into five dimensions. In a clinical study with adolescents, Walker Kennedy ( 2010 ) found 47 functions of music that could be reduced to five dimensions.

By way of summary, extant empirical studies have used either an open approach—trying to capture the variety of musical functions in the course of surveys or questionnaire studies—or predefined collections of functions as they resulted from specific theoretical approaches or from literature research. These different approaches have led to quite heterogeneous collections of possible musical functions—from only few functions posited by a specific hypothesis, to long lists arising from open surveys. Moreover, although the many attempts to distill the functions of music to fewer dimensions have produced some points of agreement, the overall picture remains unclear.

The structure among the functions of music

With each successive study of musical functions, the aggregate list of potential uses has grown longer. Questionnaire studies, in particular, have led to the proliferation of possible ways in which music may be relevant in people's lives. Even if one sidesteps the question of possible evolutionary origins, the multitude of hundreds of proposed functions raises the question of whether these might not be distilled to a smaller set of basic dimensions.

As noted earlier, previous research appears to converge on four dimensions: social functions (such as the expression of one's identity or personality), emotional functions (such as the induction of positive feelings), cogni tive or self-related functions (such as escapism), and arousal-related functions (such as calming down or passing time). These four dimensions might well account for the basic ways in which people use music in their daily lives.

Notice that cluster analysis and PCA/factor analysis presume that the research begins with a range of variables that ultimately capture all of the factors or dimensions pertaining to the phenomenon under consideration. The omission of even a single variable can theoretically lead to incomplete results if that variable proves to share little variance in common with the other variables. For example, in studying the factors that contribute to a person's height, the failure to include a variable related to developmental nutrition will led to deceptive results; one might wrongly conclude that only genetic factors are important. The validity of these analyses depends, in part, on including a sufficient range of variables so that all of the pertinent factors or dimensions are likely to emerge.

Accordingly, we propose to address the question of musical functions anew, starting with the most comprehensive list yet of potential music-related functions. In addition, we will aim to recruit a sample of participants covering all age groups, a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, and pursue our analysis without biasing the materials to any specific theory.

Fundamental functions of music—a comprehensive empirical study

The large number of functions of music that research has identified during the last decades has raised the question of a potential underlying structure: Are there functions that are more fundamental and are there others that can be subsumed under the fundamental ones? And if so, how many fundamental functions are there? As we have outlined above, many scientists have been in search of basic distinct dimensions among the functions of music. They have used statistical methods that help uncover such dimensions among a large number of variables: factor analyses or cluster analyses.

However, as we have also seen, the approaches and methods have been as different as the various functions suggested. For instance, some scholars have focused exclusively on the social functions of music while others have been interested in only the emotional ones; some used only adolescent participants while others consulted only older people. Thus, these researchers arrived at different categorizations according to their particular approach. To date, there is still no conclusive categorization of the functions of music into distinct dimensions, which makes psychological studies that rely on the use of music and its effects on cognition, emotion, and behavior still difficult (see also Stefanija, 2007 ). Although there exist some theoretically driven claims about what fundamental dimensions there might be (Tarrant et al., 2000 ; Laiho, 2004 ; Schubert, 2009 ; Lonsdale and North, 2011 ), there has been no large-scale empirical study that analyzed the number and nature of distinct dimensions using the broad range of all potential musical functions—known so far—all at once.

We sought to remedy this deficiency by assembling an exhaustive list of the functions of music that have been identified in past research and putting them together in one questionnaire study. Based on the research reviewed in the first part of this study, we identified more than 500 items concerned with musical use or function. Specifically, we assembled an aggregate list of all the questions and statements encountered in the reviewed research that were either theoretically derived or used in empirical studies. Of course, many of the items are similar, analogous, or true duplicates. After eliminating or combining redundant items, we settled on a list of 129 distinct items. All of the items were phrased as statements in the form “I listen to music because … ” The complete list of items is given in Table ​ TableA3, A3 , together with their German versions as used in our study.

Participants were asked to rate how strongly they agreed with each item-statement on a scale from 0 ( not at all ) to 6 ( fully agree ). When responding to items, participants were instructed to think of any style of music and of any situation in which they would listen to music. In order to obtain a sample that was heterogeneous with regard to age and socioeconomic background, we distributed flyers promoting the Internet link to our study in a local electronics superstore. Recruitment of participants was further pursued via some mailing lists of German universities, students from comprehensive schools, and members of a local choir. As an incentive, respondents got the chance to win a tablet computer. A total of 834 people completed the survey. Respondents ranged from 8 to 85 years of age ( M = 26, SD = 10.4, 57% female).

Notice that in carrying out such a survey, we are assuming that participants have relatively accurate introspective access to their own motivations in pursuing particular musical behaviors, and that they are able to accurately recall the appropriate experiences. Of course, there exists considerable empirical research casting doubt on the accuracy of motivational introspection in self-report tasks (e.g., Wilson, 2002 ; Hirstein, 2005 ; Fine, 2006 ). These caveats notwithstanding, in light of the limited options for gathering pertinent empirical data, we nevertheless chose to pursue a survey-based approach.

Principal component analysis revealed three distinct dimensions behind the 129 items (accounting for about 40% of the variance), based on the scree plot. This solution was consistent over age groups and genders. The first dimension (eigenvalue: 15.2%) includes statements about self-related thoughts (e.g., music helps me think about myself), emotions and sentiments (e.g., music conveys feelings), absorption (e.g., music distracts my mind from the outside world), escapism (e.g., music makes me forget about reality), coping (e.g., music makes me believe I'm better able to cope with my worries), solace (e.g., music gives comfort to me when I'm sad), and meaning (e.g., music adds meaning to my life). It appears that this dimension expresses a very private relationship with music listening. Music helps people think about who they are, who they would like to be, and how to cut their own path. We suggest labeling this dimension self-awareness . The second dimension (eigenvalue: 13.7%) includes statements about social bonding and affiliation (e.g., music helps me show that I belong to a given social group; music makes me feel connected to my friends; music tells me how other people think). People can use music to feel close to their friends, to express their identity and values to others, and to gather information about their social environment. We suggest labeling this dimension social relatedness . The third dimension (eigenvalue: 10.2%) includes statements about the use of music as background entertainment and diversion (e.g., music is a great pastime; music can take my mind off things) and as a means to get into a positive mood and regulate one's physiological arousal (e.g., music can make me cheerful; music helps me relax; music makes me more alert). We suggest labeling this dimension arousal and mood regulation . All factor loadings are reported in Table ​ TableA3 A3 .

In order to analyze the relative significance of the three derived dimensions for the listeners, we averaged the ratings for all items contained in each dimension (see Figure ​ Figure1). 1 ). Arousal and mood regulation proved to be the most important dimension of music listening closely followed by self-awareness. These two dimensions appear to represent the two most potent reasons offered by people to explain why they listen to music, whereas social relatedness seems to be a relatively less important reason (ranging below the scale mean). This pattern was consistent across genders, socioeconomic backgrounds, and age groups. All differences between the three dimensions are significant (all p s < 0.001). The reliability indices (Cronbach's α) for the three dimensions are α = 0.97 for the first, α = 0.96 for the second, and α = 0.92 for the third dimension.

The three distinct dimensions emerging from 129 reasons for listening to music . Error bars are 95% confidence intervals. Self-awareness: M = 3.59 ( SE = 0.037); social relatedness: M = 2.01 ( SE = 0.035); arousal and mood regulation: M = 3.78 ( SE = 0.032).

General discussion

Since the earliest writing on the psychology of music, researchers have been concerned with the many ways in which people use music in their lives. In the first part of this paper, we reviewed literature spanning psychological, musicological, biological, and anthropological perspectives on musical function. The picture that emerged from our review was somewhat confusing. Surveying the literature from the past 50 years, we identified more than 500 purported functions for music. From this list, we assembled a somewhat catholic list of 129 non-redundant musical functions. We then tested the verisimilitude of these posited functions by collecting survey responses from a comparatively large sample. PCA revealed just three distinct dimensions: People listen to music to achieve self-awareness , social relatedness , and arousal and mood regulation . We propose calling these the Big Three of music listening.

In part one of our study we noted that several empirical studies suggest grouping musical functions according to four dimensions: cognitive, emotional, social/cultural, and physiological/arousal-related functions. This raises the question of how our three-dimensional result might be reconciled with the earlier work. We propose that there is a rather straightforward interpretation that allows the four-dimensional perspective to be understood within our three-dimensional result. Cognitive functions are captured by the first dimension (self-awareness); social/cultural functions are captured by the second dimensions (social relatedness); physiological/arousal-related functions are captured by the third dimension (arousal and mood regulation); and emotional functions are captured by the first and third dimensions (self-awareness + arousal and mood regulation). Notably—as can be seen with the items in Table ​ TableA3—there A3 —there is a dissociation of emotion-related and mood-related functions. Emotions clearly appear in the first dimension (e.g., music conveys feelings; music can lighten my mood; music helps me better understand my thoughts and emotions), indicating that they might play an important role in achieving self-awareness, probably in terms of identity formation and self-perception, respectively. However, the regulation of moods clearly appears in the third dimension (e.g., music makes me cheerful; music can enhance my mood; I'm less bored when I listen to music), suggesting that moods are not central issues pertaining to identity. Along with the maintenance of a pleasant level of physiological arousal, the maintenance of pleasant moods is an effect of music that might rather be utilized as a “background” strategy, that is, not requiring a deep or aware involvement in the music. The regulation of emotions, on the other side, could be a much more conscious strategy requiring deliberate attention and devotion to the music. Music psychology so far has not made a clear distinction between music-related moods and emotions; and the several conceptions of music-related affect remain contentious (see Hunter and Schellenberg, 2010 ). Our results appear to call for a clearer distinction between moods and emotions in music psychology research.

As noted earlier, a presumed evolutionary origin for music need not be reflected in modern responses to music. Nevertheless, it is plausible that continuities exist between modern responses and possible archaic functions. Hence, the functions apparent in our study may echo possible evolutionary functions. The three functional dimensions found in our study are compatible with nearly all of the ideas about the potential evolutionary origin of music mentioned in the introduction. The idea that music had evolved as a means for establishing and regulating social cohesion and communication is consistent with the second dimension. The idea of music satisfying the basic human concerns of anxiety avoidance and quest for meaning is consistent with the first dimension. And the notion that the basic function of music could have been to produce dissociation and pleasure in the listener is consistent with the third dimension.

In light of claims that music evolved primarily as a means for promoting social cohesion and communication—a position favored by many scholars—the results appear noteworthy. Seemingly, people today hardly listen to music for social reasons, but instead use it principally to relieve boredom, maintain a pleasant mood, and create a comfortable private space. Such a private mode of music listening might simply reflect a Western emphasis on individuality: self-acknowledgement and well-being appear to be more highly valued than social relationships and relatedness (see also Roberts and Foehr, 2008 ; Heye and Lamont, 2010 ).

The results of the present study may be of interest to psychologists who make use of music as a tool or stimulus in their research. The way people usually listen to music outside the laboratory will surely influence how they respond to musical stimuli in psychological experiments. For those researchers who make use of music in psychological studies, some attention should be paid to how music is used in everyday life. The three dimensions uncovered in this study can provide a parsimonious means to identify the value a person sets on each of three different types of music use. It is also conceivable that individual patterns of music use are related to personality traits, a conjecture which may warrant future research.

With regard to music cognition, the present results are especially relevant to studies about aesthetic preferences, style or genre preferences, and musical choice. Recent research suggests that musical functions play an important role in the formation and development of music preferences (e.g., Schäfer and Sedlmeier, 2009 ; Rentfrow et al., 2011 ). It will be one of the future tasks of music cognition research to investigate the dependence of music preference and music choice on the functional use of music in people's lives.

By way of summary, in a self-report study, we found that people appear to listen to music for three major reasons, two of which are substantially more important than the third: music offers a valued companion, helps provide a comfortable level of activation and a positive mood, whereas its social importance may have been overvalued.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Overview of theoretical contributions that have derived, proposed, or addressed more than one function or functional aspect of music listening .

Overview about empirical studies that have identified and/or investigated more than one function or functional aspect of music listening .

In some places, we could only provide exemplary functions because either the total number of functions was too large to be displayed here or not all functions were given in the original publications .

The 129 statements referring to the functions of music exhaustively derived from past research, together with their means, standard deviations, and factor loadings (varimax rotated) .

Dimension 1, self-awareness; Dimension 2, social relatedness; Dimension 3, arousal and mood regulation .

• Arnett J. J. (1995). Adolescents' uses of media for self-socialisation . J. Youth Adolesc . 24 , 519–533 [ Google Scholar ]
• Baacke D. (1984). Kommunikations-kultur der Jugend , in Medienpädagogik and Kommunikationskultur. Referate und Texte Nach Dem Ersten “Forum Kommunikationskultur,” ed de Haen I. (Frankfurt am Main: GEP; ), 37–53 [ Google Scholar ]
• Bartlett D. L. (1996). Physiological responses to music and sound stimuli , in Handbook of Music Psychology, 2nd Edn , ed Hodges D. A. (St. Louis, MO: MMB Music; ), 343–385 [ Google Scholar ]
• Bicknell J. (2007). Explaining strong emotional responses to music: sociality and intimacy . J. Conscious. Stud . 14 , 5–23 [ Google Scholar ]
• Blood A. J., Zatorre R. J. (2001). Intensely pleasurable responses to music correlate with activity in brain regions implicated in reward and emotion . Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 98 , 11818–11823 10.1073/pnas.191355898 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Boehnke K., Münch T. (2003). Jugendsozialisation und Medien. Helfen Medien und Musik beim Erwachsenwerden? in Neue Medien im Alltag. Nutzung, Vernetzung, Interaktion , eds Keitel E., Boehnke K., Wenz K. (Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers; ), 203–227 [ Google Scholar ]
• Boer D. (2009). Music Makes the People Come Together: Social Functions of Music Listening for Young People Across Cultures . Department of Psychology. Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington. Available online at: http://researcharchive.vuw.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10063/1155/thesis.pdf?sequence=1
• Brown J. D., Campbell K., Fischer L. (1986). American adolescents and music videos: why do they watch . Int. Commun. Gaz . 37 , 19–32 10.1177/001654928603700104 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Brown S. (2006). How does music work? Toward a pragmatics of musical communication , in Music and Manipulation: On the Social Uses and Social Control of Music , eds Brown S., Volgsten U. (New York, NY: Berghahn Books; ), 1–30 [ Google Scholar ]
• Bryson B. (1996). “Anything but heavy metal”: symbolic exclusion and musical dislikes . Am. Soc. Rev . 61 , 884–899 10.2307/2096459 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Bullough E. (1921). Recent work in experimental aesthetics . Br. J. Psychol . 12 , 76–99 [ Google Scholar ]
• Campbell C., Connell S., Beegle A. P. (2007). Adolescents' expressed meanings of music in and out of school . J. Res. Music Educ . 55 , 220–236 [ Google Scholar ]
• Chamorro-Premuzic T., Furnham A. (2007). Personality and music: can traits explain how people use music in everyday life . Br. J. Psychol . 98 , 175–185 10.1348/000712606X111177 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Coleman J. S. (1961). Psychological effects of the social system , in The Adolescents Society: The Social Life of the Teenager and its Impact on Education , ed Coleman J. S. (Oxford: Free Press of Glencoe; ), 220–243 [ Google Scholar ]
• Cook J. D. (1986). Music as an intervention in the oncology setting . Cancer Nurs . 9 , 23–28 [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Darwin C. (1871). The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex . London: John Murray [ Google Scholar ]
• Darwin C. (1872). The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals . London: John Murray [ Google Scholar ]
• DeNora T. (1999). Music as a technology of the self . Poetics 27 , 31–56 10.1016/S0304-422X(99)00017-0 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Dissanayake E. (2006). Ritual and ritualization: musical means of conveying and shaping emotion in humans and other animals , in Music and Manipulation: On the Social Uses and Social Control of Music , eds Brown S., Volgsten U. (New York, NY: Berghahn Books; ), 31–56 [ Google Scholar ]
• Dissanayake E. (2009). Root, leaf, blossom, or bole: concerning the origin and adaptive function of music , in Communicative Musicality: Exploring the Basis of Human Companionship , eds Malloch S., Trevarthen C. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press; ), 17–30 [ Google Scholar ]
• Engh M. (2006). Popstars als Marke: Identitätsorientiertes Marken-management für die Musikindustrielle Künstlerentwicklung und –Vermarktung . Wiesbaden: Deutscher Universitäts-Verlag [ Google Scholar ]
• Fachner J. (2008). Musik und veränderte Bewusstseinszustände [Music and altered states of consciousness] , in Musikpsychologie. Das neue Handbuch , eds Bruhn H., Kopiez R., Lehmann A. C. (Reinbek: Rowohlt; ), 594–612 [ Google Scholar ]
• Falk D. (2004a). Prelinguistic evolution in early hominins: whence motherese . Behav. Brain Sci . 27 , 491–503 10.1017/S0140525X04000111 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Falk D. (2004b). The “putting the baby down” hypothesis: bipedalism, babbling, and baby slings . Behav. Brain Sci . 27 , 526–534 10.1017/S0140525X0448011X [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Fine C. (2006). A Mind of Its Own: How Your Brain Distorts and Deceives . New York, NY: W.W. Norton [ Google Scholar ]
• Fitch W. T. (2006). The biology and evolution of music: a comparative perspective . Cognition 100 , 173–215 10.1016/j.cognition.2005.11.009 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Frith S. (1996). Performing Rites. On the Value of Popular Music . Oxford: Oxford University Press [ Google Scholar ]
• Frohne-Hagemann I., Pleß-Adamczyk H. (2005). Indikation Musiktherapie bei psychischen Problemen im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Musiktherapeutische Diagnostik und Manual nach ICD-10 . Göttingen: Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht [ Google Scholar ]
• Gantz W., Gartenberg H. M., Pearson M. L., Schiller S. O. (1978). Gratifications and expectations associated with Pop music among adolescents . Pop. Music Soc . 6 , 81–89 10.1080/03007767808591113 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Greasley A. E., Lamont A. (2011). Exploring engagement with music in everyday life using experience sampling methodology . Music. Sci . 15 , 45–71 10.1177/1029864910393417 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Gregory A. H. (1997). The roles of music in society: the ethnomusicological perspective , in The Social Psychology of Music , eds Hargreaves D. J., North A. C. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press; ), 123–140 [ Google Scholar ]
• Hargreaves D. J., North A. C. (1999). The functions of music in everyday life: redefining the social in music psychology . Psychol. Music 27 , 71–83 10.1177/0305735699271007 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Hays T., Minichiello V. (2005). The meaning of music in the lives of older people: a qualitative study . Psychol. Music 33 , 437–451 10.1177/0305735605056160 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Heister H.-W. (1993). Stellenwert der Musik im gesellschaftlichen System , in Musikpsychologie. Ein Handbuch , eds Bruhn H, Oerter R., Rösing H. (Reinbek: Rowohlt; ), 103–112 [ Google Scholar ]
• Herbert R. (2011). Everyday Music Listening: Absorption, Dissociation and Trancing . Farnham, Burlington: Ashgate Publishing Limited [ Google Scholar ]
• Heye A., Lamont A. (2010). Mobile listening situations in everyday life: the use of MP3 players while travelling . Music. Sci . 14 , 95–120 [ Google Scholar ]
• Hirstein W. (2005). Brain Fiction: Self-Deception and the Riddle of Confabulation . Cambridge, MA: MIT Press [ Google Scholar ]
• Hunter P. G., Schellenberg E. G. (2010). Music and emotion , in Music Perception , Vol. 36 , eds Jones M. R., Fay R. R., Popper A. N. (New York, NY: Springer; ), 129–164 [ Google Scholar ]
• Huron D. (2001). Is music an evolutionary adaptation? , in The Biological Foundations of Music , eds Zatorre R. J., Peretz I. (New York, NY: New York Academy of Sciences; ), 43–61 [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Juslin P. N., Liljeström S., Västfjäll D., Barradas G., Silva A. (2008). An experience sampling study of emotional reactions to music: listener, music, and situation . Emotion 8 , 668–683 10.1037/a0013505 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kapteina H. (2010). Was Geschieht, Wenn Wir Musik Hören. Fragmente Zur Psychologie Des Hörens . Available online at: http://www.musiktherapie.uni-siegen.de/kapteina/material/forschungsgebiete/neu_was_geschieht_wenn_wir_musik_hoeren.pdf
• Laiho S. (2004). The psychological functions of music in adolescence . Nord. J. Music Ther . 13 , 47–63 10.1080/08098130409478097 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Larson R. (1995). Secrets in the bedroom: adolescents' private use of media . J. Youth Adolesc . 24 , 535–550 10.1007/BF01537055 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Laukka P. (2007). Uses of music and psychological well-being among the elderly . J. Happiness Stud . 8 , 215–241 10.1007/s10902-006-9024-3 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Lehmann A. C. (1994). Habituelle Und Situative Rezeptionsweisen Beim Musikhören. Eine Einstellungstheoretische Untersuchung . Frankfurt: Peter Lang [ Google Scholar ]
• Levitin D. J. (2007). Life Soundtrack: The Uses of Music in Everyday Life . Montreal, QC: McGill University; Available online at: http://levitin.mcgill.ca/pdf/LifeSoundtracks.pdf [ Google Scholar ]
• Lonsdale A. J., North A. C. (2011). Why do we listen to music. a uses and gratifications analysis . Br. J. Psychol . 102 , 108–134 10.1348/000712610X506831 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Maas G. (1993). Filmmusik , in Musikpsychologie. Ein Handbuch , eds Bruhn H., Oerter R., Rösing H. (Reinbek: Rowohlt; ), 203–207 [ Google Scholar ]
• Maslow A. H. (1968). Toward a Psychology of Being . 2nd Edn New York, NY: Van Nostr and Company [ Google Scholar ]
• McQuail D., Blumler J. G., Brown J. (1972). The television audience: a revised perspective , in Sociology of Mass Communication , ed McQuail D. (Middlesex: Penguin; ), 135–165 [ Google Scholar ]
• Melton G. W., Galician M. Lou. (1987). A sociological approach to the pop music phenomenon: radio and music video utilization for expectation, motivation and satisfaction . Pop. Music Soc . 11 , 35–46 10.1080/03007768708591286 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Merriam A. P. (1964). The Anthropology of Music . Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press [ Google Scholar ]
• Miller G. (2000). Evolution of human music through sexual selection , in The Origins of Music , eds Wallin N. L., Merker B., Brown S. (Cambridge: The MIT Press; ), 329–360 [ Google Scholar ]
• Misenhelter D., Kaiser K. (2008). Social functions of music in music education . J. Artistic Creat. Educ . 2 , 61–74 [ Google Scholar ]
• Mithen S. (2006). The Singing Neanderthals: The Origins of Music, Language, Mind, and Body . Cambridge: Harvard University Press [ Google Scholar ]
• Münch T., Bommersheim U., Müller-Bachmann E. (2005). Jugendliches Musikverhalten. Musikinvolvement, Nutzungsmotive und Musikpräferenzen , in Jugendsozialisation und Medien , eds Boehnke K., Münch T. (Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers; ), 167–199 [ Google Scholar ]
• Nakamura J., Csikszentmihalyi M. (2009). Flow theory and research , in Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology, 2nd Edn , eds Lopez S. J., Snyder C. R. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press; ), 195–206 [ Google Scholar ]
• Newberg A., D'Aquili E., Rause V. (2001). Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief . New York, NY: Ballantine Books [ Google Scholar ]
• North A. C., Hargreaves D. J., O'Neill S. A. (2000). The importance of music to adolescents . Br. J. Educ. Psychol . 70 , 255–272 [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Packer J., Ballantyne J. (2011). The impact of music festival attendance on young people's psychological and social well-being . Psychol. Music 39 , 164–181 10.1177/0305735610372611 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Panksepp J. (1995). The emotional sources of “chills” induced by music . Music Percept . 13 , 171–207 [ Google Scholar ]
• Panksepp J., Bernatzky G. (2002). Emotional sounds and the brain: the neuro-affective foundations of musical appreciation . Behav. Process . 60 , 133–155 10.1016/S0376-635700080-3 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Peretz I. (2006). The nature of music from a biological perspective . Cognition 100 , 1–32 10.1016/j.cognition.2005.11.004 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Rentfrow P. J., Goldberg L. R., Levitin D. J. (2011). The structure of musical preferences: a five-factor model . J. Pers. Soc. Psychol . 100 , 1139–1157 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Roberts D. F., Christenson P. G. (2001). Popular music in childhood and adolescence , in Handbook of Children and the Media , eds Singer D. G., Singer J. L. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc; ), 395–414 [ Google Scholar ]
• Roberts D. F., Foehr U. G. (2008). Trends in media use . Future Child . 18 , 11–37 [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Roe K. (1985). Swedish youth and music: listening patterns and motivations . Commun. Res . 12 , 353–362 10.1177/009365085012003007 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Rösing H. (1993). Musik im Alltag , in Musikpsychologie. Ein Handbuch , eds Bruhn H., Oerter R., Rösing H. (Reinbek: Rowohlt; ), 113–130 [ Google Scholar ]
• Ruud E. (1997). Music and the quality of life . Nord. J. Music Ther . 6 , 86–97 10.1080/08098139709477902 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Schäfer T., Sedlmeier P. (2009). From the functions of music to music preference . Psychol. Music 37 , 279–300 10.1177/0305735608097247 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Schäfer T., Sedlmeier P. (2010). What makes us like music. Determinants of music preference . Psychol. Aesthe. Creativity Arts 4 , 223–234 10.1037/a0018374 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Schubert E. (2009). The fundamental function of music . Music. Sci . 13 , 63–81 10.1177/1029864909013002051 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Steele J. R., Brown J. D. (1995). Adolescent room culture: studying the media in the context of everyday life . J. Youth Adolesc . 24 , 551–576 10.1007/BF01537056 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Stefanija L. (2007). Functions of music: a survey of research vocabularies . Muzikos funkcijos: tyrimø terminologijos apžvalga. (Lithuanian) 7 , 6–17 [ Google Scholar ]
• Sun S., Lull J. (1986). The adolescent audience for music videos and why they watch . J. Commun . 36 , 115–125 10.1111/j.1460-2466.1986.tb03043.x [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Tarrant M., North A. C., Hargreaves D. J. (2000). English and American adolescents' reasons for listening to music . Psychol. Music 28 , 166–173 10.1177/0305735600282005 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Ter Bogt T. F. M., Mulder J., Raaijmakers Q. A. W., Gabhainn S. N. (2011). Moved by music: a typology of music listeners . Psychol.Music 39 , 147–163 10.1177/0305735610370223 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Troldahl V. C., Skolnik R. (1967). The meanings people have for radio today . J. Broadcast . 12 , 57–67 10.1080/08838156709386226 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Walker Kennedy S. (2010). An Exploration of Differences in Response to Music Related to Levels of Psychological Health in Adolescents . Toronto, ON: University of Toronto [ Google Scholar ]
• Wells A., Hakanen E. A. (1997). The emotional use of popular music by adolescents , in Mass Media and Society , eds Wells A., Hakanen E. A. (Greenwich: Ablex Publishing Corporation; ), 217–228 [ Google Scholar ]
• Wilson T. D. (2002). Strangers to Ourselves: Discovering the Adaptive Unconscious . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press [ Google Scholar ]
• Zatorre R. J., Peretz I. (2001). The Biological Foundations of Music . New York, NY: New York Academy of Sciences [ Google Scholar ]
• Zillmann D. (1988a). Mood management through communication choices . Am. Behav. Sci . 31 , 327–341 [ Google Scholar ]
• Zillmann D. (1988b). Mood management: using entertainment to full advantage , in Communication, Social Cognition, and Affect , eds Donohew L., Sypher H. E., Higgins E. T. (Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; ), 147–171 [ Google Scholar ]

IELTS Mentor "IELTS Preparation & Sample Answer"

• Skip to content
• Jump to main navigation and login

Nav view search

• IELTS Sample

IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.

Ielts essay # 94 - is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, there are many different types of music in the world today. why do we need music is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays.

• IELTS Essay
• Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Materials

• IELTS Bar Graph
• IELTS Line Graph
• IELTS Table Chart
• IELTS Flow Chart
• IELTS Pie Chart
• IELTS Letter Writing
• Academic Reading

Useful Links

• IELTS Secrets
• Band Score Calculator
• Exam Specific Tips
• Useful Websites
• IELTS Preparation Tips
• Academic Reading Tips
• Academic Writing Tips
• GT Writing Tips
• Listening Tips
• Speaking Tips
• IELTS Grammar Review
• IELTS Vocabulary
• IELTS Cue Cards
• IELTS Life Skills
• Letter Types

• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Copyright Notice
• HTML Sitemap