essay about what is music

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.

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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.

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The power of melodic tunes to enhance focus and creativity during the essay writing process.

When it comes to the realm of crafty penmanship, the significance of tune harmonizing with writing is often underestimated. However, by unlocking the potential of a melodious backdrop, authors can tap into a wholly different level of creativity. The amalgamation of mind-wandering melodies and thought-provoking words provides an unparalleled medium for unleashing one’s inner writer.

By marrying the artistry of music with the finesse of essay composition, a symphony of inspiration is born. As the rhythm flows from ear to mind, it ignites a fire within, setting ablaze the dormant embers of imagination. The harmonious duet of music and writing has the uncanny ability to transport us to seemingly distant realms, where ideas unfurl like unfathomable constellations, waiting to be explored.

Music has the incredible capability to influence our mood, thoughts, and emotions. With every beat, a gateway to new possibilities is unveiled. A propelling anthem can uplift the spirits and propel the writer forward on a wave of determination. Conversely, a gentle melody can provide solace and serenity, setting the stage for introspection and bringing forth the depths of one’s introspective musings.

The Science Behind the Connection: How Music Affects the Brain

Understanding how music affects the brain is a fascinating area of study that delves into the intricate workings of our minds. The connection between music and the brain has been explored by scientists for decades, revealing the profound impact that music can have on our emotions, cognitive abilities, and overall well-being.

When we listen to music, our brains are activated in various ways. Neurologists have discovered that different regions of the brain are engaged, depending on the type of music being listened to. For instance, upbeat and fast-paced music stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. This explains why listening to energetic music can make us feel more invigorated and motivated to take action.

Moreover, studies have shown that music has the power to evoke strong emotions and memories. Certain melodies or lyrics can trigger a flood of emotions, reminding us of past experiences or even transporting us to a different time and place. This emotional connection to music is facilitated by the limbic system, a part of the brain that controls emotions and memory. By activating this system, music has the ability to evoke powerful feelings and create lasting memories.

Additionally, music has a profound impact on our cognitive abilities. Research has demonstrated that listening to certain types of music can enhance our focus, concentration, and creativity. Classical music, in particular, has been found to stimulate brain activity and improve cognitive performance. This phenomenon, known as the “Mozart effect,” suggests that music can enhance our cognitive abilities, making us more alert and receptive to information.

Furthermore, the therapeutic benefits of music cannot be overlooked. Studies have shown that music therapy can be beneficial for individuals suffering from various mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Listening to calming and soothing music has been found to reduce stress hormones, lower blood pressure, and promote relaxation. The rhythmic and melodic elements of music have a profound effect on our physiological state, helping to regulate our emotions and promote overall well-being.

In conclusion, the science behind the connection between music and the brain is a captivating field of research that highlights the profound impact of music on our emotions, cognitive abilities, and overall well-being. By understanding how music affects the brain, we can harness its power to boost productivity and enhance our essay writing experience.

Finding the Right Genre for Focus and Creativity

Exploring different genres of music can be a powerful way to enhance focus and creativity while writing. By selecting the right genre, you can create an atmosphere that nurtures concentration and stimulates your cognitive processes. The right choice of genre can inspire imagination, boost productivity, and help you tap into your creative potential.

Genre for Focus:

When it comes to finding a genre that promotes focus, instrumental music often takes the lead. With its absence of lyrics, instrumental genres such as classical, ambient, or electronic music can provide a background that minimizes distractions. The soothing melodies and repetitive patterns can help you maintain concentration for extended periods, allowing you to immerse yourself in the writing process.

Alternatively, you might find that low-tempo genres, like downtempo or chill-hop, can also facilitate a focus-oriented mindset. The relaxed beats and atmospheric textures often associated with these genres can create a tranquil ambiance, fostering a sense of calmness and enabling you to concentrate on the task at hand.

Genre for Creativity:

If your goal is to enhance your creative thinking and encourage inspiration, exploring diverse genres can be beneficial. Upbeat and energetic music, like pop, rock, or hip-hop, can elicit strong emotions and make you feel more motivated and enthusiastic. This genre choice can help break through writer’s block and generate fresh ideas.

On the other hand, genres that focus on introspection and introspection, like folk, indie, or singer-songwriter, can evoke a sense of introspection and deep thought. The raw emotions and personal narratives found in these genres can lead to a reflective and introspective state of mind, allowing you to explore and express your thoughts and emotions in a more profound and meaningful way.

Experimenting with Different Genres:

Everyone’s preferences and writing processes are unique, so it’s essential to experiment with different genres to find what works best for you. Depending on the task at hand, you may find that a combination of genres or even genre-specific playlists can be more effective in enhancing your focus and creativity.

Remember, the aim is to find the right balance that helps you stay engaged, motivated, and inspired. By exploring a variety of genres, you can create a personalized soundtrack that harnesses the power of music to enhance your essay writing and boost productivity.

Using Music as a Motivational Tool: Creating a Playlist that Energizes

When it comes to finding the perfect playlist to boost motivation and productivity, music can be a powerful tool. The right selection of songs can energize and inspire, helping you to stay focused and motivated while writing your essay. However, creating a playlist that truly energizes and motivates is not as simple as adding a few upbeat tracks. It requires careful consideration of the tempo, lyrics, and overall mood of the music.

To start off, consider the tempo of the songs you choose for your playlist. Upbeat and fast-paced songs with a high tempo can help increase your energy levels and keep you engaged. Look for tracks with a strong rhythm and lively beat that will get your heart rate up and your feet tapping. These types of songs can help you maintain a steady pace while writing, preventing any potential lulls in your productivity.

Lyrics also play an important role in creating a motivational playlist. Look for songs with inspiring and positive lyrics that resonate with you personally. The right lyrics can help instill a sense of confidence and determination as you tackle your essay. Whether it’s motivational anthems or personal empowerment songs, find tracks that make you feel uplifted and ready to conquer any challenges that come your way.

In addition to the tempo and lyrics, consider the overall mood of the music. While fast-paced and upbeat songs can be beneficial for maintaining energy levels, it’s also important to include moments of relaxation and calm. Including a variety of musical genres and styles in your playlist can help create a balanced atmosphere that keeps you engaged without overwhelming your senses. From uplifting pop songs to soothing instrumental tracks, a mix of different moods can help you stay focused and motivated throughout your writing process.

Remember that creating a motivational playlist is a personal endeavor. Experiment with different songs and genres to find what works best for you. Pay attention to how certain songs make you feel and make adjustments as needed. The power of music lies in its ability to evoke emotions and enhance your mood, so choose songs that align with your personal preferences and goals.

In conclusion, music can serve as a powerful motivator when it comes to essay writing. By creating a playlist that energizes and inspires, you can boost your productivity and stay focused throughout the writing process. Consider the tempo, lyrics, and overall mood of the music to create a playlist that resonates with you personally. Harness the power of music and let it fuel your essay writing journey!

The Impact of Lyrics on Writing: Choosing Songs with Inspiring Words

When it comes to the influence of music on our writing, we often think about melodies, rhythms, and harmonies. However, the impact of lyrics should not be underestimated. The words in a song can have a profound effect on our creative output and productivity. By carefully selecting songs with inspiring and meaningful lyrics, we can enhance our writing experience and tap into new ideas and perspectives.

Words have the power to evoke emotions, stimulate our imagination, and convey complex thoughts and ideas. When we listen to songs with lyrics that resonate with us, it can trigger a range of emotions that can fuel our writing process. Whether it’s a heartfelt ballad that touches our soul or an empowering anthem that fills us with motivation, the right lyrics can provide the emotional backdrop we need to dive deep into our writing and express ourselves fully.

In addition to emotional impact, lyrics can also influence the way we think and inspire us to explore different topics and themes in our writing. Songs with thought-provoking lyrics can challenge our perspectives and push us beyond our comfort zones. They can introduce us to new ideas and expand our horizons, allowing us to approach our writing from fresh and unique angles. By actively seeking out songs with inspiring words, we can invite a broader range of thoughts and concepts into our writing and enrich our overall message.

It’s important to note that the impact of lyrics on writing is a highly personal experience. What resonates with one writer may not have the same effect on another. It’s essential to be in tune with our own preferences and emotions when choosing the songs we write to. Some writers may find solace in introspective and introspective lyrics, while others may thrive on uplifting and motivational messages. By curating a personalized playlist of songs with lyrics that align with our writing intentions, we can create an atmosphere of inspiration and creativity that supports our unique style and voice.

In conclusion, lyrics play a significant role in the impact of music on our writing. By selecting songs with inspiring words, we can tap into the emotional, intellectual, and creative aspects of our writing process. The right lyrics have the power to fuel our imagination, challenge our thinking, and elevate our writing to new heights.

Creating a Distraction-Free Environment: Tips for Using Music Effectively

When it comes to essay writing, having a distraction-free environment is essential for focusing and improving productivity. Music can be a powerful tool in creating such an environment, helping to boost concentration and inspire creativity. By carefully selecting the right music and following a few key tips, you can maximize the benefits of using music while minimizing potential distractions.

• Choose instrumental music: Instead of lyrics that may compete for your attention, opt for instrumental music. This type of music provides a soothing ambiance and eliminates the potential distraction of following along with lyrics.
• Experiment with different genres: Various genres of music can evoke different emotions and moods. By exploring different genres, you can find the right music that complements your writing style and helps you get into the flow.
• Create a playlist: Curating a playlist specifically for writing purposes can help set the tone and provide a consistent background noise. Start by selecting a few essential tracks that promote focus, and gradually expand your playlist based on what works best for you.
• Use ambient sounds: In addition to music, ambient sounds can also be effective in creating a distraction-free environment. Rainfall, nature sounds, or white noise can help block out external noises and increase your concentration.
• Adjust the volume: Finding the right volume is crucial for using music effectively. Too loud, and it can become distracting; too low, and it may not be effective in creating a productive environment. Experiment with different volumes to find the perfect balance.
• Minimize interruptions: Ensure that your music setup doesn’t interrupt your writing process. Choose a music streaming platform or app that allows for seamless playback without ads or interruptions. This way, you can maintain focus without being interrupted by unrelated content.
• Match the music to the task: Different writing tasks may require varying levels of focus and energy. Consider selecting music that aligns with the specific task at hand. For brainstorming or creative writing, choose upbeat or uplifting music, while for editing or proofreading, opt for more relaxed and calming tunes.

By following these tips, you can create a distraction-free environment that harnesses the power of music to enhance your essay writing experience. Experiment, adapt, and find the perfect music that helps you stay focused, motivated, and creative throughout the writing process.

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Blog > Essay Advice , Personal Statement > How to Write a Great College Essay About Music (with examples)

How to Write a Great College Essay About Music (with examples)

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Alex McNeil, MA Admissions Consultant

Key Takeaway

Ask any admissions officer if they’ve read a college essay about music, and they’ll definitely say yes. Between music extracurriculars and academic interests in music, it’s is one of the most common college essay topics.

So does that mean that you shouldn’t write your college essay about music?

Not necessarily. But as with any common college essay topic, some approaches are better than others.

Let’s get into it.

Why you should (and shouldn’t) write your Common App essay about music

As we explained in our Stanford Items exercise , writing your college essay on a common topic isn’t off-limits. In fact, most college essays share common topics and themes. Trying to find a completely unique, never-been-done-before topic is almost impossible. And writing about a quirky topic in hopes of coming across as unique usually backfires.

In other words, it’s likely that you’ll write about the same topic as someone else.

The problem arises, however, when you write about a common topic in a cliche way . Cliches are always a danger in college essays, but in especially college essay topics that tend to surface again and again.

To avoid cliches, your college essay about music needs to be deeply personal, specific, and meaningful. You’ll want to let go of any over-generalizations or truisms and focus on the details of your own story.

Because you’ll need to write meaningfully and vulnerably, you should only write your college essay about music if you have something genuine and significant to say.

The Best Ways to Approach Your College Essay about Music

College essays about music aren’t off the table, but you should be thoughtful in how you write about them. The following two approaches will help you avoid cliches and find an authentic, meaningful story that fulfills all the requirements of a personal statement .

Writing about music as an academic interest

If you’re interested in studying music in college, then you can consider writing your college essay about music as an academic interest. A college essay about your academic interest in music can show fantastic intellectual fit with a school.

Let’s say you want to study music theory or composition. You might write about a topic you find compelling, a problem you’ve solved, or even a recounting of your journey becoming interested in the subject.

Or maybe you’re an aspiring performer planning on studying music performance. As an admissions officer, I read outstanding essays about students performing their favorite pieces, creating emotional music projects, and teaching lessons to young children.

No matter your topic, your goal with this approach is to show an intellectual spark, a curiosity and passion that will demonstrate to your admissions officers that you’ll be a great addition to the music community on their campuses.

Writing poignantly about a deeply meaningful extracurricular

The previous approach is great if you want to study music, but what if music is just an extracurricular passion of yours? Don’t worry—you can still write about it.

In that case, the best way is to focus on meaning. Remember: personal statements should be deeply-meaningful reflections on your personal strengths.

To start, reflect on your music extracurricular. Is it playing guitar in a band? Playing trombone in your school’s symphony? Learning piano from your grandma? How your love of poetry turned into a love of songwriting?

Next, think about what strengths you have to showcase. If you play guitar in a band, maybe you want to highlight your collaborative spirit. If you love poetry and songwriting, perhaps you focus on your creativity.

Writing about your love of music in a way that draws upon your strengths will make sure that your Common App essay avoids the following two approaches and gives admissions officers a reason to admit you.

Approaches to Avoid

While the following two approaches aren’t necessarily bad, they are the most cliche ways of approaching a college essay about music. You might want to consider avoiding them.

An inauthentic tale of triumph

Let me tell you a cliche story.

When I was in fourth grade, I decided to join the school orchestra. I found it exceedingly difficult at first. No matter how hard I tried, I never could seem to place my fingers correctly on the fingerboard. Every sound I made mimicked a screeching cat. But I decided not to give up. I practiced every day after school and on the weekends. By the time I was in ninth grade, I had made it into my high school’s top orchestra.

Is that a lovely story? Yes, absolutely. Is it hearty enough for a college essay? No. While it tells a good narrative of growth and progress, it remains on the surface of the writer’s life. It comes across as a convenient way to brag about your strengths instead of exploring them in a genuine way. In this example, the story also focuses on events that happened way too far in the past.

A song that changed your life

This approach is by far the most common cliche in college essays about music. We’ve all been there: a favorite song that transports you to a moment in your life whenever you hear it. It makes sense that you’d want to write about yours.

But there’s a problem with this approach. Too often, it reads as trite or unoriginal, and the end result usually doesn’t say much about the writer. And when it does, the message an admissions officer gets doesn’t typically give them any more reason to admit you. Since you want your college essay to be meaningful, even vulnerable, and strengths-based, you’re better off choosing another topic that better speaks to who you are.

Key Takeaways + Examples

College essays about music aren’t for everyone. But when you get it right, you can strike the perfect chord with admissions officers (you’re welcome for the pun).

As you go, dig deep, find something genuinely personal, and try to avoid the most common and cliche ways of approaching the topic.

Want to see some examples of college essays about music before you get started? Check out our examples, The Time Machine and The Band .

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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.

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Essay About Music for Any Student

Our extensive article will walk you through the complex process of writing an essay about music. We’ll present you with a step-by-step guide on conveying the subtleties of music through writing, from picking an exciting topic and doing extensive research to dissecting musical aspects and adding personal observations.

Whether you’re analyzing the historical significance of a musical era, assessing the influence of a particular musician or band, or investigating the cultural and emotional aspects of music, our guide seeks to provide you with the fundamental knowledge and abilities required to write a well-reasoned essay. Come along on this journey with us as we explore the skill of turning music’s profound message into an engaging story.

Essays about Music: Importance and Impact

Music is a profound expression of human creativity, emotion, and culture that transcends cultural boundaries. It serves as a companion, providing solace and amplifying the human experience. Its influence extends beyond individuals, shaping the collective identity of communities and contributing to global culture.

To effectively explore the world of writing about music, one must first understand the fundamental elements that constitute this universal language. The music encompasses a vast array of sounds organized in a structured manner, from classical symphonies to contemporary pop hits, traditional folk tunes, and avant-garde experimental compositions. The diversity of musical forms reflects the kaleidoscope of human creativity, and understanding this diversity lays the groundwork for appreciating the nuanced aspects of different genres and styles.

Music’s emotional and cultural impact is remarkable, as it evokes feelings ranging from joy to sorrow, nostalgia to anticipation. It is a vessel for cultural narratives, preserving traditions and reflecting the spirit of an era. Exploring music’s emotional and cultural dimensions provides writers with a rich tapestry of motifs to weave into their essays about music, allowing for a more profound exploration of the human experience through the lens of musical expression.

Choose Essay Topics About Music

The essay-writing process involves selecting a topic that shapes the narrative and allows the writer to explore the intricacies of musical expression, history, and cultural impact. There are three main ways to choose essay topics about music:

• Selecting a specific genre or style: Each genre has unique characteristics, histories, and cultural contexts. For example, the evolution of hip-hop can be explored by examining its roots in African and African-American communities, its socio-political impact, and the artistic innovations that have shaped its trajectory over the decades.
• Exploring the historical significance of a musical era: Music has reflected societal changes, political movements, and cultural shifts throughout history. Writers can focus on a specific period, such as the Renaissance, the Roaring Twenties, or the counterculture movements of the 1960s, and analyze how the music of that era influenced and was affected by the broader socio-political landscape. For example, an essay could explore the impact of the Beatles during the tumultuous 1960s, examining how their music mirrored the cultural upheavals of the time and influenced popular music.
• Analyzing the impact of a particular artist or band: Focusing on the life and work of a specific artist or band allows for a detailed examination of their contributions to the musical landscape, unique style, artistic evolution, and lasting impact on music and society. For example, an essay focused on Bob Dylan’s impact could explore his role as a poet-prophet during the folk revival of the 1960s, his transition to electronic music, and his enduring influence on subsequent generations of musicians.

Understanding the background of the chosen topic is essential for providing readers with a comprehensive view of its development and significance. That’s what we are going to analyze further.

Understanding Music Essay Examples

In crafting an insightful essay about music, it is crucial to conduct thorough research. This involves using credible sources such as scholarly articles, books, academic journals, and reputable websites dedicated to music history, theory, and criticism. By drawing on authoritative sources, writers can ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in their essays.

This involves delving into the historical evolution of the genre, key milestones, and cultural influences that shaped its trajectory. By studying the background, writers can contextualize the music within a broader historical narrative, unraveling the threads that connect artistic expression to the time’s social, political, and cultural landscapes. For example, if the essay focuses on the development of blues music, researching the historical roots in African American communities, migration patterns that spread the genre, and its evolution through different regions and eras would be integral to providing a nuanced understanding.

Understanding the cultural context of the music adds depth and richness to the narrative. Culture shapes and is shaped by music, and understanding this symbiotic relationship is crucial for a comprehensive analysis. Writers should explore the societal norms, values, and movements that influenced the creation and reception of the music they are examining. They should consider the cultural milieu, social dynamics, and even geographical influences that contributed to forming a particular musical style.

In conclusion, the research and information-gathering phase lays the groundwork for a well-informed and insightful exploration of the chosen music essay examples. By utilizing credible sources, studying the background, and understanding the cultural context, writers can embark on a journey that informs, captivates, and enriches the reader’s understanding of music in its multifaceted dimensions.

How to Write an Essay About Music – Valuable Insights

A well-structured essay about music is essential for capturing the reader’s attention and understanding of the subject matter. The essay should follow a structured approach, starting with an introduction about music essay that captures the reader’s attention with a compelling hook. This can be a thought-provoking question, anecdote, quote, or surprising fact. The thesis statement should clearly articulate the central argument or perspective of the essay, outlining the central theme and key points to be explored in subsequent sections.

The body paragraphs should be divided into distinct paragraphs dedicated to a specific aspect or point related to the thesis. Evidence and examples should be provided to support arguments, such as quoting lyrics, citing critical reviews, or referencing historical events. This helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the chosen topic.

Maintaining a logical flow between paragraphs is crucial, as it helps readers follow the logical progression of the essay and understand the relationships between different aspects of the topic. Transitional phrases and explicit connections between ideas help readers follow the logical progression of the essay.

In the conclusion, summarize critical points discussed in the body paragraphs, reinforcing the thesis statement and emphasizing how the evidence presented throughout the essay supports the overarching argument. This reinforces the central theme and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. In the Beatles essay, the conclusion might reiterate how their innovative approach to music defined a generation and left a significant mark on popular music history.

Lastly, the argumentative essay about music should leave a lasting impression on the reader by connecting the themes to broader cultural or societal implications or posing a thought-provoking question that encourages further reflection. In the case of the Beatles essay, the conclusion might invite readers to consider the ongoing impact of their music on contemporary artists or encourage reflection on the timeless nature of artistic innovation.

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Write a strong thesis statement.

A strong thesis statement is vital for a music essay, providing a clear roadmap for the writer and the reader. It defines the central argument or perspective, ensures clarity and relevance, and sets the tone for music essays. A concise and focused articulation of the central argument or perspective is essential, such as analyzing the cultural impact of a genre, the artist’s style evolution, or the societal resonance of a musical movement.

Clarity is paramount in a thesis statement, as it should convey the essay’s main idea in a way that the reader quickly understands. Avoiding vague or overly broad statements enhances clarity and relevance.

The thesis statement serves as the introductory handshake between the writer and the reader, setting the tone for the essay. Depending on the essay’s nature, it can range from analytical and objective to passionate and subjective. For example, if the essay explores the emotional impact of a specific genre, the thesis might set a tone of subjective reflection.

Incorporating Analysis and Critique

An essay about my favorite music requires a nuanced analysis and critique that delves into the intricacies of musical elements, assesses the impact on the audience, and allows the music writer to offer personal insights and interpretations. The music essay writing should evaluate the musical elements such as lyrics, melody, harmony, and rhythm, focusing on their poetic qualities, thematic depth, and storytelling capacity. It should also explore the symbiotic relationship between the music and its audience, exploring how the chosen music resonates with listeners, triggers emotional responses, and influences societal attitudes.

This may involve examining historical reactions, critical reviews, or audience testimonials. When you write an essay about music, you should also offer personal insights and interpretations, allowing the writer to inject their voice into the narrative and share their views of the music’s meaning. This multifaceted approach to analysis and critique enriches the narrative and encourages readers to engage with the music more profoundly, resulting in a lasting impact.

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Essay on Music | Music Essay for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on Music: Music is a part of all of our lives, from when we’re growing up to when we’re old. We grow up to the sound of our mothers singing us lullabies so that we’d go to sleep. Music is one of the most calming and soothing things if you let it be. It comes from melodies and tunes strung together by people who sing and play musical instruments. The power of music shows in the simplest of things, such as when you absentmindedly tap your foot to a beat or hum a tune unknowingly.

Music is not only created by people, but it is also all around us in nature. In the mornings, when the crickets and the birds chirp, it is music. The loud sound of the waves in the ocean swishing, the whistle in the wind, and the sound of trees and leaves rustling are all their own forms of music.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essay on Music in English for Students and Kids

For different age groups, there are different types of essay on music. There is a long essay on music which consists of 400-500 words, and a short essay on music of 150-200 words.

Long Essay on Music in English for 500 Words

Given below is a long essay on music consisting of about 500 words. This essay is suitable for students of classes 7, 8, 9 and 10, and also for those who are writing competitive exams.

Music is something that we all enjoy in the course of our lives. It is the sound that is brought together through a harmony of instruments and singing voices. It is something that is part of us ever since we enter this world. Our mothers, fathers and grandparents sing us lullabies so that we can sleep peacefully. In the mornings, we listen to the birds chirping and the leaves of plants and trees rustling, and even this is like music to our ears. Music is everywhere, and all you have to do is open up your ears to hear it.

Those who know how to create music using instruments and their own bodies are called musicians. There are different kinds of instruments – percussion, string, brass, woodwind and piano/keyboard. Percussion instruments include drums, bongos, the triangle, tambourine, tabla, dholak, etc. and they are the ones responsible for giving the main beat to a song. String instruments include the harp, guitar, cello, violin, etc. and they give rhythm to the music.

Brass instruments refer to those that you have to play with your mouth, such as the trombone, trumpet, the French horn, etc. In these instruments, you blow air into the instruments to create vibrations. Woodwind instruments follow a similar concept using air/wind, except that these instruments are made of wood and the sound profile is higher pitched than brass, for example, the flute. The piano/keyboard consists of a set of keys that have a range of pitches.

When musicians put one or more of these sounds together in harmony, it creates what we know as music. However, that’s not all to it; music can be even one of those instruments, such as the strumming of a guitar, a melodious tune on the piano, a catchy beat on the bongos, etc. When you add another voice to an instrument, it is called singing and is a vital part of the music. When people who play different instruments come together to play them together, it is called a band.

There are many different genres of music, too, such as rock, pop, classical, blues, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, etc. All of these genres of music are characterized by how the instruments work together. For example, rock music is often louder and has more pronounced percussion and string instruments, while jazz is a genre where the saxophone is very prevalent. In today’s world, we see a lot of combinations of genres such as pop-rock, classical rock, etc. One of the newest genres of music is electronic dance music (EDM) which consists of loud percussive beats and is very popular to young people.

They say that music is a universal language, meaning that you don’t necessarily need to understand the words in a song to enjoy the music. In this way, music connects people all over the world with its universal language. I love listening to music especially because of this reason. Music has the power to unite people, make us feel at peace, make us feel understood; it is something to dance to, bond over, and even listen to when alone. Music is not just sound, it is its own language and it communicates so much; it is a beautiful thing.

Short Essay on Music in English 200 Words

Given below is a short essay on music consisting of about 200 words. This essay is suitable for students of class 6 and below.

When we talk about music, we are talking about all the instruments like drums, piano, guitar, etc. and how they get together to make a sound that is pleasing to our ears. We all have some songs we love to sing and dance to, right? Wouldn’t life be a little boring without music? It is something we all need to enjoy our days slightly more than we already do because music adds more colour to our lives.

When you hear the sound of nature – the pitter-patter of raindrops, the whistle of the wind, don’t you feel calm? And don’t you feel like dancing or shaking your head when someone puts on your favourite song? Well, this is the effect that music has on all of us. Listening to our favourite songs can automatically put us all in a good mood. Our moms singing us a song before we go to sleep is a peaceful memory, and that is music, too.

Music Essay Conclusion

Music is a universal language and it is one of the best things that bring all of us humans together. It has the power to make us all feel happy and this is why people all around the world love to listen to and even play music.

10 Lines on Music Essay in English

• Music is a universal language and is understandable by everyone.
• Music is all around us in nature, such as in the wind and the rain, and not only in instruments.
• Music has the power to make us feel happy and at peace.
• There are different kinds of instruments, which are string, percussion, brass, woodwind, and piano and when one or more of these instruments come together, it creates what we call music.
• A single instrument by itself, including singing and .beatboxing, are music on their own as well.
• There are many genres of music, such as pop, rock, metal, hip-hop, jazz, blues, R&B, etc.
• Many a time, some bands may mix two genres of music to make a mixed genre such as pop rock, punk rock, classical rock, etc.
• When different people playing different instruments come together to play them together, it is called a band.
• Listening to your favourite song can completely uplift your mood if you are feeling down.
• Everybody has their own kind of music that they love, which is why it is special to us all in our own unique ways.

FAQ’s on Essay on Music

Question 1. Why do we call music a universal language?

Answer: Music is called a universal language because it doesn’t matter where in the world you are or what language you speak, you will understand the music because it’s the sound and not the words that matter.

Question 2. What is a genre?

Answer: Genre in music refers to the categories into which we classify the music of different kinds. There are tonnes of genres in music such as jazz, blues, rock, classical, etc.

Question 3. What are the kind of musical instruments?

Answer: The five kinds of musical instruments are percussion, brass, string, woodwind and piano. They all have their own important purposes in music and add distinctive sounds to songs.

Question 4. What are the effects of music?

Answer: Music can have some really powerful effects on a person, where someone feeling down may feel a lot better after listening to heir favourite songs. It has a calming and peaceful effect on people.

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Music Essay: Topics, How-to Guide, & Examples

How significant is music to our lives? Is it merely background noise for our great deeds? Or is it something that sets the tune of our whole existence? Whatever the answer is, one thing is sure: writing a music essay can be pretty tricky at times. After all, It’s a vast topic with a considerable history behind it.

Here, you will find some tips for going around this trickiness, along with 143 music essay topics for your piece, and 2 music essay examples . But first, we need to decide what exactly we are writing about.

• 🎵 The Basics
• 🎼 Music Essay: Writing Steps
• 🎸 143 Essay Topics
• 📻 2 Examples

🎵 Music Essay: What Is It about?

The idea of writing anything about music looks daunting at first glance. Thanks to the number of things you seemingly have to perform to write a good piece: using huge music theory words, analyzing all of the musical constituents, understanding the profound meaning behind every melody, and much other complicated stuff.

We’re delighted to inform you that none of that is essential to achieve the summit of a well-written music essay. It’s mostly about what response music invokes in you . Just tell people how it makes you feel. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that music is a very personal experience and talking about the subjective experience is something anyone can do. This can be done in several forms.

Here are some of them:

• Descriptive music essay . One of the simplest ways to describe something is to, well, describe it . It’s like painting but with a keyboard and a text editor. Here, you can connect to the reader through deep imagery of some musical pieces that you think are worth writing an essay about. Like describing a grimdark future inspired by some depressing lyrics you heard recently. Or you can simply go with picturing a classical music concert essay. Tell everyone how awesome classical music is and why they should spend their next weekend on an orchestra performance.
• Narrative music essay. Here you want to tell a story and use it to support your point of view. Create a tale about a young musician struggling to attain success to show how harsh and unforgiving the music industry can be. Or do the opposite and tell a story of a great artistic triumph to inspire others to never give up on their dreams. Keep in mind that you are writing a story, and every story has a character. And the characters communicate with each other. So don’t forget to include characters and dialogs.
• Persuasive music essay. This one is all about making the reader accept your point of view. This type of essay probably would be great for writing a work on the topic of “Why I love Linkin Park” or “My favorite jazz band of all times” since it probably involves a lot of emotional attachment. And emotions are something you definitely want to push in a persuasive music essay. You may also want to include some logical justification and checked facts. Statistics or sources you find reliable also can be cited.
• Compare & contrast music essay. The name of the genre speaks for itself.If you have difficulties choosing between two things you want to write about, you can compare them . And there are a lot of things to compare in music. Including but not limited to genres, singers, composers, music eras, the list is nearly infinite if you brainstorm hard enough. The structure here is plain and simple: Describe thing 1. Describe thing 2. Compare them.

🎼 Essay on Music: How to Write

Writing a music essay is no different from writing a piece on any other topic in the big picture. You will always need the argumentation, the overall structure, and exciting ideas.

But for music, in particular, you will also need to listen and set the listened things out the way that will set the reader on the same wavelength.

Here are some tips to help you with accomplishing that.

Music Essay: 5 Writing Steps

• Do the analysis. Before your fingers even touch the keyboard, just sitting back and reflecting on the things you’ll write about can be highly beneficial. This step can be applied to any music essay topic. If you make a statement about some lyrics you find beauteous, for instance, you can listen to the song again. And while relistening, try to observe details you haven’t noticed before. How does the melody frame the lyrics? What makes it sound so lyrical? Why does the music sound like it does when certain words are sung? The more questions you make and answer, the better.
• Thesis – A thesis statement is a part of introduction you will try to prove, disapprove or discuss in the body of your writing.
• Body – The biggest and the most informative part. In a regular 5-paragraph it consists of 2-3 paragraphs with all argumentation necessary to support your thesis statement.
• Conclusion – The final part. Nothing new needs to be told here. Just restate your thesis collect your body information in a couple of brief sentences. Plan on the details as well. And try to think of as many as you can. If you’re using a narrative style, what chronological order will there be? What characters will you insert into your narrative? Maybe you should let go of chronology and arrange the story’s events in order of significance? Or in the persuasive piece, you ought to think about the argumentation you’re going to provide. Check the viability of your sources and make sure the statistics you cite are not outdated. Do your research, simply put.
• Make a strong thesis statement. The thesis is the essential part of your essay. It’s not an argument, and thus you shouldn’t be trying to impose your point of view right from the get-go. If your thesis statement goes, “Rock music is undoubtedly the best genre out there with no considerable competition and here’s why.” you probably want to consider the possibility of a counterargument to your point. “The energy rock music gives and the majestic mood it can get you into makes it one of the best genres presented in today’s music industry” would be a better choice. If you have any difficulties formulating your thesis statement, you might want to use our free thesis-generating tool . Note that it is able to make various theses depending on the essay type.
• Don’t be scared of big music words. While it’s not obligatory to know every term out there, some of them can help express seemingly complicated ideas in a laconic way. It’s not wrong to say that you find the speed and rhythm of the music to be just suitable for the time it takes. But you can also phrase it into “I like the tempo” and be done with it. Although tempo might not be the most complex music word, it shows the point.
• Go sentimental. Music in itself is one enormous sentiment. Therefore, if you think you’re being too sensual with your essay, you’re probably not. Use metaphorical language and compare your favorite song to a trip to the stars. Or express your feeling towards a band you adore by putting it on par with antique gods. There’re no limits to your feelings, so don’t be scared to exceed them.

🎸 143 Music Essay Topics

If the topic of your work is not assigned, it can be challenging to either come up with one or choose one of the many ideas you have. Here are some possible options for you to go with:

• The best ways to enjoy your favorite band’s new album.
• Classical music as a way of energy for the whole day.
• What Is Hip-Hop Subculture?
• Rap music and its characteristics.
• What makes music challenging to listen to?
• Social Commentary in Pop Music Industry.
• How does low-fi music chill you out.
• A perfect playlist for working out.
• Music Paper: The Type of Music Jazz.
• Motivational music and its effect on you.
• Music Education: The Descriptive Research Methods.
• Is there such thing as “Cooking music”?
• Effects of Music in Advertising.
• Choosing a song for your alarm clock.
• Social Use of Music in Contemporary American Society.
• Can your music taste define your character?
• Woodstock The Music Event and Festival.
• What is the best music to relieve your stress?
• Ethnomusicology in Analyzing Society’ Music.
• What is “Alternative” music?
• How can jazz music make you feel?
• Dance style: Capoeira.
• Why does music make us dance?
• The National Centre of Popular Music.
• Good and bad music. How to define?
• Hip-hop in Japan and cultural globalization.
• Defining features of The Beatles music.
• Popular music in the modern culture.
• What were the first rappers in history, and how were they different?
• Chamber Music in the Early Twentieth Century.
• What meaning can a song without lyrics have?
• The effect of music on culture.
• The future of electronic music.
• Choir Director & Participants in Music Making.
• Live music and the wonders it can do.
• Popular music in America.
• The mix of traditional and modern music and its specifics.
• Folk Music: Evolution of the Term and Scholars’ Works.
• How important is appearance for a musician?
• Feminism in the hip-hop culture.
• Musical instruments and the mood they bring.
• Sound analysis and aural experiences from music.
• Defining qualities of Elvis Pressley’s music.
• The Use of Violin in the Baroque Concerto.
• Ambient music is not a background.
• Descriptive Qualitative Research in Music Education.
• My first time seeing an orchestra concert.
• Hip-Hop Culture: What Philosophy to Choose?
• The struggles of an amateur musician in modern days.
• Teachers Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Education.
• The story of Queen’s success.
• Use of Music in Classrooms of in-Service Teachers.
• The day I fell in love with underground music.
• The first date and how the choice of music can affect it.
• The Effects of Hip-Hop, Rap Music on Young Women in Academia.
• My music taste progression.
• When did the music I love become old?
• Presentation for the Russian Musical Society.
• The two-faced reality of the music industry.
• Frank Zappa: composer & social critic.
• Why do I feel threatened at a punk-rock concert?
• The great triumph of 80’s rock music.
• E-concert report: Pieces by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
• The role of music in fighting prejudice.
• The origins of hip-hop culture.
• The most fantastic song I’ve ever heard.
• The magic of Christmas music.
• The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – the touring years.
• The origin story of Coldplay.
• My appreciation of heavy-metal bands.
• History of jazz music.
• Music effects on unborn children.
• American Popular Music and Its Styles.
• The effectiveness of music therapy.
• Hip-Hop and Theatre, Hip-Hop in Theatre or Hip-Hop Theatre.
• Heavy music and aggressive behavior.
• Teaching and Learning Music Technologically.
• Rap music and its influence on crime rates.
• Minimalism in Music and Its Development.
• The coexistence of traditional and modern music.
• How effective is music in pushing propaganda?
• Popular Music and Its Impact on the Economy and Politics.
• The importance of a national anthem.
• The Illegal Downloading of Music.
• The most ear-pleasing instrument.
• Music industry: the downfall caused by technology.
• The psychological and physiological impact of music.
• The problems of music piracy.
• DMCA pros and cons.
• Personality traits and musical elements preferences.
• The music and the freedom of speech.
• Is the music industry accessible?
• Music, media and culture influence on behavior.
• Can drugs help you to write lyrics?
• Manufactured bands. Good or bad?
• African music’s contribution to contemporary genres.
• Why is pop music popular?
• Visual Music: The Concept of ‘Visual Music’ and Historical Excurse.
• Should we listen to less music?
• Do physical copies of music still make sense?
• Heavy metal music gender trends.
• The importance of background music in movies?
• The world without music. Better or worse?
• Studying Music Evolution.
• The extreme difference between jazz and acid jazz.
• Historic Violin Pedagogical Treatises and Teaching.
• How different can the tastes of people from various countries be?
• Sociology of Music: What Music Means in Our Life.
• Comparing rap: old vs. new.
• Your today’s music taste. Better or worse?
• The History and Concept of Rock Music.
• Professional and amateur music.
• Presentation on Articulation Related to the Violin.
• The idea of depression in different songs.
• Gender and Sexuality in Popular Media.
• The 80s and 2000’s rock: compare and contrast.
• Debussy’s String Quartet and Influence on Symphonic Music.
• Office with background music vs. office without it.
• Performing Forces Related to Violin in the 19th Century.
• The difference between rap and hip-hop.
• Music Education Pre-Service and Beginning Teachers’ Learning.
• The visions of the future in various music genres.
• Philosophy Scenario in Music Education.
• Listening to music or listening to lyrics?
• Debussy’s String Quartet and His Influence on Symphonic Music.
• Does it matter to listen to music outdoor or indoors?
• French Romanticism Features in Camille Saint-Saens’s Music.
• Western and eastern traditional music.
• History of Community Jazz Bands in Floridoniaville City.
• Baroque and renaissance classical music comparison.
• Folk Music Definition and Development.
• The usage of acoustic guitar in happy and depressive songs.
• The Mind of Music: Psychology of Musicians.
• Calm or energetic music for driving. What’s better?
• Rave parties vs. country festivals.
• Is there a difference in men’s and women’s music tastes?
• The Violin Trio Music in the Early Twentieth Century: Specific Features of Aram Khachaturian’s and Bela Bartok’s Contrast.
• How do your high school and college music differ? And why?
• Mozart’s Third Violin Concert Performance Skills.
• Music therapy. Active or receptive?
• Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major: A Western Form of the Russian Music.
• Importance of a Choir Director in Music Making.

Haven’t found anything suitable in the lists above? Feel free to use our essay topic generator for more ideas.

📻 Music Essay Examples

Here we will look at two simple examples of a written music essay with a brief parsing of principal components for each.

Classical Music Concert Essay

If we’re going to write something about a classical concert, the narrative essay would be one of the best ways to do that. Remember that introduction and thesis are in the same paragraph. Pay attention to the absence of thesis. It’s a common thing in a narrative style essay.

Essay on Music Therapy

Going with a persuasive style for this topic might be a decent idea. Many people are doubtful about music being somehow related to health, and an essay on music therapy is a proper tool to convince them.

Overall, you need to bear in mind that a music essay is no different from any other type. Make sure to keep the structure, logic, and coherence together, and you’ll be good to go. Make sure to let us know if the article was any use for you, good luck with your assignment, and thank you for your time!

🔗 References

• Writing about Music: A Guide to Writing | Harvard College
• 6 Tips for Writing About Music – Writer’s Digest
• Music – UNC Writing Center
• The music essay – The Guardian
• Write Your Essay | UNSW Current Students
• How to Write an Essay

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• 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.

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?

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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.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• Essay On Music

Music Essay

500+ words music essay.

Music plays a crucial role in everyone’s lives. Music is present in nature in different forms. The songs of nature can be found in the sound of air, the gurgling sound of rivers, the thundering sound of sea waves, and the lighting sound of clouds. The sweet tones of nightingale, skylark & cuckoo are similar songs of nature. Music is in everything around us and can be found everywhere in the world. Music is the universal language of humanity and is used as a source of entertainment. It transforms our moods and rejuvenates us with good feelings. This “Music Essay” will improve students’ writing skills and help them score high marks on the exam.

Students should practise essays on other topics similar to Music Essays by going through the CBSE Essay page. It will help them in improving their essay-writing skills. In starting, students can choose the easy topic initially, then slowly move to the topics which they find difficult.

Music is the art of combining tones. The rhythmic sequence of pleasing sounds forms expressive compositions. People like different kinds of music for many reasons, even depending on their mood. But it brings people together, whether through the same taste in music or the willingness to try something new or even perform music with others. Being a part of concerts, orchestra bands, or any kind of group, brings people closer to one another. Music is the fountain of sentiments, energy & love. The philosophy of human life, the eternal prayers of the soul, and the singing in praise of the human spirit are merged in music. From saints down to people of the modern age, all great sages took the help of music to captivate the general public or to release the pent-up feeling in their own minds.

Benefits of Music

We all love music without any resistance. It is the answer to every question & solution to every problem. If we have a bad day, then we listen to music to make us feel better. At the end of the day, music makes everything better, and no day is complete without it. It helps people through hard times in their lives. Music helps us to express ourselves and inside feelings that we don’t usually let people know. Music affects our emotions. When we listen to happy songs, we feel happier. The upbeat songs and fast-paced rhythms fill us with energy, and we become active.

In all human beings, there is an artist’s mind & natural attraction for art. Music lends sound to the string of life and generates sentiment dormant in the mind of the listener. That’s why music has been regarded as the best carrier medium of emotion or sentiment. It is impossible for anyone to keep themselves away from this overwhelming power of music. Rabindranath once said that music is life; there is the manifestation of life in it. Music is a way to escape the boredom of the busy schedules of life. It gives relief from pain and reduces stress levels. It helps us to calm down so we can enjoy the small moments of life. Moreover, it enriches the mind and gives us self-confidence.

Music as a Powerful Medicine

Music has a powerful therapeutic effect on the human psyche. In the modern world, music is used as a therapy for the treatment of various diseases. Because of this power, music is said to have a healing capacity without the intake of any medicines. Doctors have also confirmed that music therapy is helpful in treating people with diseases like dementia, depression, dyslexia and trauma. Many children with learning disabilities and poor coordination have been able to learn and respond to set pieces of music. Many people who have a genetic disability have found a new light in the form of music. Music is a powerful aid to meditation and creating positive energies and vibrations around us. In many meditation workshops, music is used to make people more aware of their moods & feelings. People are made to lie down and empty their minds & then listen to music. In this way, they experience different emotions and states of consciousness. Thus, music works as a powerful medicine to heal our pain.

Music inhales our minds and soul. Pain, tension, stress and worries everything is washed away with the gentle stream of music. Music is a global language, and it has no barriers. Music teaches us peace and harmony.

Students must have found this “Music Essay” helpful for improving their writing skills. They can get more study material on different subjects related to CBSE/ICSE/State Board/Competitive exams at BYJU’S.

Frequently Asked Questions on Music Essay

How was music born.

Earlier, music was first created by clapping hands or by making foot-tapping noises.

What is sound healing?

It is a practice which uses vocal or instrumental vibrations to relax our stressed mind/body.

Which is the top music genre in the world?

Pop music is known to be the most popular music genre, with the maximum number of consumers around the world.

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• Introduction

Early Indian and Chinese conceptions

Ancient greek ideas, music in christianity, 17th- and 18th-century western conceptions.

• The concept of dynamism
• Referentialists and nonreferentialists
• Intuition and intellect
• Symbolist contributions
• Contextualist theories
• Information theory
• Considerations related to performance practice
• Music and worldview
• Tonality and meaning

• Who was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?
• How old was Mozart when he began playing music?
• What are Mozart’s most famous compositions?
• What did Mozart contribute to Western music?
• What is Ludwig van Beethoven known for?

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• The Canadian Encyclopedia - Music History
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History - Music in the Renaissance
• Milne Library - Music and the Child - Music: Fundamentals and Educational Roots in the U.S.
• University of Florida Pressbooks - Music and Health (Development Version) - Physics of Sound
• Frontiers - How Music and Instruments Began: A Brief Overview of the Origin and Entire Development of Music, from Its Earliest Stages
• Library of Congress - The Moldenhauer Archives - The Rosaleen Moldenhauer Memorial - Music History from Primary Sources
• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - The Philosophy of Music
• PBS LearningMedia - What Is Music? | Music Arts Toolkit
• music - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• music - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

Recent News

music , art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of form or emotional expression, usually according to cultural standards of rhythm , melody , and, in most Western music, harmony . Both the simple folk song and the complex electronic composition belong to the same activity, music. Both are humanly engineered; both are conceptual and auditory, and these factors have been present in music of all styles and in all periods of history, throughout the world.

Music is an art that, in one guise or another, permeates every human society. Modern music is heard in a bewildering profusion of styles, many of them contemporary, others engendered in past eras. Music is a protean art; it lends itself easily to alliances with words, as in song , and with physical movement, as in dance . Throughout history, music has been an important adjunct to ritual and drama and has been credited with the capacity to reflect and influence human emotion . Popular culture has consistently exploited these possibilities, most conspicuously today by means of radio , film , television , musical theatre , and the Internet . The implications of the uses of music in psychotherapy , geriatrics , and advertising testify to a faith in its power to affect human behaviour . Publications and recordings have effectively internationalized music in its most significant, as well as its most trivial, manifestations . Beyond all this, the teaching of music in primary and secondary schools has now attained virtually worldwide acceptance.

But the prevalence of music is nothing new, and its human importance has often been acknowledged. What seems curious is that, despite the universality of the art, no one until recent times has argued for its necessity. The ancient Greek philosopher Democritus explicitly denied any fundamental need for music: “For it was not necessity that separated it off, but it arose from the existing superfluity.” The view that music and the other arts are mere graces is still widespread, although the growth of psychological understanding of play and other symbolic activities has begun to weaken this tenacious belief.

Music is treated in a number of articles. For the history of music in different regions, see African music ; Oceanic music and dance ; Western music ; Central Asian arts: Music ; Chinese music ; Japanese music ; Korean music ; Islamic arts ; Native American music ; South Asian arts: Music ; and Southeast Asian arts: Music . See also folk music . Aspects of music are treated in counterpoint , harmony , instrumentation , mode , music criticism , music composition , music performance , music recording , musical sound , music notation , rhythm , scale , and tuning and temperament . See also such articles as blues , chamber music , choral music , concerto , electronic music , fugue , jazz , opera , rhythm and blues , rock , symphony , sonata , theatre music , and vocal music . Musical instruments are treated in electronic instrument , keyboard instrument , percussion instrument , stringed instrument , and wind instrument , as well as in separate articles on individual instruments, such as clarinet , drum , guitar , kayagŭm , piano , tabla , and theremin .

Historical conceptions

Music is everywhere to be heard. But what is music? Commentators have spoken of “the relationship of music to the human senses and intellect,” thus affirming a world of human discourse as the necessary setting for the art. A definition of music itself will take longer. As Aristotle said, “It is not easy to determine the nature of music or why anyone should have a knowledge of it.”

Early in the 20th century, it was regarded as a commonplace that a musical tone was characterized by the regularity of its vibrations; this uniformity gave it a fixed pitch and distinguished its sounds from “noise.” Although that view may have been supported by traditional music, by the latter half of the 20th century it was recognized as an unacceptable yardstick. Indeed, “noise” itself and silence became elements in composition , and random sounds were used (without prior knowledge of what they would be) by composers, such as the American John Cage , and others in works having aleatory (chance) or impromptu features. Tone , moreover, is only one component in music, others being rhythm , timbre (tone colour), and texture . Electronic machinery enabled some composers to create works in which the traditional role of the interpreter is abolished and to record, directly on tape or into a digital file, sounds that were formerly beyond human ability to produce, if not to imagine.

From historical accounts it is clear that the power to move people has always been attributed to music; its ecstatic possibilities have been recognized in all cultures and have usually been admitted in practice under particular conditions, sometimes stringent ones. In India, music has been put into the service of religion from earliest times; Vedic hymns stand at the beginning of the record. As the art developed over many centuries into a music of profound melodic and rhythmic intricacy, the discipline of a religious text or the guideline of a story determined the structure. In the 21st century the narrator remains central to the performance of much Indian traditional music, and the virtuosity of a skillful singer rivals that of the instrumentalists. There is very little concept of vocal or instrumental idiom in the Western sense. The vertical dimension of chord structure—that is, the effects created by sounding tones simultaneously—is not a part of South Asian classical music; the divisions of an octave (intervals) are more numerous than in Western music, and the melodic complexity of the music goes far beyond that of its Western counterpart. Moreover, an element of improvisation is retained that is vital to the success of a performance. The spontaneous imitation carried on between an instrumentalist and narrator, against the insistent rhythmic subtleties of the drums, can be a source of the greatest excitement, which in large measure is because of the faithful adherence to the rigid rules that govern the rendition of ragas —the ancient melodic patterns of Indian music.

Chinese music , like the music of India, has traditionally been an adjunct to ceremony or narrative. Confucius (551–479 bce ) assigned an important place to music in the service of a well-ordered moral universe. He saw music and government as reflecting one another and believed that only the superior man who can understand music is equipped to govern. Music, he thought, reveals character through the six emotions that it can portray: sorrow, satisfaction, joy, anger, piety, love. According to Confucius, great music is in harmony with the universe, restoring order to the physical world through that harmony. Music, as a true mirror of character, makes pretense or deception impossible.

Although music was important in the life of ancient Greece, it is not now known how that music actually sounded. Only a few notated fragments have survived, and no key exists for restoring even these. The Greeks were given to theoretical speculation about music; they had a system of notation, and they “practiced music,” as Socrates himself, in a vision, had been enjoined to do. But the Greek term from which the word music is derived was a generic one, referring to any art or science practiced under the aegis of the Muses . Music, therefore, as distinct from gymnastics , was all-encompassing. (Much speculation, however, was clearly directed toward that more-restricted meaning with which we are familiar.) Music was virtually a department of mathematics for the philosopher Pythagoras ( c. 550 bce ), who was the first musical numerologist and who laid the foundations for acoustics . In acoustics, the Greeks discovered the correspondence between the pitch of a note and the length of a string. But they did not progress to a calculation of pitch on the basis of vibrations , though an attempt was made to connect sounds with underlying motions.

Plato (428–348/347 bce ), like Confucius, looked on music as a department of ethics . And like Confucius he was anxious to regulate the use of particular modes (i.e., arrangements of notes, like scales) because of their supposed effects on people. Plato was a stern musical disciplinarian; he saw a correspondence between the character of a person and the music that represented him or her. Straightforward simplicity was best. In the Laws , Plato declared that rhythmic and melodic complexities were to be avoided because they led to depression and disorder. Music echoes divine harmony; rhythm and melody imitate the movements of heavenly bodies, thus delineating the music of the spheres and reflecting the moral order of the universe. Earthly music, however, is suspect; Plato distrusted its emotional power. Music must therefore be of the right sort; the sensuous qualities of certain modes are dangerous, and a strong censorship must be imposed. Music and gymnastics in the correct balance would constitute the desirable curriculum in education. Plato valued music in its ethically approved forms; his concern was primarily with the effects of music, and he therefore regarded it as a psychosociological phenomenon.

Yet Plato, in treating earthly music as a shadow of the ideal, saw a symbolic significance in the art. Aristotle carried forward the concept of the art as imitation, but music could express the universal as well. His idea that works of art could contain a measure of truth in themselves—an idea voiced more explicitly by Plotinus in the 3rd century ce —gave added strength to the symbolic view. Aristotle, following Plato, thought that music has power to mold human character, but he would admit all the modes, recognizing happiness and pleasure as values to both the individual and the state. He advocated a rich musical diet. Aristotle made a distinction between those who have only theoretical knowledge and those who produce music, maintaining that persons who do not perform cannot be good judges of the performances of others.

Aristoxenus , a pupil of Aristotle, gave considerable credit to human listeners, their importance, and their powers of perception. He denigrated the dominance of mathematical and acoustical considerations. For Aristoxenus, music was emotional and fulfilled a functional role, for which both the hearing and the intellect of the listener were essential. Individual tones were to be understood in their relations to one another and in the context of larger formal units. The Epicureans and Stoics adopted a more naturalistic view of music and its function, which they accepted as an adjunct to the good life. They gave more emphasis to sensation than did Plato, but they nevertheless placed music in the service of moderation and virtue. A dissenting 3rd-century voice was that of Sextus Empiricus , who said that music was an art of tones and rhythms only that meant nothing outside itself.

The Platonic influence in musical thought was to be dominant for at least a millennium. Following that period of unquestioned philosophical allegiance , there were times of rededication to Greek concepts, accompanied by reverent and insistent homage (e.g., the group of late 16th-century Florentines, known as the Camerata , who were instrumental in the development of opera ). Such returns to simplicity, directness, and the primacy of the word have been made periodically, out of loyalty to Platonic imperatives , however much these “neo” practices may have differed from those of the Greeks themselves.

In the 21st century the effects of Greek thought are still strongly evident in the belief that music influences the ethical life; in the idea that music can be explained in terms of some component such as number (that may itself be only a reflection of another, higher source); in the view that music has specific effects and functions that can be appropriately labelled; and in the recurrent observation that music is connected with human emotion. In every historical period there have been defectors from one or more of these views, and there are, of course, differences of emphasis.

Much of the Platonic-Aristotelian teaching, as restated by the Roman philosopher Boethius ( c. 480–524), was well suited to the needs of the church; the conservative aspects of that philosophy , with its fear of innovation , were conducive to the maintenance of order. The role of music as accessory to words is nowhere more clearly illustrated than in the history of Christianity , where the primacy of the text has always been emphasized and sometimes, as in Roman Catholic doctrine , made an article of faith. In the varieties of plainchant , melody was used for textual illumination; the configurations of sound took their cue from the words. St. Augustine (354–430 ce ), who was attracted by music and valued its utility to religion, was fearful of its sensuous element and anxious that the melody never take precedence over the words. These had been Plato’s concerns also. Still echoing the Greeks, Augustine, whose beliefs were reiterated by St. Thomas Aquinas ( c. 1225–74), held the basis of music to be mathematical; music reflects celestial movement and order.

Martin Luther (1483–1546) was a musical liberal and reformer. But the uses he envisioned for music, despite his innovations , were in the mainstream of tradition; Luther insisted that music must be simple, direct, accessible, an aid to piety. His assignment of particular qualities to a given mode is reminiscent of Plato and Confucius. John Calvin (1509–64) took a more cautious and fearful view of music than did Luther, warning against voluptuous, effeminate, or disorderly music and insisting upon the supremacy of the text.

In reviewing the accounts of music that have characterized musical and intellectual history , it is clear that the Pythagoreans are reborn from age to age. The German astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571–1630) perpetuated, in effect, the idea of the harmony of the spheres, attempting to relate music to planetary movement. René Descartes (1596–1650), too, saw the basis of music as mathematical. He was a faithful Platonist in his prescription of temperate rhythms and simple melodies so that music would not produce imaginative, exciting, and hence immoral, effects. For another philosopher-mathematician, the German Gottfried von Leibniz (1646–1716), music reflected a universal rhythm and mirrored a reality that was fundamentally mathematical, to be experienced in the mind as a subconscious apprehension of numerical relationships.

Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) ranked music as lowest in his hierarchy of the arts. What he distrusted most about music was its wordlessness; he considered it useful for enjoyment but negligible in the service of culture. Allied with poetry , however, it may acquire conceptual value. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) also extolled the discursive faculties, saying that art, though it expresses the divine, must yield to philosophy. He acknowledged the peculiar power of music to express many nuances of the emotions. Like Kant, Hegel preferred vocal music to instrumental, deprecating wordless music as subjective and indefinite. The essence of music he held to be rhythm, which finds its counterpart in the innermost self. What is original in Hegel’s view is his claim that music, unlike the other arts, has no independent existence in space, is not “objective” in that sense; the fundamental rhythm of music (again an aspect of number) is experienced within the hearer.

After the 18th century, speculations upon the intrinsic nature of music became more numerous and profound. The elements necessary for a more comprehensive theory of its function and meaning became discernible. But philosophers whose views have been summarized thus far were not speaking as philosophers of music. Music interested them in terms extrinsic to itself, in its observable effects; in its connections with dance, religious ritual, or festive rites; because of its alliance with words; or for some other extramusical consideration. The only common denominator to be found, aside from the recognition of different types of music, is the acknowledgment of its connection with the emotional life, and here, to be sure, is that problematic power of the art to move. Various extramusical preoccupations are the raison d’être of “contextualist” explanations of music, which are concerned with its relation to the human environment . The history of music itself is largely an account of its adjunctive function in rituals and ceremonies of all kinds—religious, military, courtly—and in musical theatre. The protean character of music that enables it to form such easy alliances with literature and drama (as in folk song, art song, opera, “background” music) and with the dance (ritual, popular entertainment, “social,” ballet ) appears to confirm the wide range and influence that the Greeks assigned to it.

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

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

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.

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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!

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.

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.

• 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!

• 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
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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!

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“Without music, life would be a mistake,” wrote the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche . Albert Einstein, who was an accomplished violinist, said that nothing gave him as much pleasure as music , and that this would have been his occupation had he not pursued science. Today neuroscientists, musicologists, psychologists and anthropologists continue to ponder why humans enjoy music so much. The discovery of 40,000-year-ago bone flutes in a cave in Germany, perhaps the oldest musical instruments on record, suggests that music has accompanied Homo sapiens since ancient times. But what is its function?

The question has puzzled experts for centuries and there is still no conclusive answer. In the 5th century BC, the school of Pythagoras suggested that music governed the harmony of the stars , whereas current scientific research—from an evolutionary and biological perspective—considers that music serves rather to govern the harmony between human beings.

One of the purposes for music is social cohesion says Jeremy Montagu, a musician and professor at Oxford University. In an essay published in the journal Frontiers in Sociology , Montagu argues that music is so primitive that it predates language. He maintains that a mother’s humming to soothe her baby is music and that this likely happened before humans could speak.

According to Montagu, the bond that music establishes between mother and child is also present in a group of workers or in the ancestral men who danced and sang before a hunt or a battle. “In causing such bonding, [music] created not only the family, but society itself ,” he writes. During the lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nothing helped connect people and break the sense of isolation as much as music , sung or played from balconies or through online videos.

Communicates emotions

The hypothesis that music played an essential role in the formation and survival of groups and in conflict mitigation is one of the most widely accepted. Mark Tramo of the Institute for Music & Brain Science at Harvard University defines it as a factor of social cohesion. “Men needed to organise to hunt and defend themselves. It paved the way for us to communicate with each other and to share emotions,” he explains. The emotional factor is essential; Montagu defines music as “sound that conveys emotion”.

The ability to communicate emotion is precisely what made music persist after the development of language. A study by psychologists at the University of London and the Austrian Academy of Sciences showed, for example, that even when listening to a short excerpt of a piece of music, an individual is more likely to perceive sadness or happiness in the face of another person, even if the latter maintains a neutral facial expression.

In its task of forging bonds between people, music also reveals one’s personality, according to a study by social psychology experts at the universities of Cambridge and Texas. The participants were asked to judge each other’s personality based solely on their list of ten favourite songs . Psychologists noted that the participants correctly identified the personality traits of their study partners and concluded that musical taste is a reliable source of information about an individual. A study led by Adrian North of Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University surveyed more than 36,000 people in over 60 countries to link musical preferences with personality traits . The results were curious; for example, classical and heavy metal music fans differ in age, but overlap quite closely in personality traits. According to North, they share a “love of the grandiose”. “They’re quite delicate things,” says the researcher. “Lots of heavy metal fans will tell you that they also like Wagner, because it’s big, loud and brash.”

Promotes happiness and creativity

Given music’s emotional capacity, it makes sense that we listen to music that makes us feel good. A study conducted by the Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany), which surveyed more than 800 people on the reasons that motivate them to listen to music, found that the main reasons are related to the regulation of arousal and mood and to achieve self-awareness, even more than social cohesion or communication. Studies have shown that about two-thirds of the population experience what is known as frisson , a pleasurable chill when listening to music that gives us goose bumps; some researchers have even dubbed it a “skin orgasm” . Researchers at Eastern Washington University showed that people more prone to this effect exhibit a personality trait called openness to experience , and that cognitive factors such as imagination or intellectual curiosity weigh even more heavily in this experience than purely emotional ones.

At a deeper level, scientists are exploring the brain mechanisms of musical experience. Research published in Nature and led by Daniel Levitin , neuroscientist and author of the book This is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession , indicates that music acts on the brain in a similar way to drugs, sex or food. Songs activate the frontal lobe, produce dopamine and act on the cerebellum, which is able to synchronise itself to the rhythm of the music, leading to pleasure . Both playing and listening to music stimulate the production of oxytocin, popularly known as the love hormone. Music “is like a toy for the brain,” says Levitin.

And that “toy” also stimulates creativity. While many people welcome absolute silence during tasks that require concentration, at least one study has found that a moderate level of ambient sound is more conducive to creativity than a lower level of noise, especially in the most creative people. Explanations have been provided by a phenomenon called stochastic resonance , whereby not only humans but also certain animals improve some of their functions under sensory stimulation.

In children’s brains, musical activity increases cognitive and motor skills . A team of neurologists at Harvard University found that children who have three years or more of training with musical instruments have better motor coordination and auditory discrimination skills, learn vocabulary more easily and have better non-verbal reasoning skills, which implies better understanding and analysis of visual information, such as identifying relationships, similarities and differences between shapes and patterns. Continued musical practice throughout the later years of schooling is associated with better grades in mathematics, science and language.

Music is therapeutic

Of all the functions of music, perhaps the most mysterious is its possible therapeutic use. The British neurologist Oliver Sacks reported in his books cases of patients with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms improved when they listened to songs . Other research shows that stroke patients who listen to music of their own choice not only improve their mood, but also their visual attention and ability to do other tasks . Neurological music therapy is now an active field of research that is attracting increasing interest .

In his book Music, the Brain, and Ecstasy: How Music Captures Our Imagination , composer and pianist Robert Jourdain writes that music “relaxes brain flow” while “stimulating and coordinating brain activities”. For him, this “magic” happens to all people. “Music lifts us from our frozen mental habits and makes our minds move in ways ordinarily cannot,” he states. Or in more direct words, as reggae genius Bob Marley sang in Trenchtown Rock , “one good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”

Joana Oliveira  and  Javier Yanes

Related publications.

• "Music conveys stories and emotions and connects people", Tod Machover (MIT)
• Eric Clarke: Neuroscience, Anthropology and Sociology to Understand Music
• Frontiers and Knowledge in Music? A Few Notes
• Is Music Streaming a Sustainable Business?

More about Humanities

Communications, more publications about ventana al conocimiento (knowledge window), comments on this publication.

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Music essay

How to write an essay about music: useful tips from a professional composer.

Writing an essay about music can be a real challenge for many students. Some struggle with technical terms, such as tempo, rhythm, time or key signatures, clefs and ties between notes. Others just need to describe how the music sounds but it also proves harder than they might initially think. 

This article by Greg Wells is for all the learners who don’t know what to write in their papers about music of any genre or era. Read on to find out how to describe the melodies you hear and analyze them in a meaningful way.

How to describe instrumental music

Each music essay starts with you listening to the piece and analyzing the way it sounds without any terminology. So, how to make the most of this stage? For starters, you need to jot down the adjectives that come to your mind. Is the piece melodic or dissonant, does it go from fast to slow or vice versa, or, perhaps, the tempo stays the same throughout it? Once you’ve figured out these basics, you’ll need to listen to the piece you’re analyzing the second time and pick up more details. 

Specifically, analyze how instruments and vocals (if there are any) work together to create harmony. To do this, you’ll need to single out the most catchy and prominent riffs and describe them. For example, the singer’s soft voice might contrast with sharp and intense electric guitar sounds, ending up as an unforgettable mix. In short, keep your ear out for something that’s memorable and remarkable about the song you’re analyzing.

Of course, all the steps mentioned above work better if you keep track of “technical” aspects. Try finding the score for the music you’re writing about and pay attention to the time signature and tempo. Think about the genre of your piece and ask yourself why the composer chose those parameters. For example, marches usually have a 4/4 time signature while waltzes go with 3/4, but it’s not uncommon to write lullabies in that signature as well. Think about what would change if you hummed this song faster or slower, try it out if you have a chance. That way, you’ll be able to understand and describe it far better.

How to describe vocals

Not every essay on music obligates students to describe singing, but it’s an important part of many musical pieces. Here’s some advice on how to understand what to write about.

• Start by describing what you hear. You should determine if the vocals are high-pitched or low and how many singers there are? Is this a solo, a duet, or a choir? If it’s a modern song, are there any backing singers? Do the voices sound harmonious or dissonant? What vocal ranges do they have? Answering these questions is a great start.
• Continue by analyzing the intonation of singers . Essentially, musical intonation is about pitch accuracy and, in some cases, the way in which musicians choose to interpret the piece. Do all notes sound in tune with the backing track or accompaniment? If it’s a cover of a popular song, which parts are different from the original in terms of pitch? Is it higher or lower? Ask such questions to get materials for your future essay.
• End with a brief description of the melody and how it’s written . At the end of your description, you can mention that the specific parts of the song could be difficult for the singer because of their range or the way this melody is designed. Look for information from musical critics to determine which parts are the trickiest and analyze the way they’re performed.

Analyzing musicality: The basic things you might’ve missed

It’s clear why people ask, “What is music essay anyway?” We don’t usually think about songs as something we can analyze and discuss the way we discuss books and movies. However, music conjures images and tells stories in a similar way to other media, so here are some questions you can ask to get more insights.

What is the main emotion of the musical piece? Normally, loud bases make songs heavier on our ears while gentle, higher notes give them soothing qualities. However, that doesn’t necessarily determine the emotions you’ll feel when listening to them.. Remember the eerie melodies of ancient music boxes from horror films. Although they’re high-pitched and theoretically pleasant, they give most people shivers. On the other hand, a rock melody can sound happy and not aggressive at all, despite big basses. 

In which life situation would you listen to this song? Some musical pieces are tied to specific occasions, like wedding marches. However, most songs are just out there, for you to listen whenever you please. If you analyze when would be the best time to turn on the specific piece, it might give you a better feel for it. That way, you’ll know how to approach it in your essay.

Do you think this piece is hard to play? If so, why? Difficult songs are always more impressive, but challenging pieces aren’t always fast and they don’t necessarily have high-pitched vocals. The biggest hurdles are often the complex rhythm, changing intonations, and the bits where the musician is allowed to improvise.

Reading into music: Historical context

Whether you’re writing an essay about songs of modernity or about Bach, who basically founded music as we know it, you need context. 

• Who is the original author of this song and why did they write it? This might seem obvious, but that’s not always the case. For example, what we all know as “The Circus Song” is in fact called “Entry of the Gladiators, Op. 68.” Julius Fučík wrote that march in 19th century Austria to showcase the might of the army. As you can see, the meaning of some music can really change over time.
• What was going on in the world when this musical piece appeared? It’s important to understand the agenda and the messages that the composer could include into their music. For example, Richard Wagner was antisemitic, which has made his music what many people call the German Nazi soundtrack. Such details are also essential for a good music essay.
• Why do people like this music? You can start answering this question by looking at the fan base if you’re writing about a modern song or googling the opinions of critics if your essay is about a classical piece. It can be refreshing and enlightening to compare others’ opinions and impressions to yours.

You might find some of the tips above less useful than the other ones, but you’re sure to write a good music essay if you follow the ones that suit you. Good luck on your journey! I hope that this article has made you one step closer to discovering the true beauty and complexity of music.

Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Music Industry — Music: Evolution And Impact On The World Today

Music: Evolution and Impact on The World Today

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Published: Mar 18, 2021

Words: 1139 | Pages: 3 | 6 min read

Works Cited:

• Baker, S. (2018). The Power of Kindness: Why Compassion Is Essential in Everyday Life. Chronicle Books.
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• Gilbert, D. (2009). Stumbling on happiness. Vintage.
• Grant, A. M. (2014). Give and take: Why helping others drives our success. Penguin Books.
• McKeown, G., & Hopkins, N. (2014). Emotion, kindness and compassion: The nature and significance of promoting positive affect in relationship education. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 31(2), 200-215.
• Nelson, J. (2020). The Science of Kindness: Building a Better World. Beacon Press.
• Post, S. G. (2018). The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion, and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times. Jossey-Bass.
• Rind, B., & Bordia, P. (1995). Effect of server introduction on restaurant tipping. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 25(1), 37-57.
• Sprenger, S. J. (2008). The power of kindness: Why empathetic kids do better in school and life. Sourcebooks.
• Wiseman, R. (2012). Rip it up: The radically new approach to changing your life. Harper Collins.

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What Is Music?

An ethnomusicologist says he is not sure..

—Image by Estelle Levine, 1936, Federal Art Project, Library of Congress. Adapted by Andrea Heiss.

I ’ m an ethnomusicologist. Not everyone knows this word, so if you ’ re introduced to me at a party, or if you strike up a conversation with me on an airplane, I ’ ll probably tell you that I ’ m a “ music professor ” or a “ music historian. ”

Pressed further, I will explain that I write books and articles and teach classes about music of the twentieth-century United States, particularly jazz and rock. “That sounds like an interesting job!” you might say, and I’ll wholeheartedly agree.

If, instead, I begin by saying that I’m an ethnomusicologist, you may very well ask, “What’s ethnomusicology?” That’s a harder question for me to answer.

Ethnomusicology has been defined in many different ways, largely because ethnomusicologists seem to study so many different subjects. Mantle Hood, who established the influential ethno-musicology program at UCLA, defined the field in 1963 as “the study of music in terms of itself and within the context of its society.” Alan Merriam, Hood’s contemporary at Indiana University, famously proposed “the study of music in culture” in 1960, modified this definition to “the study of music as culture” around 1973, and then in 1975 described ethnomusicologists as those who “see the focus of their study as human beings and work out from there, saying that ‘music is culture’ and ‘what musicians do is society.’” These very general definitions rely on the shaky assumption that we know what “music” is, which, strange as it may sound, is far from certain.

Many non-European languages don’t have a word that translates easily as “music.” Scholar of African music Ruth M. Stone writes, for example, that “the isolation of music as sound is quite foreign in the conceptualization of most West Africans,” whose languages and cultural practices often wrap singing, drama, dancing, and instrumental performance into a “tightly bound complex of the arts.”

British ethnomusicologist John Blacking, in his widely read 1973 book,  How Musical Is Man?  (the answer is “very”) proposed that we define music as “humanly organized sound,” which, while useful, is perhaps too broad. We often draw a distinction between speech and music, for example, even though both are sounds organized by humans. Moreover, the many sounds inadvertently or indirectly organized by humans (the polyrhythmic groove produced by an old washing machine, say, or, the grating whine of a leaf blower) don’t typically qualify as music, although that hasn’t stopped enterprising composers from incorporating such sounds into creations that we likely would consider music (listen to the airplane propellers in George Antheil’s  Ballet Mécanique , for example, or the supermarket sounds and exploding bombs sampled and manipulated in the recent works of electronic musician Matthew Herbert). It might be most accurate, if troublingly tautological, to say that music is those sounds that people call music.

The Society for Ethnomusicology, founded in 1955 and flourishing today with over 1,700 members, reflects this almost infinitely broad purview. The program of the society’s 2014 annual conference, held that year in Pittsburgh, covered musical traditions from Chinese opera to Norwegian jaw harps to Nigerian reggae, and cultural issues from masculinity in heavy metal to Buddhism in the American avant-garde to ethnic-minority hip hop in China. While most of the presentations explored contemporary music around the world, some of the work (as does my own) addressed historical questions: the effects of apartheid on South African music, for example, or jazz musicians in the Calcutta record industry before World War II. Live performances included Irish music and dance, a Balkan and East European dance party, and the Dangdut Cowboys, who play Indonesian popular music. I look forward to the conference every year—it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about and participate in an ever-changing and unpredictable world of music.

As the diverse range of musical idioms and approaches addressed by the society might lead you to suspect, most ethnomusicologists reject the common claim that “music is a universal language.” One might as well call talking a universal language—lots of people around the world do it, but they don’t automatically understand one another. That said, music appears to be a universal behavior and a universal preoccupation.

Ethnomusicologist Bonnie Wade explains that “every known group of people in the world exercises their creative imaginations to organize sound in  some way  that is different from the way they organize sound for speech.” A recent wave of disability studies in ethnomusicology has demonstrated that, except in rare cases, physical and mental differences need not prevent people from making music. Evelyn Glennie, an internationally acclaimed percussionist who is also profoundly deaf, writes in her “Hearing Essay” that “my hearing is something that bothers other people far more than it bothers me.” Music may be in the ear of the beholder, but just about everyone is a musician.

The default stance of ethnomusicology, therefore, is aesthetic relativism. We don’t argue that one kind of music is better than another, because there isn’t an objective position from which to make such a claim.

Perhaps you have a friend with season tickets to the symphony orchestra, and another who’s a regular at the local punk rock bar. Friend #1 might argue that his music rewards thoughtful attention to a gradually unfolding structure. Friend #2 might respond that her music, in contrast, possesses a visceral immediacy and inspires her to move her body in an energetic and exciting way. Friend #1 might add that the works of Beethoven and Brahms epitomize timeless values of intellectual complexity and sublime beauty that remind us of our ability to transcend temporal concerns. Friend #2 might point out that punk, unlike the canonical repertoire of classical music, directly addresses current political issues with commitment and critical consciousness. Friend #1, piqued by Friend #2’s recalcitrance in the face of great art, might turn up the heat by condemning punk as “noise.” Friend #2, having pulled out your copy of the  Oxford English Dictionar y, might point out that “noise” is a purely subjective term that once meant “a pleasant or melodious sound” and now means only “any music that the person saying it doesn’t like.” Friend #1, nose held high, responds that the orchestra hall, unlike the punk club, attracts a well-mannered sophisticated audience who embody good taste and refinement. Friend #2 flips over the dining room table as a statement of antielitism. You serve a quick dessert in the kitchen and resolve never to invite these two to dinner on the same night again.

Although they haven’t noticed, your two friends do have something in common—the belief that music  can  and  should  be good. Most punk rock fans would argue that some bands (perhaps the Ramones or the Sex Pistols) are better than others, just as classical audiences consider some nineteenth-century composers (Beethoven, Brahms) canonical and others (Václav Veit, say, or Franz Hünten) not. But even the value of “good” music is up for debate.

Some ethnomusicologists believe that the problem isn’t that there’s too much bad music, but rather that industrial societies’ obsession with technical perfection and slick, marketable musical products has intimidated most people into becoming passive consumers of music rather than active, happy creators. John Blacking pointed out that while many of us believe “that only a limited number of people are musical,” we also take for granted that everyone possesses “the basic capacity without which no musical tradition can exist—the capacity to listen to and distinguish patterns of sound.” Charles Keil, whose scholarly work has focused on “participatory discrepancies” in African-American music—the subtle negotiations of time and timbre that make James Brown’s band groove or Count Basie’s swing—argues that imperfection, rather than robotic precision, might actually be the crucial aspect of musical experience. For Keil, this view of musical creativity has larger political and social ramifications. He argues that “it is our defects, imperfections, weaknesses, mishaps, inadequacies, discrepancies that require participation and collaboration, playing with others, balancing, sharing, arguing, resolving differences, relating, keeping together in time, if we are to survive and thrive as individuals, families, friendship circles, bands, classmates, colleagues, communities, nations.” Claims such as Blacking’s and Keil’s come back to a central ethnomusicological question: What if we think about music, not as a set of beautiful artifacts that preternaturally talented people make, but rather as a behavior, something that practically anyone can  do ?

I was inspired to think about this question while conducting research on the Godz, a folk-rock band formed on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1966 and still prized by their small but dedicated cult of fans (of which I’m proud to be a member) for their aggressive ineptitude. The Godz’ first three albums, still available as reissues, feature out-of-tune guitars, noodling flutes, squawking violins, unsteady rhythms, pointless lyrics perhaps made up on the spot, and above all else an infectious sense of fun and freedom. While the recordings themselves can, of course, be analyzed as “works,” their point seems to be the energy and spontaneity that went into their creation rather than a polished final product. When I interviewed former members of the group in 2009, they emphasized the sense of playfulness and enthusiasm that motivated their music. While the Godz didn’t aspire to sound bad, they also didn’t see this as an obstacle. Singer and guitarist Jim McCarthy remembered that “it was meant to be pure gut feeling, emotional expression. Sometimes that was pleasant and sometimes not, depending on the subject matter, but it was always meant to be real.” The Godz contributed to the world of music, I’d argue, not by making masterpieces in the conventional sense, but rather by demonstrating that the right to perform and to enjoy performing doesn’t belong only to virtuosos. McCarthy put it more succinctly: “Our premise was that anyone could make music.”

Ethnomusicologists often take pride in having opened up academic music programs, long dominated by European “classical” music, to musical traditions from all over the world. Perhaps another important role that ethnomusicology can play is to encourage all of us to be less afraid of our own capacity for music-making and more willing to make sounds for the sheer joy and conviviality of it. There’s certainly ample precedent for the idea, from Psalm 100 (“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands”) to Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” (“I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world”) to, for those of us raised on  Sesame Street , Joe Raposo’s classic song “Sing” (“Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear—sing, sing a song!”) Whatever your source of inspiration, ethnomusicology demonstrates that making music is a fundamental part of what it means to be human.

Patrick Burke is an associate professor of music at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of C ome In and Hear the Truth: Jazz and Race on 52nd Street (University of Chicago Press).

Funding information

In February 2005, Patrick Burke received a  summer stipend  from NEH to support work that led to his book  Come In and Hear the Truth: Jazz and Race on 52nd Street . In 2010, he received a  full research fellowship  to support work for his forthcoming second book,  Trouble Every Day: Rock, Race, and Revolution in the 1960s .

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Essay on Music

List of essays on music, essay on music – short essay for kids and children (essay 1 – 150 words), essay on music (essay 2 – 250 words), essay on music – types, importance and usage (essay 3 – 300 words), essay on music – for school students (class 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 standard) (essay 4 – 400 words), essay on music (essay 5 – 500 words), essay on music – written in english (essay 6 – 600 words), essay on music (essay 7 – 750 words), essay on music – long essay for college students (essay 8 – 1000 words).

Music is an art form which triggers our feelings in different ways. The soul of music comprises of rhythm, pitch, texture, timbre and dynamics. Music is used in different forms and in varied sectors and the results are beyond one’s own understanding.

Audience: The below given essays are especially written for kids, children, school students (class 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 standard) and college students.

Introduction:

Music is the sound produced that is pleasing to the ears. It is also a form of Art. Music can be produced through many activities, such as singing, using musical instruments or any other objects.

More about Music:

Music is an instant mood lifter. It touches the soul and helps you connect with people. It heals one’s mind. Music takes care of mental needs. It helps in overcoming disabilities of any form.

There are many genres of music like classical, blues, rock, jazz, folk, etc. Every culture has its own music. The classical music in Indian culture is Carnatic and Hindustani. Whatever be the genre, it is all equally soothing.

Conclusion:

Music is a beautiful form of expression. It is that form of art that evolves continuously. Everyone has some form of passion towards music within them, either in the form of a desire to learn or listening for relaxation. To me music is life, and I have a strong desire to learn music in the future.

It has already been proven that music can do much more than just lifting the spirits. There are different genres of music used for calming and relaxing our mind and senses. Music has become a major part in Chemotherapy centers and even in the Pregnancy wards. When slow and melodious music is played, it lowers the blood pressure thus slowing down the heartbeat allowing us to breathe normally and to calm the nerves.

It has been proven that music can reduce the music tension that builds up around the different parts of our body including the back, neck, stomach and shoulders. More importantly, music drastically works on lowering psychological tension from our mind. Listening to music helps to reduce mental and physical stress and is highly employed in the health industry to relax and keep the patients calm.

Music is the complete package for improving our soul and mind equally. This is the reason why a long drive with slow and melodious music can change one’s mood to a happy and merry going one. It has the God gifted power to erase all the negative thoughts from our mind and to make it more positive and happy. This indeed improves our concentration and works to enhance our overall skills.

Until now, the world has not seen anything better than music to heal the inner soul and the body alike.

Music is loved and enjoyed by all people around the world in different ways. Its pleasant sound makes it an important element in a person’s life.

Hearing music makes you feel peaceful and happier in life. Without the harmony and melody of music, life becomes very frustrating.

Types of Music:

There are numerous types of music all over the world.

Below you can find the important and most popular categories of music:

1. Jazz Music

2. Hip hop Music

3. Rock and Roll Music

4. Rock Music

5. Blues Music

6. Country Music

7. Pop Music

8. R&B (Rhythm and Blues) Music

9. Folk Music

10. Fusion Music

Importance of Music:

Music is a vital part of every person’s life. It is essential in the different moments of life. In fact, during the sorrow, we hear the music.

Music not only brings happiness in our life and but also sometimes shows us the way to overcome the problem.

Unlimited Power of Music:

There is unlimited power of music like healing and relaxing. After listening to the music, people feel relaxed and forget all their worries for a certain period.

Music eases the stressed muscles of the human body. It provides calmness to the mind of a tired person too.

Usage of Music in Treatment:

Music possesses the miracle power of curing few mental disorders like rare enthusiasm, nervousness or depression. It is also helpful in curing the insomnia patients.

Music act like a mother’s love that makes us forget all our worries and only make us enjoy life.

It is right to say that music helps in washing away all the stress of our daily hectic and busy life from within. Once you hear the magical sound of music, you instantly feel harmony inside your heart. These types of experiences are exceptional. Music has no religion, caste or colour. It makes us feel connected inside our soul.

Music is a form of art. India has always had a rich history of great musicians. Good music is always a treat to the ears. In fact, it allows us to connect to our inner self.

There are different styles of this art depending on different factors. Different countries have different styles of music of their own. Depending on the sounds, we have different forms of music such as pop, jazz, folk, Latin, classical, rock and many more.

Music has that control, which can treat certain psychological sicknesses, for example, tension, not so ordinary energy or wretchedness. It is also the most amazing and supportive ways to treat the patient of a sleeping disorder. Additionally, it is the magnificent and invigorating force. We can contrast it with the mother’s affection. As the kid reliably needs the lap of his mother for overlooking everything and feels bliss. In a similar way, music serves to us as a mother to overlook each stress and tension in a melodic way.

It has the unwinding and recuperating power as well. Moreover, it encourages us to unwind, quiet our indignation down and furthermore to mend our stresses. We like to listen to different types of music, band or the vocalist and it changes from person to person. It encourages us to ruminate while doing Yoga and locate our more profound self by associating us to the otherworldly world.

It has No Barriers:

Or more every one of these things, it knows no limits. Music does not differentiate between the general population, religion, station and belief. The conventional one is altogether different than the advanced, worldwide one. Today the universe of music has completely changed. We have such a large number of specialists, vocalists, artists, writers in the entire world making wonderful music. Today there are unique establishments, schools, and universities to learn this art expertly. Today students are seeking music as a profession, as a leisure activity and a vocation as well.

Music is the essence of life. It has the power to heal people and can relieve you of your tensions. Moreover, it is always enjoyable to hear the type of music you love. People love listening to it whenever they find the time. It is an important subject in schools and a strong tool to promote culture as well. That is why perhaps music is so loved by one and all.

Music Every Day:

The world is full of beautiful music and every culture and time in history has its special tune. The fact that we can listen to music every day is something I am grateful for deeply because it makes my life more beautiful. My favorite thing about music is the fact that you can find a tune that will suit almost any event or state of mind. Thankfully we are living in an age when this is becoming a fact, we can experience every day in various situations.

Music Makes you Happy:

Listening to music is not just pleasing esthetically but it also has many benefits for our mental well-being. Scientists have been talking about the positive influence music has on our brain and on the production of neural- transmitters like dopamine that gives us the feeling of satisfaction. The fact is that music is even used as part of some psychotherapy treatments and there is even evidence that it helps plants grow.

Making music can be considered one of our distinctive characteristics although singing is common in many animal species. That is why music has such a profound influence on our brain leading some to conclude that it is even part of our evolution and the reason we are humans. Music can be inspiring and it can comfort us in time of need, it is present when we celebrate something and also when we just want to make the dullness of everyday life go away. Music is one of our best friends and sometimes we do not give it the proper gratification, especially in the present age when it is so widespread and common.

Music as Identity:

The other major feature of the music is the fact that it is a strong marker of identity. Every ethnic group and nation have their own set of instruments and tunes they are well known for. When you think about Scotland you imagine the back pipes and the music they make, when you think about Germany there is the trumpet.

The wonderful thing about music and the instruments used to make it is the fact that it can be played by anyone and in many different locations. This has created so many variations of sound and styles that we can talk about an ocean of music or several oceans.

The 20 th century has thought us many lessons about music and about the power world-renowned music artist can have over the public. Once this characteristic of music was discovered an army of producers sprung up to take control of that power and to divert it toward more materialistic goals. That has not changed the influence music tunes will have on our identity and the profound influence it has on our daily lives. Stopping and thinking about the influence it has on us makes my spine shiver as does the idea of a world without music. That is why I think we should support every person who wants to create music and make our lives more beautiful.

Music could be defined as a collection of sounds and melodies. This would be a simplistic idea of what music is and would not fully describe the place that music occupies in our lives. Music is more than a collection of sounds and melodies. Music is life, love and that place we go to find solace.

From time immemorial, music has formed part of our history as human beings. From the old romantic empire to the reign of the Greeks, people have depended on music as a source of solace and comfort.

History of Music:

Historians do not agree on the origin of music. Some claim that music predates the existence of humans themselves. However, historians agree that there are certain periods in history that has contributed immensely to the growth of music in the world. These periods introduced distinct sounds which are still prominent today.

The first period is the medieval era which dates from the 6th to the 16th century. During this era, only monophonic and polyphonic sounds existed. Then we moved to the renaissance which was marked by experimental sounds and rhythms. Other periods such as the baroque, classics and romantic periods also brought about several innovations in sound.

The final period, which is the 20th century, is where we are currently. Technology has taken over how we make and perform music. Thus, we produce sounds through the use of electronic component and perform in the same way. This period is also notable for introducing jazz and electronic music.

Genre of Music:

There are countless genres of music and new ones keep emerging on a daily basis. While some are a combination of already existing sounds others are a total break from the norm.

Below are the few popular music genres:

1. Pop – Also known as popular music is a combination of several sounds produced for a large audience.

2. Rhythm and Blues – Just as the name implies, this is a combination of two prominent styles. It has an infusion of soul music delivered through rhymes.

3. Electronic music – As opposed to the use of natural instruments, electronic music employs the use of technology to develop unique sounds.

4. Rock – This music form has its root in America. It is notable for its combination of string instruments and heavy sounds.

Music in its basic form is a combination of sounds and melody. Why then is it so important to us? The following are some of the reasons:

Music is Universal:

Citizens of the world are divided by language, race, and a host of other things. However, one instance when the world is in unity is when we connect to the same melodies. Music has the capacity to remove all of our bias and prejudices. In this sense, it can be regarded as a social tool. People who have no business speaking to each other instantly connect when they listen to music they both love.

Music Makes Learning Easy:

This has been validated throughout history. You probably remember the nursery rhymes you learned when you were a kid. Somehow, the music stays with us for longer periods of time. Even when we forget the words of a song, the melody never leaves. In addition to the above, music helps retain our mental focus.

Music Relaxes:

The importance of music would not be complete if we do not mention its therapeutic nature. Though some form of music can make us tense and anxious others help us reduce stress and anxiety. This is especially important due to the nature of the world we live in.

Music is an important part of our lives. It dictates our mood, controls our thought and affects our relationship with others. Man’s history cannot be fully written without the impact of music on our lives.

Music as we know it is a form of art and a cultural activity with its medium being sound that is organised with respect to time. Definitions of the term music should generally include some common elements like rhythm (with its associated concepts like articulation, meter and tempo), pitch (it governs harmony and melody), the qualities of sonic of texture and timbre (we sometimes refer to these as the colour of musical sound). All of the different and various types or styles of music might tend to omit, de-emphasize or emphasize a few of the listed elements of music.

Music can be performed with a wide variety of vocal techniques and instruments, the vocal techniques can range from rapping to singing and there are some pieces that are solely instrumental while some others are solely vocal (examples are songs that have no instrumental accompaniment) also pieces that put together instruments and singing.

When we want to address the term in a general form, the different activities that describe music as being a form of art or a cultural activity are the examination of aesthetic music, the study and knowledge of music and its history, music criticism and the creation and making of music works (symphonies, tunes, songs and so many more).

Elements of Music:

There are a lot of different elements or fundamentals of music. Based on the description of the element of music that is being used, the different elements of music can include structure, form, articulation, expression, dynamics, colour or timber, voice allocation, style, texture, harmony, melody, rhythm, tempo, pulse or beat and pitch. We can differentiate the elements of music by describing the elements of music as “rudimentary elements of music” and “perpetual elements of music”.

1. Rudimentary Elements:

Around the 1800s, we used the words “rudiments of music” and “elements of music” interchangeably. All of the elements that were described in manuscripts talked about the parts of music needed to become a successful musician. Writers like Estrella in recent years use the words “elements of music” in a very much similar way. A definition that almost accurately describes the usage is: “the rudimentary principles of an art, science, etc.: the elements of grammar”. The curriculum of the UK changes to “interrelated dimensions of music” poses a shift back to the use of rudimentary music elements.

2. Perpetual Elements:

The emergence and the start of study into psychoacoustics around the 1930s. There came the discovery that there are four attributes that are psychological and belong to music. They are timbre, time, loudness and pitch. While rudimentary elements can vary based on the personal preference of the writer, perpetual elements on the other hand always consist of a list of proven or established discrete elements that can be manipulated independently to get the desired musical effect.

The curriculum of music of US, UK and Australia feature the music elements prominently. Each one of the curriculums identifies texture, timbre, dynamics and pitch as elements, which makes all of the above listed elements agreed universally.

A list of the official three versions of music elements are listed below:

1. USA – articulation/style, harmony, form, rhythm, dynamics, texture, timbre and pitch.

2. UK – structure, tempo, duration, dynamics, texture, timbre, pitch.

3. Australia – structure, form, rhythm, expression, dynamics, texture, timbre, pitch.

Music has contributed a lot to our society. In the world we live in today, music has become a major business. Music industry describes all of the businesses connected and related with the sale and creation of music. The industry of music is made of composers and songwriters that create different new songs with musical pieces. The sale of music is a very lucrative business and we now have online music stores like Apple’s iTunes, Spotify, tidal and so many more. Musicians also get paid a lot of money to perform at concerts and make special appearances. The industry employs a lot of other people and is a source of livelihood to millions of people worldwide.

Music therapy helps in a lot of way. It is a highly interpersonal process where a therapist that is trained employs the use of music and its various facets- spiritual, aesthetic, social, mental, emotional and physical to assist clients in improving or maintaining their health. It is safe to assume that music cuts across every area of our lives and it has had a positive impact on a lot of things. It is also important to note that there have also been negative effects of music on our society.

People love music because it is a form of entertainment but do they really understand music for what it is and not just the sound? What is music? Is it just the melody, the lyrics, the art of performance or the people doing it? Music is basically an art and a cultural activity that is in form of organized sound. Music is appreciated all over the world and it is different for everyone.

My perception on music may be focused on the rhythm and another person’s perception may be focused on the message being delivered. Music has been in existence since the beginning of time. Transformations have occurred with modernization and civilization. However, some music is still deep-rooted into culture and has not been influenced by the changing times. Music is of great importance in humanity. Although music is appreciated worldwide, it is faced with challenges.

Genres of Music:

Music is a whole world in itself that is full of diversity. Music is classified into different genres and the genre defines the aspects of music like rhythm, instruments, art of performance among others. There are many general genres of music in the world. Blues, classical music, jazz and reggae are the most common genres that are listened to across the globe. Other genres include rock, pop, folk, electronic, country and hip hop music. All these genres difference in terms of the sound they produce. Genres like rock, electronic and jazz use a lot of sound combination.

Folk music is basically about culture and tradition and they always remain unchanged and uninfluenced by the changes that take place in the world. Blues, classical and reggae music are almost similar in term of sound use instrument use. It is important to consider genres of music when selecting the type of music to listen to. For educational purposes, the genres of music are not commonly used because they teach on the technical aspects of music at school. Artists can be defined by the genre of music that they sing for example hip hop musicians are known to praise money, cars and fancy fashions like chains.

The reason why music is appreciated widely is because of the impact it has on the lives of individuals. Man’s interaction with sound is unavoidable because music is everywhere. Music is listened to by people for different reasons. Music is significant in our lives as entertainment, emotional response, and a way of creating income and in education.

In entertainment, music dominated the entertainment industry because it has the ability to reach everyone. Music is widely spread as it is found on the internet, in media platforms like radios and televisions, in live performance concerts, in churches and schools. Countries have also adopted music in legalities like the national anthems. Music is significant to both the culture and the economy.

Music in emotional response is widely used and that is why psychologists and psychiatrists have invented the use of music in therapy. Music triggers emotional responses. In normal life situations, when a person is sad, listening to sad music makes them even sadder but listening to happy music helps to rejuvenate the mood. Spiritual music is also important in emotional response. When worshiping God, people have learnt to use music in praise and to create a worship environment by triggering remorseful and humbling emotions in people through worship songs.

Music is a source of income for majority of people in the music industry. Although some people just do it for the passion and as a hobby, most of them gain income that is substantial t sustain their lives. Despite from wealth creation, people gain fame from music. People who have created music hits are famous and wealthy and some young musicians look up to them for inspiration and as role models.

Music is important in education as it is an art that is taught is school. In all levels of education, music is significant and is appreciated in schools. Taking music as a subject is different from what we know from the outside because it involves the technical and theoretic aspects of music that we cannot gain from just listening to music. Music can also be pursued as a career at colleges and universities.it is a career path that required hard work, determination and commitment just like any other career.

Challenges Facing Music:

Music is faced with challenges which affect both the artists and the music industry. Artists are faced by challenges such as financial insufficiency to fund their music production. Producing music is expensive because you need to go through a recording studio, which are usually costly and most people cannot afford.

The music industry is a bit biased in terms of finances because there are some people who can be very talented but yet lack money to produce their music while there are rich people who are not as talented but they can afford to produce their music. The line of poverty will never be eradicated because in most situations, those with financial abilities will always have an upper hand.

Drugs and substance abuse is another major challenges that is faced by artists. Most artists especially those in the secular music industry abuse drugs which could end badly for them some die of drug overdoses and some spend most of their time in rehabilitation facilities. The music industry has been highly condemned for advocating for drugs especially hip hop artists who always sing about drugs and money. Drugs and substance abuse is a major problem that is rooted in music.

The music industry faces a marketing challenge. Music is produced and then each artist is supposed to market their song for them to gain sales. In marketing, activities such as tours, concerts and media marketing are expensive. The marketing is therefore challenged and the music industry may incur financial loses during marketing.

In conclusion, music is a wide field and it is beneficial to the society. Music is to be respected and adored for its goodness.

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How Music Can Influence Thoughts

The power of listening to motivational music..

Posted July 25, 2024 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

• What Is Motivation?
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• Music can make us feel better about ourselves.
• Empowering music evokes more positive and motivating thoughts.
• Listening to empowering songs enhances self-esteem.

Music can be used as a tool for emotional empowerment, such as enhanced mood and motivation . Music has an immediate effect on us. It has a unique power to elicit moments of intense emotional reactions, such as tears, chills and thrills, or goosebumps. The simple act of listening to a favorite song can alter our mood, triggering old memories.

Emotions typically occur with evaluations of events that tell us how significant the events are in relation to our goals. For example, happiness tells us we are doing well, and fear warns us of danger, even though the beliefs involved may not be accurate.

Likewise, our thought process can be influenced systematically by music. Inspiring music can instantly shift one’s mood from sadness toward a more hopeful feeling. On the other hand, sad-sounding music may arouse more calm or depressive thoughts. Evidence has shown that people who had listened to happy music evaluated themselves more positively than people who had listened to sad music (Elvers 2017). Interestingly, the changes in self-evaluation were more noticeable in listeners who reported low self-esteem .

Evidence has shown that empowering music strongly influences thought content (Koelsch, 2019). For example, empowering music—music that sounds energetic, triumphant, and strong—can make listeners feel more inspired, and less afraid.

The use of music by athletes prior to important competitions clearly demonstrate its potential to empower. The use of music in sports and exercise is a near-universal practice to enhance motivation, mood, and positive self-evaluation (Ballmann, 2021). For example, the Maori battle cries known as haka are regularly performed by New Zealand teams prior to international athletic competitions to put the performers in the right mindset. The music, and the accompanying movements, serve as a display of power and confidence and also allow the players to get into the right mindset prior to competitions.

Similarly, listening to music during exercise may positively impact psychological (i.e., mood, motivation) and physiological (i.e., rate of perceived exertion, arousal) changes. It is easier to forget about pain or fatigue when a song you enjoy is distracting you. A lack of enjoyment is frequently cited as a barrier to exercise, but music may help to shift this negative feeling toward a more positive mindset. Music (self-selected) can inspire you to exercise longer or work harder during your exercise routine.

The exact mechanisms through which music influences thoughts are not known. One possibility is that the empowering music has a strong potential to stimulate visual imagery (e.g., scenes of nature, or a sense of achievement). Another possibility is that the listener empathizes and identifies with a singer expressing positive self-view (Elvers, 2016).

In summary, listening to empowering music could be an effective strategy to enhance low self-confidence as well as trigger positive thoughts that contribute to psychological health. Moreover, in everyday life, empowering music can potentially be motivating to engage in tasks, and to reduce distraction by negative thoughts when concentrating on tasks. Furthermore, preferred music has a greater ability to divert attentional focus away from the discomfort of exercise toward the external music stimuli.

Ballmann, C.G.; Favre, M.L.; Phillips, M.T.; Rogers, R.R.; Pederson, J.A.; Williams, T.D. (2021). Effect of Pre-Exercise Music on Bench Press Power, Velocity, and Repetition Volume. Percept. Mot. Ski.128 , 1183–1196.

Elvers P., Steffens J. (2017). The sound of success: investigating cognitive and behavioral effects of motivational music in sports. Front. Psychol. 8:2026.

Koelsch S., Bashevkin T., Kristensen J., Tvedt J., Jentschke S. (2019). Heroic music stimulates empowering thoughts during mind-wandering. Scientific Reports , 9(1), 10317.

Shahram Heshmat, Ph.D., is an associate professor emeritus of health economics of addiction at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

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Published August 01, 2024

Announcing the 2024-2025 Common Application for NYU

Billy Sichel

Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions

It’s August 1st and that means the application at NYU has officially opened. This year, we’ve made some pretty big changes to NYU’s Common Application to simplify the process for our applicants, and to help us learn a little more about you!

When you start NYU’s member questions on the Common App, you’ll see 6 sections that you’ll need to complete. We give you a little bit of a head start by checking off the “Writing” section. This section is optional – but also new and exciting! More on that later.

The General Information Section

In the “General” section, you’ll be asked a few questions about how you want us to handle your application – Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision? – and which campus you want to apply to. As you (hopefully!) already know, NYU has three degree-granting campuses: in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. Our Common App will let you apply to any combination of our campuses.

Once you make your campus selections, an additional set of questions will show up that are specific to your campus(es) of interest. Nothing too tricky here! You’ll be able to tell us about your academic area of interest for each campus, and a few other quick-and-easy questions about program eligibility, housing preferences, etc. so that we’re ready for you if you are ultimately admitted.

The Academics Section

Once you have those sections squared away, you’ll move on to the Academics section. This section will walk you through the information we’ll need you to submit outside of the Common App itself. Nothing to do here, except confirm that you’re clear on the next steps and additional requirements.

The Optional Supplemental Question

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: The optional, pre-checked-off Writing section. Last year, we made the decision to update our supplemental question. However, what we heard from our applicants was that people really wanted to tell us more! But the thing is…we already know why NYU is a great place to spend your 4 years, so we thought: if you want to tell us more about your passion for NYU, let’s make the question about you .

The new writing question says:

“In a world where disconnection seems to often prevail, we are looking for students who embody the qualities of bridge builders—students who can connect people, groups, and ideas to span divides, foster understanding, and promote collaboration within a dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant global academic community. We are eager to understand how your experiences have prepared you to build the bridges of the future. Please consider one or more of the following questions  in your  essay :

What personal experiences or challenges have shaped you as a bridge builder?

How have you been a bridge builder in your school, community, or personal life?

What specific actions have you taken to build bridges between diverse groups, ideas, or cultures?

How do you envision being a bridge builder during your time at our university and beyond?”

So, if it feels right for you to tell us a little more about yourself in the application, we want to know where you will turn to for inspiration, and what experiences have shaped you and resonate with you. Four years at NYU will propel you into a future you might not even be able to imagine yet, but take a minute (if you want – it really is optional!) to tell us about the ideas that have gotten you to this point, and those that might shape you into the person you’re about to become.

These are just a few of the changes we have made this year, so make sure to carefully read each question carefully before you answer them. If you ever have any questions for us about our questions, we are always here to help . We wish you the best of luck this application season, and can’t wait to learn more about you!

More from Billy:

How to Approach the Common Application

There’s no wrong way to approach the Common Application, but here’s two different strategies you might want to choose from when you apply to NYU.

Submitting a Transfer Application to NYU

Everything you need and everything you need to know about the transfer process.

Why You Should Start Your Common Application Early

There are many benefits to getting an early start on your Common Application to NYU.

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A Penury for Your Thoughts: The Romance & Myths vs the Reality of the Starving Artist 

The penniless genius creating work in his or her garret is a long-standing staple of popular culture, exploited for good PR by artists from Bob Dylan to Seasick Steve and Pete Doherty. But, says Eamonn Forde, the reality of life faced by artists like Lawrence of Mozart Estate, is not something to be celebrated by lazy music fans

In  Street-Level Superstar , Will Hodgkinson’s forthcoming book in which he spends a year with Lawrence (of Felt, Denim, Go-Kart Mozart and Mozart Estate “fame”), the hard fiscal reality of being a “cult artist” (so poetic on paper, so grim in actuality) is coldly mapped out. A mix of thinly spread council benefits, benevolence and serendipity have just about kept Lawrence’s very bony chin above water for close to three decades. Bleak vignettes roll along, like Lawrence lugging a bag of “brown coins” to the bank to get a much-needed £40 in notes, subsisting on extremely milky tea and packets of liquorice or selling off treasured books and records to keep going. It’s  Down & Out In Paris & London  for 70s-obsessed novelty pop singers. 

There is a degree of self-mythologising with Lawrence – that of the driven and singular artist navigating dire straits in unswerving pursuit of their unique vision – and that is no doubt part of the appeal for some of his fans. He is the ultimate cult artist, a watercolour curio, an  Edmund Trebus  of baseball caps. A thesis put forward in the book is that, as much as he talks about wanting a smash hit and money to buy houses in the north, south, east and west suburbs of London, he will always sabotage his own plans because the dream is much easier to handle than the reality. 

There has long been a romanticised ideal of the starving artist in their garret, fingerless gloves on their hands, leaking shoes on their feet and sheets of ice building up on the inside of their grubby, greasy windows. Somehow, amid the grime and the squalor, there is a purity to their work. Some musicians, strategically exploiting this, have created a false backstory to lend their art a credibility and a realness they otherwise fear was absent. Or just to misdirect and take the piss. 

Bob Dylan , to complete his Woody Guthrie tribute act in the early days, claimed to be an orphan who had  run off with the carnival . His parents, of course, were still alive at the time, his father running a furniture and appliance store. That very comfortable and stable background clearly did not fit with Dylan’s dust bowl chic “narrative” and proved to be a dry run for him spinning outrageous yarns about himself, partly as a way of shielding his private life and partly to amuse himself in interviews. 

Pete Doherty , the son of a major in the Royal Signals, absolutely played up to this mythos, having skimmed Wikipedia entries about symbolist poets like Baudelaire and fin de siècle artists scrabbling amid the dirt, so hungry their stomachs started to consume themselves. This, he thought, was how real art was created. Yet instead of producing  Les Fleurs Du Mal , he repeatedly rewrote threadbare versions of ‘Roll Out The Barrel’. 

We also saw Seasick Steve try and  cosplay as a hobo  when he started his solo career, adding a decade to his age and moving to carpet over his session musician and disco past. Or there was this embarrassment of Victoria Beckham insisting she came from bold working-class stock, except when her dad drove her to school in a  Rolls-Royce . In that sense they all ran ahead of themselves and took the line from  The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance  – “When the legend becomes fact,  print the legend ” – and used it as their A&R strategy. 

By presenting a hardscrabble history, the thinking goes that success and riches, when and if they come, will be seen as well deserved. Here is social mobility in action. No one can begrudge them their millions now. Yet it is the creative arts’ version of slum tourism that is shamelessly exploited as a shortcut to authenticity. 

On the one hand, music fans will rail against corporate entities (Spotify, Google, Facebook, Universal Music Group, Apple) for building their brands on the creative sweat of others, accusing them of short-changing the very people who propel them to astronomical profitability. 

On the other hand, audiences are far from immune to buying into the notion that great art can only spring from poverty and the underclass. In part this is why The Last Dinner Party were accused of being “industry plants” given they both dressed and spoke like they were extras at a society ball scene in  Downton Abbey . There is an abstraction of thought, a cognitive dissonance, happening here, amplified by the idea that grit makes the pearl in the oyster, where some fans will latch onto the  idea  of poverty being noble without actually countenancing the  reality  of that poverty. 

The life Lawrence leads is not one to ennoble, doomed to deludedly believing that the hit that can make his fortune is just around the corner when all the evidence suggests that he will never have the success that he has sacrificed family, relationships and bandmates for. 

In recent years, Nadine Shah has laid bare just how hard it is for musicians to make a living. Giving evidence to the UK parliamentary inquiry into the egregious economics of streaming for most musicians in 2020, she told of how she had to  temporarily move back in with her parents  as she could not afford her own place. More recently, she announced she was  not playing Glastonbury  this year as the fee she was offered was too low to make it anything but a financial loss for her. This was compounded by the fact she was offered a slot on a stage that was not going to be televised by the BBC. Among the  online comments  following her breaking Glastonbury omertà on how low its fees are was this doozy: “This all stinks of the usual ‘I think I’m bigger than I actually am’ bollocks. If you were worth a prime slot, you’d have a prime slot. Tell me, who would you bump for you?”

Referenced artists

Mozart Estate Mozart Estate

Nadine Shah Finding Hope: Charles Hazlewood, Brett Anderson & The Paraorchestra Interviewed

Seasick Steve Young Dogs, Old Tricks: Seasick Steve Gives Lessons To The Youth

Pete Doherty Screen Wash: Are Music Docs Becoming Little More Than A PR Tool?

Even more upsetting is the fact that someone has had to set up a GoFundMe for  Anthony Reynolds , former lead singer of Jack and Vashti Bunyan collaborator, who is homeless. “The UK housing crisis and the stigma of being a 50 something self-employed musician/writer has made finding a new flat difficult,” explains the fundraiser. “He has no savings. Having released over 10 albums and several books, like many artists he has always lived project to project. Also, the dominance of music streaming and its notoriously pitiful royalty rate has shrunk any earnings from music and music publishing to a negilgible [sic] amount.”

The exalted image of the starving artist is often a purely academic idea that sits in our heads, utterly divorced from the traumas and the panics and the fears of those same starving artists. The idea that great art can only come from suffering is a cruel and pernicious one that is given far too much airtime. 

The economic reality for most artists is, frankly, horrifying. The last thing they need is a head tilt and a patronising line about how their art will be all the better for it. Just as “ exposure is not an accepted form of currency at the bank ”, the hungry cannot dine on platitudes. 

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The Barry Sisters and “Yiddish Swing”

March 5, 2024

Posted by: Libby Smigel

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The following is a guest post by archivist Maya Lerman, who introduces the Barry Sisters collection.

As a new archivist in the Music Division, I was excited to have the assignment to process a collection that melded my love of jazz and swing with my interest in Yiddish language and culture. At the outset of the project I learned the term “Yiddish Swing”—a genre defined and embraced by the Barry Sisters, a singing sister duo who fused their Eastern European Jewish cultural background with the upbeat jazz of the 1930s. Popular among immigrant Jewish communities and Holocaust survivors for singing in their native tongue and for their nostalgic repertoire, the Barry Sisters introduced American jazz standards to these communities. Conversely, they also exposed mainstream audiences to Yiddish songs with their interesting arrangements, close harmonies, and the high-level musicianship of their supporting bands. Their beautiful looks and matching glamorous dresses distinguished them from other Yiddish performers and added to their appeal.

The Sisters’ musical scores, lead sheets, and instrumental parts, as well as photographs, scrapbooks, and promotional materials related to their career, are now accessible in the Performing Arts Reading Room through the publication of the Barry Sisters papers finding aid . The collection not only contains documentation of the music they performed and publicity materials from their careers, but it also provides insight into the tastes and interests of audiences in the late 1930s through 1960s.

The Barry Sisters, who were born in the Bronx, New York, with the names Minnie and Clara Bagelman, began their performing careers as the Bagelman Sisters. The sisters Americanized their names to Merna and Claire Barry upon hearing the Andrews Sisters’ 1937 version of the Yiddish song “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen.” Unlike the Andrews Sisters, however, they chose to perform the song in Yiddish. The Barry Sisters would go on to record for major record labels and become mainstay performers of “Yiddish Melodies in Swing,” a New York City radio program on WHN that ran from 1938 until the mid-1950s. The show’s host, Sam Medoff, arranged traditional Yiddish songs for the Barrys with a swinging backup band that included the great klezmer clarinetist Dave Tarras. The upbeat swing arrangements and stellar musicianship on “Yiddish Melodies in Swing” breathed new life into traditional Yiddish songs, while connecting younger audiences to the music.

While working with the collection, I had the opportunity to speak with Claire Barry’s daughter, Joy Pargman, who shared an anecdote about her mother’s early life and aptitude for music. When Clara Bagelman was 10 years old, her mother, Ester Bagelman, came to believe that little Clara could sing, despite her reluctance to do so. At home, the Bagelman family often listened to the local radio station’s Jewish Children’s Hour featuring Yiddish-speaking children. Ester encouraged Clara to audition for the program, and when she declined, her mother said, “Do it for me.” Clara suddenly understood the importance and said she would try. Soon after she began singing on the show, the director made clear his preference for a sister duo. So Clara convinced her sister Minnie, who also had no previous singing experience, to sing with her, which motivated them to work up harmonies and ultimately to continue singing together and, eventually, to make a career. [1]

The music in the Barry Sisters papers reflects a mix of traditional Jewish songs such as “Chiribim,” “Yiddishe Momme,” and, of course, “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen,” as well as jazz standards such as “After You’ve Gone,” “Pennies from Heaven,” and “Them There Eyes.” By examining the arrangements of the songs the sisters performed, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of their musical sensibilities. The collection’s photographs and publicity materials provide additional documentation of the Sisters’ careers, including their appearance and style, types of performances, radio stations and venues where they performed, and biographical information not found elsewhere.

The popularity of the Barry Sisters from the late 1930s through the 1960s is a testament to the tastes of immigrant audiences grappling with missing the culture of their homelands and adjusting to life in the United States. The music in the collection can help us better understand the Jewish immigrant experience during this period of transition, as well as how groups who embodied these sentiments found creative ways to highlight their cultures of origins.

[1] Telephone conversation with Joy Pargman, January 24 , 2024.

Comments (8)

Why not post a clip of their singing?

Thanks so much for your suggestion. Because of music copyright, we are often prevented from providing recording clips. However, more than 80 recordings associated with the Barry Sisters collection have been transferred to our NAVCC (National AudioVisual Conservation Campus) for preservation and digitization, so we’ll be able to provide access onsite and I’m hopeful we might be able to post a clip in the future.

Go Sisters!

Thank you for your work featuring the Barry sisters. My grandmother and mother loved them. I grew up listening to their records and watching them on television. It’s wonderful that the Library of Congress is recognizing them. Thank you! Eileen Lederman

Thank you for sharing the appreciation of your family for the Barry Sisters!

Thank you so much! Another who knew? Revealed from the world’s most amazing Music collection! Enjoyed this article and forwarded to friends.

We’re glad you enjoyed Maya Lerman’s post, and appreciate that you have shared the post with your friends!

Maya — thank you for this thoughtful, sensitive and important post. The history of Yiddish theater and song continues to recede into a past more distant from many of us today, but close to the heart to those who came before us (and still for a few of us, who remember). I enjoyed the read and would much enjoy a link to those delightful songs of yesteryear. Bei gezundt.

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An Olympics Scene Draws Scorn. Did It Really Parody ‘The Last Supper’?

Some church leaders and politicians have condemned the performance from the opening ceremony for mocking Christianity. Art historians are divided.

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By Yan Zhuang

A performance during the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on Friday has drawn criticism from church leaders and conservative politicians for a perceived likeness to Leonardo da Vinci’s depiction of a biblical scene in “The Last Supper,” with some calling it a “mockery” of Christianity.

The event’s planners and organizers have denied that the sequence was inspired by “The Last Supper,” or that it intended to mock or offend.

In the performance broadcast during the ceremony, a woman wearing a silver, halo-like headdress stood at the center of a long table, with drag queens posing on either side of her. Later, at the same table, a giant cloche lifted, revealing a man, nearly naked and painted blue, on a dinner plate surrounded by fruit. He broke into a song as, behind him, the drag queens danced.

The tableaux drew condemnation among people who saw the images as a parody of “The Last Supper,” the New Testament scene depicted in da Vinci’s painting by the same name. The French Bishops’ Conference, which represents the country’s Catholic bishops, said in a statement that the opening ceremony included “scenes of mockery and derision of Christianity,” and an influential American Catholic, Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota, called it a “gross mockery.”

The performance at the opening ceremony, which took place on and along the Seine on Friday, also prompted a Mississippi-based telecommunications provider, C Spire, to announce that it would pull its advertisements from Olympics broadcasts. Speaker Mike Johnson described the scene as “shocking and insulting to Christian people.”

The opening ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, said at the Games’ daily news conference on Saturday that the event was not meant to “be subversive, or shock people, or mock people.” On Sunday, Anne Descamps, the Paris 2024 spokeswoman, said at the daily news conference, “If people have taken any offense, we are, of course, really, really sorry.”

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