A synthesis of sound, emotion, and intellect, music has been an integral part of every culture throughout history. Anthropologists have yet to discover a society that didn’t make use of some form of music, and even the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras believed that it was capable of curing psychological and physical ailments. Today, cutting-edge scientific research shows that listening to your favorite tunes has a profound impact on the brain and body.
Music’s unique ability to elicit emotions, as well as create memories and link us with a sense of community, has made it one of the most important cultural forms throughout human history. It’s also a tool that’s used to communicate ideas, promote change, and bring people together.
Because of this, it’s difficult to pinpoint a precise definition for music. However, most scholars agree that music is the arrangement of sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, and rhythm. It can be played using various instruments, including the human voice, and may be created by either composition or improvisation.
In addition to its artistic value, music has been an important adjunctive element for rituals and ceremonies since prehistoric times. It has also partnered well with other arts forms, serving as accompaniment for theatre and dance (as in folk song, art song, opera, and “background” music), and is often used to enhance and amplify the power of spoken language (drama, poetry) in literature and readings (dramma per musica).
It can also act as a powerful tool for social change, and has been used to bolster dictatorships, sell cars, foment revolutions, and convert souls to a specific religion. Ethnomusicologists have even discovered that certain styles of music can become culturally dominant as they emerge and develop in response to societal trends, such as punk rock, disco, and hip-hop.
Music is a global language that transcends cultural boundaries, making it possible to connect with people from different backgrounds and experiences through shared experiences of genres like hip-hop, jazz, EDM, and classical. Events such as MDLBEAST host artists from a variety of genres and cultures, creating a melting pot of musical expression that promotes intercultural understanding and fosters a sense of community. For this reason, it’s no wonder that research has shown that music can strengthen interpersonal relationships by enhancing emotional connection and empathy.