Music is an art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of form or emotional expression, usually according to cultural standards of rhythm, melody and harmony. It has always been an important adjunct to ritual and drama, and the widespread use of music in psychotherapy and geriatrics testifies to the belief that it has a unique power to influence human behavior. The complexity of contemporary musical styles, ranging from the simple folk song to the sophisticated electronic composition, confirms this belief.
A song is a musical piece of work that contains a melodic pattern and a lyrical text or poetic statement. Most songs have a clear structure, often with verses and choruses that repeat. A common length is three minutes, although some have a longer or shorter length. The lyrics can be sung or spoken and the melodic pattern can be in many different styles, from Irish folk songs to African storytelling or Christian hymns to Heavy Metal. A song can be accompanied by an acoustic guitar, piano, organ, accordionist or other instrument and may be sung solo (a cappella) or accompanied by a group of singers such as a choir or jazz band.
In the Western world, the term song is usually applied to a vocal composition, but it can also be used for orchestral or instrumental pieces. It is generally not applied to the large classical vocal forms such as opera or oratorio, which are referred to by the terms aria and recitative.
The nature of the relationship between music and emotion has been the subject of considerable debate. Throughout history, some have believed that music reflects the moral and spiritual order of the universe, while others have denied this. Some, such as Plato and Confucius, saw a correspondence between character and musical style. Others, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, were less concerned with morality but rather with the effect of specific melodies on the emotions.
Others have sought to assign meanings to music, most notably the philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), who ranked it low among the arts, and the German Romanticist Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831), who regarded music as a form of metaphor that could acquire conceptual value when allied with poetry and other verbal art.
A great number of people enjoy music and some even play it for fun or for a hobby. Those who compose or play music often have a deep passion for it and are quite devoted to it. In fact, some even make it a part of their daily life and consider it as a way of relaxing themselves. They spend a lot of time practicing and trying to perfect their skill. They also like to share their passion with friends and family. Music is also a great way to connect with new people and to build friendships with them. It is also a very effective way to relax and rejuvenate oneself. It can help people with depression, anxiety and other mental issues.