Music is an art that, in one form or another, permeates every human culture. It has the power to inspire change, to challenge social norms and to give voice to the marginalized. It is a vehicle for education and can enhance cognitive abilities. It can uplift spirits and even be used as a healing tool. Music can also be simply entertaining, enriching our communities and providing aural pleasure.
Whether it’s a favorite song, an album by a new band or a live concert, listening to music is a pleasure. Music can evoke emotion, connect us to other people and remind us of good times. Music can make everyday activities like driving, cooking and cleaning more exhilarating. It is also a great source of entertainment when watched or read about, such as in music videos, concerts, and album reviews.
Writing about music can be a rewarding experience, but it is important to keep in mind that the reader will be looking for more than just your opinion on the piece. The best writing about music will include a clear thesis or overarching idea, musical evidence that supports the essay’s claims and will be aware of potential counterarguments.
When writing about music, it’s helpful to use technical terms when necessary for describing intricate details. However, if the piece you’re discussing is well known, avoiding jargon and focusing on using everyday language can help readers relate to your work more easily. When writing about a familiar piece, such as Debussy’s Clair de Lune, you might say, “The melody flows gently, like moonlight shimmering on a calm lake. It’s serene, yet there’s a quiet intensity beneath the surface.”
Plato, who believed that earthly music was a shadow of the divine, saw a symbolic significance in it, as did Aristotle. Luther’s view, on the other hand, was more focused on the utilitarian aspects of music, arguing that its function was to entertain and uplift the soul.
Today, we know that music’s effects on the brain are much more complex than Plato or Luther could have imagined. Researchers have found that music can stimulate a variety of emotional and psychological responses, from joy and sadness to empathy and arousal. It has also been shown to boost cognition and even reduce pain. In fact, many people are now using music to help them cope with a variety of medical conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and chronic pain syndrome. It is likely that the list of ways music impacts our lives will continue to grow.