Elements of Culture- Music- By Gwen

What is music? Many believe music to be noise, exercise, a hobby, a skill, and an emotion. I believe music to be all of these things. After all, you can dance to it, march to it, cry to it, play it, sing along with it, and believe it. Music is an outlet for all creativity and all cultures. After all, have you ever heard of a culture that does not practice some form of music?

Music is also an important part of History. History and music of a culture have a direct connection. Music can measure the change in culture. In earlier centuries, such as the 1600’s, each culture pretty much only had one form of music and most cultures did not venture outside of their culture’s musical “comfort zone”. But in later generations, such as the birth of rock, you can sense all of the different musical elements and instruments, such as loud and syncopated drum beats, which mainly originated (I believe) from African culture, guitars, “non-operatic” vocals, etc. All of these elements were melded together to form a new type of music which quickly spread from culture to culture. Many similar things can be said for jazz as well, although it did not spread as well culturally. Jazz contains many elements of Latin, rock, African, and even classical music. Music is a bridge between cultures.

Music can also affect peoples’ emotions. “Screamer music” or heavy metal stirs up anger, while songs with a slower tempo in a minor key can make you cry or can add suspense to a scene in a movie, opera, or play. Rock music generally comes with a mixture of emotions depending on its topic, an d jazz tends to make people relax. Music can also make people feel exited or awkward, such as a school dance, where everyone jumps up when “Macarena” plays, but hides when a slow song starts to play. Everyone jumps up when “Macarena” starts because it’s a song everyone knows and everyone can dance to, but everyone hides when slow songs play because they are nervous for personal reasons or are afraid that people may be more judgmental.

Music has impacted my life as well as other cultures. It has taught me to look at things from new and different perspectives, and it has led me to meet many wonderful people who have taught me much. Music has greatly improved my self-esteem over the years and if it were not for music, I would not at all be who I am today.

-G.K.G