Music can be both profound and inspiring; it can make us cry and laugh out loud all at the same time.

Mahler’s Symphony No 2 “Resurrection”, for instance, attempts to encompass everything that makes up existence into one piece of music – something no other composer has attempted before him.

Definition

Music refers to any collection of sounds organized in such a way as to be enjoyable and captivating for audiences to listen to. People usually sing or play instruments when making music; it can even be recorded performances.

Musical sounds are culturally constructed, meaning what constitutes as music can vary across cultures and historical eras. A simple folk song would likely not satisfy Sex Pistols frontman Sid Vicious while an orchestral chord considered dissonant today may have been enjoyed by William Congreve in 1697.

Although these variations exist, some researchers have attempted to define music using concepts of organization and pleasantness; others have sought universal characteristics or family resemblances of musical composition.

Origins

Music comes from Latin musica, meaning “art of the muses.” According to Greek mythology, these nine goddesses inspired creativity: Calliope for epic poetry; Clio for history; Euterpe (double pipes and music), Erato (lyric poetry and love songs), Melpomene for tragedy plays and hymns, Polyhymnia for worship music and hymns and Terpsichore for dance.

At various points throughout history, people have called what we now refer to as music sounds that vary significantly. Many cultures have combined music with other arts forms for added impact; performances can elicit different emotional responses in different societies and times periods; for example during the eighteenth century composers tried adding more emotion into classical forms that dominated society at that time.

Purpose

Music serves multiple functions and serves various needs in society. It can communicate information, enrich communities, entertain us and even be used as therapy!

Musical expression can be achieved through phrasing, vibrato (both vocally and on some instruments), dynamics and tempo fluctuations such as ritardando or accelerando. Integrating music into education helps improve concentration, listening skills, memory and problem-solving capabilities.

Playing an instrument helps build self-discipline, physical coordination and cognitive development – as well as an appreciation of music‘s expressive power to express emotion.

Techniques

Different musical techniques can be employed to produce the desired effect in a piece of music, including scales, chords, harmony, rhythm and form.

Sequences are an effective compositional technique to expand melodic ideas. They typically fit within the harmonic framework you have established – think of Beethoven’s Fifth or Mozart’s 40th for examples of this compositional tool.

Musical phrasing is another compositional technique that can be extremely effective when executed effectively, enabling musicians to express emotion and meaning through their performance while keeping listeners interested and attentive.

Instruments

Musical instruments are devices designed to produce sound. Instruments have historically been classified according to type, material composition and size, with certain instruments offering special playing techniques that alter their tone or timbre.

Percussion instruments like drums, gongs, and cymbals add rhythmic impact to music while string instruments such as violins, violas, and cellos provide melodies. Brass instruments such as trumpets or cornets add drama.

Many instruments have cultural associations. For instance, the Australian didgeridoo serves to connect the spirit world to physical reality while Afro-Cuban bongo drum is frequently associated with orisha worship. Furthermore, certain instruments may also have gender associations such as flutes or clarinets being typically played by girls while larger saxophones or tubas tend to be preferred among boys.

Musicians

Musicians compose or perform original compositions or gigs using various instruments or notation software, compose music for film, television and theater productions and often form bands or orchestras together with fellow musicians. Composers may utilize notation software specifically tailored to notate their works.

Financial instability can be an especially burdensome burden for musicians. Income can fluctuate depending on performances booked, album sales and royalty payments – but they can gain stability by self-promoting themselves, networking effectively and finding additional jobs to supplement their income stream.

Musicians face the unique pressures of self-doubt and impostor syndrome. Social comparison, rejection, and poor performances all threaten confidence; mindfulness and self-compassion provide hope for change. Elite musicians prioritise daily practice sessions to hone their craft, balancing isolated technique drills with expressive performance in order to master their craft.