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The Joy of Music
Post By: Alan
Music Staff
As evidenced by my many postings here, most people can tell that I am a big-time music lover. In my relatively short life, I have listened to thousands of hours of music at home, in the car, at work, and at shows. I have crossed many musical boundaries too. In the 80’s, I enjoyed pop music. In the 90’s, it was all about rock. Over the past 10 years, I have explored many other forms of musical expression such as hip hop, blues, soul, jazz, and electronic. I have become intimately involved with the imaginations and emotions of musicians and songwriters.
Over the years, I have come to a major conclusion, and that conclusion is this: Music has an amazing ability to affect us both psychologically and physically. Music can make you feel happy, feel sad, feel energetic, and feel relaxed. It can make us think, it can make us act. It can open our eyes to new things, teach us lessons, and be used to stimulate the mind. Music truly is one of my great joys for the many stimulating effects it has on the mind and body.
Of course, the big deal here is not only in its ability to stimulate the mind, but to instill happiness. Some of my happiest moments have been while listening to music. Not necessarily music in the background, but when I am focusing on the music, and allowing myself to be open to what the musician is saying to me musically. Many times, I interpret musical ideas as ways to live and ways to be. When a lyricist sings a line, and leaves me with some wisdom, I feel fulfilled.
Another aspect of music that brings happiness is a beat. I know this sounds crazy, but bear with me. Humans seem to be naturally attracted to beats. We have been using beats for millenia–even before melody and music theory seem to have existed. Also, the next time you’re in the presence of a beat, pay attention to your body’s reaction to it. You may feel a compulsion to tap your foot or rock back and forth. You may feel an urge to dance. You’ll feel happy when that beat hits. I really can’t explain why we react to beats, but we do. Listen to beats, get into beats, enjoy beats.
Of course, beats aren’t the only elements of music that bring happiness. I am also a big fan of melodies. Every melody is like a musical sentence to me. It begins with one tone, and ends with another. It takes me from one emotion to the next, and then to the next. Sometimes these combinations of notes make me feel happy, sometimes sad. However, all the time, these notes bring me emotion, and I like that. Despite what so many people try to prove, humans are emotional beings, and we truly respond to the emotions communicated with music.
Another element of music that brings joy is harmony. Harmony is great. Harmony is the synchronization of several tones, all conveying the same emotion. Think of it like 10 beautiful women (or men) standing in front of you. Sure, one is great to see, but 10? Amazing. I really enjoy the War song “All Day Music” to illustrate: where the singers in the group harmonize the lyrics “all day”. It’s a climax of pleasing sounds, pure aural pleasure.
Music brings happiness. Kick back with your favorite artist or album, turn out the lights, close your eyes, and really get into what the musician is trying to communicate to you. You’ll be amazed at what you discover within the music, and within yourself.
Peace out, my fellow music lovers. Spread the joy of music.
-Alan
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Topics: Music | 3 Comments »
December 18th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
[…] you can agree with some of the statements I made above, you can see that this is not true at all. Music serves an important purpose in humanity, and hip hop is music. In addition, hip hop has a lot to say about society and the world. It isn’t […]
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:00 am
Alan, I never ceased to be amazed by the gems I stumble across on the Internet. Tonight while doing an image search for “music staff” I found the image you used for this article.
After reading this post I must say… WOW! You put it so well, a wonderful summary of the power of music. The way music can reach down to the very core of who we are and touch that spot that needs to be touched.
You might enjoy reading a recent post on my blog in which I too take a shot at expounding on the power of music.
Keep up the good work,
-Ron-
June 12th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
[…] What it's all about (The love of music): […]