This is not as stupid a question as it first appears. At least, not if you think that music is important. I believe that music is one of the foundations of society. It predated written communication and probably the spoken word. Rhythm and melody is with us before we are born. Babies in the womb respond to music. They respond to the rhythms of the heartbeat of their mothers. We assimilate basic rhythms as we grow up, music becomes part of us.
Our lives are dominated by sounds and music almost as much as they are by light and images. We pay musicians and singers a fortune to use their skills and talents to reflect and sometimes change our lives. Well, some of them get paid a fortune. In history balladeers were feted and valued, and this is how it should be. Music has developed from the streets be it Blues, rock and roll, Punk, Folk etc. In the modern world there is a disease. It is that growing and spreading scourge of all thinking human beings, disposable, irrelevant, musical pap.
Bubblegum for the ears has always been around. One of the main culprits responsible for the growth of this rubbish has been the MOR commercial radio stations. These radio stations use music is the filler between inane quizzes and adverts. These stations provide a diet of extended jingles and tell us that it is music. They demand shorter tracks to play, they ignore any music that may make us think (they do not want us to do that). They ignore any music that may make us upset. Their prime requirement is to have a safe platform for their adverts.
Music, real music, must challenge and excite. The purpose of music, of all art, is to reflect, challenge and change. The growth and development of civilisation goes hand in hand with questioning. One of the prime sources of that questioning is music. Real music exists but it is under threat from the dumbing down of the broadcast media. That way lies the end of civilisation as we know it.
Very true Phil. Music is for everyone, this cannot be denied, but the frivolous and constant use of fragments of music as background can numb the brain! Having said this, composers are only too pleased with the added employment this can generate as live music is on the decline.
My daughter went to Spain in her late teens, brought a cello and went busking all round the South from Barcelona. Musicians came out into the streets to join her and she was impressed with how live music making was an intregal part of the Spanish culture something that would never happen on an everyday street in the UK. People would be far too embarrassed to be so spontaneous! Here we have to have a special license and organized times. Ok, well perhaps this is sensible as electric music can be a bit disturbing outside if you are looking to have a peaceful day! but acoustic sound can be very soothing.
Anyway, will continue later.
Thought your article was really interesting and would like to continue on this subject with you further.
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