Many musicological studies that have made available to us in recent years seem to suggest that music is inherently tied to the Western culture. A case in point is the account presented by several historians of country music suggesting that this particular genre of music has its social origins in the early 20th-century Southern United States, and that New Orleans is the center of many African American musical styles (Manuel 417). Although these accounts may be valid, it may be misleading to hold the perspective that music is inescapably tied to the Western culture and its assumptions. If we take a closer look at all the societies and cultures known to us and evaluate all the historical societies to the level that we can possibly discern, we …show more content…
Here, two important arguments arise: the first point of view deals with the way prehistoric societies in Africa and alleged ‘uncivilized’ places performed the rituals with music as a central feature. If music is inescapably tied to Western culture, then one wonders how these prehistoric societies had perfected the art of singing in funerals and weddings long before they were exposed to colonization by the Western world. The second point deals with how music, culture, and tradition are essentially interconnected. Here, available literature shows that “people remember what is good or useful and share it with next generation and with their neighbors” (Garfias 2). As opposed to arguing that music is tied to Western culture, it is more prudent to contend that music has characterized all cultures since prehistoric times, only that the most important and useful elements of our music that we have learned are diffused and carried on to newer generations (Garfias 2; Frith …show more content…
Although these scholars are in agreement that no consensus seems forthcoming on the origins of music, they all agree that music is not only universal but also a substantial aspect of every known culture (McDermott 164). Some of the proposals that have been suggested to describe the origin of music include the conception that “music is merely an accidental byproduct of traits that evolved for other purposes, but also various proposals for potential adaptive functions, ranging from the promotion of social cohesion to the facilitation of infant-parent interactions” (McDermott 164). These suggestions, in my view, progress the nature-nurture debate that cement the universality paradigm at the expense of Western culture predisposition. They show that music is unavoidably tied to genetic and environmental influences, rather than western culture and its assumptions. The suggestions also show that innate influences, rather than western culture, are a more appropriate explanation of how individuals develop or internalize their musical capabilities. Overall, therefore, the notion that music is inescapably tied to Western culture is not supported by
1. Music is a strictly local expression, rich in variety since each culture expresses affective differences through art, 2. Music is a poetic process--complex, vague, and irrational--based upon borrowed traditional musical materials (melodies, rhythms, forms, etc.), 3. Music is for a religious, elitist-class performer who can understand and appreciate its mysterious nature and power, 4. Music is played softly in intimate gatherings, 5. Music making is the activity of Everyman, exacting the talents of variously trained amateurs who, with industry and practice, decorate their recreation and leisure in moments of social intercourse.
For many Americans, country isn’t just a type of music. It’s a lifestyle. From sippin’ sweet tea on the porch, drinking beer at a tailgate or driving a pick up down the backroads, country music has made its way into the hearts and minds of many Americans. It is one of the only truly home grown American art forms. Its relatability and wide appeal has made country music one of the most commercially successful and popular genres in the United States. Using the work of scholars Tichi, Pecknold, and Ellison, I will show how country music grew from its rural southern roots into an integral part of American culture.
“Together the matrices of race and music occupied similar position and shared the same spaces in the works of some of the most lasting texts of Enlightenment thought..., by the end of the eighteenth century, music could embody differences and exhibit race…. Just as nature gave birth and form to race, so music exhibited remarkable affinities to nature” (Radano and Bohlman 2000: 14). Radano and Bohlman pointed out that nature is a source of differences that give rise to the different racial identities. As music embodies the physical differences of human, racial differences are not only confined to the differences in physical appearances, but also the differences in many musical features, including language, tonality and vocal expression. Nonetheless, music is the common ground of different racial identities. “In the racial imagination, music also occupies a position that bridges or overlaps with racial differences. Music fills in the spaces between racial distinctiveness….” (Radano and Bohlman 2000:8) Even though music serves as a medium through which different racial identities are voiced and celebrated individually, it establishes the common ground and glues the differences
If one were to look back into the world’s history, one would find that an important and consistent element is the world of music. Music has presented itself in various forms throughout its spread and through our identification of its magical realm, people have been fortunate enough to come across a means of relation. Whether it is blues and reggae or rap and pop rock, there is music out there for everyone. Music can serve as a stabilizer for some, a relaxant to others, and to many a form of inspiration.
Music nurtured the African American tradition and their struggle towards equality in the same century.... ... middle of paper ... ... Greensboro, N.C.: Morgan Reynolds Pub. Carter, D. (2009).
Ever since humans first learned how to make music with their voices and with instruments thousands of years ago, music has been changing. Some changes took place over hundreds or even thousands of years, stunted by human isolation or by guidelines set in place by religious institutions. The 20th century, in contrast, experienced several rapid, radical changes in the popular genres of music. This made the 20th century a very rich time period for musical culture. These remarkable genres--including, but not limited to jazz, rock and roll, and the music of the “British invasion”--all influenced one another, and all influenced the culture we still live in today.
“How Musical is Man?” was published in 1974. This book was written by John Blacking, a musician turned social anthropologist. His goal in writing this ethnography, and several other papers during this same time period, was to compare the experience of music-making that takes place within different cultures and societies throughout the world. In this book, he discusses and describes the musicology of the Venda people in South Africa. Though he does go to Africa to research and learn about the Venda people and their music, he specifically states that his book is “not a scholarly study of human musicality” (ix), but rather it is a summary (written from his point of view), which is both expressive and entertaining, of several different issues and ideas that he has seemingly been contemplating for some time.
"Music is a common experience and a large part of societies. In fact, anthropologists note that all human communities at all times and in all places, have engaged in musical behaviours. Music as a mode of human activity is a cultural phenomenon constituting a fundamental social entity as humans create music and create their relationship to music. As cultural phenomeno...
Some may say music is just music; a song is just a song. However, music plays an enormous role in our psychology, because a single song has the ability to bring about many kinds of thoughts and emotions in the listener. Music is subtly one of the main factors in which people identify with certain groups and establish their belonging in society. It shapes people’s perspectives on how the world functions and the roles they play within it. Music can function the same way in a culture; it can reflect many of the culture’s values and ideologies. Music can have many effects on culture and the people’s idea of who they think they are within that culture. Music can serve in a way that promotes cultural identity and pride, yet it could also play a role in the separation of social and economical identities in within cultures.
It has been scientists' belief that music must have been present in the ancestral population prior to the dispersal of humans around the world. Therefore it is believed that music must have been in existence for at least 50,000 years, with the first music being invented in Africa and then evolving into becoming a fundamental constituent of human life. Any culture of music is influenced by the aspect of their culture, including their social and economic organization, climate, and access to technology. People express their emotions and ideas through their music. Music expresses the situations and how music is listened to and played. The attitude towards music players and composers varies between regions and periods of history. Music history" is the distinct subfield of musicology and history which studies music (particularly western art music) from a chronological perspective. ("History of Music")
Powell, A. (2007). The Music of African Americans and its Impact on the American Culture in the 1960’s and the 1970’s. Miller African Centered Academy, 1. Retrieved from http://www.chatham.edu/pti/curriculum/units/2007/Powell.pdf
Jazz music broke the rules in American Culture African American experience over White American experience. In addition, the article called ‘History of Black Dance’ said “Harlem during the twenties became the ‘in place’ to be for both black and white New Yorkers.”3 (“History of Black” par. 2). Breaking the rules of the 1920s American culture has not been done before, both men and women, both black and white, together in one place to enjoy music. In Carter’s article, “The Devils Music: 1920s Jazz” as jazz music grew in popularity, so did political and social campaigns to censor what the older generation considered to be the devils music, also known as jazz music.4 The older generation of the 1920s, believed that jazz music was made by the devil and by the end of the twenties,
The influence that music has throughout the world is immeasurable. Music evokes many feelings, surfaces old memories, and creates new ones all while satisfying a sense of human emotion. With the ability to help identify a culture, as well as educate countries about other cultures, music also provides for a sense of knowledge. Music can be a tool for many things: relaxation, stimulation and communication. But at the same time it can also be a tool for resistance: against parents, against police against power. Within the reign of imported culture, cross cultivation and the creation of the so-called global village lies the need to expand horizons to engulf more than just what you see everyday. It is important to note that the role of music in today’s world is a key tool in the process of globalization. However, this does not necessarily provide us with any reasons that would make us believe that music has a homogenizing affect on the world.
I ) Why are some songs so popular? What makes them popular? But also what makes them negative in the lives of kids and teens? Well let’s get some of this sorted out then. Studies show that kids and teens who listen to music such as rap, metal, some rock and pop, or hip hop, etc. that have risky or bad lyrics show to have behavioral issues and have problems in school.
Music has played a role in society since the dawn of man. Said to be the beginning of communication in early civilization, music and dance have influenced how we think, act and treat members of our own society. Song and dance is used in rites of passage ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals throughout the world. Jamaican and Yoruba cultures have made many contributions to our society. The uses of this music as a vehicle for political issues, values, and beliefs have been used by many musicians from different cultures. I intend to discuss the Contribution of these two contemporary cultures music and their effect on society.