Music is an artistic and expressive manifestation that consists of the arrangement and organization of different sounds that form a sound continuity that is pleasant to the human ear.
Music is capable of generating all kinds of thoughts and emotions in the individual, which makes it one of the most diverse arts. It has evolved so much, in terms of gender and types, that trying to classify them would be very hard work.
However, music has formal bases that are fulfilled in all its different manifestations, and they are what make it precisely that, music. The simple sound exposition without any kind of order cannot be considered music.
The notions around music are subjective, which means that not every individual prefers the same music, or some genres are capable of generating rejection in their listeners.
Main characteristics of music
Sound
Sound is a physical phenomenon that makes music possible. These vibrations in waves that propagate through an elastic medium such as air, are what give rise to all the ordered and compound phenomena that will eventually result in a piece of music.
Throughout history, man has encountered a large number of sounds that he has been able to control to his liking, giving each one expressive intentionality, which is why some sounds tend to be more pleasant to the ear than others.
In music and its development, even natural sounds have become a crucial part of the sound construction of a piece of music.
Harmony
Harmony is also considered one of the fundamental elements for musical training. It consists of the arrangement and sound ordering, according to the intentions of the composer or director of the musical piece.
Through harmony, music is able to express ideas that will later be complemented by other elements.
Harmony varies according to the musical genre, and has evolved in conjunction with music and man. Even the most modern musical manifestations have harmony.
Melody
The melody can be defined as the sound capacity of an instrument, the result of its execution by a musician. Of Greek origin, it means to sing or make sing, therefore it can refer to the phenomenon of making an instrument sound through its execution.
Like harmony, the melody fulfills certain compositional intentions, which depending on what you want to express, would lead the musical composer to prefer certain tones over others when assembling the musical composition.
Rhythm
The rhythm in music refers to the tones and their repetitions, and how they unfold throughout the piece.
A piece of music must maintain a rhythm from beginning to end and even if it does change, it must do so in a way that is not jarring. The absence of rhythm in music is one of the most perceptible aspects that an individual can feel.
The rhythm varies fundamentally according to the musical genre that is executed, but it has always been present. The historical manifestation of new musical genres has given rise to new rhythms and even the fusion between them.
Tone
Pitch is the frequency with which sounds are emitted. From these frequencies combinations are made that are built from keys, also known as musical notes.
The selection of one tone over another responds to the intentions of the composer and his harmonic capacity within the rest of the musical piece.
The tones also vary according to the instruments and the sound frequencies that they are capable of emitting. Some may even appear similar, but all are capable of bringing a different nuance to the overall ensemble of the musical piece.
Musical genre
As in other arts, but with much more variety, music has a large number of genres that have developed (some even disappeared) and that continue to manifest themselves over time.
It can be said that a musical genre can be born from a single piece, so influential that it generates a whole phenomenon of similar creation around it.
A musical genre is a classification or set of musical compositions that have certain qualities in common, with respect to their harmonies, melodies, rhythmic bases and even lyrics (where singing is present).
The importance and recognition of a genre is carried out through its instrumentation, function and even social historical context where it develops.
Historically, around genres some macro-classifications have emerged that allow music to be grouped more easily; and from these emerge a large number of other subcategories.
The genres arise mainly from the experimentation or fusion of previous musical manifestations, the combination of which gives rise to a new musical discourse that can be disseminated and practiced by generations.
Cultural diversity
Music is closely related to the social and cultural context in which it originates. Music is capable of reflecting the idiosyncrasy of a cultural group, its origins and history, its perception of the world and even its discomforts and shortcomings.
Due to its expressive and cultural nature, music is capable of bringing different societies closer together through its pieces. What may seem different in form but share a common background, can be exalted through music, culturally enriching and bringing groups and individuals alike closer and closer.
From this same cultural foundation it can be considered that musical genres are born; Each one with its own history, originates in a small environment and is continually evolving to the point of having an impact on all cultural corners of the world inclusive.
The direct capacity that music has to sensitize the human being makes it a vehicle that has been considered effective for reconciliation, recognition and cultural rapprochement in the world, not only today, but during different stages of history.
References
- Bonds, ME (2013). A History of Music in Western Culture. Pearson.
- De Candé, R., & Domingo, JN (1981). Universal history of music. Aguilar.
- Díaz, JL (2010). Music, language and emotion: a cerebral approach. Mint Health, 543-551.
- Hamel, F., Hürlimann, M., & Mayer-Serra, O. (1970). Encyclopedia of Music.
- Morgan, RP (1999). The music of the twentieth century. Madrid: Akal Editions.