(ESL 407) Division-Classification Essay (Music has always been in response to the times)

Music is defined as the art of making sounds by either vocals or instruments or using both

modes. This term actually came about from a Greek root, ‘muses’, which refers a group of

Greek goddesses for knowledge and the arts; a connotation of joy. Music has always been in

existence throughout ages, be it in the ancient, classical or modern times. Furthermore, It has

also been widely considered as an universal language as well as having transcended all

cultural background and many people have been influenced by it in some way or other. As

such, music is ubiquitous in all humankind. Yet throughout the years, music has been

transformed into different forms and has undergone many drastic changes, such as

instruments and styles.

There is no definite explanation as to how music came about, but there are a few reasons

where it could stem its origin from. Firstly, the human vocal is an instrument itself, as it has

the ability to sing with different pitches and even with whistling. Besides, the human hands

are also able to produce rhythmic sound using clapping. As a result, people in the past made

use of their vocal cords and other body parts to make sounds rhythmically as a form of

communication to others as well as to blend in with their surrounding nature. Another

explanation of the origin of music is that it started out more than approximately fifty

thousand years ago, where archaeologists had discovered the inscription of people

congregating together dancing with some holding what was perceived as musical instruments.

This suggested the role of music during the period as a cultural phenomenon in which people

had used for leisure and official ceremonies. Archaeologists have also discovered artefacts

which were assumed to be musical instruments, in the use of rudimentary tools that were

improvised to make sounds and their focus was rather rhythmic instead of melodic. An
example found was a bone flute discovered in Germany in 2008. It was made using

mammoth ivory and bird bones and was approximately forty-thousand years old. Music back

in the prehistoric world was thus made for survival, as well as providing directions for the

people for the nomadic lifestyle.

Ancient music came with the invention of writing system and along with the cradle of

civilisation. The era of the Ancient music was classified in the AD500s. During this period,

the focus was rather community based and it also involved ceremonial rites. The music that

the people made involved basic notes and scales. One prominent part of this era, occurred in

these few prominent civilisation, such as ancient Europe, ancient China and ancient India. In

Ancient China there was a zither instrument known as ‘Guqin’, while in ancient Rome and

ancient Greece, instruments were discovered and played such as lyres, pipes, and they were

often performed in theatre and were associated with religious rituals. These were the cultural

expressions of both great empires during those eras. Even the dorian mode invented by the

Ancient Greek is still adopted by the modern musical scales. As for Ancient India, their

classical music were tied with its predominant faith, Hinduism, through its scripture, the

‘Vedas’. ‘Samaveda’, which is part of the Vedas scripture presented the collection of hymns

for the Hindu faith. The Hindu faith has shaped the Indian’s cultural roots more thousands of

years. Besides, the flamboyant and charismatic dance choreography that modern Indian

music have also very much embodied its past glorious culture. Ancient music involved the

participation of the larger communities through fostering shared bonds and religiosity.

Therefore during the ancient era, music was primarily going with the cultural flow of

civilization which were increasingly become more literate.

music in this era was rather symphonic and instruments that were used included the pianos,

violins and cellos. Bach, Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven from the eighteenth century had

produced countless musical symphonic pieces, for instance the ‘Ninth Symphony fourth

movement’ and the ‘Marriage of Figaro’. They were lauded to be the most renowned

musicians in their time. Besides, they had also paved the way for many modern people to

pursue interests in classical music, and the Symphonic Orchestra was thus resulted to glorify

many of their works. While classical music has widely been perceived to be appreciated only

by the upper stratum of society, research has also shown that people who listen to classical

music are able to relieve stress and they can also aid in brain development for children.

In the modern times came the emergence of music for various genres such as Pop, Rock,

Blues, Rhythm and Beat as well as Jazz. During the 1950s and 1960s, came the arrival of

renowned musicians such as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and Elvis Presley. These singers

have shaped the modern people’s identities in emulating them and have also influenced other

people to form up new bands, thereby allowing them to express themselves freely. Bands

such as Oasis, Radiohead, The Verve, Blur and Pink Floyd were heavily influenced by The

Beatles such as from their lyrics and singing styles. Sex, drugs, violence were also few

influences that people adopted as part of their culture. The introduction of media has also

eked out radios and televisions showcasing singers for their newly-arrived songs. The arrival

of Vinyl record, cassettes, compact discs, music albums were thus also released for sales. The

Beatles was a well known British band which attracted thousands of people by their musical

styles and fashion sense. Not long as it first started out, it managed to consistently helm the

top five positions in the billboard charts, and to date having more than two hundred million

records sold. They were considered the greatest and the most popular rock band ever existed.
Elvis Presley, an American singer, helmed with the title, king of Rock n Roll, had the best-

selling solo-artist of all time. He had a unique dance style and had formed a new genre of

music, known as ‘rockability’. His flamboyant fashion sense had paved the way for many

young people during his time to emulate his stylish persona and became an important popular

icon for even the many generations ahead.

The use of music is also widely present in the recent years, especially in various official

events, such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games, where theme songs are being

composed to go along with the ambience, as well as uniting people in the national anthems

being sung in many nations which have patriotic intentions behind them. Music has also

created an identity for many people, for instance, the African American community in the

United States, who formed the Rhythm and Blues genre in the 1950s, funk and rap music and

the people in those community have also widely supported them. Newly emerged genres have

also been formed by people such as Alternative rock conceived by the underground music

movement since the late 1970s that further branched out various subgenres such as Indie rock

and Punk rock, as they sought for more varieties to suit their own preferences. Nowadays,

many people listen to music for enjoyment and for de-stress, and many have also picked up

musical instruments, such as guitars and pianos, and composed many new songs. The current

music scene is just so dynamic and ever changing. Even in the current trend, more new

upcoming genres have been adopted and improved which cater for people’s preferences.

Through these different eras, the role of music has indeed been phenomenal and has since

become an integral part of human life as well as its impact on people. It has since evolved so

much from just improvising by means of makeshift tools and other archaic means to the

emergence of new instruments in the modern society, as well as many having more varieties
of genres epitomising the ever progressive style and creativeness of human beings. Music has

also become part of the identity that shaped the human culture and is ever more relevant to

humans as seen from the different eras. Imagine how life will be like without music as

without it life will be just as dull and gloomy. The legacy for music still prevails even in this

current age.

“Music produces a kind of pleasure human nature cannot live without.” Confucius