Music is an art expressed through organization sound to include instrumentals and a person or group of people singing. The elements of music include rhythm, pitch, texture, and dynamics. There are several types and genres of music. Similarly, there are many functions of music, leading to varying concepts and perceptions of music. People's beliefs about music depend on their individual definition of music, the purpose of music in their lives, and their worldview of music. Despite the differences in perceptions, I relate music as a play that many people have managed to transform into work and source of livelihood.
Music has a deep history in all traditional cultural societies. They used music to mark various cultural activities, including funerals, celebrations, and marriages. The main element was the lyrical aspect which was composed to match the occasion 1 . The instrumentals used were primitive, and since then, there has been an evolution of music to the current modern one. From the historical perspective, music was used by communities as a play that marked different ceremonies. At the same, there were known community musicians who would be hired during the ceremonies and paid for their services. To them, music was work.
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Description of Music as Play
People listen to music every day while at work or at home relaxing. There are several radio and television stations playing music in between various programs. To the listeners, music is a source of entertainment that soothes them through their days, whether at work or at home relaxing. Even those who are not ardent lovers of music listen to at least one song in a day. While listening to music, people tend to sing along to some songs. Some individuals argue that they are able to work better when their favorite music is playing 2 . This is an example of music being described as a play due to its entertainment purpose.
There are several people who sing individually or in groups for no pay because of their love for music. These individuals would describe music as their hobby, and they make music to enjoy. They are majorly found in Churches, schools, or other social organizations within the community. Most of the time, they redo other peoples’ songs, but they would also compose a few songs but not produce or record them for commercial purposes. When music is made by people who consider it a hobby to entertain themselves and their audience for no pay, it becomes a play.
Almost all commercial musicians began singing in their childhood and consider music as a hobby. The difference is that they have turned their hobby into a source of income. During interviews with musicians, a common answer to questions asking about their motivation to make music is that it is a hobby and they love it 3 . Others would describe how all the other family members love music. After playing music for years or months, they decide to build a career out of it. A few musicians start off as commercial musicians. This means that even those who consider music as work still describe it as play and in this case, they earn living by playing music.
Music as Work
Currently, there are several musicians across the world doing professional music and building great careers out of it. Music is an industry with several jobs within. For example, there are song writers, composers, singers, producers, and instrument players. All these are careers within the music industry and attract good pay 4 . There are also music courses in colleges where those who would like to build their music careers get the necessary knowledge and skills. Currently, music industry is among the best paying fields worldwide.
The aspect of music as work began long time ago in the traditional cultural societies. During the various community ceremonies and celebrations, music would be used to entertain or to set moods depending on the occasion. There were famous singers who would be hired for this purpose. These musicians were either community-based or called from nearby communities. However, most of them did not consider it as their main economic activity 5 . They were only doing it out of passion and earning extra income for it. They would also offer their services for no pay but still feel happy.
During the semester, I have learned much about music, its purpose, and evolution. Initially, I was confused on whether to place music as play or as work. I have learned that it is possible to argue from both sides and still be right. Irrespective of its purpose, I consider music as a play. This is because it is an entertainment to both the performer and listener. Music listeners get entertained and soothed as they listen to their favorite songs. Performers get to do what they like, show their skills, and get paid for it.
Conclusion
Music is one of the oldest forms of art with origin in traditional cultures. It was the most common of entertainment as every occasion would be marked by a group of musicians singing to express and create emotions. Music has evolved over time and transformed into a huge industry with many job opportunities. It is currently a source of livelihood to many who consider it as work. The aspect of music as a play has not changed. This is because even the commercial musicians start by expressing their hobbies and talents before making careers out of them. The main purpose of music is to entertain, and this makes it a play.
Bibliography
Emmerson, Simon, ed. Music, electronic media and culture . Routledge, 2016.
Tiihonen, Marianne, Elvira Brattico, Johanna Maksimainen, Jan Wikgren, and Suvi Saarikallio. "Constituents of Music and Visual-Art Related Pleasure–A Critical Integrative Literature Review." Frontiers in psychology 8 (2017): 1218.
Waldron, Edward E. "The blues poetry of Langston Hughes." In Negro American Literature Forum , vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 140-149. St. Louis University, 1971.
1 Emmerson, Simon, ed. Music, electronic media and culture . Routledge, 2016.
2 Waldron, Edward E. "The blues poetry of Langston Hughes." In Negro American Literature Forum , vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 140-149. St. Louis University, 1971.
3 Emmerson, Simon, ed. Music, electronic media and culture . Routledge, 2016.
4 Tiihonen, Marianne, Elvira Brattico, Johanna Maksimainen, Jan Wikgren, and Suvi Saarikallio. "Constituents of Music and Visual-Art Related Pleasure–A Critical Integrative Literature Review." Frontiers in psychology 8 (2017): 1218.
5 Waldron, Edward E. "The blues poetry of Langston Hughes." In Negro American Literature Forum , vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 140-149. St. Louis University, 1971.
