Impact of Music To The Society Essay.
Music is a form of art that influences largely an individual’s emotions. Different types or
genres of music have different impact on various persons and music plays a significant role in
establishing a presence or a mood, especially when used as film scores. Impact of Music To The Society Essay. The variations of music types can approximately dictate the image of a person and at one level in human history; music
was used to establish class or status. Undeniable, music changes along with the societal and
history progression. All types of art have been subject to being an opposition voice against
oppressive economic or political structures. Music has had a significant influence on other forms of art that determines schools of thought, image and lifestyle. Across the globe, music has been an outstanding avenue for expressing different cultures from different people (How Music Affects Society, 2005). Impact of Music To The Society Essay.
Asia is home to the oldest artifacts that demonstrate individuals playing musical
instruments that date around 4,000 years. Archeological evidences from various parts of the
world reveal that people from different cultures across the globe have over time focused on their
own unique techniques of playing their special musical instruments. Nonetheless, no matter the
variations of the instruments and type of music played by different cultures across the globe; it
seems that music has one primary goal – to bring individuals together (How Music Affects
Society, 2005). It is unsurprising that music has been used widely in religious ceremonies and
temples across the globe. The involvement of different cultural groupings in music has enabled
the art to evolve in a unique way that differs from one culture to the other. In addition, as the
global culture increasingly comes into close contact, the music of these cultures has an effect on
one another.
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A good example of how music from different cultures influences others is the
American bluegrass music that is a combination of Scottish, African – American, German, and
Irish singing and instrument playing (How Music Affects Society, 2005). Impact of Music To The Society Essay.
Music has deeply intertwined the element community that an extent that it is hard to
determine whether music has influenced the society, or that music is a reflection of the society
that plays it. It is a big generalization to argue that one genre of music can affect an entire society
since the society becomes increasingly modernized – the society has shifted from simple
techniques of playing communal instruments. In addition, technological changes, which have
emerged due to mobile and digital audio solutions, have enabled people to listen to complex
music types in complete isolation anywhere and anytime (The Powerful Role of Music in
Society, 2008). Further, today individuals can opt to listen to a broad array of styles or to
concentrate on one music type depending on the qualities of the music and how it appeal to the
individual. Finally, the media including TV, Movies and radio can influence the taste of music of
different cultures. Does music influence society? Or does musical sounds shape the society’s
popular culture and direction? Are different music styles that continue to evolve simply an
expression or a continuation of various subcultures that established them? The 20th century rise of
folk music and specifically the 1960s emergence of popular folk music is probably the most
salient example of how music has influenced the society. The unpopular Vietnamese war was
underway and the civil rights groups were in full swing. Inherently, folk music is sung and
played for and by people every day – it is the music of the masses.
Naturally, music paves way for expression of awareness of culture that becomes
cognizant of dynamic changes in the society. Woody Guthrie, a folk songwriter and singer,
began writing “protest songs” and music in order to support popular movements during this
period. Other folk singers, including Joan Baez and Bob Dylan followed suit. During this particular period, music was used as a vehicle of expression as well as a tool to inspire and
mobilize listeners to think in a different way and take action. The 1960s folk music embodied
shunning material and capitalism comforts and idealistic thinking. The US populace, especially
teenagers, had indicated a variety of positive reactions to this type of music. Changing from the
1950s clean cut, sterile popular image, there was an overall drift toward individuality, expression
and freedom. Impact of Music To The Society Essay. Ethnic, general speaking, hand woven and embodied, or natural fabrics clothes
become popular; teenagers become increasingly open about their sex and drugs experimentation;
there was a general rejection of authority and power structures (How Music Affects Society,
2005). There was a drastic change in the American society that continues to hold today.
The society and music has always been related intimately (The Powerful Role of Music
in Society, 2008). Music creates and reflects social conditions such as aspects that either impede
or facilitate change in the society. Music is a powerful medium at the level of the social group
since it enhances communication that extends beyond words, facilitates the development and
maintenance of a person, cultural, group and national identities as well as allows the sharing of
meanings. At personal level music is powerful since it can induce varied responses, including
movement, physiological, mood, behavioral, cognitive and emotional (The Powerful Role of
Music in Society, 2008). Impact of Music To The Society Essay. Few other forms of stimuli have influence on such a wide array of
human functionality. Music is therapeutically powerful. Music in conjunction with other forms
of interventions, can be effective in promoting relaxation, and alleviate anxiety especially
endorphins.
Navarro (2011) argues that Music is a tool for social change. Music artists have bonded
over social issues such as saving the Panda, strife in Darfur, HIV/ AIDS and other issues that
have effect on millions of people across the globe. Music artists have become agents of social
change by using music to address social issues that immediately affect the society. Music has
been able to alter society and governments. A beautiful sound makes its way into the minds and
the hearts of humans, which, in turns, ignites a fire that causes an agitation. This agitation results
in revolutions in governments and society. Impact of Music To The Society Essay.
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In brief, with complex mass communication systems, music has become increasingly
informed by the Internet, television, movies, and radio. In addition, technological advancements
are opening the way for the establishment of modern subcultures that have unique music styles,
life philosophies and expression. Today, music still influences the society, only that the effect
today occur in an increasingly diverse and complex ways and sometimes in subtle ways that are
difficult to define or measure. Music provides the society with a tool for expression and freedom.
In addition, music is the only form of art that influences various human functions, including
movement, physiological, mood, behavioral, cognitive and emotional. Impact of Music To The Society Essay.
References
“How Music Affects Society.” (2005). Retrieved 6 June 2014 from: http://www.syncrat.com/5jy
Navarro, A. (2011). “Music And Social Change- How They Have Changed The World”
Retrieved 6 June 2014 from: http://www.robinhewlett.com/music-and-social-change-
how-they-have-changed-the-world/
“The Powerful Role of Music in Society.” (2008). Retrieved 6 June 2014 from:
http://musicmagic.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/music-in-society/ Impact of Music To The Society Essay.