"What Is Music?"

What is music?

Unbeknownst to my knowledge as to why, this is a question I come to regularly. Not in a sense of every day or week, more in a means of every three months, constantly flowing. As such, large waves in an ocean that travel in small, slow sequence, compared to small ones that wash up on a shore, more often and speedily. Every three months the question becomes overly prominent, consuming at least five days of my life with consistent asking of the question, “What is music?”.

For some, music serves as a way to decorate time, functioning as background noise that enhances their environment without demanding much attention. In these instances, music is played softly while people go about their daily routines, such as working, studying, or socialising. It adds a layer of atmosphere and comfort without necessarily engaging deeply with the composition or its meaning.

For others, music acts as a pacifier, providing a soothing influence that calms and comforts them. This use of music is often intentional, where individuals turn to certain songs, artists, or genres to alleviate stress, anxiety, or restlessness. The calming properties of specific rhythms, harmonies, or lyrics can create a sense of tranquillity and emotional relief, helping to regulate mood and create a sense of relaxation.

Many people find music to be something they can relate to on a personal level. Music typically mirrors the listener’s own experiences, emotions, or life situation, creating a sense of connection and understanding. Through lyrics, melodies, or rhythms, individuals may find reflections of their own stories and feelings, allowing them to resonate with the music and derive personal meaning from it.

For some, music is regarded as a form of ultimate literature, enveloping story and meaning in a way that transcends traditional narrative forms. This perspective views music as a rich, expressive art from that conveys profound messages and themes through its structure, dynamics, and emotional impact, as well as historical context. In this view, music tells stories and evokes meanings that are deeply felt, offering a complex and immersive experience in the likes of common classic literary works.

There are also those who perceive music merely as notes on a page, a technical contract that can be read and interpreted to create sound. For these individuals, music is approached with a focus on its structural and theoretical aspects, where the emphasis is on the mechanics of composition and performance. This perspective values the formal elements of music, such as notation, rhythm and harmony, and sees them as essential components in the creation of musical sound.

These are some of the ideas that I find myself thinking of when I ask the question, “What is music?”. But realistically, where do I fall in relation to these ideas, and which of them do I use the least?

Sure, I make music, and sometimes perceive it as notes on a page. However, in that process, I try to compose something that people can relate to and understand as much as I do with my own creations.

Taken away from my creative aspect, I use music for all sorts of reasons. When feeling low, I look for something to resonate with. Maybe when exercising I look for something that makes me want to push even harder than before. Yet I also use music as background noise when working, mainly to drown out constant traffic and unreasonably malevolent conversations - sounds of the city. So for me, it’s really related to what works best in the moment.

So, based on these reflections, I’ve started to notice that the overarching question has changed. The more I view and experience how life and music are connected, not just with me, but with others, the question “What is music?” should have an addition to it, restating itself to ultimately become:

“What is music, to you?”