Music is the formal art of arranging various sounds in a particular order to create a specific composition such as through the components of melody, harmony, pitch, rhythm, and tone. It is also one of the basic cultural ideals of all human cultures. From classical music that originated in ancient Greece and Rome to modern day instruments like pianos, keyboards, and guitars, music has played an important role in every civilization’s lives.
There are many forms of music. It can be in the form of spoken word, body movements, or musical theater. The most popular form is classical music wherein the main theme is expressed through melodic lines, tonal scales, and chord progressions. It is a widely accepted and valued art form throughout the world. However, there have been differences and dissimilarities between the Western and Eastern music that have prompted many scholars to make distinctions between the two.
The Western classical music is characterized by the simplicity of its structure. This kind of music usually has simple melodies, which do not require many chords or rhythmic patterns. Examples of this kind of music are: Bach organ compositions, Beethoven piano music, Mozart piano pieces, Bach choral pieces, Brahms violin pieces, and Mahler symphonies. The Eastern classical music, on the other hand, is more complex with its use of rhythmic patterns and complex chord structures. Examples of this type of music are: Shorter folk melodies, Middle Eastern tunes, and Indian classical pieces.