Music and Culture

Music is the craft of arranging musical sounds in specific time to create a melody through the interplay of rhythm, melody, balance, and pitch. It is one of those universal aesthetic aspects of human cultures. The earliest known music was composed four to five thousand years ago. Some experts opine that the oldest pieces of music, such as Egyptian temples featuring cuneiform songs, may date from twenty five thousand years ago. Evidence of musical instruments such as flutes, harps, xylophone, and others were discovered in excavations throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Music has its root in several forms of folk music from various cultures around the world. Folk music, which originated in many lands around the globe, can be classified into three main categories Classical, Popular, and Non-Classical. Classic music, which was influenced by the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and others, is often associated with the high notes or “classical” voice, whereas non-classical music is often associated with the low tones. Most listeners accept both forms of music, but some people (mostly males) favor the classical style because it is closer to their own native tongue.

Many critics and enthusiasts decried classical music for being “elitist”, “classical”, and “princular”. These claims are unfounded, as there are many musicians in many different cultures who do not adhere to any particular code of musical notation. Music transcends race, culture, and religion and is an expression of emotion that inspires and motivates people of all ages. It is the unique expression of an individual’s unique culture.