Here is a question for you: can you think of something that has accompanied humankind back from it's cradle, through all of the ages and up until present day? Well, the answer is obviously quite simple - it is the music! Music has been with us humans since the time immemorial and it has changed, evolved just as we did over the course of years.
Ancient times
There are almost as many theories regarding when and where music originated as there are people researching this subject. You could think of any ancient culture or civilization and you will find out that there is music engraved in their history. Let us look at the two that immediately pop up into mind when thinking about ancient times: the Greeks and the Egyptians. In the land of pyramids and pharaohs music was a part of both the religious and daily life. People sang while harvesting crops, entertaining themselves at royal parties and even while marching at an enemy in a battle. The Egyptians were known to use many kinds of instruments: flutes, trumpets, percussion, cymbals or harps. For the Greeks music was especially important as they believed that it was something that helped them deepen their relationship with the Gods. Archaeologists found many different instrument types in the ruins of Greek cities: a lyre (which later migrated to Europe), panpipes and the aulos.
Medieval
Despite the general fall of the culture during the Medieval era (and we can thank the Catholic Church for that) music remained and was still extremely important to the people. The common folk sang hymns and secular songs in the churches with the aid of instruments like the organ. In towns and noble courts one could listen to the enchanting voices of the Minstrels and Troubadours, who wrote songs and ballads about chivalry, love but also important things like history or stories about the distant lands. Many different instruments were known in that era: trumpets, bagpipes, drums, bells etc. It is also worth noting that the oldest example of the polish language that exists is "Bogurodzica", a religious song that was sang by polish armies while marching to meet the enemy (the most importance example being the battle of Grunwald).
Questions:
- Why is music so important to people and culture?
- If you could invent a new instrument what would it sound like?
There's a great video with Bobby McFerrin (guy that recorded "Don't worry, be happy" but also a great vocalist and conductor) where he shows that people from different places of the world have the same musical feeling. I'm not sure how to name this differently, because it's something untouchable. I recommend you to see the whole video:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne6tB2KiZuk
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ReplyDeleteI think that in the electronic age instruments will disappear. Their place will be taken by synthesizers. Even now most of popular music is made using them.
ReplyDeleteI think that the development of music is as important as in different areas of life. Thanks to it we can play newer and newer sounds of the nature and use them in songs. We can create completely different styles, which give a wide choice of music and the possibility to fill somebody's demanding taste. It seems that music helps us to developed our personality. A long time ago someone said that music is a cure for every evil and I absolutely agree with that statement.
ReplyDelete" ... something that has accompanied humankind back from it's cradle, through all of the ages and up until present day ... " Hmmm ... sex ?
ReplyDeleteMusic is so important because it's a way for artistic expression and huge branch of entertainment industry. I never thought about inventing an instrument, I rather wanted to learn how to play one which already exists - guitar.
# Why is music so important to people and culture?
ReplyDeleteI feel music is very important because it gives people a chance to express themselves not only through what they wear but their music as well. Music has such a big impact on people and it moves people in different directions and in differents moods depending on the person and the song they listen to.
If you could invent a new instrument what would it sound like?
Like a pure chaos ;p
I think that people cannot live without music but in different times it played a different roles. Like classical music for example which focused on music, not the vocals.
ReplyDeleteOf course instruments have evolved and changed but they're more or less the same giving a fixed note scale. In our times musis is something more mixes with kind of poetry where lyrics tend to make sense. Of couse I'm not talking about mainstream genres but for example rock. Artists try to share their opinions, reflections through their music. They educate the young listeners.
It would sound like a synthesizer. I like a long sound that can be created by that instrument.
I alawys loved music when i was a kid, but the older i get the less time i spend listening to music and finding out information about different bands. For sure music is important, it lets us relax or often forget about problems that keep bothering us all day long. Music is a hobby for almost every1 in young age. If id be inventing some new instrument it would probably be something with the sound of an elektric guitar. Those instruments always fascinated me the most
ReplyDeleteFor me music is just an addition to something else, I don't really get a point of listeing to music alone as I find it boring.
ReplyDelete1. Why is music so important to people and culture?
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for me to answer that question because for me music is not so important.
Music is very important because we can express our feelings and the history of our lives. Music changes the mood to us, for artists is the meaning of life, I have no idea what could be a new instrument:)
ReplyDelete