Cian Patrick O.

Cornel

Why Music is important

Music has shaped cultures and societies around the world, passed down from
generation to generation. It has the power to alter one's mood, change perceptions,
and inspire change. While everyone has a personal relationship with music, its
effects on the culture around us may not be immediately apparent. Music is an
essential aspect of all human civilizations and has the power to emotionally,
morally, and culturally affect society. When people from one culture exchange
music with each other, they gain valuable insight into another way of life.

Why is Music Beneficial to Society?

Music has the power to connect with and influence people in a way that feels
fundamentally different from other forms of communication. Humans often feel
that “no one understands them” or knows how they “truly feel.” Many resort to
music to find connections with others to express themselves or find a sense of
understanding among peers. At the core of our everyday experience with
music, we use it to relax, express ourselves, come to terms with our emotions,
and generally improve our well-being. It has evolved into a tool for healing and
self-expression, often dictating how we, as individuals, take steps to impact
society, music has the ability to deeply affect our mental states and raise our
mood. When we need it, music gives us energy and motivation.

Songs and melodies have the power to inspire people, guide their actions, and
aid in the formation of identities. Music can unite people – even if absorbed in
solitude, capture your imagination and boost creativity. A person who has
been affected by music is not alone. They are among the masses trying to find
their role in society and form connections with others.

Expressing oneself through music

Emotions are one of the most fascinating features of the human mind. Music
is an equally extraordinary characteristic. Understanding the special
interaction between the two may take us closer to understanding the
fundamental nature of both. There is little doubt that music can alter our mood
and stir emotions, it has a powerful pull and you don’t need to be a scientist to
confirm this as fact. Perhaps the greatest gift of music lies in its capacity to
allow people to experience emotions without the burden of having to
experience the life events that lead to them. We can experience even extreme
emotions in a controlled manner, at will, in comfortable circumstances.

We all know that being exposed to music’s beauty, rhythm, and harmony
significantly influences how we feel. We also know that music emotionally
impacts us, reaching into forgotten memories and connecting us to ourselves.
Music therapy is often used to improve attention and memory, and can have a
positive effect on those suffering from dementia or Alzheimers. Music has the
potential to be a powerful healing tool in a variety of ways and pervades every
aspect of our existence. Songs are used to define spiritual ceremonies,
toddlers learn the alphabet via rhyme and verse, and malls and restaurants,
where we choose to spend our free time, are rarely silent.

The Cultural Impact of Music

For decades, the effects of music on society have been a source of

contention, and it seems that with each generation, a new musical trend
emerges that has the previous generations saying, “Well back in my day,
we had…”. Music and social movements are intrinsically linked together.
Almost every popular kind of music was considered scandalous back in
the day, and the dancing that accompanied jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, and
hip-hop drew protests and boycotts from all around. Just look at The
Beatles, who were considered scandalous by the older generation when
they first arrived on the music scene.

While we may not like a new music trend or a particular genre of music,
we must also take a step back and appreciate how lucky we are to be
exposed to it at all. Music in some parts of the world is not as easily
accessible. While music has always been a means of pushing the
boundaries of expression, it’s clear that the world isn’t expressing itself in
the same way. The various musical trends we’ve seen in just this lifetime
provide an insightful look into what is and isn’t being discussed in some
cultures.