DEFINITION AND NATURE

OF MUSIC -- Introduction
Music comes from the greek
word “mousike” which means
“the art of muse”

 Muse is one of the nine sister goddesses of

song and poetry and the arts and sciences. She
is the spirit that gives the poet or composer
his ideas and inspiration
Music is the most powerful and emotional of
the art

 JOHN DEWEY
(1) Music is defined as the art of combining and
regulating sounds of varying pitch to
produce melodious harmony expressive of
various ideas and emotions

 ESTOLAS , 1998
(2)
Among the Hindus and Egyptian,
music I interwoven with religion
(3)
Music is an avenue to release tension and
an incentive to a positive development of
character.

ARISTOTLE
(4)
Music is the union of pitch, force, quality and
duration arranged according to the laws of melody
and harmony or the combination and succession of
tones following the recognized laws of melody and
harmony or the combination and succession of tones
following the recognized laws of musical composition

 RIVADELO (1987)
(5)
Music is the way to the innermost soul of
man which becomes part of one’s
personality

 Plato
It is now generally realized that music, brought about
ways that have meaning to the child, contributes
significantly to building the child’s personal identity,
enriching his life by developing understanding and
perception in his societal environment through sound
and social relationships
It also gives the opportunity to expand his ability to
imagine, create, and appreciate with discriminative
judgement. This ability makes music as one form of
art.
MUSIC AS AN ART
 Music is a common language of mankind. There is no
human heart that is not touched by music. It finds an
instinctive response there, and awakens the finer nature
of man. It has the power to summon the tenderness as
well as the most sublime feelings. With its noble and
exquisite melodies, music can tame a savage heart and
make one milder and gentler. It has the mysterious charm
of disciplining the passion and uplifting the soul. Truly
music can change our outlook in life beyond our highest
dreams.
 Music can bring out the best of oneself. With its various
moods, it has a match for every condition and occasion.
That is why music is considered an art because it
encourages anyone to express emotions through songs
when weary or sad or when happy. There are songs that
stir men to heroic actions, and songs that comfort the
downhearted heart or songs that bring back memories.
 The knowledge of musical symbols and signs will unlock
for us the world of beauty, harmony and joy. To these
possessing artistic talents, music is one of the finest
outlets for self-expression. It is one of the best means of
satisfying one’s creative impulse. Once a man has
articulated innermost thoughts, then he has reached the
ultimate goal of arts. Since art means ability or skill to
create something out from one’s thoughts, imagination,
feelings, and emotions. Therefore, through music our inner
being understood and appreciated.
 FUNCTIONS OF MUSIC
 Most ancient Greek philosophers believed that listening
to music based on certain of modes in use at the time
was beneficial to the development of a young person’s
character.

 For centuries, Chinese beliefs about music were

influenced by the philosophy of Confucius, which music
was not to entertain but to purify one’s thoughts.
 FUNCTIONS OF MUSIC
 The primary function of music is to express joy, pain, and
to entertain. However, when sounds are not regulated or
when a piece of music is played improperly or in full blast
as an unregulated stereo, it ceases to give pleasure, thus
failing its purpose.

 Like other arts, music deals with emotions. It is a “ pure

art” which enables it to convey emotion with great intensity
and can directly affect people. Good music radiates joy and
exhilarating to those who are receptive to it.
 FUNCTIONS OF MUSIC
 Music supplies man’s potential power and energy for
creative growth. It is a stimulant to one’s imagination and
a strong force to invent.

 Music is a vitalizing factor for the other subjects in the

school curriculum. It sharpens the mind to understand and
interpret its technical symbol and terms and to understand
its special vocabulary.

end
 References
 The-Art-of-Teaching-Music (Book)
 IM-Teaching-Music-in-the-Elementary-Grades-docx
 Introduction to Music-Teaching Music in Elementary Grades(yt)