Social Use of Music, Essay Example

The Social Use of Music in Contemporary American Society

Introduction

Music is a universal means of expression. It has various uses in society, all of which are important to our lives. It adds to the quality of our experiences and appeals to all age groups. Wherever there are people, there is music, providing accompaniment to varied activities and events. This brief paper refers to some of the most commonly recognized attributes of music in contemporary culture.

Music as Recreation

Recreation, or leisure activity, is an important part of life. Most people find music to be an inextricable companion to the games they play. The advent of technology helps make this easy. Electronic devices that store and record music provide hours of play time as people do play their games. Music plays in their consciousnesses through ear phones as they run, walk, exercise, and cycle.

Numerous individuals and groups make music making their hobby. As they gather to create and play music, they entertain themselves and others. Some people like to play music for themselves. Their music does not sound as a performance for any person’s enjoyment other than their own. Music provides these people an escape into a world where they find great satisfaction in hearing themselves sing and play.

Clubs, businesses and other organizations, social and fraternal, meet together from time of time to celebrate their accomplishments, conduct their business, interpret their missions, and set new goals for future endeavors. Whenever this happens, music usually is present. Theme songs help to solidify group thinking. Music supplies entertainment for their celebrations. Music frames their sessions.

Music as Re-Creation

Many people use music as a tool for meditation. Music, carefully selected, provides opportunities for them to relax, clear their minds, and ponder their lives as they analyze their work, their relationships, and their mental, emotional health. This re-creation brings strength to them. Music is a fuel for their psyches. At least one researcher has noticed, through his work, that music “animates the spirit indefinitely” (Olteteanu 141).

Music With Food

There are people who love to have music playing while they enjoy a nice dinner. Restaurants know the power of this in society. Almost any restaurant, from fast food to upscale has music as a part of the menu. Those who dine are treated to sounds that fit the cuisine or general theme that the managers work to achieve for their target markets.

Music as Entertainment

A favorite activity for millions of people is the practice of live performance. Concerts are attended widely across the world. Concert artists representing most any known genre of music concertize, tour, and present their sounds to fans through frequent publicity stints for their newest recordings.

Parties are not complete without music. When people plan parties, they think about music playing in the background as people mingle or dance. Music brings life to parties and sets a mood of merriment. This is important for social interaction.

Often, music is used as a backdrop for receptions. For example, music is a popular choice for those who have just been married to use during a party that follows the wedding ceremony. Also, music is used at receptions where people form receiving lines, shaking hands with dignitaries and being introduced to others.

Music as Symbol

Official occasions, such as the arrival of a member of royalty or a president, are guided by music. People know when they hear certain songs played that certain things are about to happen. For example, when “Hail to the Chief” is heard, the President of the United States is about to enter a gathering. Similarly, when “God Save the Queen” is sounded, she is about to make her entrance. Everyone assembled knows this and accepts the function of music in these situations.

Music gives weight and importance to other solemn assemblies. When people graduate, they process to music. When people get married, music is with them. When we die, music underscores the value of our lives at memorial services.

Music as Religious Expression

Religious expression is part of our culture. Scruton (2010) offers insight into our persistent cultural belief that the music we dwell on defines or even influences our moral convictions. Most religions have forms of music that are used to demonstrate the things that the religion values. Some practices use choirs to do this. Others use cantors, soloists, or those that fulfill this function under other names. Instruments are used to summon atmospheres that are conducive to worship in corporate gatherings. People can use music as a way of being contemplative about their faith as they read religious words or chant religiously-inspired catechisms.

Music and Athleticism

Music is an integral part of athletic competitions. When players are announced, music plays their theme songs. When teams run onto fields of competition, fight songs are heard. This kind of activity encourages fan involvement in games. During many games, it is traditional for a band to play during half time or when a team scores. Music is played as celebration when teams are victorious.

National Identity is a pronounced need during international athletic competitions. During the recent Winter Olympics we heard, again, the stirring renditions of national anthems as gold medalists were honored at the top of triumphant podiums. This practice never fails to move those who are being honored, not is its significance lost on a winner’s countrymen.

Music and Commercialism

It is nearly impossible to go shopping in a modern shopping mall or complex without hearing background music along the way. This kind of music is a welcome to shoppers. Its soothing, almost imperceptible quality urges shoppers to linger and to enjoy their experiences in stores.

Retail units know the power of music. They want their stores to play music that says something about the personality of those who buy items form unique stores. It is as if they are saying, “This is what our clothes look like; and, if you buy our clothes, this is the kind of music that you probably listen to.”

Music and the Economy

Music is woven into society in ways that are overlooked. Examples of this are the numerous jobs and careers in music that most people never consider. We all think of performers, but rarely do we think about music coaches, teachers, retailers, engineers, and agents that free artists to create while they promote them and “image” them to the public. In these ways, music is a business that allows many people to work and to contribute to the economy as producers and consumers. Some describe all things music as being an economy of the arts, or an economy based on labor and management, profit and loss (Liang). This is the cultural side of music that most citizens consider.

Education has included music in standard conceptions of curricula for hundreds of years. People consider that an education in music is important to the development of citizens. People who teach music argue that being musically aware assists students to excel in other subjects.

Music in Rehabilitation

Various hospitals and rehabilitation centers use music, through the guidance of music therapists, to improve the quality of life for patients and to help in numerous recovery processes. Music is a participatory exercise. Those who join with it through singing, playing, clapping, swaying, or tapping find energy and power.

Music in Military

Armed Forces are joined by the talents of service personnel whose jobs are to make music. So, there is more to the military than its use weapons. It is also about using music for parades and the like to bring focus to special events and commendations. Each branch has fulltime musicians that serve our country through their musical gifts.

Conclusions

Music is not something that a person can reach out and touch. It is a reflection of life. People, linking talent with technological advances, bring feelings to life with the sounds they make. Rhythms, harmonies, melodies, forms, and expressions mix to connect us with our overt and inward feelings. In society, music is important enough to cultural norms that we would be hard pressed to suggest a better alternative for fulfilling its job description. We would be at a loss to replace it with anything more satisfying or suitable.

References

Laing, Dave. ‘Social and Cultural Dimensions: Popular Music Studies –Economics. Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World 1 (2003): 70-72.

Olteteanu, Ion. “The Social Functions of Music: Articulating the Dynamic Relationship Between Music and Society.” Contemporary Readings in Law & Social Justice 1, 2 (2009): 141-145.

Scruton, Roger. “Music and Morality.” American Spectator  43, 1 (2010): 43-45.