15 purposes of Music

John Negri

IntroToday, we will learn the 15 purposes of music within culture. As you will see, music plays an important role in human life outside of just entertainment. Many of these purposes have been around for tens of thousands of years; some of them within the last century. Most music has more than one purpose; many works in the categories below can be also classified as entertainment. Ultimately, though, the purpose of music is in the ear of the beholder.

1Religious music is used to set a devotional mood, for invocation, or to focus the congregation on the spiritual life

2Music for the entertainment of an audience is very common, and encompasses concerts and other live performances

3Entertainment of the performer(s) is often music played without an audience; just for fun. When you hear musicians talk about “jamming” this often part of the purpose.

4Music is often used to transmit a story or ballad, an enhancement of the oral tradition in literature. In this way, many long poems were memorized in pre-literate cultures.

5Music is almost always used to accompany dance. How often people actually dance without music?

6Music is used to enhance festivals, parties, weddings, receptions, sporting events and other public and private social events.

7In pre-technical society, work songs helped ease the burden of repetitious physical activity.

8Political songs – often protests, have a long history in America, dating back to Colonial times. Some of them have become national anthems or patriotic songs

9Any time we turn on the TV or radio, we are likely to be subjected to commercial jingles. They have been found very effective in selling products and services.

10Although music for healing has been around since prehistoric times, the phenonenon of Music Therapy as a professional specialization is relatively new.

11Ambient music is usually played at low volume, so as not to interfere with other activities. It can be of any style, and is often found in restaurants, stores, airports, and other places where the public gathers. It is often meant to be relaxing.

12Study/practice pieces are written for musicians to learn techniques on their instrument or voice. They are often for solo performers.

13Military music used to actually be played during a battle, but is now mostly used for entertainment.

14Enhancement of other media: movie and TV music, video games and computer presentations are not only widely varied, but a major source of income for today’s composers.

15Children’s songs are often for educational purposes as well as entertainment. Remember the Alphabet song? Also note that all the musical examples you hear this semester are being used for educational purposes.