Chapter 1(Music)

Music

To many people in many cultures, music is an important part of their way of life.

Music is indefinable by words alone. It is not only something you hear but what you feel. It is something your soul can reach out and touch. It originates from all over the world since time began. Complex or simple, fast or slow, loud or soft. It is what you feel, or it could be your method of escape or it could just keep you alive.

Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch (which governs melody and harmony), rhythm (and its associated concepts tempo, meter, and articulation), dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture. The word derives from Greek μουσική (mousike; "art of the Muses").[1]

The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of music vary according to culture and social context. Music ranges from strictly organized compositions (and their recreation in performance), through improvisational music to aleatoric forms. Music can be divided into genres and subgenres, although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle, sometimes open to personal interpretation, and occasionally controversial. Within the arts, music may be classified as a performing art, a fine art, and auditory art. It may also be divided among art music and folk music. There is also a strong connection between music and mathematics.[2] Music may be played and heard live, may be part of a dramatic work or film, or may be recorded.

[1] Muses-are the goddesses of the inspiration of literature, science and the arts.

[2]Mathematics-Music theorists sometimes use mathematics to understand music, but music has no axiomatic foundation in modern mathematics.

I. History of music

A. Medieval Period (0-1400 A.D.)

When we explore Medieval music, we are dealing with the longest and most distant period of musical history. Saint Gregory is credited with organizing the huge repertory of chant that developed during the first centuries of the Christian church, hence the term Gregorian chant. He was pope from 590 to 604, and the Medieval era continued into the 1400s, so this period consists of almost a millennium's worth of music.

One of the principal difficulties in studying Medieval music is that a system for notating music developed only gradually. The first examples of musical notation date from around 900. For several centuries, notation only indicated what pitch (or note) to sing. The system for notating rhythm started in the 12th or 13th century.

Gregorian chant is monophonic, meaning music that consists of only one melodic line without accompaniment. The beauty of chant lies in the serene, undulating shapes of its melody. We do not know who wrote the melodies of Gregorian chant. Like folk melodies, the music probably mutated as it was passed down through generations and eventually reached its notated form.

Polyphony, music where two or more melodic lines are heard simultaneously, did not exist (or was not notated) until the 11th century. Unlike chant, polyphony required the participation of a composer to combine the melodic lines in a pleasing manner. Although most Medieval polyphonic music is anonymous--the names of the composers were either lost or never written down at all--there are composers whose work was so important that their names were preserved along with their music.

B. Renaissance Period (1400-1600 A.D.)

In the mid-1500s, a prominent bishop commented that music composedfor the church should reflect the meaning of the words so that the listenerswould be moved to piety. This concept seems like a no-brainer today,but it was a fairly new idea at the time. To suggest that Medievalcomposers had no desire to write "expressive" music would be unfair.But, it was the rediscovery of ancient Greek ideals in the Renaissance thatinspired many musicians to explore the eloquent possibilities of their art.The increased value of individualism in the Renaissance is reflected by thechanging role of the composer in society. Unlike most of their Medievalpredecessors, the great masters of the Renaissance were revered in theirown lifetimes. The technique of printing music, while slow to evolve,helped in the preservation and distribution of music and musical ideas.Sacred music was still predominant, though secular music became moreprevalent and more sophisticated. The repertory of instrumental musicalso began to expand significantly. New instruments were invented,including the clavichord and virginal (both keyboard instruments) andmany existing instruments were improved.

Masses and motets were the primary forms of sacred vocal polyphony.Secular vocal forms included motets, madrigals and songs (generallyaccompanied by lute or a small instrumental ensemble or "consort").Instrumental pieces were usually short polyphonic works or music fordancing. Compared with the Medieval style, Renaissance [3]polyphony was lush andsonorous. The era between Josquin Desprez and Palestrina is known as"the golden age of polyphony." Imitation--where one melodic line shares,or imitates the same musical theme as a previous melodic line--became animportant polyphonic technique. Imitation was one method composersused to make complex music more easily comprehensible and give thelistener a sense of structure.

[3]Polyphony - From the Greek for "many-sounding." Music in which two or more "voices" are heard simultaneously

C. Baroque Period (1600-1750 A.D.)

If one relates musical periods to architecture, the Medieval period mightbe symbolized by Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Renaissance by theDuomo in Florence, and the Baroque by Louis XIV's palace atVersailles. Baroque music is often highly ornate, colorful and richlytextured when compared with its predecessors. Opera was born at what is considered to be the very beginning of the Baroque era, around 1600. This unique form combines poetry, theater, the visual arts and music. It came about because a group of Italian intellectuals wanted to recapture the spirit of ancient Greek drama in which music played a key role. The first great opera was Orfeo, byClaudio Monteverdi, first performed in 1607. Music's ability to expresshuman emotions and depict natural phenomenon was explored throughoutthe Baroque period. Vivaldi's famous set of concertos, The FourSeasons, is a famous example.

Although imitative polyphony remained fundamental to musicalcomposition, homophonic writing became increasingly important.Homophonic music features a clear distinction between the melody lineand an subsidiary accompanimental part. This style was important inopera and other solo vocal music because it focused the listener'sattention on the expressive melody of the singer.The homophonic style gradually became prevalent in instrumental musicas well. New polyphonic forms were developed, and as in the Renaissance,composers considered the art of counterpoint (the crafting of polyphony)to be essential to their art. Canons and fugues, two very strict forms ofimitative polyphony, were extremely popular. Composers were evenexpected to be able to improvise complex fugues on a moment's notice toprove their skill.The orchestra evolved during the early Baroque, starting as an"accompanist" for operatic and vocal music. By the mid-1600s theorchestra had a life of its own. The concerto was a favorite Baroque formthat featured a solo instrumentalist (or small ensemble of soloists) playing"against" the orchestra, creating interesting contrasts of volume andTexture. The highly ornamented quality of Baroque melody lent itself perfectly to such displays of musical dexterity.

D. Classical Period (1750-1800 A.D.)

The word Classical has strong connotations, conjuring up the art andphilosophy of Ancient Greece and Rome along with their ideals ofbalance, proportion and disciplined expression. The late Baroque stylewas polyphonically complex and melodically ornate. The composers ofthe early Classical period changed direction, writing music that was muchsimpler in texture. It is in some ways ironic that two of J.S. Bach'schildren, Carl Philipp Emanuel (C.P.E.) and Johann Christian (J.C.), wereamong the leaders of this new artistic movement. Their father had beenthe greatest master of the high Baroque style, and it was his children whomade that style obsolete.

[4]Homophony--music in which melody and accompaniment aredistinct--dominated the Classical style, and new forms of compositionwere developed to accommodate the transformation. Sonata form is byfar the most important of these forms, and one that continued to evolvethroughout the Classical period. Although Baroque composers also wrotepieces called sonatas, the Classical sonata was quite different.The essence of the Classical sonata is conflict. A highly simplified exampleof such a conflict might be between two themes of contrasting character.This contrast would be intensified during the course of the sonata, thenfinally resolved. In some ways, there is a resemblance to the skeleton of aplay: we meet characters, a conflict is developed and finally a resolutionreached. Sonata form allowed composers to give pure instrumental musica recognizable dramatic shape. Every major instrumental form of theClassical era, including the string quartet, symphony and concerto wasmolded on the dramatic structure of the sonata.

[4]Homophony- From the Greek for "like-sounding." Music in which all voices move in the same rhythm.

One of the most important developments of the Classical period is thegrowth of the public concert. Although the aristocracy would continue toplay a significant role in musical life, it was now possible for composers tosurvive without being the employee of one person or family. This alsomeant that concerts were no longer limited to palace drawing rooms.Composers started organizing concerts featuring their own music, andoften attracted large audiences. The increasing popularity of the publicconcert had a strong impact on the growth of the orchestra. Althoughchamber music and solo works were played in the home or other intimatesettings, orchestral concerts seemed to be naturally designed for bigpublic spaces. As a result, symphonic music (including opera andoratorio) became more extroverted in character. Composers graduallyexpanded the size of the orchestra to accommodate this expandedmusical vision.

The Classical Period of music differs from the Baroque Age in that is does not value the fluidity and smoothness of the individual elements of music. There are contrasts of mood; many of the pieces in classical music will convey numerous moods. The moods may be a gradual change or a sudden change, depending on the composer, but the composer always has a firm control. Rhythm is another element that is varied in classical music. Unlike the Baroque Age of fluid rhythm that rarely changes, classical composers used unexpected pauses, syncopations, and frequent changes in length of the notes. The texture in classical music in mainly homophonic, meaning there is a main melody backed with a progression of chords, although, like the rhythm, it can also change unexpectedly. The melodies in classical music have an easy tune to remember. Although they may be complex compositions, there is usually a basic melody to follow. They are often balanced and symmetrical with two phrases of the same length.

E. Romantic Period (1800-1900 A.D.)

Just as the word "Classical" conjures up certain images, Romantic is at least as evocative. Whether we think of those romance novels with thetawdry covers, or the paintings of Delacroix, Romanticism implies fantasy,spontaneity and sensuality. The Classical period focused on structural clarity and emotional restraint. Classical music was expressive, but not so passionate that it couldoverwhelm a work's equilibrium. Beethoven who was in some waysresponsible for igniting the flame of romanticism, always struggled(sometimes unsuccessfully) to maintain that balance. Many composers ofthe Romantic period followed Beethoven's model and found their ownbalance between emotional intensity and Classical form. Others reveled inthe new atmosphere of artistic freedom and created music whosestructure was designed to support its emotional surges. Musicalstory-telling became important, and not just in opera, but in "pure"instrumental music as well. The tone-poem is a particularly Romanticinvention, as it was an orchestral work whose structure was entirelydependent on the scene being depictedor the story being told.Color was another important feature of Romantic music. New instrumentswere added to the orchestra and composers experimented with ways toget new sounds from existing instruments. A large palette of musicalcolors was necessary to depict the exotic scenes that became so popular.Exoticism was something of a 19thcentury obsession. Russian composerswrote music depicting Spanish landscapes(Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov'sCapriccio Espagnol, for example) and German composers wrote musicdepicting Scottish landscapes (Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony).Operas were set in exotic locales (Verdi's Aïda is set in Ancient Egypt).In addition to seeking out the sight sand sounds of other places,Composers began exploring the music of their native countries.Nationalism became a driving force in the late Romantic period andcomposers wanted their music to express their cultural identity. Thisdesire was particularly intense in Russia and Eastern Europe, whereelements of folk music were incorporated into symphonies, tone-poemsand other "Classical" forms.

The Romantic period was the hey day of the virtuoso. Exceptionally giftedperformers--and particularly pianists, violinists, and singers--becameenormously popular. Liszt, the great Hungarian pianist/composer,reportedly played with such passion and intensity that women in theaudience would faint. Since, like Liszt, most composers were alsovirtuoso performers, it was inevitable that the music they wrote would beextremely challenging to play.The Romantic period witnessed an unprecedented glorification of theartist--whether musician, poet or painter--that has had a powerful impacton our own culture.

The Romantic Period was a time when emotion was poured into the music. Each composer had an individual style and expression. Music lovers could quickly decipher the composer of a piece of music because of its style. Many of the compositions convey nationalism and exoticism. Nationalism is expressed when a composer writes in the style of their native homeland. Exoticism was a style of music in which the composer was fascinated with a foreign land and would create music to sound like it. Composers used exoticism to keep up with their obsessions with remote, picturesque, and mysterious things. Program music was a huge part of the Romantic Period. This is when the composer would write music to follow a story, poem, idea, or scene. The instruments would represent the emotions, characters, and events of a particular story; it would also convey sounds and motion of nature.

In the earlier periods of music, composers had specific jobs, such as writing for churches or courts. In the Romantic Period, more composers became freelancers; Beethoven was one of the first. He inspired many others to freelance and compose for their own pleasure. Much of the music of this time was written for the middle class because they prospered due to the industrial revolution. Because of this demand from the middle class, public orchestras and operas became more popular. Conservatories began forming in the first half of the nineteenth century throughout Europe. Music became a big part of the home; many families had pianos of their own.

F. Contemporary Period (1900-Present)

Why do musical styles change? The "evolution" of music is at least partlyshaped by the influence one composer has on another. These influencesare not always positive, however. Sometimes composers react againstthe music of their recent past (even though they might admire it) and movein what seems to be the opposite direction. For example, the simplifiedstyle of the early Classical period was almost certainly a reaction to theextreme intricacies of the late Baroque.

The late Romantic period featured its own extremes: sprawlingsymphonies and tone-poems overflowing with music that seemed tostretch harmony and melody to their limits. It is certainly possible to viewsome early 20th century music as an extension of the late Romantic style,but a great deal of it can also be interpreted as a reaction against thatstyle.20th century music is a series of "isms" and "neo-isms." The primal energyof Stravinsky's Rite of Spring has been called neo-Primitivism. Theintensely emotional tone of Schönberg's early music has been labeledExpressionism. The return to clearly structured forms and textures hasbeen dubbed neo-Classicism. These terms have been employed in anattempt to organize the diversity of styles running through the 20thcentury.

Nationalism continued to be a strong musical influence in the first half ofthe century. The study of folk songs enriched the music of numerouscomposers, such as Ralph Vaughan Williams (England), Bela Bartok(Hungary), Heitor Villa Lobos (Brazil) and Aaron Copland (USA). Jazzand popular musical styles have also been tremendously influential on"classical" composers from both the United States and Europe.Technology has played a increasingly important role in the development of20th century music. Composers have used recording tape as acompositional tool (such as Steve Reich's Violin Phase). Electronicallygenerated sounds have been used both on their own and in combinationwith traditional instruments. More recently, computer technology has beenused in a variety of ways, including manipulating the performance ofinstruments in real time.

Chapter 2( Role Of Music in people's life)

I. What is the role of music in people`s life?

Music and society have always been intimately related. Music reflects and creates social conditions – including the factors that either facilitate or impede social change. The development of recording techniques in the latter half of the 20th century has revolutionized the extent to which most people have access to music. All kinds of music are available to most people, 24 hours a day, at the touch of a switch. The down side of this easy availability of music in the Western world is that there is a tendency for it to be taken for granted.

Music is a very powerful medium and in some societies there have been attempts to control its use. It is powerful at the level of the social group because it facilitates communication which goes beyond words, enables meanings to be shared, and promotes the development and maintenance of individual, group, cultural and national identities. It is powerful at the individual level because it can induce multiple responses – physiological, movement, mood, emotional, cognitive and behavioral. Few other stimuli have effects on such a wide range of human functions. The brain’s multiple processing of music can make it difficult to predict the particular effects of any piece of music on any individual.

The power of music to act therapeutically has long been recognized. Therapy can involve listening to or actively making music. Increasingly it may involve both. Music can be effective in conjunction with other interventions in promoting relaxation, alleviating anxiety and pain in medicine and dentistry, and promoting well-being through the production of particular endorphins. Its therapeutic uses have been explored extensively with particular groups of patients, the elderly, those with brain damage, and those with persistent pain. It has also been used to promote appropriate behavior in vulnerable groups and enhance the quality of life of those who cannot be helped medically.

Music is being used by individuals to enhance the quality of their lives.There is a large industry concerned with the effects of music on workers and consumers. Music can influence our purchasing behavior in subtle ways in a range of environments. It can assist our ability to remember product names and enhance the product through association with liked music. When consumers are actively involved in making a decision about buying a product, music is likely to play a more peripheral role. The evidence outlined above indicates the extent to which music pervades our everyday lives and influences our behavior. This demand for music is likely to continue to increase. To support our appetite for music, the music industries in the developed world constitute a major element of the economies of many countries. They are in danger of losing their skilled work force in the future because of the extent to which music is taken for granted

Music is one of the essential component in our life. people play different music by the different situation , different spirit and different culture. Some people even found that they cannot live without music. Indeed, music has its own attraction. For instance, music can provide us with relaxation just like our friends, it can teach us knowledge who resemble our teachers ,it also acts as our parents to give us encouragement. When we feel depressed, an encouraging song can give us power and encouragement. It can guide us the road while we facing the trouble. The encouraging words of a song just like our parents, it always tells us to be strong and not to give up. I believe anyone could be full of energy when they hear YOU ARE NOT ALONE, BORN TO TRY, REACH and so on.

We can gain different knowledge from the music. Although a piece of music is very short, but actually it contains many elements. When we listen to the music, we do not just listen to its beautiful rhythm. We can read something in the same time because different music has its different background, different culture and different stories. It is more efficient to get the knowledge from hearing music.

II. Music in our everyday lives

Never before in the history of humanity have so many different kinds of music been so easily available to so many people. The development of the electronic media in the latter part of the 20th Century revolutionized access to and use of music in our everyday lives. We can turn on the radio, play a CD or tape, or listen to music on video or TV with very little effort. This has not always been the case. Prior to these developments, music was only accessible for most people if they made it themselves or attended particular religious or social events. The effects of these changes have been dramatic. It is now possible for us to use music to manipulate personal moods, arousal and feelings, and create environments which may manipulate the ways that other people feel and behave. Individuals can and do use music as an aid to relaxation, to overcome powerful emotions, to generate the right mood for going to a party, to stimulate concentration, in short, to promote their well being. It has become a tool to be used to enhance our self presentation and promote our development.

Music is becoming a more integral part of everyday life, the place of music in formal education worldwide is consistently being questioned. Music already plays an important role in promoting human well being. As the positive benefits of music are increasingly demonstrated in health, psychology and other fields demand will increase. If this is to be met society will need appropriately educated musicians.

We spend hours of our time listening to music. Music is used in a variety of ways throughout daily life. It can be used for relaxing, social activities, dancing and just background noise, to name but a few. For some, nearly every daily activity is accompanied by music while others listen to it only on occasion.

Thinking through a daily routine from start to finish, it is possible to list all of the circumstances in which you listen to music. This can be from the radio alarm clock in the morning to background music in a bar at night.

Music is used by many as a way to relax. Sitting back with nothing else to do other than listen to the music is a way to get away from it all without going anywhere. For some, classical music drains away any stress, for others singing along to a favorite pop song is the perfect way to kick back. Sitting with a group of friends and putting on some music is another way that it comes into daily life. Music can be used socially for sing-alongs and karaoke or just to listen to and appreciate as a group.

Music is crucial to the art of dance. Dancers will rehearse to music daily either from a recording or a live pianist. Dances are created to fit with musical scores to bring the two together as an art form.

Music is often used in daily life as a form of background noise. This can be in the form of a portable music player used on a walk, music used to create a relaxing environment for work or background music playing in a bar or restaurant to help build up an atmosphere.

It is difficult to think of a situation in daily life where there is not some sort of music playing or there is not the option to have music playing.