Growing up surrounded and fascinated with music, I’ve always encountered the simple, but abstract question of “why is music good?” There are many aspects from which you can answer this question. Whether it’s your personal connection with the music and the community around music or the ideas and stories conveyed through the medium of music, a piece of music can be appreciated in many different ways. Discerning the quality and appeal of music is a subjective journey, influenced by personal experiences and unique perspectives. Generally, our interactions with music stems from three roles: a performer, a creator, and a listener.
Music from a performer’s perspective
My connection with music began as a child when I first laid hands on the piano. I am extremely privileged to have exposure to music at a very young age. Starting off learning classical piano, I studied many types of sophisticated techniques that take time and dedication to achieve. The intricacies of these techniques and the sounds they create fascinates me. Playing piano in the classical genre also allowed me to have a more comprehensive overview of the history of music and how differently people explored music through different eras. Through this process of being a performer, I learnt to appreciate the devotion of musicians towards music as a performing art.
My musical journey as a performer further excelled when I joined a jazz band in highschool as a drummer. The magic of improvisation along with spontaneous jams opened up a new world of music to me. I truly understood the cliche saying of music being just like a language. Like words, each note in a melody fuses together to form a phrase. Each member of the band played a unique role, contributing their own ideas and emotions into our musical dialogue. That is the beauty of music. It’s fluid with no right or wrong. As a music performer, you can phrase the music you play however you want and communicate with other musicians through the medium of music.
The power of music to unite people and create stronger bonds within communities became even more evident during my time at Rice as a DJ. At party events, people get to loosen their minds and bodies through the shared love for music which always elevates interpersonal relationships to another level. On top of that, music also pushes the boundaries of technology. Being a DJ, I had the opportunity to delve into cutting-edge technology in the music industry that enhances the experiences for both musicians and listeners.
As a performer, you become a part of how music is being expressed. You become the middleman between the creator and the listener with the power of molding the music and communicate it the way you choose. That is the power of music from the performer’s perspective
Music from a creator’s perspective
Experiencing music from a creator’s perspective provides one with complete freedom in the music world. The amazing feeling of having complete freedom can often feel intimidating for many people. Starting with a blank canvas, the learning curve for creating music can be quite tough; however, this is a necessary process that will enable you to appreciate music from another lens. Composing a piece of music showcases the hardship in crafting beautiful melodies with fundamental notes that are mere vibrations of different frequencies as well as the allure of constructing graceful soundscapes with the choice of instrument or use of music production technologies as a medium to express those musical ideas.
One of the most peculiar pieces I’ve come across is 4”33’ (Four Minutes, Thirty-three Seconds) by American Composer John Cage. Many people consider this piece to be a joke and not “real” music because the entire piece is just four minutes and thirty three seconds of silence; but in my opinion, this avant-garde experiment with music poses an unprecedented idea and its existence proves my point that music creation is really limitless.
John Cage in 1987. Credit: Susan Schwartzenberg/the Exploratorium
Music creators are storytellers. There are endless possibilities in music with unlimited freedom. It’s a wonderland for creativity and a medium for people to create beautiful sounds. Music is so intangible and limitless, but the creative freedom it holds allows people to fabricate sounds that provoke powerful emotions. The subjectivity of music is what makes it unique, making music creation a magical process.
Music from a listener’s perspective
The interpretation of music as a listener is the most relatable for most people. A good music listener should be able to appreciate different types and genres of music in their own ways. A good music listener should also maximize their exposure to as many styles of music as possible. Learning to understand music as a listener is not only to feel the unique emotions the music brings you but to also immerse yourself in the perspective of the creators and performers, stepping into their headspace through their stories. Just like a book and movie, a music album can be appreciated chronologically, with an intro, a build up, a highpoint and a resolution. With all your personal experiences and subjectivity, the same piece of music is unique to every single listener. This is what makes music so diverse and inclusive. The more you listen, the better you will learn to appreciate music. My ideology on music is that all music is good. It might just be that you don’t know how to appreciate it.
Music is a multifaceted and intangible concept that comprises many intricate components that allows it to make profound and tangible impact in the real-world. The true beauty of music can and should be seen through the perspectives of the performer, the creator, and the listener. Music has a long and beautiful history and is constantly progressing. Everyday, the boundaries of music are getting pushed. Broken and rebuilt. Being part of this process and community is magical and its intrinsic beauty is there for you to appreciate from your subjective lens.