What is it about music?

[Rusty]

I was thinking in bed when I couldn't get to sleep, and I wondered why EVERYONE likes some form of music, whether it's metal, classic, pop or whatever. But not everyone likes sports, or reading, or computer games etc. Why does everyone like music? I thought it was a way to feel emotions in a private way, but I don't know. Any thoughts?

 

[E V I L]

Originally posted by rustymetal
I was thinking in bed when I couldn't get to sleep, and I wondered why EVERYONE likes some form of music, whether it's metal, classic, pop or whatever. But not everyone likes sports, or reading, or computer games etc. Why does everyone like music? I thought it was a way to feel emotions in a private way, but I don't know. Any thoughts?

Here's a jumble of thoughts:

Sports- and books- cater to particular interests of particular people. Not everyone loves computer games. And not everyone loves music.

But, yes, most people do love music, or like music, or enjoy it on some regular basis. The reason for this is that it's readily available- who can escape music? It's just sound that requires nothing of the listener, except a sense of hearing. It's easy, it's effortless, that's why.

two cents.

 

[YaYo]

yes, the simple reason is that music is not an exclusive thing. You can do anything while listening to music.
You cant play sport/watch tv/read books while you drive. Music can go over the top of commercials, it can go over the top of anything and everything. Music is an addition to whatever people are doing, you can listen to music while playing sport, while watching tv, while reading books. Its so easy, its so available. And its so versatile. It is everywhere and takes over everything, that is why most people like music in some form.

And then you have people like me and most of the people reading this thread, who are really into music and listen to it exclusively (concentrating fully on the music and nothing else), and we're the ones you should compare to sport/books/games/whatever.

 

[MetalManCPA]

I won't say that everybody likes music - but music is very accessible. Music is incorporated into TV shows, malls play background music, etc - you hear music in some form practically everywhere you go. Therefore - everybody knows what music is because they've heard it in some fashion. Not everybody has seen sports, has the time or ability to read, has a computer, or again has time to play a computer game. Music doesn't take up excess time (unless you're specifically sitting down to a concentrated listening session) - you can listen to music while doing other things (like sports, or playing a computer game), whereas it's more difficult to do other things while playing a game, or watching or participating in sports - it's a different kind of attention.

There is enough styles and types of music to at least spark some interest in almost everybody. It is a great art from - one that has grown over history to incorporate so many different things taken from different walks of life.

 

[AngelWitch73]

Music has such variety that there is something for almost everyone. I´ve never met anybody who doesn´t listen to one form of music or another.

 

[Belial]

Yeah, not eveyone enjoys music. I know a few people who simply don't listen.

 

[YaYo]

In the midst of an argument/discussion about music a few years ago a guy told me that skateboarding was more popular/well-known than music.

 

[BillowOfZeal]

Music is the only art that is not a "plastic art". It is a sensation that is easily enjoyable (no thought, practice....etc..). All you have to do is listen and it can get you in the right spot....if that explained what i was trying to say

 

[Jannet]

Pfffffffffft..plain and simple - communication:

"The Origins of Music
In its most primitive form, music may evoke the sound of the elements - earth, air, fire, water. Since humans have always been imitative animals, it seems natural that nature itself should have provided the scope for the earliest music and the materials for the earliest musical instruments. Where these materials -- sticks, stones, bones, bells, reed pipes or whatever -- were not available, the human voice was a more than adequate substitute, relieving loneliness, making contact with other people, reflecting the rhythms of manual labor or simply of walking, celebrating victories, or paying tribute to primitive deities -- often in combination with dancing."

http://www.thereference.com/music/

I believe strongly that any form of music is made to communicate something - happiness, fear, a picture in the mind's eye, a metaphor, anger, beauty of instrument, etc. Why bother creating music if you have nothing to say? Even in its simplest form - perhaps you like the cello and you want to let everyone know how beautiful the instrument is, and you take the time to write pieces that would most reflect that instrument's beauty. What about guitar solos? The best solos are a work of art and a joy to listen to. You think, "how the HELL does he do that?", and you gain more appreciation for the guitar. Communication in its primitive sense, as is today.

 

[D Mullholand]

Some people love music, some people like music, some people use music. The differences are in the reasons and the variety of connections between the music and the listener. And like YaYoGakk already pointed out, there are not that many people who are really into music. For most, music is like t-shirts.

D Mullholand

 

[mindflesh]

Music is the easiest way of transmitting atmosphere, emotion & stories (except simple telling) - watching a film requires more attention and concentration, not to mention reading a book... on the other hand, if you listen to music more attentively, it leaves a lot more space for your imagination than a movie, for example...
I think that's one of the main reasons why so many people like music. But of course, there are people who don't listen to music at all.