To understand music is to understand yourself

Music. Its such a simple thing and yet so complex.

What is Music? A sequence of sound waves. That is all that is there to it. And yet, it has the capacity to reach out to the corners of human subconscious, which can scarcely be accessed by us voluntarily. Music can lift your heart. It can depress you. It can infuse life and give you hope. Or it can enrage you and imbibe you with a unique self destructiveness.

How does it work, and more importantly, Why?

The effect and power of music has been understood by the since ancient times. In the pre-historic era, we had battle drums to instill self-confidence and fear. Then came harps to sooth you and put you to sleep, much like modern day sedatives, but with much more elegance. The kings always had court musicians who had the knowledge of music at all levels and could play the music to suit the King's (or Queen's) fancy. In essence, we have always responded to music, even if we haven't understood it completely. It doesn't take you to be Tchaikovsky to feel your adrenaline rising as you get to the crescendo of "1812 Overture". It comes naturally. Just like we respond to other things we have found in nature - the aroma of flowers, the pain when pricked by a thorn etc. etc. So, humans are naturally programmed to respond to music of a certain nature, in a certain nature.

So is music a part of Nature rather than creation of humans?

Exactly, that is what it is. With time and progress, the learning machines that we are, humans have learned to imitate nature and create music. Quite like we have invented perfumes to imitate natural aromas. We have discovered music and how it affects us, and from that knowledge we have probably understood a lot about ourselves.

What have we learned?

Why of course we have learned that we have life. That we are human, and alive. If ever there was a need to prove that you are human and a way to detect our feelings, music would be an infallible test. Since comes so naturally to us, it also points us to a somewhat vague notion that it must have some role to play in the purpose of our existence (if there is indeed a purpose. I for one believe there is). Assuming that to be true, there must also be a purpose to the various emotions that music is supposed to plant and amplify. One example that immediately comes to mind is the drums and trumpets used in military to induce a feeling of discipline and concentration to enable the soldiers to march on with a single minded goal of eliminating their enemies. Thus is music used for offense and self-defense, which are much needed feelings for survival in the battlefield. I will relate my thoughts about the relevance and application of various other human emotions in my other posts.

For now I will just say that the natural response of humans(and other species) to music holds a much deeper philosophy and significance than meets the eye.


You are welcome to leave your comments and share your own views with me on the subject.