Why Music?

Life has rhythm and melody to it. People may state that they don't listen to music. Is that true? Sound, it's all around, whether we like it or not. If we live and hear, then avoiding music is impossible. It surrounds us entirely, but why? Why are people drawn to music? Why does music even exist? â€Å"The more mellifluous the singer, the more dexterous the harpist, the more mates he attracts. † According to the article ‘Why Music? ‘ a reason for why people choose to listen and perform music is because of sex and love. There is some truth in that hypothesis: the better the musician is, the more attractive they will be to potential mates. Many famous singers and band members that are widely known around the world can thank both their talent and physical appearance for their success. Fans might enjoy their music purely because they are attracted to that certain artist instead of to the music itself. This argument states that music exists just to allow people to attract and fall in love, but that may not be entirely true. The author states, † A man does not have to be gay to enjoy the music of an all-male orchestra. † This makes sense, and just proves that the argument of sex being the reason for music wrong. % of the world's population has amusia, where they can't understand and distinguish differences in music; so would that mean they aren't capable to fall in love? There are also many songs that are being recorded, performed and enjoyed where their lyrics have nothing to do with love, sex or relationships, for example traditional, children and purely instrumental songs. They are considered music, but aren't connected to mating. So therefore, this argument, no matter how reasonable can't be entirely true. There has to be a reason that is fully accurate though. So, if it's not sex, what else could it be? Social bonding? Music may exist for us because it helps bind us together just like it did for our past ancestors; the early humans. Before music's emergence, an important social activity was grooming. Grooming was a vital way to allow primates and animals not only to clean their pelts but also to socialize. As groups expanded over time, social grooming became harder and â€Å"the gap was bridged by music, which may thus be seen as a precursor to language,† as Dr. Dunbar believes. Nowadays we still listen to music in groups, and it still is a way to socialize. Concerts, clubs, parties, all are places and events where people who enjoy and share the same interests in music gather together. People may not only get together because of similar taste in music, but they might also have other interests that are the same. But, like the first hypothesis, it can't be entirely true. Isn't it possible for people to listen to music when they are by themselves? Of course, it might not be as enjoyable and the whole atmosphere of it may not be as vivid, but it still is possible. People are constantly listening to their personal music players. By themselves. There are also times when people want to listen to music on their own, to allow them to forget everything else†¦ have some time just to listen and think without other people around them. Adding to this, just pretend that every single person, from all the countries, on this Earth decided to get together in groups according to interests in music. Two problems: the groups would be way too large and too hectic; also, people might find different types of music appealing to them, so for that reason choosing only one group to belong and stay in would be too hard, confusing and just a waste of time. This theory is hard to agree with, and may be even less believable than the first one. An accident? Or an invention? Maybe both, maybe none. Most of us are born with the special ability to hear and either to enjoy or hate the sounds that we notice in this world, and there skills have allowed us to start inventing the music we know today. At least, according to Dr. Pinker; he further believes that music is an â€Å"auditory cheesecake† he also suggested that if either music or cheesecake â€Å"vanished from the species little else would change. † No. This argument has very little value to it, and isn't very convincing. First of all, we aren't the inventors of music, humankind merely classified certain noise that according to the sound like what music should be. Secondly, music doesn't have to be the work of famous classical composers; the catchy pop songs heard on the radio; the unique flavor of each country's traditional music, it can be anything. It is arguable that music can be the sound of a dog panting after a long run; water pouring down great and majestic waterfalls; the loud traffic at busy intersections during rush hour; or pretty much anything we hear. For instance, the composer John Cage was one of the first people to breakdown the barriers and rules that music from the past had. He is most famous for his piece 4'33† where for four minutes and thirty-three seconds, not one single note is played by the performer on stage, in its place, the whole piece is coming from the noises that the audience and the atmosphere of the place makes, therefore that being the music. Likewise, it is possible to disagree with the statement that little would change if music was to disappear. Many, many people wouldn't have jobs such as the numerous musicians everywhere. Visualize a world without any music. None. Movies need music to create a mood, just picture a whole film without music. What about radios? What could we all dance to? Sing our hearts out to? Nothing†¦ without music. Countless things around us are based on music, and our lives wouldn't be complete without it. The more this hypothesis is thought about, the more mistakes it contains, and the less believable it becomes. In conclusion, although there are some that seem more accurate than other, none of the three hypotheses are one hundred percent correct for why music exists and why we listen to it. However, there has to be a reason why. Maybe a combination of the first and second hypothesis, with none or very little contribution from the third hypothesis. It is possible that reasons why are because music changes moods, creates atmospheres, and is an escape for all of us. People all listen to music, and too many people take it for granted, without paying attention to it, really thinking and wondering why we all listen to music.