Introduction
The topic of interest is understanding and exploring what makes music ‘universal.’ This includes analyzing whether there is something inherent in music that allows it to be universally understood and appreciated, regardless of cultural context. Further, the topic considers whether or not the universality of music is static or if it changes over time. Every culture appreciates music, which comes in many forms, with or without words, and is used in many ways to bring various emotions. For instance, all cultures show similar feelings for certain kinds of music. Anyone can tell if someone from another culture sings a sad or happy song, even though they might not understand the language. This kind of universality is unique to music and worth exploring. Music is universal because of its structure, its impact, and the way it is used by people around the world, being both static and dynamic.
Discussion
Music is universal because it is a form of expression across different communities, languages, and nations. Music is a way for people to communicate their emotions and experiences without using words. People from all cultures understand this form of communication (Athanasopoulos et al., 2021). Music can express joy, sadness, anger, love, and many other emotions. It can also be used to tell stories and share experiences. Another reason for music universality is that it can transcend language barriers (Hesmondhalgh, 2013). This means that music can be enjoyed by people even if they do not understand the lyrics. Music is often used as a form of international communication and in global associations to strike peace (Prete et al., 2020). It can bring people together and help them connect on a deeper level.
Many people worldwide have used music as a form of therapy to help people cope with difficult life circumstances. Music can evoke powerful emotions and be used to help people process and express their feelings (Athanasopoulos et al., 2021). Music has also been employed to create a sense of calm and relaxation, which can benefit people experiencing stress, pain, or anxiety. Almost every tribe has a song they sing to their children when they cry or while putting them to sleep (Berger, 2021). Additionally, music has helped people with memory problems, as it can stimulate the brain and help to improve cognitive function in many parts of the world (Prete et al., 2020). Traditional and modern doctors have recommended certain rhythms or music to promote illnesses like dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. These factors add to the universality sense of music, as its interventions are unknowingly used worldwide for similar purposes.
Music can bring people together and create a sense of community, something evident in all societies. This is because music can be a shared experience that helps to create bonds between people. When people come together to sing or dance, they can let go of their differences and connect on a deeper level (Prete et al., 2020). Music can further promote peace and understanding between people of different cultures. By listening to and playing music from other cultures, people can learn about the traditions and beliefs of others. This can help to promote respect and understanding between different cultures (Prete et al., 2020). Every nation has a unique national anthem that they sing on certain days to remind its people of their unity, goals, and purposes. Thus, the universal nature of music is displayed in its ability to create strong bonds and understanding between individuals, people, and nations.
Moreover, another factor about music that depicts its universality is its application to teach children about different cultures and promote cultural understanding. The people in the pre-modern period presented their customs and beliefs to their offspring through music. Music has especially been important in today’s world, where there is so much diversity that children need to learn (Jacoby et al., 2021). By exposing children to music from other cultures, they can learn about the different traditions and customs. This has helped them to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of other cultures. Additionally, music can also help children to create their own identity and sense of belonging.
The universal nature of music has been seen across history as a way to raise awareness about important social and political issues. For example, songs have been written about topics such as slavery, civil rights, war, and poverty (Berger, 2021). Songs about the civil rights movement, like The Mississippi Goddam by Nina Simone, helped raise awareness about racial equality and encouraged people to take action. Music can also raise awareness about other important issues, such as poverty, war, and environmental protection (Athanasopoulos et al., 2021). By raising awareness about these issues, music can help to bring about social change. Enslaved people in any part of the world used to use songs as a way to cope or raise resistance towards their oppressors. The rise of the Negro spiritual genre of music was geared toward the terror, loss, and abuse experienced by enslaved people, who came up with music to express their experiences (Jacoby et al., 2021). The response to adverse circumstances through music in history adds to its universality.
I have used music in various ways that reflect its universality. For instance, I find the most emotional music readily available online when sad. I see comments under such songs of people responding to how a particular song complements their painful experiences. Similarly, when happy or in love, there are many songs to support such a mood, and many people in the world apply them. Moreover, I have enjoyed music from various languages, like Swahili, French, Nigerian and Jamaican, without feeling out of place. The rhythm in music has a unique way of breaking through cultural differences.
Occasionally, people use music to express their love and seek amends with people they have wronged, something evident in my daily experiences. I have always seen music as a softer way to show emotions, which has worked most of the time. Music carries a lot of meaning and memories in itself. For instance, I have utilized music to remind people of what means most to us and encourage others in their times of weakness. I find music useful in many situations, which reflects its universality.
Furthermore, many people have found music to be a source of inspiration and creativity. I always played music while cleaning, exercising, and doing other daily activities. Many people report tiring fast when they accomplish such activities without music (Hesmondhalgh, 2013). In the pre-modern period, many people undertook activities like farming, fishing, and harvesting while playing selected music pieces designed to establish hope and motivation in people, the all-embracing nature of music (Jacoby et al., 2021). The purpose music serves while people work is the universal nature of music.
The nature of music universality is static in that it is based on the inherent properties of music itself. Music is a universal language that people from all cultures and backgrounds can understand. It is a form of communication that can convey emotion and meaning without needing words. Music universality is also dynamic in constantly evolving (Jacoby et al., 2021). New genres and styles of music are continually being created, and old ones are being rediscovered and reimagined. The popularity of certain songs and artists can also change over time (Berger, 2021). Music universality allows us to appreciate music’s ever-changing landscape and find new ways to connect with others through this shared language (Jacoby et al., 2021). For instance, I have listed music made from the ’70s up to date and seen how it has transformed. People develop new music genres daily, but their essential elements have been preserved. Thus, music is unique as its universal nature takes static and changing forms.
Music design and people’s interests in music have also changed over time. Drew (2020) suggests that disco music died off in the 1980s in the United States, replaced by highly integrated bass drum beats, including trance tines and repetitions that did not require human singers. At this time, acid-house music was invented, which did not follow the standard structure of a song as it lacked verses, a chorus, and a particular melody. These changes depict the dynamic nature of music, although the purpose and intentions served by music are still felt in all musical compositions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, music is universal because it is a form of expression that people from all cultures understand. It can overcome language barriers and bring people together. Additionally, music can be used to teach children about different cultures and promote cultural understanding. The universal nature of music has been seen across history as a way to raise awareness about important social and political issues. Music universality allows people to appreciate music’s ever-changing landscape and find new ways to connect with others through this shared language.
References
Athanasopoulos, G., Eerola, T., Lahdelma, I., & Kaliakatsos-Papakostas, M. (2021). Harmonic organisation conveys both universal and culture-specific cues for emotional expression in music. Plos One, 16(1).
Berger, K. (2021). What makes music universal.Nautilus, 99(4). Web.
Drew, E. August 5, 2020. “More Than a Party” in Never Apart.
Hesmondhalgh, D. (2013). Why music matters. John Wiley & Sons.
Jacoby, N., Polak, R., Grahn, J., Cameron, D. J., Lee, K. M., Godoy, R., Undurraga, E. A., Huanca, T., Thalwitzer, T., Doumbia, N., Goldberg, D., Margulis, E. H., Wong, P., Jure, L., Rocamora, M., Fujii, S., Savage, P. E., Ajimi, J., Konno, R., Oishi, S., Jakubowski, K., Holzapfel, A., Mungan, E., Kaya, E., Rao, P., Ananthanarayana, R. M., Alladi, S., Tarr, B., Anglada-Tort, M., Harrison, M. P., McPherson, M., Dolan, S., Durango, A., & Mcdermott, J. (2021). Universality and cross-cultural variation in mental representations of music revealed by global comparison of rhythm priors. PsyArXiv preprints.
Prete, G., Bondi, D., Verratti, V., Aloisi, A. M., Rai, P., & Tommasi, L. (2020). Universality vs experience: A cross-cultural pilot study on the consonance effect in music at different altitudes. Journal of Life & Environmental Sciences, 8.