Everyday pretty much everyone listens to music, whether it be a CD, radio, tape, record -- whatever. My question is what makes us like a song or a specific type of music? Is it because music strikes up emotion, is it because it sounds good because of its harmony, complexity, and combines the sensations of different sounds and notes? Why is it that many of us only listen to one or two main types of music rather than other kinds? For example many people I know either like Rap,Popular Music, and music you dance to -- and then there is the type that likes music that has less BASS and repetetiveness (such as Dance music or Rap music with a prevalence of BASS and looped beats. Very few people I know actually like both spectrums -- Hardcore Rap AND hardcore Heavy Metal for example....why is that? Is music just simply another way to sectionlize society into different groups? Is it merely something we decide that sounds good, then simply identify ourselves with that certain TYPE and forget and hate any other type of music that is on the otherside of the spectrum? I guess I am mentioning several different ideas on why we like certain types of music.....but why is it that many of us don't appreciate different types of music? What exactly is it that makes music so appealing to us? And what makes us favor certain types of music? Sorry for the rambling, but anyway have anything to say bout this ?
I'm not a freak with music, in fact I don't even own a music CD, but I do enjoy listening occasionaly. I also feel weird because I like a lot of different styles of music. I don't mind listening to Shakira on moment, and Korn the next, and then Eminem after that. Only things I don't like are country music and boy bands. (actually, to tell the truth, the Jeff Foxworthy country songs are ok.) I also have a thing for video game music. I enjoy listening to many songs that were on games, especially RPG's. Kind of weird, but oh well. Well, that's my opinion on music.
Actually, George Martin (Beatles' producer) did a tremendous mini-series on the cable network Ovations about six months ago called Rhythms of Life. I taped all three episodes, each one focusing on the three elements of music: rhythm, melody and harmony. It was fascinating. He had interviews with famous musicians and others. He talked in depth about the roots of the elements of music and why they have such an impact on us. It's really terrific. They still show it on Ovations from time to time.
