Music is one of the most universal human activities. People from all around the world enjoy different styles of music and even play them themselves. Every culture has their own musical traditions, instruments and melodies. Music can help people relax and de-stress. It also can be a powerful tool for motivation. Some researchers even claim that it can make a person stronger and more confident.
While no one denies that music arouses emotions, the exact nature of this emotional connection is still hotly debated. There are many theories that seek to explain it. These theories often contain elements of formalist, symbolist and expressionist views of music as well as psychological, sociological, or philosophical elements.
For example, a 19th century English psychologist, Edmund Gurney, claimed that the sound of music evokes emotions in the listener through a special shared relationship between the listener and the musical experience. He believed that this relationship is qualitatively and quantitatively connected to the emotional responses it arouses.
Moreover, he claimed that the relationship is also mutually influenced by the listener’s feelings and attitudes toward the music being experienced. This theory has been widely criticised for its lack of objectivity and for excluding from its explanation the influence of cultural factors that are crucial to a musician’s art.
Most musicians are also aware of the fact that their art is not completely independent from the cultural environment in which it arises. For example, a country song, a rap song or an East Indian Bhangra song may express similar themes such as love and loss, but their style and composition are very different. This is due to the cultural influences that have shaped them.
The history of music is quite interesting and has brought about some remarkable developments. Various periods in history such as the medieval era, the Renaissance, and the Baroque period have brought about distinct sounds which are still popular today. Similarly, the Classical period introduced some sophisticated forms of classical music.
Music is a very powerful medium of communication which can convey feelings and emotions in an easy and quick way. It is also a very effective tool to make friends with others as people with the same taste in music tend to get along really well. People with a passion for writing lyrics can create some beautiful songs and also connect with other people who share the same interest.
The choice of how to listen to music is a very personal one. While some people still prefer the warm, natural sound of vinyl records or CDs, streaming services have emerged as the preferred method for listening to music by a large majority of listeners. Vogue asked a group of audio experts, including Cheapo Record’s cofounder, Lot Radio DJ and Love Injection host Barbie Bertisch, to share their favorite ways to enjoy professional-quality recordings. Read on to learn what they had to say.