AFRICAN MUSIC: THE POWER OF MUSIC

THE POWER OF MUSIC

 Imagining a world without music, could be likened to creating an organization without a goal.

 The art of combining sounds in a manner which is pleasant or agreeable to the ear is music; noise is simply the total opposite. It will interest you know to know language and music are similar since they both play the role of communication and express emotions. The pronunciations of a combination of letters create words which inevitably make a sound.

Over the years past, music has evolved from clapping hands, hitting rocks, shaking beads into the generic sounds we hear today. People have expressed pain, hate, love, anger, regret, hope and countless emotions through music. The celebration of a new life or the departure of one has seen no less, it shows that man is a singing being and music is a way of life and it is here to stay.

Music which has been regarded has the “medicine of the soul” is a reflection of what is going on with the author, what he/she has seen or a representation of the society. Occasions and events such as birthdays, weddings, funerals, and a baby-shower have certain songs that accompany them, to sing one for another will raise reactions from the people.

Music appeals in so many ways, that’s why music has genres because man translates and enjoys sounds differently. Genres are a way to classify styles of music such as jazz, soul, Classical, Contemporary, R n’ B, Hip-hop, Afro-pop etc. Listeners of music reach out to relate with the arrangement of the song, lyrics, the beat or even the emotional message it’s communicating to them.

Behind every song is a story told, whether it’s a real life experience or pure fiction, this is what makes music unique. An author can create and write music and get away with the content, because he/she has the license to be free and communicate in any way seen fit as long as it is pleasant to the ear.

Music has been known to have performed wonders in the world, heal the sick, inspire people, give hope, start revolutions, have individuals fall in love and many more.  A music philosopher, by the name Nietzsche, said “We listen to music with our muscles”. This can be seen evidently in all of us, we tap our feet, snap fingers, clap hands, keep time, hum, move our bodies to rhythm, facial expressions showing how we feel the music and all of these happen consciously or without our consent.

Music is power, music is communication, music is Life and when words fail, music speaks.