Although being alone with one’s thoughts occasionally is very beneficial, there is an innate need in mankind to be able to communicate with someone outside of themselves. Even the extremely shy, the introverted or the most independent person finds themselves at one time or another craving contact with some means of expression other than their own thoughts. Not only do we as human beings desire this, but it is an inbuilt need, to have a sense of fulfillment in our lives. I propose that there is a medium of communication that can be used by all, with or without words, that being music. Music communicates from and to the heart of mankind. It transcends language, culture, creed, sex, race, age, and intellect. It speaks directly to the soul.
Music has existed from the beginning of time, which from my perspective, and to set a premise for this writing, would be the creation of heaven and earth. We find the recounting of the creation in the Book of Genesis penned by Moses in the Holy Bible. Then the prophet Ezekiel tells us how there was music in heaven at its inception, this passage refers to Lucifer before his fall, in Ezekiel 28:13, “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” John the Revelator tells us that there will be instrumental and verbal music at the end of time and into eternity, in Revelation 5:8-9, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Thus, it is evident how we are automatically drawn to music albeit every individual to diverse types or genres. This can be noted in the simplest way of an unsolicited toe tap, to the purposeful “outburst into song” when we hear our favorite tune, or the need of a handkerchief when we hear an opera singer convey an entire story in song, in a foreign language and we have no idea what they are saying, but the music communicates to the heart and soul.
How is music used to communicate? Firstly, let us look at the non-verbal aspect of the message. Music, of itself does not have to have words to be considered music. It is something used to express the rhythm of the soul. Tribal dance rituals with drums only were a form of music to them. With the introduction of hundreds of musical instruments over the years, music has become more refined. Composers have written very intricate pieces, calling them sonatas, concertos, symphonies, and cantatas and all without lyrics. Then on the other side of the spectrum, you may have a simple family reunion where they are playing the fiddle, banjo, guitar, and spoons and that is also music. Just because a particular type of music is not what we prefer, does not mean it is not music, nor does it negate the fact that the musicians are very talented and skilled at their craft.
The first musical notations were etched into stones called Cuneiforms and were not put into print until the 1400’s after the invention of Gutenberg’s printing press. Prior to this, people would have to use their memories to recall a melody, or it would be lost. In our day and age those that do not read music or have not learned music theory, would still have to try to play a song they’ve heard by memory, or some would say, by “ear “. In doing this with instrumentals or classical pieces, some of the beautiful nuances could be missed. Yet even still, the reason they are attempting to replicate it, is because it has spoken to them personally and they want to share it with others.
Secondly, there can be a verbal message conveyed in music. A musical piece with lyrics can be converted from a poem or written story to a song, or the words can specifically be written as a song. Music with lyrics will send a message whether the intended one or not. These messages could run the gamut from politics, to culture, to religion and the list goes on. Whatever the intention or the agenda of the author, it will manifest in their work. It could be totally benign, uplifting and healing or it could be atrocious and toxic. Often lyrics are written with more than one meaning, or with one intention in mind, but the hearers will interpret the words a different way. Metaphors are often used and sometimes an awful message, to some’s standards, can be masked by the catchy tune, melodies, or instrumentation. People can catch themselves humming a song and not even know that the words have a horrific meaning. This of course is the power of music; it has an ability to carry a message and draw people in without them being aware of what is really being conveyed.
Thirdly, music can be used for learning and therapy. Music is often used to assist in teaching those with learning disorders. It allows many to communicate or understand whereas otherwise they would not be able to. People may have been born with a particular disability or may find themselves disabled due to no fault of their own. There may be those that have gone through a trauma in their lives that has left them unable to cope or communicate. It is often used to assist the elderly with Dementia, Alzheimer’s or even depression. Music is a wonderful tool to draw out the best in everyone. I had a cousin who is now deceased, that though she lived to be thirty-five years old, was unable to walk, talk or do anything for herself. She was in essence an infant, but when you played a soothing, melodic piece of music, she would just smile from ear to ear and try to sway with the rhythm. Music communicates and can bring us out of our shells.
Just looking at twentieth century music genres you can see that there is a flavor for everyone’s pallet. The scope of musical choices is endless. Just to name a few; Classical, Contemporary Classical, Folk, Bluegrass, Blues, Country, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Heavy Metal, Disco, Hip Hop, Soul, Gospel, and the list goes on. Each new genre of music comes with its own flare, style, characteristics, and message. They all speak to a different audience of different ages and cultures, but they all relate to the listeners in some way. Music continued to evolve in the twentieth century, but those who have experienced the 1900’s first hand will very often hang on to many of their favorite tunes from the past, like a warm blanket or an old friend. Change is often difficult, though the whole world around us and all that is in it, including music, is constantly in flux.
What are some of the effects of music on us you might wonder? Firstly, it is identification. Music can be the very thing that identifies us and this in turn allows us to identify with others. Many things can be revealed about us by the genre of music we write or listen to. Though it may be subtle, many views can be portrayed through a song, prejudices, culture, sensuality, morality, or lack thereof. Our whole life’s story might be seen through what music we allow to communicate to us of our own choosing. Have you ever gotten into someone’s vehicle and the radio station begins to play a certain genre of music and you think to yourself, “Huh, I never knew that about her or him.” or “That explains a lot.”? One can be labeled or even earn nicknames because of their music of choice. It can be a personal identifier and can identify the culture of an entire generation. You can mention the name of a song, and someone might say, “Now you’re telling your age.”, though it is not always the case. Personal taste in music is extraordinarily vast.
Secondly, music is transportation. Music can incite emotions within us, whether of joy or sadness, love or hate, peace or fear, the list is endless. Memories can be invoked through music. We can remember a place, sight, sound, smell, person, or era, just by hearing a tune that meant something to us at one time. It is powerful enough to transport us to a faraway place in our imaginations to escape the present. In a recent rerun of an interview that was aired in 2014 of Dan Rather and the country music artist Charlie Daniels, he asked if he had a favorite song. He replied that he liked them all, but when he sings “Carolina, I remember you”, it always means a lot to him because it reminds him of his childhood home. He said, “I can visualize the trees, the river, the road, the two lane black top, the snowflakes as big as goose feathers, the moon the color of new made country butter and the night sky like diamonds against black velvet from horizon to horizon.” That is the power of music!
In conclusion, no matter where we hail from or where we may be going in our lives, music will be with us because we carry it within. We are the authors, the composers, the musicians, and the listeners. Even if you think some cannot “carry a tune in a bucket”, they still have music within them to share, and music can communicate to them as well. Music is a gift that is from our Creator and in turn should be used in worship unto Him. In one of David’s many writings of songs, and praises in Psalms 33:1-4 in the Holy Bible, he states, “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.” Colossians 1:16 says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” The gifts and talents we have been given should be used to the good of others and to the Glory of the One who gave them to us. We must never take for granted this beautiful avenue of communication that we have, and never allow it to lay dormant for too long. Music speaks directly from and to, the heart and soul.