Lesson 1
MUSIC AND ITS FUNCTIONS
ETYMOLOGY OF MUSIC
Music comes from the ancient Greek word “Mousike” (Muses), who were
goddesses of art and sciences. Ancient Greek and Indian philosopher’s defined
music as tones ordered horizontally as melodies and vertically as harmonious.
Music is the art of giving structure form and rhythmic patterns to
contribution of sounds produced instrumentally and vocally. It is an artistic form of
auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones and continuous
manner.
Where does music came from?
The world is full of different sounds. Some are delightful, others are
annoying. Sounds help us communicate our deepest feelings and emotions,
understand what is going on around us, and know what other people are thinking
of.
Two Kinds of Sound
1. Pleasant Sound – those that are organized and pleasing to the ear
2. Noise- those that are disorganized and not pleasing to the ear.
Sound is the medium of music and when organized it becomes music. Sound
is caused by the vibration of objects. These vibrations move through the air and
transmitted to the ears. Nerve connections carry these impulses to the brain which
interprets these as sound, and identifies what object produces such sound. Sound
that is organized, systematic, and structured is called music.
FUNCTIONS OF MUSIC
Anthropologists have identified the following functions of music in our daily
lives.
1. Music has primarily an aesthetic function. It provides anyone who engages
with it a sense of achievement, happiness and satisfaction. It is a very
personal and intimate art form that no two listeners have exactly the same
emotional response.
Example: “Here By Friendship Firm United” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
2. Music helps in the release of emotions and in the expression of one’s
feelings. These are conveyed through the lines of a song or in a melodic
movement of an instrumental piece.
Example: “Anak” by Freddie Aguilar
3. Music is an effective means of developing nationalism and strengthening
national discipline.
Example: “ Ang Bayan Ko’tAkingLahi” by Juan S. Hernandez
4. Music has been very effective in transmitting cultural values, history and
oral traditions. Music is art and culture is reflected in art. The study of
music is directly the study of culture.
Example: “Mutyang Pasig” by NicanorAbelardo
5. Music helps us to explore other cultures through musical experiences.
We discover how people in other cultures live. It helps us to discover each
culture’s uniqueness, diversity, richness and beauty.
Example: “We are the World” by USA Africa
6. Music helps us relate to the different forms of art and academic
disciplines. Literature, performing arts, visual arts, media arts, language
arts, mathematics and the sciences use music as one of the means to convey
ideas. Songs are composed using a wide range of subject matter taken from
the different disciplines.
Example: “Serenade” by Franz Schubert, “ode to Joy” by Ludwig Van
Beethoven
7. Music is a means of communicating with God. It is used for religious
services, rituals and state occasions. Through music, one can also venerate
and worship our Supreme Being. Its effect reaches deep down into one’s
spirit and stirs him or her to noble thoughts and feelings.
Example: “AmaNamin” by Eduardo Hontiveroes
8. Music provides entertainment for different occasions, celebrations and
programs. It also helps us discover the degree of musical talent we possess
and appreciate the musical skills of individuals.
Example: “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin
9. Music accompanies theatrical and dance performances. It elevates the
level of artistry of the performance of the actors and dancers by providing
the aural dimension.
Example: (Dance) “Carinosa”
(Theater) “Sun and Moon” from the broadway play Miss Saigon by
Claude Michel Shoenberg
10. Music is also an effective tool in marketing. More often than not,a
product that has a very interesting commercial jingle sells well in the
market.
Example: Wow Philippines – “BiyaheTayo”
