Wednesday, October 12, 2011

An Article That Reveals The Truth About The Origin Of Music

By Anthony Adkins


Music is something that can be enjoyed by all of us no matter what the age, religion and culture we are from. It can be played from simple music boxes and radio sets to the more up to date iPod music players. But what it is about music that makes people love it?

Various theories have been formulated on the origin of music. The history of music is today divided into five musical eras. First among these is the prehistoric era which covers all music produced in the preliterate cultures. Examples of music during this era are traditional Native American Music and Australian Aboriginal Music. Next is the Ancient Music era which is the name given to the music that followed the ending of the prehistoric era marked by the development of writing. The oldest known song was composed during this era around 4,000 years ago. Next is the Early Music Era which spanned from 500AD-1560. Included in this period are music produced in the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. The fourth of the five musical eras is the Common Practice Era which covers the period from 1600-1900. Music produced during the classical and romantic periods are included in this era. Finally, there is the Modern or Contemporary Era which is the music era that started in the 20th Century and continues today.

Various instruments have been produced during the different music eras which are used for the purpose of accompanying and playing music. The first of this music related items is the music box which was created in Switzerland in 1811. Come 1876, the first working piano known as the Pianola was created and exhibited in Philadelphia. Thomas Edison on the hand invented the phonograph in 1877 which is the first item to be used in recording and playing back sounds. The phonograph was soon replaced by radio sets which were used to listen to radio broadcast from various radio stations like the called KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, PA.

Over the years that followed various devices were invented to record and play music. It was 1963, though, when the music industry was revolutionized with the introduction of cassette tapes that dominated the market throughout the 1980s. Sony's "Walkman"-which became a must-have item for music aficionados and teenagers of that time-also used the cassette tape technology. Come 1982, the new format for recording and playing back music was introduced through the compact disc. Then, on the years that followed, more and more technologically advanced music players were introduced with the iPod among the most popular music players today.

But why is music so loved by people that they play them in various music players from simple radio sets to iPhones. There were six top reason cited for people's love for music. First is people's regard for music as a universal language that bridges gaps between cultures that spoken language cannot. Next, music helps people evoke moods and feelings that are sometimes difficult to express. Music also enhances learning with various scientific studies proving the function music plays in the enhancement of brain functioning. Another reason cited for people's love for music is the ambiance it creates, enhancing any environment where it is played. Also, music is used by all religions to help them express spiritual values. Finally, music is a simple pleasure that only requires your ears and imagination.

Music will always be part of our lives. Whether we listen to one from our iPods or from simple radio sets, listening to music is a practice already ingrained in our cultures-however different our cultures may be.




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