1 An Introduction to Listening to Music
What is Music?
It might seem like a basic question. We might say that music is something we can hum or dance with, or that we just know it when we hear it. But really, what does it mean? How are we defining music?
Music moves through time; it is not static. When you look at a sculpture or a painting, you take in the artwork—and the different parts of the artwork—at your own pace. You’re in control of how you absorb the work, how quickly you look from one section to another, where your eye moves, and how you connect the different parts of the composition. However, when you listen to music, you’re dependent upon the musician, who controls how quickly or slowly you hear the piece and where the melody goes up and down. In order to appreciate music, we must remember what sounds happened already and anticipate what sounds might come next.
Not all sounds are music. Examples of sounds not typically thought of as music are: alarm sirens, dogs barking, coughing, the rumble of heating and cooling systems, and the like. But, why don’t we think of these noises as music? One might say that these noises lack many of the qualities that we typically associate with music, organization, intent, or expressiveness.
We can define music as the intentional organization of sounds in time. Though not the only way to define music, this definition uses several concepts important to the many understandings of music around the world. “Sounds in time” is the most essential aspect of the definition. Music is distinguished from many other arts by its temporal quality; its sounds unfold over and through time, rather than being absorbed in a single moment.
As humans, we also tend to be interested in music that has a plan, or some kind of intentional organization. Most of us would not associate coughing, sneezing, or unintentionally resting our hands on a keyboard with the creation of music. While we may never know exactly what a songwriter or composer meant by a piece of music, most people think that the sounds of music must show at least a degree of intentional foresight.
We’ll be focusing our studies on music created by humans. Bird calls may sound like music to us, and it’s worth noting that many composers throughout history have been inspired by birdsong. While the songs of animals like birds and whales are fascinating, we’re not as equipped to understand how and why they operate; as such, we’ll limit our music definition to humans.
Let’s take a moment to listen to some music examples:
Ex 1.1: Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, first movement
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is his most popular work, and the first movement (even the first seconds) is probably the most recognized piece of classical music. It opens with the famous short-short-short-long motive, about which Beethoven said “There Fate knocks at the door!” This motive appears in different ways throughout the symphony.
Bonus Video: The Beatles, “Yesterday”
“Yesterday” by the Beat