In the nineteenth century, composers began to explore the use of music to express emotions. The piano was a central instrument in this period, and composers like Frederic Chopin created deeply emotional piano pieces. The sounds of the piano helped to describe the feeling, and many of these pieces included narratives. Other famous composers of this time included Franz Schubert, who wrote Lieder, or songs for piano and singer. These works tell stories with imaginative piano accompaniment and lyrics.
The music was a form of art for centuries, beginning with the Pythagoreans. The idea of music was derived from the idea that the spheres are in harmony with one another. The idea was later attributed to Johannes Kepler, who attempted to relate planetary movement to musical compositions. The philosopher Rene Descartes, writing in the third century ce, emphasized the mathematical aspects of music and suggested that it be performed with simple melodies and temperate rhythms. In addition to being a Platonist, Descartes denigrated wordless music. While he was more lenient to musical compositions, he believed that music can mold human character and serve as a means to express emotion.
In addition to enhancing communication, music also has therapeutic effects. It can create bonds between mother and child, and it can unite a group of workers. It can also help break isolation during lockdowns. Unlike other forms of art, music can be used to communicate feelings. It can also serve as a bridge between different cultures and societies.
There are many different types of music. Popular music is based on folk traditions in Europe, while classical music comes from ancient Greece. There are many variations of music, and each can have different effects on the listener. The three main components of music are melody, rhythm, and harmony. When one part of a piece isn’t working well together, it can break the flow of communication between musicians and ruin the whole song.
The music has been performed for thousands of years, and many people can perform or compose music without any formal training. While there are many methods to learn how to play music, formal training can take years. It can be a formal apprenticeship, or take the form of lessons. Traditional Indian music training, for example, takes years and includes spiritual discipline and reverence for the teacher.
The first half of the 20th century saw a renewed interest in the relationship between art and music. Among the works published during that time were Edward Gurney’s 1880 book The Power of Sound, and Susanne K. Langer’s Philosophy in a New Key (1942). John Dewey’s Art as Experience (1934) and Roger Sessions’ The Musical Experience (1950).
Composers can also record their works without an interpreter. Previously, this would have been impossible. Electronic instruments also made it possible to record sounds that humans could not imagine.