The Social Use of Music in Contemporary American Society - Essay Example

The Social Use of Music in Contemporary American Society For thousands of years music has been an integral part of societies and cultures. It has been used to express and celebrate religious beliefs, it has been used to tell historical tales and legendary myths, and it has even been used as a means of personal expression. This paper will be discussing the social role of music in contemporary American society. The first to use music in American society was of course Native Americans. Since then, many cultures have been introduced into America to compose the society that we have today. Music can often define an individual’s place or desired place in society. The blue collar working individuals are often drawn to country music. Country music appeals and sympathizes with the every day events and hard ships experienced by the blue collar worker. Music that is currently popular or considered “popular music” as a genre, originates from R&B or African American blues or gospel music of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. This music originally was a mixture of European styles of music as well as indigenous music. Music styles such as rap music can be traced back to African Tribal music and chants. In modern day America, rap is an extremely successful and popular genre. It is also sometimes quite controversial as it tends to use explicit language and adult subject matters. Other cultures have also contributed a great deal to popular music of today. These cultures include Ukrainian, Irish, Jewish, Hispanic, Polish, and Scottish. America is the great melting pot and its diversity in popular music styles tells this story. Much of American music incorporates syncopation with irregular beats and long melodies. It has been said that this type of melody and asymmetry is in place in American music as an example of the vast and wide open spaces of the country. In addition, it can be said that the diversity of American music is synonymous with American freedom and self expression. So many cultures can be understood by listening to their music. This is also true of American contemporary music. Music can demonstrate the religion, race, ethnicity, or even sexuality of individuals or groups. In many cases, race and music are closely linked. For instance, country music gathers its roots from European influence as well as African American, Hawaiian, and Native American influences. Country music, however, is typically assumed to be music for whites or listened to by whites. In the case of rap music, it is often assumed that listening to rap music is simply part of urban culture, even though many different cultures enjoy rap music as their first listening choice. Symphony or classical music is synonymous with “upper” class or wealthier individuals. Another type of music that defined a generation is the genesis of “alternative/rock”. It was during the late eighties to early nineties that the country was mesmerized by the music of Nirvana. Upon the release of Smells like Teen Spirit, everyone under 25 in America was wearing flannel shirts, torn up jeans, and going against the grain or the accepted norm. It was suddenly vogue to be original and anti-conformity. Since the time of Nirvana, entire genres have evolved. Alternative music led to more artistic license within music and so industrial music such as Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson were born. Also, alternative music led the way for Independent music. This type of music is perhaps one of the broadest types of music possible. Independent music is released on small company labels as opposed to big business music labels. Often times this gives the artist more freedom to be creative and adhere to their own ideas instead of conforming to the template of current, popular music. Much like alternative music, independent music or “indie rock” has defined a large portion of the twenty-somethings of its time. It has encouraged the use of a myriad of instruments and sounds. Some artists even go so far as to make up their own language specifically for their music, such as an Icelandic group called Sigur-Ros. Independent music is so vastly multi-cultural that one can listen to indie music channels and hear bands and musicians form all over the world. Indie music also is influenced by all types of music such as jazz, classical, rock, metal, country, rap, R&B, folk, gospel, tribal and so on. Indie music has been polarized in movies as many directors choose to use independent pieces over largely popular, top 40 pieces. Music is truly part of virtually every American life. We listen to music in our vehicles as we drive. We listen to music when we exercise. We can’t go into a mall, grocery store, shop, restaurant, bar, club, bowling ally, or gas station without hearing music playing in the background. We live in a society and culture that has set our lives to music: “Perhaps it was Hollywood that taught us to expect life to come with background music, a constant melodic commentary on the movie of our lives” (Bottum, 2000). If we get married, we must choose the appropriate music to go along with our day. When we throw parties in our homes for friends, we select just the right music to set the mood of the occasion. It would be almost impossible to live a day in America without hearing any music whatsoever. We incorporate music into our sporting events and half time shows. We download music as ring tones on our cell phones in order to personalize our cell phones. We even play music in elevators in order to get from one floor to the next in our office or apartment buildings. Music can even serve as a weapon when heard at high volumes from the teens traveling down suburban roads or from neighboring college fraternity houses. It is safe to say that music is a way of life within every American culture. Whether it is a mantra of independence for today’s youth, a cultural mantra for some, or a spiritual-religious practice to others. Music is all around us, every day, in almost every corner of America. Works Cited: Bottum, J, 2000. The Soundtracking of America, The Atlantic Monthly vol. 283 http://www.roughstock.com/history/index.html http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=SAM http://www.amc.net/ Read More