If the term “music” is googled, its definition would be “vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion”.
AYENI, Oluwatamilore Ayodele
Although this is one way of describing music according to the delineation of the English language, music is so much more than that. Music isn’t just a combination of notes that sound pleasing to the ear. It is a concept that not only entertains but stimulates; a pillar of human tradition that basically every culture in human history.
It is troublesome to reason why music does what it does. Scientists say that it triggers receptors in the brain to release the hormone responsible for the feeling of satisfaction and pleasure but it has to be more than that. The fact that music doesn’t just make you feel good but sometimes makes you feel a compulsive desire to move along to the rhythm of the song is amazing. Is it the quality or timbre of the note that emphasizes the rhythm of music or the repetition of the notes itself? However, the combination of different individual sounds that make up a piece of music is a wonderful creation of human imagination.
The way music could offer a sympathetic feeling may be why it is so captivating. It is very comforting to know that there is someone who knows how you feel and has experienced the same pain you’ve experienced. Songwriters normally tap into the pains and struggles of their audience to write songs that are not only relevant but relatable and impactful to them. The Nigerian musician and political activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, released his critically acclaimed album, “Zombie”, where he not only heavily criticizes the oppressive military regime of 1976, but also likens the soldiers to mindless puppets controlled by the Nigerian Generals. Unfortunately, his mother was brutally injured by Nigerian soldiers, which ultimately led to her death as a result of this album. Still, it goes on to show how well music can affect society and how effective it is in passing a message.
Sometimes, musical genres or particular musical instruments may become closely related to region or culture. Eastern Europe is known for perfecting, if not pioneering the genre of classical music. Americans are well known for the creation of the popular genre, Rap. Afrobeats has become synonymous with West Africans as well as Amapiano with South Africans. In the Nigerian context, Yoruba people are known for their elaborative use of the talking drum. Furthermore, its incorporation in contemporary music can be seen all around the world. In Burna Boy’s album I Told Them, the song Thanks uses the talking drum as its main percussion. SZA, an American R&B singer, featured a short talking drum rendition at the end of her song, Open Arms.
Music, in itself, may be quite difficult to learn. Although the level of difficulty in learning a musical instrument varies from person to person, the cognitive ability required to interpret sheets of music, in combination with the complexity of the psychomotor abilities that have to be inbuilt in the instrumentalist, such as muscle memory, poses a hurdle for prospective instrumentalists. In JMC, junior students could go on for days about the treachery of music on their scoresheets but it is important for them to understand the benefits of music and not only see it as a school subject.
Music is a profound aspect of human life, and not only does it reflect history and shape our emotions, but it also connects us across cultures. Its development from an instrument of ancient rituals to modern innovations illustrates its significance to humanity. Music has illustrated the power of our creative ability, and in exploring the role music plays in our everyday life, we gain a deeper appreciation for its ability to resonate with the deepest aspects of our being.
Oluwatamilore Ayodele AYENI
Class of 2025