"No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music" is a quotation from Billy Joel which represents how wide the scope of music. Music is a common thing among all individuals and transcends race, gender and culture. Music boxes, to radio sets and iPod's have been created and massed produced solely for the purpose of creating and providing music. But, what is it about music that makes it universal?
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.
As music evolved during these eras, various instruments are also being produced to accompany and play music. The industry of music players started in 1811 when the first music boxes were produced in a town in Switzerland. By 1876, the Pianola-which is the first working player piano-was invented and exhibited in Philadelphia. Come 1877, the phonograph-which is the first method of recording and playing back sound was invented by Thomas Edison. By 1920, modern broadcasting was born in Pittsburgh, PA. People began using radio sets to listen to broadcasts from then radio station called KDKA Radio.
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.
Music, no matter if it is played through or old fashioned radio sets is love by many due to a various reasons. One of the major reasons is the fact that music is a universal language that can be understood no matter what the culture and language is. Moods and feelings which are difficult to express with words are easily expressed through the use of music. Brain functioning is also believed to enhance brain functioning as shown by many scientific studies. Moreover, music is said to enhance the environment wherever it is played and thus is widely used by different religions in expressing their spiritual values.
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.
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.
As music evolved during these eras, various instruments are also being produced to accompany and play music. The industry of music players started in 1811 when the first music boxes were produced in a town in Switzerland. By 1876, the Pianola-which is the first working player piano-was invented and exhibited in Philadelphia. Come 1877, the phonograph-which is the first method of recording and playing back sound was invented by Thomas Edison. By 1920, modern broadcasting was born in Pittsburgh, PA. People began using radio sets to listen to broadcasts from then radio station called KDKA Radio.
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.
Music, no matter if it is played through or old fashioned radio sets is love by many due to a various reasons. One of the major reasons is the fact that music is a universal language that can be understood no matter what the culture and language is. Moods and feelings which are difficult to express with words are easily expressed through the use of music. Brain functioning is also believed to enhance brain functioning as shown by many scientific studies. Moreover, music is said to enhance the environment wherever it is played and thus is widely used by different religions in expressing their spiritual values.
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.
About the Author:
Anthony Adkins is a music aficionado from Newark, New Jersey. He also works as a construction worker at a construction company in the same city. To enjoy his music even at work, he always brings with him his Bosch Radiolader GML 24 V Baustellenradio.