The question of what can be considered music is a complex and sometimes contentious one. At its core, music can be defined as “organized sound” that has meaning or emotional significance to a listener. However, the definition of what constitutes “organized sound” can vary widely from person to person and from culture to culture.
Throughout history, many genres of music have been criticized for not being “real” music. For example, jazz was once considered a deviant and unsavory genre that was not taken seriously by many music critics and scholars. Similarly, rock and roll was once viewed as a dangerous and corrupting influence on young people, and early electronic music was often dismissed as mere noise or a novelty. In recent years, hip hop, EDM, and experimental music have also faced criticism and resistance from those who argue that they are not “real” music.
Many critics of these genres argue that they are too reliant on technology or lack traditional musical structures such as melody, harmony, and rhythm. However, others argue that these genres are simply expanding the definition of what can be considered music and that they have their own unique and valid musical structures and systems.
Ultimately, the question of what can be considered music is a subjective one that depends largely on cultural and personal contexts. What one person considers music, another may not. For example, some people may consider the sounds of nature or the ambient noise of a city street to be music, while others may not. Some may cite John Cage’s infamous “4’33” as a revolutionary and thought-provoking piece, while others may become irritated while listening to its 4-minute and 33 seconds of silence.
It is important to recognize that what someone considers music is deeply personal and subjective. We each bring our own experiences and cultural backgrounds to the music we listen to, and what resonates with one person may not resonate with another. As such, it is important to approach music with an open mind and an appreciation for the diversity of sounds and styles that exist in the world.
In the end, the question of what can be considered music is not one that can be answered definitively. Rather, it is a question that invites us to explore the limits of our understanding and to challenge our preconceptions about what constitutes music. Whether we are listening to traditional classical music or the latest experimental sounds, we should approach music with a spirit of curiosity and an appreciation for the wide range of sounds and experiences that it can offer.
