Can You Define Music?

Welcome back to HB Theory!

This week we are stepping away from the controllers and putting on headphones as we discuss… MUSIC

It’s a rather broad topic, I know. But that’s why I’ve chosen it for this week’s article. I want to dive into what music is, what it means, and what it can do. Because it vastly differs from person to person.

Don’t believe me? Try to define music —or at the very least, try and piece together something that can explain your interpretation of it. Ask someone else. I guarantee you won’t find the same answers.

Throughout the article I’ll have some songs picked from my own playlist for you to give a listen. Feel free to comment your opinions of what fits (or doesn’t) in your definition of music down below.

Fun, huh? Now, let’s try and get to the bottom of this seemingly easy question.

The Definition of Music

For the purpose of this article, let’s go and snag an already working definition of music from Webster before we craft our own.

Webster’s first definition is what I’d say the majority of listeners interpret music as. “Vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony”.

If I were a betting man, I’d say your rather familiar with the last three terms in that definition. Especially surrounding the topic of music, right?

Let me ask you a few clarifying questions though. Does all music have rhythm? What about melody? The presence of harmony?

It may sound lofted to ask these rhetorical questions and I swear I’m not trying to become the next generational philosopher, but I truly believe this is the first “fork in the road”, if you will.

Many people hold the belief that for a song to be considered music, it needs one, if not all of these terms. Let’s call these people, traditionalists. Are they wrong? Eh, it’s debatable.

For some, music is supposed to embody equal tones in harmony, paced out rhythms, or intricate melodies. When something fails to deliver one of these auditorial promises, a traditionalist won’t categorize it as music, instead, they recognize it as noise.

A great rock classic. Most would say this is easily considered music. What about you?

Which can explain why your ol’ Aunt Betty thinks dissonant screams in death metal aren’t “real music”, or why the hard knocking 808’s and fast lyrics in a rap song aren’t either.

I, for one, am far from a traditionalist, and align more with Webster’s second definition of music. Let’s call this view and people like me, experimentalists.

“The science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity”.

It’s word salad, I know. I think the main difference here is that the second definition takes a step back from the term as a whole and views music abstractly.

Thus, offering room for the lack of rhythm, any absent melodies, or dissonance in a song and still be considered music by definition.

Which is why experimentalists welcome those death metal screams and the boom bap of rap songs because it fits their perspective of music (or what it can be).

This is, of course, speaking on an individual’s categorization of music, not personal preferences. Meaning, why or why not someone would recognize a song as “music” or simply, “noise”.

An individual’s distinction between noise and music is solely based on their musical definition. Their threshold of noise shapes genre preferences, opinions of artists, and much more. Which is why there’s such a discrepancy between what people consider music, and what’s not.

Music, Shmusic…Why Does It Matter?

It means that music isn’t standardized. There’s not one definition that encapsulates what music is, or what it has the potential to be. And this isn’t a metaphorical cop out either. Music is innately personal.

It’s easy to think about the differences between everyone’s definitions, but we can see this in action by looking at real answers to the original question. So, I asked around.

How would you define music?

“A powerful tool that evokes raw emotion through one’s soul. The sounds and words of music that our souls react to, help create a feeling that I think was not presented for us to think it was an accident. Which leads me to make the point that music is in everything and everywhere. Our voices, animals, trees, the wind, running streams, etc. All of these things bring out a sense of connection.”

– Anonymous

While this individual’s perspective contains some experimentalist ideals, I’d argue they align closer to something like a spiritualist.

Their definition is rooted in the connection between song and soul as opposed to notes and melodies. And my father would most likely agree.

“Music is love, meaning the relaxing of my mind to become a better person. What life is all about.”

– Jerl Flowers

Talk about some philosophical takes.

Until their answers, I didn’t even think of spiritualism being a third viewpoint. And these answers are from two people I know. What about people I don’t know? There has to be thousands of different perspectives out there.

A laid-back flow over a multi layered beat. Could this be just noise? Music? Or something in between?

Some people think of music as just something you listen to. Others think of it as a daily tool. Depending on your definition of music, it shapes how you see yourself, but also the world. That’s why it matters.

With this in mind, think of your favorite song. Does it make you happy? Excited? Or even Sad?

Now think of the millions of people that share the same favorite song as you. What does it mean for them? Is it the same as you?

Probably not, but there is more than one way to listen to the same note.

To Each Their Own

At this point in the discussion, I’m sure it’s easy to understand that everyone’s idea of music varies. We aren’t clones, so of course we’ll have different tastes. But as I mentioned earlier, the way we see music shapes more than just our perspective, it shapes how we interact with it.

I’d have to agree with my anonymous interviewee here; music is a tool. It can be used to channel entire spectrums of emotions if you’re able to listen close enough.

Why do you think everyone has a specific genre of music that really gets them going? Or a type of song that really connects with them on a deeper level?

Out of curiosity, I decided to ask a final question during my interview.

What genre (if any) do you think best represents your definition of Music?

I wasn’t looking for any specific answer, but I was interested in seeing possible connections between their definition of music and the genres they chose.

And sure enough, my father’s answer revealed this connection.

He listed “Jazz, country, gospel, rock, and symphony”.

All of these are indeed rich with love and reflect the spiritual relationship he has with his sense of soul.

Our anonymous interviewee followed suit.

“I think any genre of music that presents a positive connection to your soul should be a genre that represents music. However, I’d say my favorite genre of music right now would have to be worship music and country music. With worship, the symphony used to acknowledge the creator connects deep within me. With country music I have that connection to the songs because it’s what I grew up listening to. It represents where I grew up, how I grew up, and where I belong. It represents the definition of who I am.

– Anonymous

Both are beautiful answers and express the type of connections that can be formed with unique perspectives.

I think it would be fair to say that music is a central theme in their life. Even going as far as linking specific genres to real life moments and emotions.

But what about someone who doesn’t categorize worship songs as a “normal” type of music? Or even if new country isn’t “real” country?

A Hard 4-count bass hit and pulsing synths. Some would say this is pure noise. Is it?

The point I’m getting at is that your “music” changes your music.

With each definition, it fundamentally changes what you listen to, how you listen to it, or if you listen at all.

Long story short, when you’re listening to a song, or a new genre (even if you don’t like it), ask yourself. With all the perspectives we talked about on your mind, “Is this music?”.

Because the beauty within music, like art, is in the eye of the beholder. Or in this case, the ear. (there’s that metaphorical cop out)

As always, thanks for reading!

I could write for hours talking about the ins and outs about all types of songs. Music is definitely a major portion of my life and I’m glad I got to share a bit of that with you today.

Hope you have a great day!

– HB

Can You Define Music?