Music in Tibet

4239 Words9 Pages

Music in Tibet

Music is a part of everyday life for almost everyone in the world. Music provides us with enjoyment and relaxation, and can be used in many ways by many different people. Some may use it to calm down after a long, hard day, while others use it for religious purposes or still others in and attempt to try and forget something that hasn’t been favorable to them. The possibilities are endless, for music is one language that can be transmitted to all people of the world, no matter their nationality, and it can be understood by everyone. Tibet is no different than any other place in the world, as it has music that serves the purpose of the people who live there. While most music in Tibet is religious, secular music still exists and is still a part of life there. Tibetan music has played an important role in shaping who the Tibetan people have become today by giving themselves different ways to express who they are, through the use of differing instruments and styles of music, and has allowed other people from around the world the opportunity to look at Tibetan culture through their music.

Any discussion on music should first begin by learning about the instruments that are used by the society and are used to convey the music, as the instruments themselves are a very important part of much, though not all, of Tibetan music. Tibetans do have instruments in all of the major instrument groups of string, woodwind, brass, and percussion, though some, particularly percussion and woodwind, are more prominent than the others.

Percussion instruments are by far the most dominant of the four major instrument families. There are many different types of cymbals and drums, which are ...

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