TOPIC: HOW MUSIC INFLUENCES AMERICAN SOCIETY “Music’s aide in humanity’s sail into enlightenment” Research Paper by Suheily M. Alvarez Music Appre...

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The art form of music is no different than the visual arts or the written word. Just as an artist can express what words can’t and they translate with a brushstroke, this is no different in how a musician can effectively move an entire an audience and impact them with the harmonious synchronized sound an instrument makes. I am not going to ironically write and define what music means objectively, that is what a dictionary is for anyway. Subjectively speaking, to me, music is a language that translates and reflects human emotion, expression, and our history as a whole. History tells us that music not only helped shape movements, but it further played a major role in how we developed as a civilized society. From primitive sounds and chants, that further helped mankind communicate linguistically, we can assume music developed, rather unintentionally, and gradually with us. To honor my brief brush with Music Appreciation, this research paper will delve into how music has affected and developed with mankind, how humanity has affect it, how it influences American culture, and justifies the notion of how it reflects society’s redeemable wish to sail into further enlightenment. “Soon there will be nothing left except the lying dreams of history, the miserable wreckage of our museums and picture-galleries, and the carefully guarded interiors of our aesthetic drawing-rooms, unreal and foolish, fitting witnesses of the life of corruption that goes on there, so pinched and meagre and cowardly, with its concealment and ignoring, rather than restraint of, natural longings; which does not forbid the greedy indulgence in them if it can but be decently hidden.” (Morris, 1903) The essence of Morris’s words trascend time. He clearly states that t... ... middle of paper ... ...can and world cultures alike, and it is here to stay for a very long time. Suffice to say, music has helped not only american but other wordly movements alike. It is an essential part of the american economy, and it is a vital key in aspects of american life, and industries by the likes of film, musical theathre and so forth. I will conclude my point with this quote, “Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.” (Hendrix) Bibliography Hendrix, J. (n.d.). brainy quote. Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jimihendri195416.html. http://www.jazzinamerica.org. (n.d.). What is Jazz? Retrieved from http://www.jazzinamerica.org/lessonplan/11/1/130. Morris, W. (1903). Signs of change: seven lectures, delivered on various occasions (Google eBook). Longmans, Green, and co.

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