Turino's Summary

There is commonly a disconnect between humans and their environment in North American society; there’s a tendency to disassociate. Unlike Turino, North American society doesn’t value the “balancing of connective inner life with ‘reason,’ sensitivity, and sense.” This balance is important because it drives individuals to pursue communitas, which one method of accomplishing is through music. Oneness felt through music can be from engaging with others who possess akin music taste or experiencing or playing music with peers. Nevertheless, I believe Turino wants readers to grasp that mentally cutting the connection between yourself and your environment is detrimental and doesn’t allow for successful cooperation and understanding within a society,

Whether it’s on a stage or in a jam session. The communal experience of listening or playing music can create oneness and bring individuals closer emotionally. But in contrast, music styles can emphasize divisions between groups. Many people identify themselves “through musical style -- sounds heard outside that represent how they feel and who they are inside” (Turino, 93). Divides because of music taste were especially apparent during the early stages of rock. Rock represented rebellion, and while those who enjoyed it were able to connect deeply, there was a large rift between those who didn’t approve. As a result, what’s most important to focus on is the intense connection people felt as they rebelled with rock together. Not only were they united against oppressors of their preferred music genre, a lot of the sound produced in rebellious music is supposed to invoke discomfort and or anxiety. Experiencing intense emotion in solidarity is another way to achieve the intimate closeness of

Last quarter we discussed the massive emotional power it has, and how it allows people to experience emotions in a safe space. In Musicophilia, Sacks stresses music’s helpfulness in organizing thoughts. Patterns and rhythm make it easier to remember most things; such as when bards use the action of playing specific tunes and melodies to first memorize, then call upon knowledge. Furthermore, both presentation and participation music serve a purpose in society. Participatory music is organized for togetherness. It’s structure and tendencies create a collective identity and build a desired sense of “us.” While presentational music isn’t as enabling for community it has other benefits -- although community can be found between those watching and experiencing the music. The indiviual(s) performing are a part of a stratified society in which praise is assigned to musical people who understand the dynamic between the audience and performer. The main goal of presentational music is displaying achievement and celebrating individualized talent. By the performer receiving accolades, and the audience experiencing together, both benefit