Music - the International Language

Music is everywhere and can mean many things to many people. We can laugh to music, and we can cry. The best description of music I could find is: an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental and or vocal tones in a structured and continual manner. I read once that the harmony and melody of music is in the gaps between the notes, or it would just be continual noise. Musical sounds are usually pleasing and soothing, but when they are not, we can turn them off, unlike the thoughts in our minds. In fact music can be a healthy escape from our thoughts. Music is found everywhere and in every country. Different cultures have different instruments so our worldwide music is very diverse. We hear music in churches to dance clubs; there are even musical sounds to wind chimes and the breeze through the trees. There are various kinds of music from classical to rock to country to jazz, and they all have interesting roots. One singer, by the name of Barry White, who died a couple of years ago, began singing gospel songs and then he became a popular soul singer eventually forming an instrumental orchestra. Some of us can identify with lyrics like these sung by Mr. White: "Let the music play, I just wanna dance the night away, right here, right now where I'm gonna stay all night long. Let the music play on, let the feeling I feel go on...misery is gone, keep the music strong, let it play on and on, let it play on and on." There are always new artists and trends. Frank Sinatra surely had no clue someone like Lady Gaga would show up. From kids to elderly people, there is also an interest in making music. There are even high school and college marching bands. Music can bring back, as well as create, memories. It is healing and relaxing and can help with depression and anxiety, not to mention stress. However, it can also be invigorating, We dance, sing, and exercise to music, as well as go to concerts, musicals, and operas. We can tune in music on the radio, the TV, and the Interent, and now almost everyone has some portable type of music player with ear phones. Music in all its forms has come a long way and will always be a part of us.