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music box

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Woman Playing a Theorbo to Two Men, oil on canvas by Gerard Terborch, 1667-1668. (Baroque Art)

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  • music box - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

music box , mechanical musical instrument that is sounded when tuned metal prongs, or teeth, mounted in a line on a flat comb are made to vibrate by contact with a revolving cylinder or disc that is driven by a clockwork mechanism. As the cylinder or disc revolves, small pins or other projections mounted on its surface pluck the pointed ends of the metal teeth, causing them to vibrate and produce musical notes. The sequence of notes produced is determined by the arrangement of projections on the cylinder. The deeper the teeth are cut into the comb or flat plate, the lower their pitch when plucked. A watch spring and clockwork move the cylinder, and a fly regulator governs the rate. The music box was a popular household instrument from about 1810 until the early 20th century, when the player piano and the phonograph rendered it obsolete .

The music box was probably invented about 1770 in Switzerland . The earliest music boxes were small enough to be enclosed in a pocket watch, but they were gradually built in larger sizes and housed in rectangular wooden boxes. A typical large music box had a comb of 96 steel teeth plucked by pins on a brass cylinder 13 inches (330 mm) long, and the cylinder could be changed to allow different musical selections. Changing and storing the cylinders proved cumbersome, however, and so in the 1890s they were replaced by a large-diameter metal disc (shaped and revolved somewhat like a phonograph record) with projections or slots on its surface to pluck the teeth. The discs, which reached 2.5 feet (75 cm) in diameter, could be easily changed, and disc music boxes had displaced cylinder models in popularity by 1900. By 1910, however, music boxes had been largely replaced by the phonograph. The music box is one of several idiophones (instruments whose sounding parts are resonant solids) that are plucked rather than vibrated by percussion.

Greg Wells

Music essay

How to write an essay about music: useful tips from a professional composer.

Writing an essay about music can be a real challenge for many students. Some struggle with technical terms, such as tempo, rhythm, time or key signatures, clefs and ties between notes. Others just need to describe how the music sounds but it also proves harder than they might initially think. 

This article by Greg Wells is for all the learners who don’t know what to write in their papers about music of any genre or era. Read on to find out how to describe the melodies you hear and analyze them in a meaningful way.

How to describe instrumental music

Each music essay starts with you listening to the piece and analyzing the way it sounds without any terminology. So, how to make the most of this stage? For starters, you need to jot down the adjectives that come to your mind. Is the piece melodic or dissonant, does it go from fast to slow or vice versa, or, perhaps, the tempo stays the same throughout it? Once you’ve figured out these basics, you’ll need to listen to the piece you’re analyzing the second time and pick up more details. 

Specifically, analyze how instruments and vocals (if there are any) work together to create harmony. To do this, you’ll need to single out the most catchy and prominent riffs and describe them. For example, the singer’s soft voice might contrast with sharp and intense electric guitar sounds, ending up as an unforgettable mix. In short, keep your ear out for something that’s memorable and remarkable about the song you’re analyzing.

Of course, all the steps mentioned above work better if you keep track of “technical” aspects. Try finding the score for the music you’re writing about and pay attention to the time signature and tempo. Think about the genre of your piece and ask yourself why the composer chose those parameters. For example, marches usually have a 4/4 time signature while waltzes go with 3/4, but it’s not uncommon to write lullabies in that signature as well. Think about what would change if you hummed this song faster or slower, try it out if you have a chance. That way, you’ll be able to understand and describe it far better.

How to describe vocals

Not every essay on music obligates students to describe singing, but it’s an important part of many musical pieces. Here’s some advice on how to understand what to write about.

  • Start by describing what you hear. You should determine if the vocals are high-pitched or low and how many singers there are? Is this a solo, a duet, or a choir? If it’s a modern song, are there any backing singers? Do the voices sound harmonious or dissonant? What vocal ranges do they have? Answering these questions is a great start.
  • Continue by analyzing the intonation of singers . Essentially, musical intonation is about pitch accuracy and, in some cases, the way in which musicians choose to interpret the piece. Do all notes sound in tune with the backing track or accompaniment? If it’s a cover of a popular song, which parts are different from the original in terms of pitch? Is it higher or lower? Ask such questions to get materials for your future essay.
  • End with a brief description of the melody and how it’s written . At the end of your description, you can mention that the specific parts of the song could be difficult for the singer because of their range or the way this melody is designed. Look for information from musical critics to determine which parts are the trickiest and analyze the way they’re performed.

Analyzing musicality: The basic things you might’ve missed

It’s clear why people ask, “What is music essay anyway?” We don’t usually think about songs as something we can analyze and discuss the way we discuss books and movies. However, music conjures images and tells stories in a similar way to other media, so here are some questions you can ask to get more insights.

What is the main emotion of the musical piece? Normally, loud bases make songs heavier on our ears while gentle, higher notes give them soothing qualities. However, that doesn’t necessarily determine the emotions you’ll feel when listening to them.. Remember the eerie melodies of ancient music boxes from horror films. Although they’re high-pitched and theoretically pleasant, they give most people shivers. On the other hand, a rock melody can sound happy and not aggressive at all, despite big basses. 

In which life situation would you listen to this song? Some musical pieces are tied to specific occasions, like wedding marches. However, most songs are just out there, for you to listen whenever you please. If you analyze when would be the best time to turn on the specific piece, it might give you a better feel for it. That way, you’ll know how to approach it in your essay.

Do you think this piece is hard to play? If so, why? Difficult songs are always more impressive, but challenging pieces aren’t always fast and they don’t necessarily have high-pitched vocals. The biggest hurdles are often the complex rhythm, changing intonations, and the bits where the musician is allowed to improvise.

Reading into music: Historical context

Whether you’re writing an essay about songs of modernity or about Bach, who basically founded music as we know it, you need context. 

  • Who is the original author of this song and why did they write it? This might seem obvious, but that’s not always the case. For example, what we all know as “The Circus Song” is in fact called “Entry of the Gladiators, Op. 68.” Julius Fučík wrote that march in 19th century Austria to showcase the might of the army. As you can see, the meaning of some music can really change over time.
  • What was going on in the world when this musical piece appeared? It’s important to understand the agenda and the messages that the composer could include into their music. For example, Richard Wagner was antisemitic, which has made his music what many people call the German Nazi soundtrack. Such details are also essential for a good music essay.
  • Why do people like this music? You can start answering this question by looking at the fan base if you’re writing about a modern song or googling the opinions of critics if your essay is about a classical piece. It can be refreshing and enlightening to compare others’ opinions and impressions to yours.

You might find some of the tips above less useful than the other ones, but you’re sure to write a good music essay if you follow the ones that suit you. Good luck on your journey! I hope that this article has made you one step closer to discovering the true beauty and complexity of music.

How to Write a Music Essay with Examples

essay about music box

Writing an essay about music encourages you to think about how music influences emotions and behavior. Did you know that certain types of music can alter brain activity, influence memory, or even change how we perceive time? This kind of analysis can reveal insights that go unnoticed in everyday listening.

In this article, our custom essay writing service will walk you through the process of crafting an exceptional music essay. We've curated a list of thought-provoking topics to spark your inspiration. And to give you a clearer picture of what a stellar music essay looks like, we'll share a sample music paper.

What is Music Essay

A music essay goes beyond just describing your favorite songs or artists. It can merge analysis with personal reflection, allowing you to connect abstract musical concepts to real-world effects.

What makes an essay on music unique is its ability to dissect not just the sound but the meaning and context behind it. For instance, when analyzing a piece of classical music, you might consider how its composition reflects the political climate of the time or how it challenges traditional structures in music theory. If you're writing about a modern genre like hip-hop, you might explore its roots in social movements and how it has evolved as a voice for marginalized communities.

Related : Check our special guide on what is research essay .

Special Features of Writing About Music

Writing about music doesn't require you to be an expert in this field. The key is to listen attentively, reflect on what you hear, and share your unique insights. Like any effective paper, a strong music essay requires a clear thesis, logical structure, well-supported arguments, and polished writing. What makes essays about music distinct is the blend of specific musical analysis with imaginative language that brings the music to life.

Technical vs. Everyday Language

While technical terms can be useful for describing intricate details, they aren't always necessary. If you're not deeply familiar with musical terminology or if you're writing for a broad audience, focus on describing the music in your own words. The aim is to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely without overwhelming your readers with complex jargon.

For example, in discussing Debussy's Clair de Lune , you might say: "The melody flows gently, like moonlight shimmering on a calm lake. It's serene, yet there's a quiet intensity beneath the surface." Notice how this description uses everyday language to convey the piece's emotional atmosphere.

Metaphors can be especially powerful in illustrating the emotional impact of music. For instance, you might describe a jazz improvisation as "a spontaneous conversation between old friends, full of unexpected turns and familiar comfort." This metaphor helps readers visualize the music and grasp its underlying mood.

Well-chosen metaphors not only enhance your argument but also make your writing more engaging. However, it's important to ensure your metaphors are precise and relevant to the music you're describing. Always connect them to specific musical elements so that your readers can clearly understand your interpretation.

Note : Remember to use our medical school personal statement school help for your unique academic adventures.

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How to Write a Music Essay in 7 Steps

Now, follow these 7 easy steps to understand how to write an essay about music. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create an engaging and insightful paper.

Meanwhile, you can always leave your ' write my essay ' request to our expert writers and get a flawless music essay on any topic!

How to Write a Music Essay in 7 Steps

1. Listen and Note Initial Impressions

The first step in writing a music essay is to listen to the piece multiple times. Pay close attention to the music, noting your immediate feelings and reactions. What emotions do you experience? Are there any specific moments that stand out?

Here are some questions to consider:

  • How does the music make you feel? Are there moments of joy, sadness, anger, or peace?
  • What instruments are being used? How do their sounds contribute to the overall atmosphere?
  • Is there a strong melody or rhythm? How do these elements shape the piece?
  • Are there any recurring motifs or themes? What do they symbolize?

These observations will help you identify the key elements of the music and develop a deeper understanding of its meaning.

2. Analyze the Musical Elements

Once you've noted your initial impressions, analyze the various musical elements that contribute to its overall effect. Instead of simply listing the elements, try to understand how these elements work together to create a cohesive composition. For example:

  • Melody and Harmony: How does the melody interact with the harmony? Does the melody follow the harmonic progression, or does it create tension and resolution?
  • Rhythm and Timbre: How does the rhythm influence the timbre of the instruments? Do certain instruments accentuate the rhythmic patterns or create a sense of counterpoint?
  • Form and Structure: How is the piece organized? Are there any recurring sections or themes? How does the form contribute to the overall narrative or meaning of the music?

3. Organize Observations Clearly

Afterward, organize your observations in a way that makes your essay easy to follow. Start by grouping similar ideas together. For instance, if you notice patterns in rhythm, melody, or instrumentation, keep those observations together in your essay.

Next, decide on the order in which you want to present these points. A logical progression usually works best—move from broader observations to more specific details. This structure guides your reader smoothly through your analysis, making it easier for them to understand your perspective.

Lastly, make sure each section of your essay transitions well into the next. Use connecting phrases or sentences to link your ideas so the essay reads like a continuous narrative rather than a series of disjointed points.

4. Develop a Strong Thesis

To develop a strong thesis, start by reflecting on your observations and analysis. What is the key insight or argument you want to convey?

Your thesis should be specific and debatable, not just a statement of fact. For example, instead of saying, "The music uses interesting rhythms," try something more pointed like, "The unconventional rhythmic patterns in this composition challenge traditional notions of time signature, creating a unique auditory experience that reflects the artist's innovative approach."

Make sure your thesis is focused and manageable. Throughout your essay, continually refer back to this thesis to ensure your analysis remains relevant and cohesive.

5. Add Historical Context

To add historical context, start by researching the time period and cultural background in which the music was created. Consider factors like the social, political, and musical trends of the time.

For example, if you're writing about a jazz piece from the 1920s, mention the impact of the Jazz Age on the music's style and composition. How did historical events or cultural shifts influence the artist's work?

Incorporate this context into your essay to show how the music fits into a larger narrative. Explain how historical events or cultural movements shaped the music and how it, in turn, reflects or challenges those influences.

6. Link Music to Broader Themes

Connecting the music to broader themes helps to show its relevance and significance beyond its immediate context. To do this, identify the larger ideas or issues that the music touches on. For instance, if the piece reflects themes of rebellion or innovation, explain how these themes relate to broader cultural or societal movements.

Start by examining how the music aligns with or challenges prevailing trends, beliefs, or experiences of its time. For example, if a piece explores themes of personal struggle, link it to universal experiences or social issues, such as mental health or resilience.

Additionally, consider how the music fits into larger artistic or cultural movements. Does it reflect or influence trends in its genre, or does it contribute to a broader dialogue about art and society?

7. Synthesize Into a Cohesive Narrative

To synthesize your analysis into a cohesive narrative, revisit your main points and ensure they align with your thesis.

Structure your essay so that each section flows logically into the next. Begin with an introduction that outlines your thesis and the main points you will cover. Follow this with a body where you present your observations and analysis, organized by theme or aspect of the music. Ensure each paragraph transitions smoothly to the next, maintaining a clear connection to your central argument.

In your conclusion, summarize how your analysis supports your thesis and highlight the broader significance of the music. Reinforce the key themes and insights you've discussed, showing how they come together to form a complete picture.

Music Essay Topics

When choosing a topic for your essay, consider your interests and the specific piece of music you want to analyze. Here are 15 potential music topics to write about:

  • What is the relationship between musical form and narrative structure in Beethoven's symphonies?
  • Discuss how music contributes to the storytelling and emotional impact of films or television shows.
  • How opera reflects socio-political issues of its time.
  • The Beatles' Influence on Rock Music: A look at their lasting impact.
  • How does the concept of "syncopation" contribute to the rhythmic complexity of jazz music?
  • What makes a song a classic?
  • Discuss the issues surrounding music copyright and the fair use of copyrighted material.
  • How has music been used to represent and challenge national identity in post-colonial contexts?
  • What is the role of nostalgia in our appreciation of music, and how does it differ across cultures?
  • The use of classical music in 20th-century film scores
  • How does Mozart's use of coloratura singing enhance the dramatic impact of his operatic characters?
  • Examine the connections between music and literary works, such as novels, poetry, or plays.
  • Trace the development of rock over time.
  • How does music help us cope with grief and loss, and what are the psychological mechanisms involved?
  • Speculate on the future of the music industry and the potential impact of emerging technologies.

Got your essay topic ready? Don't wait around—just click ' write my paper ' and let the experts handle it!

Music Essay Examples

Here are the samples that illustrate writing about music examples and bring our earlier tips to life. Crafted by our thesis writing service , they show you how to explore music, develop your arguments, and spotlight key details effectively.

The Bottom Line

Writing an essay about music can be both fun and rewarding. With so many topics to explore, just follow our guide to create a standout essay every time. Be adventurous with your topic, keep the writing process straightforward, and stick to academic standards. Use our music essay samples as a model to craft your own polished paper.

Remember, if you're feeling stuck or short on time, our expert writers are here to help. Simply visit our website, submit a ' write my research paper' request, and get a custom-written essay with just a click!

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Though music essay writing is not the hardest job on the planet, there are still some questions that often pop up. Now that you have a writing guide and a list of essay topics about music, it's time to address the remaining inquiries. Keep reading to find the answers to the frequently asked questions. 

What is Music Essay?

How to start an essay on music, how does music affect your mood essay.

Adam Jason

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

essay about music box

  • Updated writing steps, essay topics and FAQs
  • Added new essay samples

Writing about Music: A Guide to Writing in A & I 24 . (n.d.). https://writingproject.fas.harvard.edu/files/hwp/files/ai_24_guide_to_print.pdf

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115 Popular Music Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Music has always been a powerful form of expression, and popular music in particular has the ability to shape culture and society. If you are tasked with writing an essay on popular music, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of topics to choose from. To help you narrow down your options and get started on your essay, here are 115 popular music essay topic ideas and examples.

  • The impact of social media on the music industry
  • The evolution of music streaming services
  • The role of women in the music industry
  • The influence of technology on music production
  • The rise of K-pop in the global music market
  • The impact of the internet on music distribution
  • The role of music in political movements
  • The portrayal of race and ethnicity in popular music
  • The influence of music on fashion trends
  • The role of music in advertising
  • The impact of music festivals on local economies
  • The relationship between music and mental health
  • The evolution of music videos
  • The influence of popular music on language and slang
  • The role of social justice in popular music
  • The impact of music streaming on album sales
  • The rise of TikTok as a platform for discovering new music
  • The influence of popular music on youth culture
  • The role of music in shaping identity
  • The impact of music piracy on the music industry
  • The portrayal of gender in popular music
  • The role of music in shaping societal norms
  • The influence of popular music on political campaigns
  • The evolution of music genres
  • The impact of music awards shows on the industry
  • The relationship between music and nostalgia
  • The role of music in protest movements
  • The influence of popular music on film and television
  • The portrayal of love and relationships in popular music
  • The impact of social media influencers on music trends
  • The evolution of music marketing strategies
  • The role of music in cultural appropriation
  • The influence of popular music on fashion trends
  • The impact of music festivals on tourism
  • The relationship between music and dance
  • The role of music in shaping generational identities
  • The influence of popular music on consumer behavior
  • The portrayal of masculinity in popular music
  • The impact of music education on academic achievement
  • The evolution of music production techniques
  • The role of music in branding and advertising
  • The influence of popular music on language and communication
  • The impact of music streaming on artist royalties
  • The relationship between music and emotion
  • The role of music in social movements
  • The influence of popular music on body image
  • The portrayal of sexuality in popular music
  • The impact of music festivals on environmental sustainability
  • The evolution of music journalism
  • The role of music in cultural diplomacy
  • The impact of music videos on artist visibility
  • The relationship between music and memory
  • The role of music in shaping cultural identity
  • The influence of popular music on social media trends
  • The portrayal of mental health in popular music
  • The impact of music festivals on local communities
  • The evolution of music distribution platforms
  • The role of music in shaping political ideologies
  • The influence of popular music on social justice movements
  • The impact of music streaming on artist discovery
  • The relationship between music and technology
  • The role of music in healing and therapy
  • The influence of popular music on consumer trends
  • The portrayal of race and ethnicity in music videos
  • The impact of music festivals on artist careers
  • The evolution of music criticism
  • The role of music in cultural assimilation
  • The influence of popular music on social norms
  • The impact of music education on creativity
  • The relationship between music and spirituality
  • The role of music in storytelling
  • The influence of popular music on political discourse
  • The portrayal of gender identity in popular music
  • The role of music in cultural preservation
  • The portrayal of love and relationships in music videos
  • The impact of music streaming on artist exposure
  • The role of music in shaping social movements
  • The influence of popular music on body positivity
  • The evolution of music journalism in the digital age
  • The role of music in shaping cultural identities
  • The portrayal of mental health in music lyrics

These popular music essay topic ideas and examples should help you get started on your essay and explore the diverse and fascinating world of popular music. Whether you are interested in the impact of technology on the music industry, the portrayal of social issues in music, or the role of music in shaping cultural identities, there is a topic for everyone in the world of popular music. Happy writing!

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Beacon: Journal of Media Studies

Malfunctioning Music Boxes: Timekeeping and the Multimedia Archive

“Whereas narrative once was the art of time, now time is being organized technologically,” Wolfgang Ernst writes.

The notion of counting, mathematics, and time is essential in several media archaeology approaches. Friedrich Kittler points out how observing time in frequency notations made the phonograph possible, Ernst discusses the Eigenzeit of media systems, and Garnet Hertz and Jussi Parikka note the repurposing of “zombie” media—obsolescent media with the potential to be ‘resurrected’—to complicate the temporalities of technologies, nature, and history. These scholars approach media archeology outside of a historically linear and narrative model. I would like to apply this approach to the media object of a music box.  Though the music box is, on the surface, considered a novelty gimmick or children’s toy, its development can be traced in relation to revolutionary inventions like the mechanical clock and the steam engine. While the music box became obsolete much faster than the other two, its trajectory illustrates the difficulties of a multimedia archive.  In this paper, I will operate a ‘broken’ music box to explore the relationship between timekeeping, the music box, and the insights that malfunctioning objects can offer.

The music box developed in three distinct stages. The idea of an automatic music machine came from bell towers in Europe, where a rotating barrel would move hammers to strike tuned bells in rhythm to produce music. In the 18 th century, watchmakers miniaturized the units, shrinking the bells and hammers to fit in a watch or box (Pfirrmann). The speed at which the bells were struck was regulated by a control mechanism called a governor. This evolved into cylinder-style music boxes, where pins on a rotating metal cylinder regulated by the governor hit the teeth of a metal comb. By the 1880s, small musical movements (the cylinder system) could be incorporated into many objects with different functions, such as jewelry boxes, pocket watches, or snuff boxes. However, many still favored the music box as simply a device to play music, and in 1885, the first disk music box was introduced to the public. Shortly afterwards, the music box quickly became obsolete with the rise of the phonograph and player piano in the late 1890s.

essay about music box

For this essay, I borrowed a cylinder music box from my friend. Although I used to own a jewelry music box, it was donated along with the rest of my childhood toys when I turned 14. The music box that my friend lent to me plays “Edelweiss” from the musical The Sound of Music . However, the governor fails to function properly– the song plays at a snail’s pace. This observation relates to Ernst’s notion of Eigenzeit, which suggests that machines have their own sense of time (57). No matter what the referenced tune programmed on the cylinder is supposed to sound like, the music box operates on its own temporal horizon, regulated only by the governor.

Rather than interpreting the “musical content as cultural meaning” to generate discourse (68), Ernst would find the relevant media-archaeological investigation in the noise of the mechanical music machine: the crackle of the wind-up, the hum of the governor, and the abrupt silence when the box lid is closed. But with this lethargic cylinder rotation, even knowing the intended message, the strike of each tooth feels more like individual notes than a cohesive melody. In this case, a complete transition in content from “message” to “noise” can be dictated by the music box’s sense of time, which in turn is dictated by the governor (Ernst 69).

The development of the governor is closely associated with innovations in the field of timekeeping. Before the invention of mechanical clocks, time was imprecisely estimated by sun, sand, or water clocks (Riis 149). Control mechanisms using escapements and oscillating processes were developed over centuries to regulate an accurate clock rate, such as a pendulum swing. This system inspired James Watt in 1788 to modify the mechanism into what is now known as a centrifugal governor to control the speed of his steam engine (147). As such, it has been stated that “the clock, not the steam engine, is the key-machine of the modern industrial age” (Mumford 14). Eric Kluitenberg takes the abstraction a step further by describing the mechanical clock as a symbol of inhuman oppression under the conditions of large-scale industrialization (50). The mechanical clock is not merely a clock; rather, it is a technological testimony to the rigid structure of a systematic disciplinary society. His use of the clock as an allegorical device demonstrates the deeper significations and authorities that media have on our ingrained expectations.

Returning to the media object in question, can it be said that this music box is not necessarily ‘broken’ or depunctualized? The tune is still being played with proper pitch and proportions of time—only the ratios have shifted. The governor still consistently spins, the cylinder rotates smoothly, and the movement “reads” the sound traces correctly. However, in his book Machine Music: A Media Archaeological Excavation , Riis believes that “it is the speed regulation… that is the key mechanical principle in ensuring equal regulation of the machine’s functionality” (157). Because Swiss watchmakers bound the governor in the music box to the design of the mechanical clock, the music box carries the expectation of controlled and accurate timing. Once it ceases to function as expected, the idea of the music box as a consistent automated instrument loses its authority, and in turn, questions the concept of using technology to exact perfectly ordered time (Riis 159).

What does the malfunctioning music box offer us, then? The glacial pace of the melody infuriates my friend; the music box has now been generously gifted to me. Although Riis considers the sluggish governor a malfunction, he examines malfunction in technology as artistic potential (142). In a post-humanist reading, the governor is not a malfunction at all — the music box simply resides on a different temporal horizon from us. A computer scientist named Danny Hillis set up a non-profit to design and install a giant mechanical clock that will “tick once a year, bong every century, and produce a small mechanical show every thousand years” (Kluitenberg 64). Just like this music box, all the components of the Clock of the Long Now function as intended, merely in a different scope of time. With this project, Hillis seeks to provoke questions about the acceleration of technology, obsolescence, and sustainability. The malfunctioning music box calls forth similar questions, and further asks us to consider the significance of niche repair services for obsolete media.

essay about music box

Seth m. “Clock of the Long Now (prototype).” Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/14057878@N00/5937705610

Some antique music boxes have the feature of swapping disks or cylinders for different tunes. Nowadays, these interchangeable disks/cylinders are not easy to find – they were often crafted unique to the box or maker. However, there are niche websites offering both the sale of these disks/cylinders and restoration of music boxes. This is not a coincidence – each disk/cylinder contains a message in a language that makes sense only to the machine. Without the music box, the archive of music programmed on the disks and cylinders is useless. This dilemma is examined in Wendy Hui Kyong Chun’s discussion of the multimedia archive, in reference to Kittler and Foucault (5). Kittler argued that Foucault limited his project on the archive because he did not consider multimedia and its documents. Discourse analysis cannot not be applied to documents that aren’t legible to the human eye—and with the obsolescence or degradation of analogue media, preservation and access of historical documents becomes an issue. In Gramophone, Film, and Typewriter , Kittler claims, “What remains of people is what media can store and communicate” (xl). What happens to our record of history when we no longer have the media to communicate what was stored? Is digitization the only answer for obsolete analog media documents? For now, we still have specialized repairmen – but perhaps one day, the crackling cue of a music box being wound will be heard only through a digital recording.

Hertz and Parikka write, in reference to Bruno Latour: “It’s often when things break down that a seemingly inert system opens up to reveal that objects contain more objects, and actually those numerous objects are composed of relations, histories, and contingencies” (149). Through the operation of a music box with a malfunctioning governor, we can observe its connections to earlier and later inventions that influenced time, industrialization, and new social orders. The logic of timekeeping through mechanical and technological methods begins to shift when seen through the perspective of the machine’s Eigenzeit . Finally, the ‘broken’ music box brings to mind the concerns of archiving documents which require the operation of obsolete media.As Hertz and Parikka write above, a broken object is valuable for the revelations behind its systems and histories, and this music box provokes further questions about keeping records of history with rapid technological change, degradation, and the multimedia archive. To further explore this topic, a project could be to take apart and ‘bend’ the malfunctioning music box. Manipulating and re-appropriating the mechanical components of this media object could be useful in examining questions of interface, artistry, and the complexity of technology development in media history. However, I don’t have the heart to take apart this music box—despite its sluggish pace, its capability as an archivist beats mine when it comes to reading music cylinders. There is still worth in this broken, near-obsolete media object yet, and perhaps more than ever going forward.

This academic essay is licensed under Creative Commons License CC-BY-NC 4.0.

essay about music box

Chun, Wendy H. K., and Thomas Keenan. New Media, Old Media: A History and Theory Reader . Routledge, New York, NY, 2006.

Ernst, Wolfgang. “Media Archaeography: Method and Machine versus the History and Narrative of Media.” Digital Memory and the Archive , edited by Jussi Parikka, University of Minnesota Press, 2013.

Hertz, Garnet, and Jussi Parikka. “Zombie Media: Circuit Bending Media Archaeology into an Art Method.” A Geology of Media , University of Minnesota Press, 2015. Project MUSE muse.jhu.edu/book/39052.

Kittler, Friedrich A. Gramophone, Film, Typewriter . Stanford University Press, 2006.

Kluitenberg, Eric. “On the Archaeology of Imaginary Media.” Media Archaeology: Approaches, Applications, and Implications , edited by Huhtamo, Erkki and Parikka, Jussi, Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520948518 .

Mumford, Lewis. Technics and Civilization. Harcourt, Brace & World, 1963.

Pfirrmann, John A. Passaic County Historical Society , 1969, https://lambertcastle.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1969-vol-no-2.pdf.

Riis, Morten. Machine Music: A Media Archaeological Excavation . Aarhus University Press, Aarhus, 2016.

Claire Lin is a rising fourth-year student in the UBC Media Studies program. She is interested in editing, book design, and the intricacies of multimedia communication.

< Back to Volume III

Vol.3 (2022).

Speech Supports

300 Argumentative essay topics about music

Argumentative essay topics about music delve into various issues and debates surrounding the world of music, inviting writers to explore its cultural, social, and technological dimensions. These topics prompt critical analysis and discussion on matters ranging from the impact of music on society to controversies in the music industry and the evolution of musical genres.

By engaging with argumentative essay topics about music, individuals can delve into complex debates, evaluate differing viewpoints, and construct compelling arguments supported by evidence and research.

This article not only deepens our understanding of music’s profound influence but also encourages thoughtful reflection on its role in shaping cultural identities and societal norms.

Understanding Argumentative essay topics about music

Argumentative essay topics about music

Argumentative essay topics about music can cover a wide range of issues and perspectives. Here are some potential topics to consider:

  • Impact of Digital Streaming on the Music Industry : Discuss how platforms like Spotify or Apple Music have changed the way music is consumed and produced. Arguments could include the benefits for artists versus the financial challenges they face.
  • Censorship in Music : Explore whether censorship is justified in certain contexts (e.g., explicit lyrics, political content) or if it infringes on artistic freedom.
  • The Role of Music in Society : Argue how music influences cultural norms, societal values, or political movements.
  • Music and Identity : Discuss how music shapes individual identity, cultural identity, or community belonging.
  • Music Education : Debate the importance of music education in schools and its impact on academic performance and cognitive development.
  • Music and Mental Health : Explore the therapeutic benefits of music or debate whether certain genres or lyrics can have negative psychological effects.
  • Music and Technology : Discuss the influence of technology on music production, distribution, or creativity.
  • Music and Globalization : Argue whether globalization has homogenized music or diversified it further.
  • Copyright Issues in the Music Industry : Debate the effectiveness of current copyright laws in protecting artists versus stifling creativity.
  • Live Music vs. Recorded Music : Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of attending live performances versus listening to recorded music.

When choosing a topic, consider your personal interest and the availability of credible sources to support your arguments. Each of these topics can be explored from multiple angles, providing ample room for critical analysis and debate.

Argumentative essay topics about music

Here’s a list of 300 argumentative essay topics about music that cover a wide range of issues, perspectives, genres, and trends within the music industry and culture:

General Music Topics

  • The evolution of music genres over the decades.
  • The influence of music on human emotions.
  • The role of music in different cultures and societies.
  • The impact of technology on music production.
  • Music as a form of therapy: benefits and drawbacks.
  • The future of music distribution: streaming vs. physical media.
  • The relationship between music and language development in children.
  • How music affects productivity and concentration.
  • Music and its role in enhancing athletic performance.
  • The psychology of music: why certain genres appeal to different people.

Music Industry and Business

  • The economics of the music industry: challenges and opportunities.
  • The role of record labels in shaping musical trends.
  • How streaming services have changed the music industry.
  • The ethics of music piracy and its impact on artists.
  • The importance of copyright laws in protecting musicians’ rights.
  • Independent vs. mainstream music: pros and cons.
  • The influence of endorsements and sponsorships on musicians’ careers.
  • Gender inequality in the music industry: are women underrepresented?
  • How social media has revolutionized music marketing.
  • The future of live concerts and festivals post-pandemic.

Music and Society

  • Music censorship: where should the line be drawn?
  • The role of protest songs in social movements.
  • Music and political activism: does music have the power to change society?
  • How music reflects and shapes cultural identity.
  • The impact of celebrity culture on music trends.
  • Music and mental health: can listening to certain genres alleviate stress?
  • The portrayal of violence and substance abuse in music: should there be restrictions?
  • Music and education: should music be a core subject in schools?
  • The influence of music videos on youth culture.
  • Music and its role in celebrating diversity and inclusivity.

Music and Technology

  • AI-generated music: a threat or a revolution?
  • Virtual reality and its impact on live music experiences.
  • The ethics of using auto-tune and other vocal enhancements in music.
  • How digital instruments have changed the way music is created.
  • The future of music composition: human creativity vs. algorithmic generation.
  • Online music communities and their impact on fandoms.
  • The democratization of music production: are home studios replacing professional studios?
  • How social media algorithms influence music discovery.
  • The role of data analytics in predicting music trends.
  • The influence of gaming on music production and consumption.

Music and Artistic Expression

  • Should musicians use their platform to address political issues?
  • The evolution of lyrics: from storytelling to explicit content.
  • Is music a universal language? Debating its cross-cultural appeal.
  • The fusion of music genres: cultural appropriation or creative expression?
  • Should artists be judged separately from their personal lives?
  • The impact of awards shows on music industry trends.
  • The role of improvisation in jazz and other genres.
  • Music and storytelling: how does music enhance narrative in films and theater?
  • The influence of fashion and style on music trends.
  • Should there be age restrictions on certain genres of music?

Music and Ethics

  • Should musicians be held accountable for their lyrics?
  • The ethics of sampling and remix culture in music.
  • Is it ethical to profit from music made by incarcerated individuals?
  • How should musicians navigate sponsorship deals with controversial brands?
  • Should musicians be responsible for the behavior of their fans?
  • The ethical implications of using music in advertising.
  • Should governments fund music education and support local musicians?
  • How should musicians handle requests for their music to be used in political campaigns?
  • Is it ethical for musicians to perform in countries with poor human rights records?
  • The ethical dilemmas of music journalism and criticism.
  • The impact of streaming services on artist revenue and creativity.
  • Should streaming platforms pay artists more for their music?
  • The role of artificial intelligence in music composition and production.
  • How has social media changed the way musicians interact with fans?
  • The ethics of algorithms in music recommendation systems.
  • How has the internet changed the way musicians promote and distribute their music?
  • Should music platforms moderate content for explicit lyrics and offensive themes?
  • The impact of digital instruments and software on music production.
  • Is there a digital divide in access to music education and resources?
  • How has technology changed the experience of live music performances?

Music and Culture

  • The role of music in shaping cultural identity and community.
  • How has globalization affected music genres and styles?
  • Should musicians be cultural ambassadors for their countries?
  • How does music reflect social and political movements?
  • Is cultural appropriation a concern in music production and performance?
  • The impact of immigration on music genres and styles.
  • Should traditional music be preserved in the face of modernization?
  • How does music tourism impact local economies and communities?
  • The role of music festivals in promoting cultural exchange and understanding.
  • How does music influence food, fashion, and other cultural aspects?

Music and Education

  • Should music education be mandatory in schools?
  • The impact of music education on academic performance.
  • How can music programs be inclusive of students with disabilities?
  • Should music theory be a core component of music education?
  • The role of music in promoting social and emotional learning.
  • How does music education vary across different socioeconomic backgrounds?
  • Should schools prioritize funding for music programs over other extracurricular activities?
  • The impact of standardized testing on music education.
  • How can technology enhance music education in schools?
  • Should music education focus more on classical music or contemporary genres?

Music and Social Issues

  • How does music promote mental health and well-being?
  • The impact of music on adolescent development and behavior.
  • The role of music therapy in treating PTSD and trauma.
  • How does music address issues of social justice and inequality?
  • Should musicians use their platform to advocate for social change?
  • The portrayal of gender and sexuality in music lyrics and videos.
  • The role of music in addressing environmental issues.
  • How does music influence attitudes towards race and ethnicity?
  • The representation of disability in music and the arts.
  • How can music promote tolerance and understanding among diverse communities?
  • The impact of streaming services on the music industry.
  • Should musicians be paid royalties for streaming their music online?
  • How has technology changed the way musicians create and produce music?
  • The ethics of music sampling and remix culture.
  • How has social media influenced music marketing and promotion?
  • The role of algorithms in shaping music consumption habits.
  • How has the internet changed the way musicians connect with their audience?
  • The impact of digital distribution on music piracy.
  • How has technology affected the live music experience?
  • Should there be more regulation of online music platforms?
  • Should musicians be able to express political views through their music?
  • How has censorship affected the music industry?
  • The influence of music on fashion and pop culture.
  • How has music influenced literature and film?
  • Should artists separate their personal lives from their music?
  • The role of music in storytelling and narrative.
  • Should musicians be held accountable for the messages in their lyrics?
  • The impact of music videos on the interpretation of songs.
  • Should musicians collaborate across different genres and cultures?
  • Should musicians be role models for their audience?
  • The ethics of music piracy and illegal downloading.
  • How should musicians handle controversial sponsors and endorsements?
  • Is it ethical for musicians to profit from tragic events?
  • Should musicians speak out against social injustices?
  • The impact of explicit lyrics on young listeners.
  • The ethics of using music in advertising campaigns.
  • Should musicians be transparent about their earnings?
  • How should musicians respond to criticism and backlash?
  • The ethical responsibilities of music journalists and critics.

These topics cover a broad spectrum of issues related to music , ranging from its cultural and social impacts to ethical considerations and technological advancements. Choose a topic that interests you the most and allows for in-depth exploration and analysis in your argumentative essay.

Argumentative essay topics about music offer a rich tapestry of themes to explore, from the impact of technology on the industry to ethical considerations in artistic expression. These topics not only invite critical analysis but also encourage reflection on the cultural, social, and personal significance of music in our lives.

By delving into these debates, we gain deeper insights into how music shapes our world and identities, making these topics both compelling and relevant for academic exploration and discourse.

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Last updated March 22, 2024

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Blog > Essay Advice , Personal Statement > How to Write a Great College Essay About Music (with examples)

How to Write a Great College Essay About Music (with examples)

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Alex McNeil, MA Admissions Consultant

Key Takeaway

Ask any admissions officer if they’ve read a college essay about music, and they’ll definitely say yes. Between music extracurriculars and academic interests in music, it’s is one of the most common college essay topics.

So does that mean that you shouldn’t write your college essay about music?

Not necessarily. But as with any common college essay topic, some approaches are better than others.

Let’s get into it.

Why you should (and shouldn’t) write your Common App essay about music

As we explained in our Stanford Items exercise , writing your college essay on a common topic isn’t off-limits. In fact, most college essays share common topics and themes. Trying to find a completely unique, never-been-done-before topic is almost impossible. And writing about a quirky topic in hopes of coming across as unique usually backfires.

In other words, it’s likely that you’ll write about the same topic as someone else.

The problem arises, however, when you write about a common topic in a cliche way . Cliches are always a danger in college essays, but in especially college essay topics that tend to surface again and again.

To avoid cliches, your college essay about music needs to be deeply personal, specific, and meaningful. You’ll want to let go of any over-generalizations or truisms and focus on the details of your own story.

Because you’ll need to write meaningfully and vulnerably, you should only write your college essay about music if you have something genuine and significant to say.

The Best Ways to Approach Your College Essay about Music

College essays about music aren’t off the table, but you should be thoughtful in how you write about them. The following two approaches will help you avoid cliches and find an authentic, meaningful story that fulfills all the requirements of a personal statement .

Writing about music as an academic interest

If you’re interested in studying music in college, then you can consider writing your college essay about music as an academic interest. A college essay about your academic interest in music can show fantastic intellectual fit with a school.

Let’s say you want to study music theory or composition. You might write about a topic you find compelling, a problem you’ve solved, or even a recounting of your journey becoming interested in the subject.

Or maybe you’re an aspiring performer planning on studying music performance. As an admissions officer, I read outstanding essays about students performing their favorite pieces, creating emotional music projects, and teaching lessons to young children.

No matter your topic, your goal with this approach is to show an intellectual spark, a curiosity and passion that will demonstrate to your admissions officers that you’ll be a great addition to the music community on their campuses.

Writing poignantly about a deeply meaningful extracurricular

The previous approach is great if you want to study music, but what if music is just an extracurricular passion of yours? Don’t worry—you can still write about it.

In that case, the best way is to focus on meaning. Remember: personal statements should be deeply-meaningful reflections on your personal strengths.

To start, reflect on your music extracurricular. Is it playing guitar in a band? Playing trombone in your school’s symphony? Learning piano from your grandma? How your love of poetry turned into a love of songwriting?

Next, think about what strengths you have to showcase. If you play guitar in a band, maybe you want to highlight your collaborative spirit. If you love poetry and songwriting, perhaps you focus on your creativity.

Writing about your love of music in a way that draws upon your strengths will make sure that your Common App essay avoids the following two approaches and gives admissions officers a reason to admit you.

Approaches to Avoid

While the following two approaches aren’t necessarily bad, they are the most cliche ways of approaching a college essay about music. You might want to consider avoiding them.

An inauthentic tale of triumph

Let me tell you a cliche story.

When I was in fourth grade, I decided to join the school orchestra. I found it exceedingly difficult at first. No matter how hard I tried, I never could seem to place my fingers correctly on the fingerboard. Every sound I made mimicked a screeching cat. But I decided not to give up. I practiced every day after school and on the weekends. By the time I was in ninth grade, I had made it into my high school’s top orchestra.

Is that a lovely story? Yes, absolutely. Is it hearty enough for a college essay? No. While it tells a good narrative of growth and progress, it remains on the surface of the writer’s life. It comes across as a convenient way to brag about your strengths instead of exploring them in a genuine way. In this example, the story also focuses on events that happened way too far in the past.

A song that changed your life

This approach is by far the most common cliche in college essays about music. We’ve all been there: a favorite song that transports you to a moment in your life whenever you hear it. It makes sense that you’d want to write about yours.

But there’s a problem with this approach. Too often, it reads as trite or unoriginal, and the end result usually doesn’t say much about the writer. And when it does, the message an admissions officer gets doesn’t typically give them any more reason to admit you. Since you want your college essay to be meaningful, even vulnerable, and strengths-based, you’re better off choosing another topic that better speaks to who you are.

Key Takeaways + Examples

College essays about music aren’t for everyone. But when you get it right, you can strike the perfect chord with admissions officers (you’re welcome for the pun).

As you go, dig deep, find something genuinely personal, and try to avoid the most common and cliche ways of approaching the topic.

Want to see some examples of college essays about music before you get started? Check out our examples, The Time Machine and The Band .

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Music and Its Impact on Our Lives Essay (Critical Writing)

  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment

No one can even imagine our life without music. For centuries it was an integral part of our everyday life, our traditions and culture. Listening to the charming sounds of nature, man could not help trying to reproduce it in order to enjoy music at any time. That was the reason for the first primitive musical instruments to appear. Since that time music and mankind were never torn apart. With the development of the society the instruments and the whole music changed. The mankind and music were always at the same stage of development. Starting with the mysterious melodies of the ancient cults and ending with the energetic military marches. Music follows humanity step by step, working its magic on it, showing its power. The ability of music to influence human consciousness was known from the earliest stages of development of the society.

Relaxing and calming at the beginning, it can become energetic and aggressive just in a moment, causing great changes in your mood. “Without even thinking about it, we use music to create desired moods- to make us happy, to enjoy movement and dance, to energize, to bring back powerful memories, to help us relax and focus. Music is a powerful tool for our personal expression within our daily lives– it helps “set the scene” for many important experiences” (Brewer, n.d., para. 2). Music can even serve as a basis for peoples segregation, dividing them into the different social groups according to their preferences or abilities to understand a certain type of music. Nothing could create the appropriate atmosphere better than music. The church music can serve as an ideal example of it. Religions all over the world use the music in the rituals in order to maximize the influence on people and help them to achieve eupathy and humility. Nowadays, with an unrestricted access to the sources, music has conquered the world, sounding from everywhere, suggesting the great variety of genres for any demands. Everyone could find something up to his or her taste.

Talking about my life it is impossible not to mention music. It is a huge part of my everyday routine. My day starts and ends with it. Early in the morning it is quite vital for me to listen to a portion of a good energetic music in order to get up and have a charge for a long day. But it is not enough of course. Like a real melomaniac, I always take my player with me. I have noticed the great growth of my productivity if I do something with music in background. The type of chosen music depends on the type of the job I have to do. If there is some kind of a physical activity I need some fast and energetic music. However, when some sort of mental activity is demanded, I need some calm, not very loud music playing somewhere in the background. This is by no means a panacea for everyone who wants to raise their productivity , but I cannot imagine me working without music

Having come home late at evening, it is just necessary for me to listen to another portion of music in order to relax and forget about all the stresses of the outside world. I even go to bed with the headphones in my ears, listening to my special “good night” song.

Taking into account the fact that I am a great admirer of rock music, it is not difficult to guess that all my friends are great admirers of it to. I am more than sure that common tastes in music are the good basis for friendly relations. This is not only the question of having something to discuss or to listen to together. If a person has the same preferences in music that means that he has something in common with your inner world and with your soul. Of course, there is that type of music that you will never listen with your friends. It is that kind of music which affects the deepest parts of your soul and you can only listen to it while keeping to yourself. At that moments no one is allowed to trouble you.

Music also has a great impact on the way we communicate within our company. The excessive tension or some miscommunication in relations can be easily dispersed by means of music. The sounds of the familiar song cool heads and return friendly atmosphere.

There is one more aspect of music which is worth mentioning. It is its lyrics. Being not less ancient part of our culture than music, the word has even more influence on peoples hearts and minds. The combination of such powerful remedies gives a marvelous results. This combination of sounds and words affects all your senses, penetrating deep inside your soul. Looking through the lyrics of my favorite songs, I can say that the text is of the same importance as music in the song. While listening to it for the first time you pay special attention to lyrics, especially if it resonates with your mood. The song runs in your head and you repeat it over and over, enjoining the harmony of the words and your soul.

The most common topic for all songs is, of course, relations of any kind. It is the basis of human life and music, as an integral part of it, cannot stand off. Love and hatred, faith and betrayal, and all others shades of human feelings are praised in thousands of songs. The mans attempts to find his reason to live should also be mentioned. The great number of songs is devoted to that problem, making people think or helping them to find an answer. One of my favorite songs “ The Show Must Go On ” by Queen (Queen 1990) is also one of the best compositions touching the problem of self-determination. While listening to it you cannot but feel the great suffering of a man who realizes the duality of his inner world and necessity of playing the annoying part. The Freddie Mercurys heart cry makes the great effect on the listener, making you think about your own place in the world, the way you live and spend your lifetime and reconsider your values and priorities.

The love theme is also one of the especially beloved by lyrics authors. Everyone on this planet has its own favorite love song and I am not an exception. The great song “ Not Strong Enough ” by Apocalyptica (Warren 2010) tells us about the pangs of the love-crossed man who cannot be with his darling. The most dramatic moments of the lyrics are wonderfully emphasized by music, the most powerful beats comes with the most bitter worlds, projecting the singers and the authors mood on you, making you feel the same. That great interplay of words and music makes you shiver. Especially strong effect is achieved if the song correlates with your mood or life experience. In that case the song becomes a some kind of an anchor, which evokes certain memories and feelings connected with a certain life period. No matter where you are and what your feel, from the first beats of the song you will remember the first time you have listened to it and your emotions at that moment.

The love theme is a part of a bigger theme of gender relations, which is also quite popular in music. According to the generally accepted tradition there is some stereotypical pattern of behavior for both genders which is praised in the songs. Historically, man always strives for womens love, trying to overcome all the obstacles on his way. He fights the injustice, erases the boundaries of social or race segregation just to reunite with his beloved one. Music is a reflection of the mans thoughts that is why all this issues are blended in it, The artists want to share their feelings and experience with us, to warn and protect from the mistakes they made, to show that all the prejudices are only in our heads and we have to overcome it.

Summing it up, we should say that music is not just part of our lives, it is something bigger, and that determines our mood and emotions. It helps us to forget everything and enjoy one of the greatest gifts of nature – the sound.

Reference List

Brewer, B. (n.d.). Music and Learning: Integrating Music in the Classroom . Web.

Queen, (1990). The show must go on [Reordered by Queen]. Innuendo [7″, 12″, CD]. London, England: Metropolis Studios.

Warren, D. (2010). Not strong enough [Reordered by Apocalyptica]. 7th Symphony [CD]. Germany: Sony Music.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Music Therapy — The Importance Of Music

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The Importance of Music

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Published: Jun 13, 2024

Words: 596 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

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Introduction, emotional well-being and therapeutic value, cognitive development and educational benefits, social cohesion and cultural identity.

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essay about music box

Essay About Music

  • Essay Writing Guides

Essay About Music for Any Student

Our extensive article will walk you through the complex process of writing an essay about music. We’ll present you with a step-by-step guide on conveying the subtleties of music through writing, from picking an exciting topic and doing extensive research to dissecting musical aspects and adding personal observations.

Whether you’re analyzing the historical significance of a musical era, assessing the influence of a particular musician or band, or investigating the cultural and emotional aspects of music, our guide seeks to provide you with the fundamental knowledge and abilities required to write a well-reasoned essay. Come along on this journey with us as we explore the skill of turning music’s profound message into an engaging story.

Essays about Music: Importance and Impact

Music is a profound expression of human creativity, emotion, and culture that transcends cultural boundaries. It serves as a companion, providing solace and amplifying the human experience. Its influence extends beyond individuals, shaping the collective identity of communities and contributing to global culture.

To effectively explore the world of writing about music, one must first understand the fundamental elements that constitute this universal language. The music encompasses a vast array of sounds organized in a structured manner, from classical symphonies to contemporary pop hits, traditional folk tunes, and avant-garde experimental compositions. The diversity of musical forms reflects the kaleidoscope of human creativity, and understanding this diversity lays the groundwork for appreciating the nuanced aspects of different genres and styles.

Music’s emotional and cultural impact is remarkable, as it evokes feelings ranging from joy to sorrow, nostalgia to anticipation. It is a vessel for cultural narratives, preserving traditions and reflecting the spirit of an era. Exploring music’s emotional and cultural dimensions provides writers with a rich tapestry of motifs to weave into their essays about music, allowing for a more profound exploration of the human experience through the lens of musical expression.

Choose Essay Topics About Music

The essay-writing process involves selecting a topic that shapes the narrative and allows the writer to explore the intricacies of musical expression, history, and cultural impact. There are three main ways to choose essay topics about music:

  • Selecting a specific genre or style: Each genre has unique characteristics, histories, and cultural contexts. For example, the evolution of hip-hop can be explored by examining its roots in African and African-American communities, its socio-political impact, and the artistic innovations that have shaped its trajectory over the decades.
  • Exploring the historical significance of a musical era: Music has reflected societal changes, political movements, and cultural shifts throughout history. Writers can focus on a specific period, such as the Renaissance, the Roaring Twenties, or the counterculture movements of the 1960s, and analyze how the music of that era influenced and was affected by the broader socio-political landscape. For example, an essay could explore the impact of the Beatles during the tumultuous 1960s, examining how their music mirrored the cultural upheavals of the time and influenced popular music.
  • Analyzing the impact of a particular artist or band: Focusing on the life and work of a specific artist or band allows for a detailed examination of their contributions to the musical landscape, unique style, artistic evolution, and lasting impact on music and society. For example, an essay focused on Bob Dylan’s impact could explore his role as a poet-prophet during the folk revival of the 1960s, his transition to electronic music, and his enduring influence on subsequent generations of musicians.

Understanding the background of the chosen topic is essential for providing readers with a comprehensive view of its development and significance. That’s what we are going to analyze further.

Understanding Music Essay Examples

In crafting an insightful essay about music, it is crucial to conduct thorough research. This involves using credible sources such as scholarly articles, books, academic journals, and reputable websites dedicated to music history, theory, and criticism. By drawing on authoritative sources, writers can ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in their essays.

This involves delving into the historical evolution of the genre, key milestones, and cultural influences that shaped its trajectory. By studying the background, writers can contextualize the music within a broader historical narrative, unraveling the threads that connect artistic expression to the time’s social, political, and cultural landscapes. For example, if the essay focuses on the development of blues music, researching the historical roots in African American communities, migration patterns that spread the genre, and its evolution through different regions and eras would be integral to providing a nuanced understanding.

Understanding the cultural context of the music adds depth and richness to the narrative. Culture shapes and is shaped by music, and understanding this symbiotic relationship is crucial for a comprehensive analysis. Writers should explore the societal norms, values, and movements that influenced the creation and reception of the music they are examining. They should consider the cultural milieu, social dynamics, and even geographical influences that contributed to forming a particular musical style.

In conclusion, the research and information-gathering phase lays the groundwork for a well-informed and insightful exploration of the chosen music essay examples. By utilizing credible sources, studying the background, and understanding the cultural context, writers can embark on a journey that informs, captivates, and enriches the reader’s understanding of music in its multifaceted dimensions.

How to Write an Essay About Music – Valuable Insights

A well-structured essay about music is essential for capturing the reader’s attention and understanding of the subject matter. The essay should follow a structured approach, starting with an introduction about music essay that captures the reader’s attention with a compelling hook. This can be a thought-provoking question, anecdote, quote, or surprising fact. The thesis statement should clearly articulate the central argument or perspective of the essay, outlining the central theme and key points to be explored in subsequent sections.

The body paragraphs should be divided into distinct paragraphs dedicated to a specific aspect or point related to the thesis. Evidence and examples should be provided to support arguments, such as quoting lyrics, citing critical reviews, or referencing historical events. This helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the chosen topic.

Maintaining a logical flow between paragraphs is crucial, as it helps readers follow the logical progression of the essay and understand the relationships between different aspects of the topic. Transitional phrases and explicit connections between ideas help readers follow the logical progression of the essay.

In the conclusion, summarize critical points discussed in the body paragraphs, reinforcing the thesis statement and emphasizing how the evidence presented throughout the essay supports the overarching argument. This reinforces the central theme and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. In the Beatles essay, the conclusion might reiterate how their innovative approach to music defined a generation and left a significant mark on popular music history.

Lastly, the argumentative essay about music should leave a lasting impression on the reader by connecting the themes to broader cultural or societal implications or posing a thought-provoking question that encourages further reflection. In the case of the Beatles essay, the conclusion might invite readers to consider the ongoing impact of their music on contemporary artists or encourage reflection on the timeless nature of artistic innovation.

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Write a strong thesis statement.

A strong thesis statement is vital for a music essay, providing a clear roadmap for the writer and the reader. It defines the central argument or perspective, ensures clarity and relevance, and sets the tone for music essays. A concise and focused articulation of the central argument or perspective is essential, such as analyzing the cultural impact of a genre, the artist’s style evolution, or the societal resonance of a musical movement.

Clarity is paramount in a thesis statement, as it should convey the essay’s main idea in a way that the reader quickly understands. Avoiding vague or overly broad statements enhances clarity and relevance.

The thesis statement serves as the introductory handshake between the writer and the reader, setting the tone for the essay. Depending on the essay’s nature, it can range from analytical and objective to passionate and subjective. For example, if the essay explores the emotional impact of a specific genre, the thesis might set a tone of subjective reflection.

Incorporating Analysis and Critique

An essay about my favorite music requires a nuanced analysis and critique that delves into the intricacies of musical elements, assesses the impact on the audience, and allows the music writer to offer personal insights and interpretations. The music essay writing should evaluate the musical elements such as lyrics, melody, harmony, and rhythm, focusing on their poetic qualities, thematic depth, and storytelling capacity. It should also explore the symbiotic relationship between the music and its audience, exploring how the chosen music resonates with listeners, triggers emotional responses, and influences societal attitudes.

This may involve examining historical reactions, critical reviews, or audience testimonials. When you write an essay about music, you should also offer personal insights and interpretations, allowing the writer to inject their voice into the narrative and share their views of the music’s meaning. This multifaceted approach to analysis and critique enriches the narrative and encourages readers to engage with the music more profoundly, resulting in a lasting impact.

How To Write A Biography Essay

  • Academic Writing Guides

Writing Beginner

How To Describe Music In Writing (100+ Examples & Words)

Music, an art form and cultural activity, holds a significant place in our lives.

It shares feelings and thoughts by using different patterns of beats, tunes, and sounds, all mixed together like colors in a painting.

Here is how to describe music in writing:

Describe music in writing by focusing on elements like rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics, timbre, texture, form, tempo, mood, instrumentation, lyrics, and context. Use vivid words and phrases to convey the emotional and sensory experience of the music.

This guide will explore the nuances of describing music in writing, offering a deeper understanding and appreciation for this universal language.

Types of Music

Music instruments, notebook, and feather - how to describe music in writing

Table of Contents

Before diving into the elements of music, it’s essential to understand the different genres that exist.

Each type of music carries its unique characteristics and influences the way it is described:

  • Classical Music: Often associated with orchestral music, it’s known for its complex structure and richly developed melodies.
  • Rock Music: Characterized by a strong beat, amplified instruments, and often focused on themes of rebellion and emotion.
  • Jazz: Known for its improvisation, rhythmic urgency, and often complex harmonies.
  • Pop Music: Mainstream music that’s often catchy and aims to appeal to a wide audience.
  • Hip Hop/Rap: Music that’s spoken rather than sung, with a focus on rhythm and lyrical expression.
  • Electronic: Music created using electronic instruments and technology, focusing on unique sounds and beats.
  • Country: A genre that tells stories through simple melodies, often about life’s joys and struggles.
  • Blues: Music that originated from African American spirituals, known for its melancholic and soulful melodies.
  • Folk: Often acoustic music, reflecting the traditions and stories of a community or region.
  • Reggae: Originating from Jamaica, this genre is known for its laid-back rhythm and often carries social and political messages.

Rhythm, the pattern of sounds and silences in music, plays a pivotal role in setting the tempo and mood.

It’s the heartbeat of a piece, guiding listeners through the ebb and flow of the music.

  • The rhythm pulsated like a heartbeat, driving the song forward.
  • Syncopated beats created a playful, off-kilter rhythm.
  • The music’s rhythm ebbed and flowed, mirroring the waves of the ocean.
  • A rapid, staccato rhythm injected energy into the piece.
  • The rhythm slowed, drawing out a sense of anticipation.
  • Complex polyrhythms weaved together, creating a rich tapestry of sound.
  • The steady rhythm was comforting, like the ticking of a clock.
  • Rhythmic patterns shifted subtly, creating a sense of evolution in the music.
  • A syncopated rhythm broke the monotony, adding an element of surprise.
  • The rhythm built up gradually, leading to a climactic crescendo.

Melody is a sequence of notes that are perceived as a single entity.

It’s often the most memorable part of a piece, carrying the main theme and emotion.

  • The melody soared, lifting my spirits with its uplifting tune.
  • A haunting melody lingered long after the song had ended.
  • The melody meandered, taking unexpected turns.
  • A simple, catchy melody easily stuck in my head.
  • The melody intertwined with the harmony, creating a beautiful duet.
  • A melancholic melody tugged at my heartstrings.
  • The melody ascended, reaching a high, piercing climax.
  • A repetitive melody provided a sense of familiarity and comfort.
  • The melody’s complexity was mesmerizing, with intricate variations.
  • A playful melody danced around the steady rhythm.

Harmony is when different musical notes are played at the same time to create a nice blend of sounds, kind of like how different colors mix together to make a pretty picture.

It enriches the music, adding depth and emotion.

  • The harmony enveloped the melody, creating a warm blanket of sound.
  • Dissonant chords created a sense of tension within the harmony.
  • The harmony shifted, leading the piece in a new emotional direction.
  • Rich, complex harmonies added layers of depth to the music.
  • The harmony and melody intertwined seamlessly, like dancers in a waltz.
  • A sudden harmonic change surprised me, taking the music to an unexpected place.
  • The harmony was sparse, leaving room for the melody to breathe.
  • Lush harmonies filled the room, creating an immersive experience.
  • The harmony’s subtlety was its strength, gently supporting the melody.
  • Harmonic progressions built a narrative, telling a story without words.

Dynamics in music refer to the variations in loudness.

It’s a tool used to convey emotion and add texture to the piece.

  • The dynamics shifted from a whisper to a roar, mirroring the emotional intensity.
  • A sudden loud chord jolted me, breaking the calm.
  • The music gradually grew louder, building tension and excitement.
  • Hushed dynamics created an intimate atmosphere.
  • The dynamic range was wide, from barely audible to thunderously loud.
  • Crescendos and diminuendos added drama to the piece.
  • The constant dynamic level provided a sense of stability.
  • The dynamics ebbed and flowed, like breathing.
  • A sudden decrease in volume drew me in, demanding focus.
  • The use of dynamics painted a vivid picture, telling a story beyond words.

Timbre, or tone color, is what makes each musical note sound unique. It’s like how different voices or instruments have their own special sound.

It adds a unique character to each instrument and voice.

  • The timbre of the violin was warm and expressive, speaking directly to the soul.
  • Each drum had a distinct timbre, creating a rich rhythmic tapestry.
  • The piano’s timbre was bright and clear, cutting through the ensemble.
  • A raspy timbre in the singer’s voice added a layer of raw emotion.
  • The flute’s timbre was airy and ethereal, like a gentle breeze.
  • The guitar’s timbre changed with each pluck, from mellow to sharp.
  • The cello’s deep, resonant timbre brought a sense of melancholy.
  • The unique timbre of the saxophone added a jazzy flair.
  • Synthesizers offered an array of timbres, from otherworldly to familiar.
  • The contrast in timbre between instruments created a captivating dialogue.

Texture in music refers to how many layers of sound are heard at once, and how they interact.

It can range from monophonic (single melody) to polyphonic (multiple melodies).

  • The music’s texture was thick and complex, with many layers intertwining.
  • A monophonic texture highlighted the purity of the melody.
  • The homophonic texture brought harmony to the forefront, supporting the melody.
  • Counterpoint created a rich, polyphonic texture, with melodies weaving in and out.
  • The texture was sparse, emphasizing the beauty in simplicity.
  • Layers of texture built up, creating a sense of climax.
  • The interplay of textures made the music dynamic and engaging.
  • A sudden shift in texture brought a new dimension to the piece.
  • The texture was dense, immersing me in a sea of sound.
  • Textural contrasts between sections highlighted the composer’s creativity.

Form in music is the structure or design of a composition. It shapes the overall architecture of the piece.

  • The sonata form guided the piece through contrasting themes and developments.
  • A repeating chorus gave the song a familiar and catchy form.
  • The rondo form brought back the main theme, creating a sense of return.
  • The form was free and improvisational, defying traditional structures.
  • The binary form’s two contrasting sections created a balanced structure.
  • The ternary form provided a journey with a departure and a return.
  • A through-composed form kept introducing new material, always moving forward.
  • The strophic form repeated the same music for each verse, highlighting the lyrics.
  • Variations on a theme showed the form’s flexibility and creativity.
  • The symphonic form’s multiple movements took me on an epic musical journey.

Tempo refers to the speed at which a piece of music is played. It can greatly affect the mood and energy of a composition.

  • A brisk tempo energized the piece, filling it with excitement.
  • The slow tempo allowed each note to resonate and be fully appreciated.
  • A sudden tempo change caught me off guard, refreshing the piece.
  • The allegro tempo gave the music a joyful, lively character.
  • A languid tempo created a sense of relaxation and calm.
  • The music’s tempo fluctuated, echoing the ebb and flow of emotions.
  • A rapid tempo made the piece exhilarating and thrilling.
  • The adagio tempo brought out the music’s solemnity and depth.
  • A moderate tempo struck a balance, making the music accessible and engaging.
  • The accelerando built suspense, gradually increasing the tempo.

Mood in music refers to the emotional atmosphere it creates. It’s the feeling that the composer intends to evoke in the listener.

  • The music’s joyful mood lifted my spirits, filling me with happiness.
  • A somber mood pervaded the piece, evoking a sense of melancholy.
  • The music’s mysterious mood piqued my curiosity, drawing me into its depths.
  • A romantic mood was conveyed through the tender, expressive melodies.
  • The music had an eerie mood, creating a sense of unease.
  • An upbeat mood made the song irresistibly danceable.
  • The music’s reflective mood led me to introspection and calm.
  • A triumphant mood filled the piece, conveying a sense of victory.
  • The music’s nostalgic mood took me on a journey through memories.
  • A serene mood was established, bringing peace and tranquility.

Instrumentation

Instrumentation is the choice and combination of instruments used in a piece. It greatly influences the character and color of the music.

  • The orchestra’s rich instrumentation created a majestic sound.
  • Minimal instrumentation highlighted the purity and clarity of the melody.
  • The blend of traditional and modern instruments was innovative and refreshing.
  • Percussion instruments added rhythm and energy to the music.
  • The use of wind instruments gave the music a light, airy quality.
  • String instruments brought warmth and depth to the harmonic texture.
  • The piano’s versatility was evident, providing both melody and harmony.
  • Electronic instruments introduced unique sounds, expanding the sonic palette.
  • The solo violin stood out, its sound piercing and emotive.
  • The combination of vocal and instrumental sounds created a rich tapestry.

Lyrics are the words of a song, often considered as an additional layer to its meaning and emotion.

  • The lyrics told a story, captivating me with vivid imagery.
  • Poetic and metaphorical, the lyrics added depth to the song.
  • The chorus’ catchy lyrics were easy to remember and sing along to.
  • Emotional lyrics resonated with my own experiences, creating a personal connection.
  • The lyrics’ simplicity made the song accessible and relatable.
  • Provocative lyrics challenged my thoughts and perceptions.
  • The repetitive nature of the lyrics created a hypnotic effect.
  • Storytelling through the lyrics took me on an emotional journey.
  • The lyrics’ clever wordplay added a layer of sophistication.
  • The raw honesty of the lyrics was moving and powerful.

Context in music refers to the circumstances surrounding its composition and performance.

It includes historical, cultural, and personal factors that influence the music’s creation and perception.

  • The historical context of the piece added depth to my understanding of its significance.
  • Cultural influences were evident in the music’s rhythm and melody.
  • The composer’s personal experiences echoed through the emotional intensity of the music.
  • The context of the performance space influenced how the music was received.
  • Understanding the political context gave the lyrics greater impact.
  • The music’s era influenced its style and harmonic language.
  • The cultural background of the composer brought unique elements to the music.
  • The piece’s reception varied greatly depending on the audience’s context.
  • The technological context of the time influenced the music’s production and sound.
  • The religious context shaped the music’s thematic and tonal qualities.

Here is a good video about how to describe music in writing:

50 Best Words to Describe Music in Writing

You can try out these words for describing music:

  • Melancholic
  • Captivating
  • Electrifying
  • Atmospheric
  • Minimalistic

50 Best Phrases to Describe Music in Writing

You can also consider using these phrases when describing music in writing:

  • Like a whisper in the wind
  • Echoes of a forgotten melody
  • A symphony of emotions
  • Beats pulsating with life
  • A harmony that caresses the soul
  • A crescendo of excitement
  • Drowning in a sea of sound
  • A tapestry of rhythmic beauty
  • An orchestra of nature’s whispers
  • Dancing on a melody
  • A chorus of celestial angels
  • The rhythm of the night
  • A ballet of acoustic wonders
  • Notes that paint a thousand words
  • A lullaby of peace
  • A storm of sonic bliss
  • A river of harmonious flow
  • The heartbeat of the earth
  • A dance of light and shadow
  • A journey through musical landscapes
  • The voice of the universe in song
  • A fusion of historical echoes
  • The whisper of the strings
  • A melody that ignites the soul
  • The symphony of life
  • A serenade of the stars
  • An explosion of euphoric tunes
  • A cascade of vibrant rhythms
  • The echo of ancient rhythms
  • The language of the heart in harmony
  • A tide of emotional waves
  • The flame of passion in music
  • A tapestry woven from sound
  • The color of music in the air
  • A mosaic of soundscapes
  • The rhythm that moves the world
  • A choir of diverse melodies
  • The painting of sound
  • An odyssey of auditory delight
  • The whisper of a gentle tune
  • The thunder of rhythmic beats
  • A carnival of musical colors
  • The serenade of the night
  • A ballet of sound and silence
  • The embrace of a soothing melody
  • A journey on a wave of notes
  • The fusion of tradition and innovation
  • The symphony of the cosmos
  • A melody that transcends time
  • The dance of the soul in music

3 Full Examples of How to Describe Music in Writing in Different Genres

Here are full examples of how to describe music in writing in different kinds of stories.

The music was like a shadow in the night, elusive and mysterious. Each note seemed to hold a secret, weaving a web of intrigue that enveloped the room. The melody moved stealthily, echoing the whispers of a hidden truth.

The rhythm was a subtle heartbeat, a quiet pulse in the darkness. The occasional dissonant chord sent shivers down my spine, hinting at the unknown lurking just out of sight. This enigmatic symphony was a puzzle, each note a piece waiting to be uncovered.

The music thundered like a storm, its intense beats echoing the pounding of my heart.

The tempo was relentless, driving the tension higher with each passing second. Sharp, staccato notes cut through the air like flashes of lightning, illuminating the drama unfolding. The melody twisted and turned unpredictably, mirroring the thrill and suspense of the chase.

It was a musical rollercoaster, with crescendos that catapulted me to the edge of my seat and diminuendos that left me holding my breath in anticipation.

The melody was a tender caress, soft and loving. It flowed like a gentle stream, smooth and uninterrupted, carrying with it a sense of warmth and comfort. The harmony was close and intimate, a perfect embrace that held the melody in a loving grip. The rhythm was a slow dance, a rhythmic sway that moved to the heartbeat of love.

Each note was a word unspoken, a feeling shared between two souls. This romantic serenade was a testament to love’s enduring song, a melody that resonated with the sweetness of affection.

Final Thoughts: How to Describe Music in Writing

Describing music in writing is an art that deepens our connection to the universal language of emotion and expression.

Explore more insights and inspirations in our other articles to continue your journey through the world of music and beyond.

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FirstCry Intelli Education

Essay on Music – 10 Lines, Short & Long Essay for Children and Students

Priyadarshika

  • Key Points To Remember When Writing Essay On Music
  • 10 Lines On Music
  • A Paragraph On Music
  • Short Essay On Music
  • Long Essay On Music
  • What Will Your Child Learn From The Essay On Music?

Music plays a vital role in our lives, inspiring a wide range of emotions and fostering creativity in individuals of all ages. Let us assist your child in crafting an outstanding essay about music that captures their thoughts and feelings. The act of writing essays is not only beneficial but plays a major role in your child’s overall development, serving as an effective way to improve their critical thought process. Writing essays also lays a solid foundation for understanding English grammar. When your child embarks on writing an essay on music in English for classes 1, 2, and 3, they can explore the subject matter deeply and meaningfully. Engaging in the process of writing a music essay in English significantly enhances your little one’s creative writing skills and encourages self-expression.  

Key Points To Remember When Writing Essay On Music  

Let us discuss a few key points to remember while writing a music essay.

  • In the first step, ask your child to structure the ideas they want to write about music.
  • The second step is to write down the ideas to create an outline to cover the essay.
  • Next, ask them to make short, simple sentences from the pointers.
  • Ask your child not to go in too deep writing about any one idea. It will help them to stick to the word count.
  • Help your child write with the flow, and they will enjoy every bit of writing the essay.
  • Your little one can write about what music is, its presence, how it benefits us, different types of music, etc.

10 Lines On Music 

Let us assist your little one in writing an interesting essay on music for classes 1, 2 and 3 in 10 lines. Here is an example of how you can pen down a few lines on music:  

  • Music is a harmonious sound.
  • It spreads joy in a person’s life.
  • We can create music by playing an instrument.
  • A person who produces music is known as a musician.
  • Music has healing qualities.
  • It is considered a universal language.
  • There are many genres of music.
  • When we add voice to an instrument, it is known as singing.
  • Music often connects people.
  • Music is also present in nature.

10 Lines On Music - Infographics

A Paragraph On Music  

With this music paragraph in English, you can help your little one write an essay on music in a brief paragraph:  

Music, a harmonious and pleasant sound, is a beautiful art form we can construct by playing musical instruments. Nature has music in it, and music has therapeutic qualities and is known as a universal language. Along with music, singing is also a vital part of it. Most people enjoy music in some form. Some love learning the art, while others love listening to music. Music is a beautiful way to express one’s emotions and feelings. One can never get bored of listening to music as it can uplift one’s mood and spirit.  

Short Essay On Music  

Music is the essence of life. Here’s an example of a short essay on music in English:  

Music is a harmonious and melodic sound. Anything that has a rhythm can be musical. We can produce music by playing a single musical instrument or a couple of tools. A musician is a person who makes or plays music. Nature also has its sweet music. The sound of the rustling leaves, the flow of the river, and the gentle patter of rain all possess a beautiful musical quality. Music has therapeutic properties and is a universal language that everyone understands. We all love music, which is our companion in sadness and joy. Music can build connections among people with different backgrounds. Some love learning it, while many enjoy listening to music.  

Music is everywhere in our lives, from cheerful songs that make us dance to soft melodies that help us relax. It can inspire us, tell stories, and even bring back memories. No matter where we come from, music can unite us and make life more enjoyable.  

Long Essay On Music 

Here’s an example that can be a reference for your child to write an interesting essay for class 3.  

Music is a melodic and pleasant sound. Music surrounds us from the time we are born till we grow old. As babies, our mother sings us musical lullabies to make us sleep. Music can flow from a single musical instrument or a couple of tools called an orchestra. A person who knows music closely is known as a musician. They are the people who make or play music. In this context, we are referring to music made by man. Nature also has its variety of music. The sound of the rustling leaves, the bubbling of a stream, and the tapping of rains have a soothing musical quality. Music has therapeutic traits and plays a significant role in healing us. Cheerful music can instantly lift our mood up. It can make us more positive and happy. Due to this reason, psychologists and psychiatrists take the help of music to benefit their patients. Soft and soothing music has the power to calm us down when we feel agitated or anxious.

A cheerful number can perk up a person when they feel low. Music is known as a universal language. It has no boundaries. People of all ages love to listen to their favourite music. It travels all across the world. It is not always necessary that one understands the words or lyrics of a song. Music is our companion in sadness and joy. Music can form connections among people with different backgrounds. Some love learning it, while many love listening to music. We can often find ourselves humming a tune. Music is something over which we can bond over. We dance to it or even enjoy it while being alone. Music adds essence to things we do. We love doing yoga while listening to it. Soft instrumental music helps us concentrate on our work or studies. Those who love music can also choose to take it up as a subject at the university level. We also take the help of music while worshipping deities.

Music

Why Is Music Important?

Music is an integral part of our life. Let us help your kid write an essay on music. Music has healing properties. It reduces stress levels and elevates our mood. Soothing music calms us and can help people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Moreover, soft instrumentals music can help us concentrate.

Popular Genres Of Music

Music segments into different categories. Let us help your kid to write an essay on types of music.

  • Pop:  Pop music combines several sounds produced for a large audience.
  • Rhythm and Blues:  As the name implies, this music combines two prominent styles – soul music delivered through rhymes.
  • Electronic music:  Electronic music uses technology to develop special and unique sounds.
  • Rock:  This music originates from America and is notable for its combination of heavy sounds and string instruments.
  • Jazz:  It is an original American music style and a unique blend of many techniques.
  • Hip-Hop music:  It is also known as rap music, a piece of very popular music developed in the United States.
  • Indian Folk Music:  Very popular in India, folk music is traditional music.
  • Rabindra Sangeet:  It refers to the songs of love and devotion by Rabindranath Tagore, the first Indian Nobel laureate.
  • Bhangra:  It is a form of music and dance that originated in Punjab.
  • Bhajans:  These are devotional songs with religious or spiritual ideas.

What Will Your Child Learn From The Essay On Music?  

When your child writes a composition on music, they get a chance to look at the piece closely. Writing essays enhances their grammar skills, improves their creativity, and enriches their vocabulary.

1. Why Is Music Called The Universal Language?

Music is popularly known as the universal language because it crosses the boundaries of countries and ethnic groups. It is present worldwide, and people of all ages enjoy it.

2. Who Is Considered As The Father of Music?

Johann Sebastian Bach is known as the Father of Music.

Music is the universal language that transcends all boundaries and brings joy to the soul. Let your passion for music shine through in your essay and inspire others to appreciate the beauty and power of this timeless art form. We hope the above piece on music will help your child write a beautiful essay on the topic.   

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Essay on Music for Students and Children

500+ words essay on music.

Music is a vital part of different moments of human life. It spreads happiness and joy in a person’s life. Music is the soul of life and gives immense peace to us. In the words of William Shakespeare, “If music is the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die.” Thus, Music helps us in connecting with our souls or real self.

Essay on Music

What is Music?

Music is a pleasant sound which is a combination of melodies and harmony and which soothes you. Music may also refer to the art of composing such pleasant sounds with the help of the various musical instruments. A person who knows music is a Musician.

The music consists of Sargam, Ragas, Taals, etc. Music is not only what is composed of men but also which exists in nature. Have you ever heard the sound of a waterfall or a flowing river ? Could you hear music there? Thus, everything in harmony has music. Here, I would like to quote a line by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the greatest musicians, “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.”

Importance of Music:

Music has great qualities of healing a person emotionally and mentally. Music is a form of meditation. While composing or listening music ones tends to forget all his worries, sorrows and pains. But, in order to appreciate good music, we need to cultivate our musical taste. It can be cited that in the Dwapar Yug, the Gopis would get mesmerized with the music that flowed from Lord Krishna’s flute. They would surrender themselves to Him. Also, the research has proved that the plants which hear the Music grow at a faster rate in comparison to the others.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Magical Powers of Music:

It has the power to cure diseases such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc. The power of Music can be testified by the legends about Tansen of his bringing the rains by singing Raag Megh Malhar and lighting lamps by Raga Deepak. It also helps in improving the concentration and is thus of great help to the students.

Conclusion:

Music is the essence of life. Everything that has rhythm has music. Our breathing also has a rhythm. Thus, we can say that there is music in every human being or a living creature. Music has the ability to convey all sorts of emotions to people. Music is also a very powerful means to connect with God. We can conclude that Music is the purest form of worship of God and to connect with our soul.

FAQs on Essay on Music:

Q.1. Why is Music known as the Universal Language?

Ans.1. Music is known as the Universal language because it knows no boundaries. It flows freely beyond the barriers of language, religion, country, etc. Anybody can enjoy music irrespective of his age.

Q.2. What are the various styles of Music in India?

Ans.2. India is a country of diversities. Thus, it has numerous styles of music. Some of them are Classical, Pop, Ghazals, Bhajans, Carnatic, Folk, Khyal, Thumri, Qawwali, Bhangra, Drupad, Dadra, Dhamar, Bandish, Baithak Gana, Sufi, Indo Jazz, Odissi, Tarana, Sugama Sangeet, Bhavageet, etc.

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  1. Music Essay: Topics, How-to Guide, & Examples of Essays about Music

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COMMENTS

  1. PDF The Music Box

    The filming, which took place in December 1931, was complicated by some cloudy days; the long se-quence of carrying the piano up the steps was shot "The Music Box" deserved its popularity, which was confirmed on November 18, 1932, when the film won an Academy Award as the "Best Short Subject (Comedy)" of the 1931-32 season.

  2. Music box

    music box, mechanical musical instrument that is sounded when tuned metal prongs, or teeth, mounted in a line on a flat comb are made to vibrate by contact with a revolving cylinder or disc that is driven by a clockwork mechanism. As the cylinder or disc revolves, small pins or other projections mounted on its surface pluck the pointed ends of the metal teeth, causing them to vibrate and ...

  3. Music Box

    For this essay I will discuss and analyze the "Five Themes and Two Streams" of popular music, in regards to the song "Little Boxes," by Malvina Reynolds. This song comes from her album Ear to the Ground, and was released in 1962, around the era of summer of love, where conformity was becoming a easy target for folk singers and musicians.

  4. Music box

    A music box (American English) or musical box (British English) is an automatic musical instrument in a box that produces musical notes by using a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc to pluck the tuned teeth (or lamellae) of a steel comb.The popular device best known today as a "music box" developed from musical snuff boxes of the 18th century and were originally called ...

  5. The Music Box

    The Music Box is a Laurel and Hardy short film comedy released in 1932. It was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.The film, which depicts the pair attempting to move a piano up a long flight of steps, won the first Academy Award for Best Live Action Short (Comedy) in 1932. [1] [2] In 1997, it was selected for preservation in the National ...

  6. Character Analysis: The Music Box

    Decent Essays. 854 Words; 4 Pages; Open Document. In the film "The Music Box" the protagonist is Michael Laszlo is a Hungarian immigrant who is accused of being a war criminal, his daughter is Anne Talbot, a defense lawyer in Chicago who nobly decides to defend her father in court. In the early stages of the film Anne stands behind her ...

  7. My Love For The First Music Box

    On the top of this "music box'' it has a choice of songs to select. I was fascinated by the bright lights that were a playful color that seems to tread with the music. I enjoyed listening to the infomercial that mesmerized me because of the "music box." Moreover, I actually cherished listening to the vintage songs that they played.

  8. PDF Writing about Music: A Guide to Writing in A & I 24

    out music are like the best essays about anything. They have a plausible and interesting main argument, a co-herent s. ucture, convincing evidence, and an elegant style. The best papers about music also feature a unique combination of precise attent. n to musical detail and judicious use of metaphor. The detail allows a reader to "locate" a ...

  9. How to write an essay about music: Useful tips from a professional composer

    In short, keep your ear out for something that's memorable and remarkable about the song you're analyzing. Of course, all the steps mentioned above work better if you keep track of "technical" aspects. Try finding the score for the music you're writing about and pay attention to the time signature and tempo. Think about the genre of ...

  10. Guide on How to Write a Music Essay: Topics and Examples

    To start an essay on music: Identify Your Focus: This could be a genre, a cultural impact, or a personal experience.; Research the Background: If you're writing about a genre, research its origins, key figures, and evolution.; Craft a Hook with Depth: Use something specific, like a statistic on music's effect on memory or a personal reflection that sets the tone.

  11. 115 Popular Music Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    To help you narrow down your options and get started on your essay, here are 115 popular music essay topic ideas and examples. The impact of social media on the music industry. The evolution of music streaming services. The role of women in the music industry. The influence of technology on music production.

  12. Malfunctioning Music Boxes:

    For this essay, I borrowed a cylinder music box from my friend. Although I used to own a jewelry music box, it was donated along with the rest of my childhood toys when I turned 14. The music box that my friend lent to me plays "Edelweiss" from the musical The Sound of Music. However, the governor fails to function properly- the song ...

  13. 300 Argumentative essay topics about music

    Argumentative essay topics about music can cover a wide range of issues and perspectives. Here are some potential topics to consider: Impact of Digital Streaming on the Music Industry: Discuss how platforms like Spotify or Apple Music have changed the way music is consumed and produced. Arguments could include the benefits for artists versus ...

  14. How to Write a Great College Essay About Music (with examples)

    When writing a college essay about music, it's important to avoid cliches and approach the topic in a deeply personal and meaningful way. Whether you focus on music as an academic interest or a significant extracurricular, you should show off your intellectual spark or personal strengths. Ask any admissions officer if they've read a college ...

  15. The Power of Music in Essay Writing: Boost Your Productivity with the

    Pay attention to how certain songs make you feel and make adjustments as needed. The power of music lies in its ability to evoke emotions and enhance your mood, so choose songs that align with your personal preferences and goals. In conclusion, music can serve as a powerful motivator when it comes to essay writing.

  16. Music and Its Impact on Our Lives Essay (Critical Writing)

    Music follows humanity step by step, working its magic on it, showing its power. The ability of music to influence human consciousness was known from the earliest stages of development of the society. Get a custom critical writing on Music and Its Impact on Our Lives. 189 writers online.

  17. The Importance Of Music: [Essay Example], 596 words

    In conclusion, the importance of music is multifaceted and far-reaching. It is a powerful tool for emotional expression and mental well-being, a catalyst for cognitive development and academic success, and a vital force for social cohesion and cultural identity. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, the role of music in enriching our ...

  18. Writing Essay About Music ― Everything You Need to Know ️

    Essays about Music: Importance and Impact. Music is a profound expression of human creativity, emotion, and culture that transcends cultural boundaries. It serves as a companion, providing solace and amplifying the human experience. Its influence extends beyond individuals, shaping the collective identity of communities and contributing to ...

  19. How To Describe Music In Writing (100+ Examples & Words)

    Describe music in writing by focusing on elements like rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics, timbre, texture, form, tempo, mood, instrumentation, lyrics, and context. Use vivid words and phrases to convey the emotional and sensory experience of the music. This guide will explore the nuances of describing music in writing, offering a deeper ...

  20. Common App Essays About Music

    This is a great example of an essay that incorporates music, but isn't exclusively about music. The best advice that we can give is to avoid of trap of thinking that you want to write a common app essay about music, art, hardship, or any topic for that matter. This line of thinking often stints the brainstorming process because you put ...

  21. My Music Box Essay Example For FREE

    Live long, laugh often, and love much. Love always, Grandpa. I begin to tear up. I turn the key and wind up the music box. My fingers are shaking as I begin to open the lid. When I do my ears are flooded with the music and I instantly begin to think of all the good times Grandpa and I had over the years.

  22. Essay on Music

    Short Essay On Music Music is the essence of life. Here's an example of a short essay on music in English: Music is a harmonious and melodic sound. Anything that has a rhythm can be musical. We can produce music by playing a single musical instrument or a couple of tools. A musician is a person who makes or plays music.

  23. Essay on Music for Students and Children

    500+ Words Essay on Music. Music is a vital part of different moments of human life. It spreads happiness and joy in a person's life. Music is the soul of life and gives immense peace to us. In the words of William Shakespeare, "If music is the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die