Are you frustrated when you try to explain your taste in music? Fortunately, one of the benefits of learning a musical instrument is a better understanding of your own musical taste. Learn to play an instrument, and soon you will be able to discuss what works or doesn’t work for you, in music.

Learn to Describe What You Like through Musical Education

It may come as a surprise, but the European tradition is rife with arguments not only about whether a song is good or bad, but also whether a song is music at all. John Cage, a composer famous for taking the position that any sound could be music, sometimes left portions of his compositions to chance and would use non-standard instruments. Often, arguments about music are really about whether you are able to express your opinion.

Let’s take a look at the music fundamentals. When you understand the concepts of pitch, melody, harmony, rhythm, and articulation, you will be well on your way to expressing your opinions about music.

? Pitch: Simply put, when you say a sound is high or low, you are describing the pitch. Each note in music is a pitch defined.

? Melody: You could think of a melody something you hum. A melody is a series of notes played in succession. This is sometimes called the “horizontal” part of music, in reference to written notes on a scale.

? Harmony: Harmony is what happens when multiple notes are played simultaneously. This is sometimes called the “horizontal” part of music. The combined sound adds depth to the melody. “Chords” consist of three or more notes played simultaneously, with each chord named for notes.

? Rhythm: Most Western music relies on an even beat beneath the music. Each note takes up one of these beats or a portion of it. Other cultures such as Indian and African use more complex rhythm systems. “Irrational rhythms” are irregular beat systems created mathematically.

? Articulation: Just as important as the notes that are played is the way you play them. Music composed and written on paper includes “articulations” written with a series of marks. A common example is the “tie,” a curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch to show that two notes should be played as one. Articulation also includes the amount of silence between the notes.

By reading this article, you have taken the first step toward developing your musical vocabulary. Nowhere have we told you what to like or dislike; that’s up to you.

Make it a priority to learn to play a musical instrument. As a result, you will have a better appreciation of music in all its forms. You will understand your own musical tastes, and even be able to express your opinions about music with confidence.

Author: Mike Freemen

Classical music is at once one of the best known and least understood forms of music, and many music fans who feel they would never like classical music are surprised at just how enjoyable it can be.

Of course, classical music can take a great many forms, and not every music fan will appreciate every kind of classical music. To some people, classical music is best enjoyed in a crowded concert hall, with a glass of wine and good company. To others, the best classical music is enjoyed alone, perhaps in a darkened room with a great stereo system. Still others will enjoy making their own classical music in the company of family and friends, perhaps playing their own piano or enjoying a night out.

For those who are unfamiliar with classical music, there are many places to begin your classical education. One of the best places to start to learn about classical music is with your local public radio station. Just about every market in the country has at least one public radio station, and many public radio stations have extensive classical music programming during their broadcast day. In addition, the announcers on these stations are usually quite well versed in all aspects of classical music, so if you have a question about the art form they are a great place to start.

In addition to public radio, the many internet radio stations are a great way to introduce yourself to the world of classical music. There are a great many classical music stations on the internet, including many sub genres, such as classical guitar or classical piano. Scanning the music available at these sources is a great way to explore the breadth of classical music available and get started on your own appreciation.

For some listeners, an appreciation of classical music will come almost immediately, while for others it may take quite some time to develop an ear for the nuance and style that classical music represents. The time you take learning about classic music will be time well spent, though, and you may learn more than you ever intended about one of the oldest forms of music in the world.

Classical music has been with us for centuries, and chances are good that it will be with us for centuries to come. While other forms of music, from country and rock and roll to hip hop and rhythm and blues, may not be around five hundred years from now, chances are good that our great, great, great, great, great grandchildren will still be enjoying piano recitals, chamber music and other kinds of classical music.
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