Music.
Arguably the most significant form of artistic expression to grace our world since the dawn of time.
It has triggered political movements; inspired generations the whole world over. It has brought many individuals to a state of personal introspection and spiritual revelation.
Throughout history it has been a force responsible for the bringing together of people and nations, and the expansion and unification of collective consciousness.
Music transcends the intellectual mind and speaks to something deep within the soul, and this is why people of all languages can relate to it.
Indeed, for many people music is not simply a form of entertainment, but a foundation for their lives. It is the very ground that they walk on, the air that they breathe; often guiding the way they view themselves and their relationship to people and the world around them. A religion.
Culture has played a major role in establishing musical genres. Conversely music has also played a major role in the establishment of new cultures. For many genres the culture is so intrinsically intertwined with the music that one could simply not exist without the other. The two rely upon and fuel each other. They feed off the energy that one creates and in turn magnifies that energy for the other to absorb.
The best examples can be found in underground genres which are kept alive by often small, but enormously passionate fans who run websites, record labels, fund and promote independent concerts and tours, and support local up-and-coming artists. Often the entire music scene of any given city may rest upon the efforts made by a select few who create the opportunities for new musicians to express themselves in a live setting.
This relentless passion sustains the existence of underground genres which, without the help of mainstream musical broadcasting, have developed a network of fans all over the world. With the help of the internet, bands which may be relatively unknown in their hometown are able to sell records and digital downloads to people halfway around the globe.
Ever look at someone and know instantly by the way they dress what kind of music they listen to? Genres have bred their own styles of fashion. The punk rocker with his studded leather jacket. The hip hop enthusiast with their casual swagger and loose fitting clothes. The heavy metal fan with their long hair and bullet belts. Music has offered people an identity they feel so connected with that it influences the way they dress, and at times the way they speak and behave. Wearing their music on their sleeves helps them to solidify and express their commitment to a certain genre. It brings them a strong sense of individuality and at the same time, belonging. As a Slayer fan, I know that when I encounter another person wearing a Slayer shirt, we share common ground. We may be completely different people regarding political and religious views, moral values, education, and yet simply having this one thing in common can literally lead to hours of conversation and new friendships.
No other art form has been able to communicate ideas to the same degree that music has. Music has been a platform to express viewpoints and opinions which have revolutionized the way entire generations think in regards to social liberty. Messages of peace, love, and unity have resonated deeply with the listeners and brought about events and festivals that seem to have an underlying philosophical foundation; expressing the potential for rock n’ roll to change the world.
In their darkest hours, sad songs and ballads have moved listeners to tears and offered them comfort and reassurance. Songs have beautifully conveyed an inspiring message of hope; that you are never alone in your suffering and that this too shall pass. Music has helped people to accept the harsh realities that they may face, and it has given them the strength to persevere.
There is indeed a spiritual aspect within music. A resonance which operates at an ethereal frequency. Cultures throughout history have recognized the powerful energies that music creates and utilized these elements in spiritual and religious ceremonies. Tribal drumming and group singing, among other things, have been used as an aural foundation for mediations and rituals, offering constant stimulation for consciousness, a background white noise which helps the practitioner to focus and channel the forces of self enlightenment.
It is very interesting to consider the effects music has on the brain. As with any kind of stimulation, art or otherwise, that which is being observed actually changes the frequencies of brain activity. Neurons respond to the emotions being conveyed, stimulating the imagination, and relating the positive or negative vibrations of the song to past triumphs or traumas. There may be a certain song which reminds you of a special time in your life. As you listen to this song you are flooded with memories and their relative emotions. In this sense, music is literally a portal to a realm within our subconscious mind, and visiting this realm from time to time helps us to cope with our past and inspires us to carry on into the future.
The spiritual aspects of music will always resonate deeply with humanity, and naturally this assimilation of ideas into peoples daily lives manifests itself as unique cultures rooted in a love for musical expression. Ultimately the ability for music to inspire an undying passion within people, and perhaps educate individuals to seek insight and liberation, proves that rock n’ roll may very well have the power to change the world!
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