Music is an integral part of many cultures and has been credited with the ability to reflect and influence human emotion. Throughout history, it has been used as an adjunct to drama and ritual, and modern popular culture exploits these possibilities through radio, television, musical theatre and the Internet. A wide variety of musical styles exist, from traditional classical compositions to contemporary hip hop. Musicians, producers and critics work to create and promote music. Academic study of music extends into areas like philosophy, journalism, sociology and psychology.
Regardless of genre, all music is created by humans and is subject to the limitations of language. As such, it is difficult to define, but a number of scholars have proposed definitions for music. These include an amalgam of melodies, chords, rhythms and timbres in a particular structure (Hanslick), a sensual event between noise and silence (Heidegger) and a system of sounds organized in time (Baroque music). Some scholars believe that the notion of “music” is bound by cultural and historical assumptions that make it impossible to pin down objectively.
The element of time refers to the organization of sounds into beats and rests. The beats in a piece of music are called measures, and they are grouped into strong beats and weak beats. The length of the beats is also an important factor in the overall timing of a piece of music. The tempo of a song is controlled by the beats per minute, which are grouped into duple meter and triple meter.
Harmony is the simultaneous combination of notes that form a chord. The harmony of a piece of music can be dissonant, which creates tension and instability, or consonant, which is soothing to the ear. Musicians use a variety of harmony types to add depth and complexity to their works.
Drums, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and violins are commonly used instruments in the creation of modern music. Classical musicians often play on these instruments, but in recent years, synthesizers and digital audio workstations have ushered in a new generation of composers who use electronic instruments to create complex musical pieces.
The genre of pop music is a broad category of popular music that includes artists from all eras and backgrounds. The popularity of pop music varies from generation to generation, but it continues to be a significant part of the musical landscape and has influenced such diverse artists as Elvis Presley, Nirvana, Madonna and Mariah Carey. Contemporary artists with a large following in the pop genre include Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Gaga and Rhianna. In addition to pop, other genres of music include country music, rap and R&B. All of these genres have their own distinctive characteristics that contribute to the evolution and growth of modern music.