Music, in one form or another, permeates every society. The fact that it is readily available on streaming services, adapted for other media (such as the soundtracks to movies or video games), and used in therapeutic settings suggests that there is still an inherent belief that the arts can influence human behaviour and emotion.
Despite its ubiquity, what makes something a piece of music remains debated. Some theorists believe that music is a natural extension of verbal language, while others maintain that it evolved to serve a specific function. The origins of music are also subject to speculation, with many theories ranging from evolutionary biology to mating calls in the animal kingdom.
In the ancient world, music was a highly developed art that often blended into other disciplines: Pythagoras (of triangle Pythagoras theorem fame) studied music, mathematics, and astronomy, while the muses of Greek mythology were Calliope (epic poetry), Clio (history and biography), Euterpe (harp and pipes), Erato (lyric love poems), Melpomene (tragedy), Polyhymnia (hymns and sacred poetry), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy).
For the ancient Greeks, music was an emotional art, a form of expression, and a vehicle for communication between humans. This philosophy was carried forward by the Stoics and Epicureans, who placed more emphasis on sensation than did Aristotle, but retained his Platonic notion of musical harmony. This concept of musical beauty is based on the theory that music can be unified in a set of rules governing scales, intervals, and rhythm.
When listening to music, a key part of the experience is the melody. Melodies capture the ‘heart’ of a song, and are constructed from notes that follow a set of predetermined patterns. The melodic elements are then combined to create the harmonic structure of a song. A well-structured melody is memorable and invariably emotionally impactful, while a badly constructed one can be irritating or even annoying.
There is a great variety in the style of music that can be found on streaming services. Some of the more traditional forms include classical, folk, country, and rock. Some popular styles that have been created and adapted by streaming service producers include hip hop, dance, funk, and punk. Many of these services offer a wide range of additional content, including comedy, podcasts, and even video game soundtracks. These additional options can add depth and variety to your playlists, making it easy to find the music that works for you. Streaming services typically offer a free trial period, so that you can decide whether or not the content is right for you. You can also compare different options to see which one offers the best price for your needs. Some of the most popular options are Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music Unlimited. All of these services have a robust selection of music that can be easily searched and listened to. However, some of these services differentiate themselves with unique content offerings like Stories, a series of hosted stories that cover a wide range of topics.