Why Do YOU Music?
Music is a life-force that transcends the individual.
By Eric Frank
December 2, 2015
Where to start..? This may be the most important piece I've ever written.. Okay that's a stretch. But Seriously... this is an immensely important question to both the abstract and concrete.. Why do you music?
I want to keep this short inasmuch as I get the point across... Why do you music? In other words, what is it about music that captivates you? Why is your being harnessed into the moment? What do you make available from the sonic qualities of life? Simply put; what do you like about music?
Is it the bass? Is it rhythm? Melody? Harmony? Song structure? Type II jams? The lyrics? Vocal patterns? The generational times? Instrumental skill?
Of course it's a combination of it all, but narrow it down. Seriously, we want to know. For me, melody plays perhaps the largest role. You know, the thing you end up whistling on the way home. The hook that sticks to your brain (god dammit, I wish I had written the five sequential notes that make up the McDonald's theme... you know: "Da da da da da, I'm lovin' it." I know you just hummed it!). I say this as a drummer. Melody is why bands like The Beatles, Beck, Harry Nilsson, The Shins, Pearl Jam, Phish, Ray Charles, Gomez, David Byrne, Dr. Dog, Snarky Puppy, and even Nirvana appeal to me. Complex or simple in structure, a strong melody appeals both to the auditory aristocrat as well as the mellifluous neophyte. It endures through generations. It inspires events. It both cultivates and expresses human emotion. It defines moments in time. I mean hell... songs like Happy Birthday and even our national anthem survived annually due to melodic strength, right?
But that's ME. I'm entitled to an opinion, right? COjam wants to hear YOUR opinion.
What about music gets you going? Are you truly moved, or do you just move to the music? Can you bring it home, or is it strictly an escape? Is it a reflective reaction or a reaction unto itself? See where I'm going with this? Go deep on this one. Please post your comments below. This piece was meant to be written by YOU, not me...