"Music speaks what cannot be expressed

soothes the mind and gives it rest

heals the heart and makes it whole

flows from heaven to the soul.”

-Unknown Author

Having been a concept since the beginnings of time, music is an expression of the pure essence of a person through the exploitation of various instruments and beats; whether you utilize what is typically defined as an instrument or merely slap your leg and clap your hands, music is an individual means of communicating one’s deepest emotions to the outside world.

With instrumental tunes, music is a way to “converse” without actually having to employ the too often baffling and exigent exploitation of the spoken word. And with lyrical melodies, musicians (meaning those average people who simply love to belt out a song, all the way to the professional artist signing a recording contract) anyone can articulate something they found just too tricky to plainly say in the standard day-to-day prose.

From culture to culture and person to person, music tastes vary drastically from strictly structured compositions to improvisational to those random pieces composed through the application of chance. Yet, somehow, from culture to culture, person to person, music has always been a way for people to connect; whether two people bond on a favorite band or disagree over a preferred genre, music is always a successful conversation generator. Oftentimes in a culture, the music of a people can even come to define who or what that society is. Ask anyone about New Orleans, Louisiana, and what genre is most frequently thought of? Most likely the response is Big Band blues and jazz. How about Latin America? Probably the reply will be salsa and meringue. And Jamaica? Reggae and Bob Marley certainly would pop up in my mind. To any given individual, music can be used to energize for the big game or to relax into a deep slumber. While a certain song may make one person weep in profound emotion, it could make another want to leap up and dance around in utter ecstasy.

In our everyday lives, music has become somewhat of a habitual tradition. The instant you turn on your television, every program and commercial is set to some jingle; when you go to a store there’s always music to hum along to as you peruse; go to the movies and there is a score for nearly every scene; go on the internet and an add pops up with a catchy beat. Music is a facet of life at every turn. So go ahead and sing along to the beat.