Language is the main form of communication for most. If words fail to convey their intentions, then actions would often take its place. However, music, like all other forms of art, has no “action”. Thus, most rely on lyrics to express emotions and meaning.
However, when music is stripped of this form of communication, it lays bare to individual interpretation. Many fail to have this ability to connect to the said art form when the lyrics are stripped away, thus this may make music without words redundant and meaningless. This is where the meaning and appeal of music without words is being questioned in my opinion.
Music In Oral Singing
According to Gizmodo, oral singing is most likely the earliest form of music. Lawrence University also mentions that singing, the vocal production of musical tones, is so basic to man, its origins are long lost in antiquity and predate the development of spoken language. Needless to say, music without words has long been prevalent among the human race, that is also under the presumption that words conveys meaning. That so, the people of that time still enjoyed and reveled in the euphoric happiness these wordless melodies bring.
That being said, it is not impossible that the wordless music prevalent in today’s world cannot be understood. Minor keys could represent melancholy or anger whereas major tones could carry euphoria and joy on its shoulders. Wordless music could be enjoyed in various ways that leverages its significance.
Music’s Significance Even Without Words
A waltz achieved through strings could carry people in dances, the drumming of feet and hands could give rise to compelling rhythms and that instrumental playing in the background of your dramas impels the tears to leave your eyes. Despite the lack of words, its intent was conveyed. That in itself has already proved that music without words do not in fact lack meaning and appeal for their significance is much too great to deem them unworthy of anything else.
In classical music, even if the pieces lack wordings, they have other factors that brings life to the music. The use of rhythm, key signatures, time signatures, the crescendos and decrescendos and ornaments in music all contribute to the overall appeal of the piece.
Furthermore, in art there is always a story, no matter how insignificant, behind the masterpiece. Only by understanding its untold story can one really understand the notes produced.
Understanding The Story Behind The Piece
Take the piece composed by Frederic Chopin as an example, Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 17 no.4, where the music begins in a minor key. A type of sadness is conveyed, and one may understand why so when they hear the circumstances Chopin was under as he wrote that part. He was coping with the death of his sister, worried about his friends and family as a civil war waged on in his home country (he had moved to another place), missing home, a tragic love life and also learning to adapt to a new environment.
Somewhere in the middle of the piece, the music turns major. This is probably written in the times of his childhood where his circumstances were a lot better and he was in a more jubilant state of mind. Only by understanding these will one empathise with the music and that is what gives this piece its appeal.
In my opinion, I do not believe that music without words lack both meaning and appeal. Communication is never solely constricted to the use of words, but a bigger umbrella for more. Music is another form of communication, albeit a more complex one.
However, it carries larger meanings behind every note strung and every melody produced. Music knows no bounds and is a universal language. In fact, music without words could just possibly be more meaningful than music with words. What do you think?
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