Aliens’ Point of View on Music

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Outline

Music is universal and has no language. But it is representative of the society where it is popular. Even with seven notes, music is diverse and unique and each country or region has its own style, rhythm and melody. For a native, the common varieties of music become a part of his or her culture. But for the ears of a person not familiar (alien) with music popular in a different country may find it strange. But it can also help him or her understand the society and its people. This paper looks at the perceptions of a person very unfamiliar with American popular music and his analysis of the society through the diverse types of music popular here.

Introduction

The cliché that music has no language or boundaries is often used to illustrate the universality of music. Even though the basic notation in music can be expressed in seven notes do, re, mi, fa, so, la, te, the sheer variety of sounds that is seen in music around the world is astounding. American popular music is a rich and diverse one that is original and unique. But even so, it has also borrowed willingly from music styles from around the world especially from its land of their dark brethren, the Africans. It has also borrowed extensively from regions in Latin America, and from Asia like India and the Arab world. It would be interesting to view the perception of American popular or pop music as it would sound to an alien not yet exposed to any form of music from this country. This paper attempts to do just that. It is an honest expression of opinion from a music lover from Asia.

Discussion

A personal opinion of this writer is that an alien with regard to a particular type of music need not come from another planet. Planet earth is so diverse and varied in this regard that a person from Saudi Arabia may find music from Germany quite strange and even unappetizing. Here the concept of universality of music does not justify its qualification that it has no language. Some forms of music can be accepted without any reservations or explanations while others just cannot be accepted (as music). This friend has been living his adult life in India and has lived primarily in a village in Southern India. He happened to come to the US for higher studies and has been an ardent listener of American music for the past six months he has been here. A request was made to this imaginary friend for his opinions on different styles of music that are still popular in the country.

It should be noted that only styles will be included and not the names of any particular artist since there is no intention to promote a particular group or band. Even though a lover of music, his background in music is limited to hearing popular film songs and music videos featuring some popular music groups in a South Indian language. Any native who knows his or her music well will be familiar with terms like jazz, rock n’ roll, country and western music, heavy metal, blues, punk/alternative rock, salsa, and hip hop styles of music that is seen today. Of course, not all these forms are popular, but each style has their ardent followers. These styles have been always present especially with regard to youth. The friend was surprised at the sheer variety and styles of music present in the United States. His perception of American music was limited to bands playing with drums, electrical guitars, and musicians sporting long hairstyles and weird costumes.

His initial perceptions were surprising to a person who is familiar and knowledgeable of popular music in the United States. The friend did not expect the sheer diversity in music that exists here. He had the chance to view and listen to all the diverse varieties of music (mentioned above) that is popular here. Here is what he deduced about American culture from listening to these types of music with a little bit of history thrown in. another factor was that he was receptive to inputs from this writer as well getting information from published literature by authorities in the field of music, culture, and society. The United States in its present form is a collage of cultures. The real natives of the land were the red Indians, but others who now occupy this great land hand come from elsewhere. The initial surge came from UK and other European countries, followed by large scale immigration from Latin America and Asia. This is apart from the fact that descendants of blacks who were originally from the ‘Dark Continent’ have been part of the social and cultural landscape of the country for many years.

It is only natural, according to the friend for this diversity to exist in the music world. The jazz and blues was representative of the pain that was felt by the black population many years ago. Its plaintive style according to this friend clearly shows the pathos in the minds of the singers who were just echoing the feelings felt by this alienated community during the early days of this century. Now it has come to represent any feeling of sadness. The influence of Latin music is seen from the popularity of adaptation from Salsa. The happy and energetic beats and music from music styles such as rock music and hip hop is representative of the youthful energy in the country. But one music type that could just not be accepted by him was heavy metal. Accustomed to some form of melody, the apparent lack of it in this form of music was just not digestible. What he asked was how this form of sound can be classified as music.

But the explanation for this form of sound was provided by the friend himself after some review of American history. Every society has some elements that rebel against the society. Heavy metal, according to the friend was a form of rebellion just like the hippie culture that was prevalent during the 1960s and 70s in the country. Softer forms of heavy metal with variations can be seen in styles like hip hop. The softer and romantic side of the society was represented by country and western music. The friend also saw this even in forms like reggae. Music in USA continues to adapt, evolve, borrow, and form new types. This is indicative of the adaptive nature of the society, though this nature is sadly disappearing in many other areas.

Conclusion

Music does have a universal language. The only problem is that not all languages are understood or accepted by people. Some forms are seen as noise rather than as music. The popular music in the country shows the diversity that exists in American society. It also represents the youth and the energy that is seen in them. Music in the country can also show the softer side like romance and love. Sadness and loneliness are expressed in the form of music. In terms of music as a representation of society, the diversity and adaptability of American society are reflected in the music that is popular in the country.

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Aliens’ Point of View on Music

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