Music is plays an important role in people’s daily lives, even when unperceived, whether in the background or in our minds. Although everyone takes advantage of it, people do not always value all benefits music can bring. In this essay I intend to discuss the subject, bringing the views of professional musicians and music teachers, as well as the present situation of music in our society and why I consider it to be such an important aspect of our lives.
Music has been part of people’s lives since the early ages, whenever a mother sings to make her baby sleep or smile. During childhood we play to music and we create sounds by hitting a pan with a wooden spoon or whistling. Then, the child becomes a teenager and starts making new friends and flirting with the opposite sex at parties while dancing to the songs in vogue. Later on, the more romantic ones amuse their lovers by playing their guitar. We get married to the sound of music. We celebrate our birthdays singing. Many rites of passage and important milestones in our society are directly related to music, hence its importance.
Even though it may seem obvious how important music is to our society, the ones who create and play it are quite often not given deserved importance. The musicians get limited opportunities to play their songs, mostly in small clubs, restaurants or similar. But almost nobody buys their CDs. Orchestra performers also find it difficult to get jobs and when they do they are often low paid. Considering this reality, one can only get to be a top performer by being either rich or lucky. As far as schools are concerned, music is not given as much importance as other subjects like mathematics or science, therefore, teachers tend to be underpaid.
Our society takes music professionals and teachers for granted, although it is clear that it wouldn’t survive without them. Alongside its importance for rites of passage, music is also used as a tool to help us create, we benefit from it to relax and have fun, and even to cheer us up when we feel blue. Music learning can also improve concentration, communication and listening skills. It is high time people started recognizing its value.
