photo by FotoRieth
I have been thinking of writing this post for a long time, more precisely to say just a few words on the topic of good and bad music. Can we even classify music so radically, that there is bad and good music? Taste plays a big role here because of course looking through our prism, we choose what kind of music we like or not. Usually, that's how we classify what we listen to. The difference between good and bad music can also be seen from the angle as to how certain music affects us, our physical and mental state. Also, from a religious and ethical point of view, these divisions have been present for a very long time ago.
Back in time...
In the time of Confucius, those ideas had been discussed already. In his opinion, the good music was the beautiful music, that was harmonic and clear. Also, he stated that beautiful music has a magnificent beginning. I dont really understand why just the beginning had to be magnificent to be classified by him into beautiful and, hence, good music. What he clearly stated is that bad music is that one without good connotation and ethical fundamentals.
Fast forward...
If we skip some centuries and touch the topic of the purpose of music in religions, especially for Christianity, we can see that it is used for ceremonial purposes, like worships or praises, but also for aesthetic pleasure. Most of the Christian music includes singing and lyrics, and in the middle ages, instrumental music had no place in worship. I remember it even from school when we learned about the Gregorian chant, how I was surprised... being an instrumentalist I would not have a lot to do. It is believed that Pope Gregory 1st was who invented it, although there are other beliefs too, that it is a mixture of Roman and Gallican chant. These chants have been accepted for centuries as a good and only way to express and communicate a sense of awe and wonder towards God. Good music for Christian has to build faith, give thanks to the creator, and be a source of strength. Good music has to bring a soul closer to God and the opposite is what bad music would give.
Gregorian chant, performed by Monastery Choir Silos - Puer Natus est Nobis - Introito (Modo VII) :
Fast forward once again...
If I skip even more centuries and look at the topic from my personal side, we hopefully can read what qualities make music to be determined as good or bad for me? I say hopefully, as it is not so easy to explain and write down in words. As you all know probably until now, I am classically trained and apart from strictly music subjects, I have been thought philosophy, psychology, methodology, pedagogy, and aesthetics of music, among others. A long time ago, so my memory can fade with the content. However, I really loved philosophy and esthetics and having those lessons, so maybe something is marked in me. They always raised the question of the content of the arts and its influence on us. That influence, ie our feelings caused by listening to music, is the ultimate goal of the action of music. But we can not say that good music is that which awakens in us just good feelings and we feel happier after listening to some music we like. Also, some music can provoke some feelings of sadness too, we can even be frightened or annoyed, or angry with some music, right? However, some compositions dont affect us too much emotionally, but they have perfect structure, harmony, and all the features that well-written music contains. So what now, is it bad music if it doesn't reach me?
Of course, it is not. It is that for me, in that certain moment, that sound didn't match my emotional state or didn't match the same goal I set for myself. It is also time determined, maybe the very next day, or in another moment it would make a different impact on me. What one day I can feel like a super energetic and uplifting piece of music, or majestic, or divine, in other, not appropriate moment it would sound just strange to listen to it. I would refuse to listen to it. So, somehow my definition of good music would be that it has to bring all those features, sounds that are well structured in global composition, using the harmonic, melodic, and rhythmical structures that are able to make a difference to a listener, to match the emotional state of the listener in exact moment and circumstances. Does this whole thing I wrote down make any sense?
No conclusion...
Well, there is a kind of conclusion, but just that I could say how I see (today, at this moment) what good music represents to me. No definition for bad music, though. I stuck with it, and can not think what would be bad music for me. Just the opposite of the good, I suppose. Music that has no content and structure qualities and that don't affect us emotionally. It is tricky, as I can categorize a song or composition, or a whole genre of music as a bad one, and still, there will be people that do find a trigger in that music and see beauty in it. So, we are back in just personal opinion, and as some finance posts would finish, do your own research ;D Would be better to say in this case give your own opinion or share the music you find good and bad. Ok, I will try to do it for this moment, although tomorrow those can be other shares.
Only good music at this moment:
Also Sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zarathustra) is a symphonic poem composed by Richard Strauss. It was inspired by a philosophical novel written by Friedrich Nietzsche. My memories of philosophy and aesthetics lessons...
Entirely inspired to listen to a lot of music created by CIO D'or from this post . Marked my whole day, and still the title says now is ever :
Ólafur Arnalds, a musician that will come in a separate post and other works. Now, here is coming just one piece, Only The Winds.