WHAT DOES MUSIC MEAN TO YOU?

There are not many people on the planet that do not enjoy music in some way. What one person may prefer to listen to, another person may not prefer. One person may love a certain style of music and another may dislike that same style for their own personal reasons. This is OK! There is actually something to be valued in understanding this. Everyone has their own preferences in music just like they do with food, clothing, colors, and more. I love it because it contributes to our being unique. Each individual may relate and react to a particular sound or song in a different way. This is due to what that sound or song may or may not mean to them. Even if they feel that they do not relate to that particular sound or song and seem to have no reaction that song may seem to mean nothing at the time. However, as time passes that sound or song will take on meaning to them though initially it meant nothing. This happens whether the person is conscious of it or not. Now I’m not saying that it will mean something good or bad. This varies with each individual and can only be determined by time. You can find out a lot by examining the reason why people do or don’t like certain sounds or styles of music. Therefore, even the disliking of certain music holds a wealth of information which deserves to not be overlooked! Value that! These simple factors and more all shape what music means to people. Knowing what it means to you as an artist will help you to determine your approach to music and what you want to do with yours. So, what does music mean to you?

Now, as broad as this topic can be, I won’t cover everything in this one article. Beside, musical triggers are so unlimited I’m not sure I can. People are so fascinatingly unique. You are so fascinatingly unique! So let’s examine only some of the factors that may help us to more accurately determine what music means to us.

There are some very obvious things hidden in plain site that shape our interpretations of and approach to music. Many times today in an extremely high tech fast pace society, we become desensitized to the origins of the things that influence us. The music we love is made up of feelings, emotions, events, and motives that we may or may not be aware of. These components flowed from those who had a hand in making the music. Beginning from the first idea in the mind in of the original artist, to the last mind that handled the music in mastering, to the executive that approved the music for release, even down to the radio stations that do or don’t play the music. These factors then mix into our lives attaching themselves to almost any and everything we are feeling and experiencing in the present. Even if the song is decades old. Crazy right? All of this has an effect on how we perceive music and have an even more profound effect on our lives in society. Some factors that contribute to the meaning of music to us are:

The People- the originators of a particular genre or sub-genre; the contributing artists to a specific piece of music and their lives. This not only includes the performing artist but also the musicians, producer, all the engineers, and anyone that handles the way the music is made.
The Content- the message portrayed across and embedded within the music is the most powerful part of music because words are powerful. The power of life and death are in the tongue! Therefore music is used by some to transmit messages with positive purposes and on the contrary by others carrying out evil agendas! (We should be conscious of the messages within music that we select to enjoy as well.)
Geography- what part of the world the contributing artists are from plays a huge role in the music. This is due to the fact that each culture has a different sound and way of using music to channel and express what is in the heart of it. Even the terrain and raw materials that are available in a specific region have a great effect on things like the type of instruments made to use in the music and more.
Era- the point in history at which the music was created whether fifty to a hundred years ago or recently is critical as well. The current events of the era in which music is made shape the sound behind the music too. Some music can be timeless is a sense.
Motive- is the “why” or the purpose for which the music was written. (We should be conscious of our own motives when making music.

"Something that I will write again and again is that music is powerful! The influence of music can be felt directly and almost go undetected simultaneously."

Without realizing it we have made all sorts of decisions in our life because of the influence that music has had on our perspectives, emotions, minds, bodies, homes, communities, and nations. The effects of this can be seen in what we desire, how we dress, the food we choose, how we think of other people, and even how we view ourselves. My my….. I know it’s a lot, but it’s true. Like they say, ”And that ain’t tha half”…. The expression or arrangement of one or more sounds puts us into different moods. Mood is an important thing to understand when it comes to music; it can be used for us or against us! I’ll do an article on that later. What music means to us can also be formed by what we listened to growing up. I’m one of those that they call, “one uh dem 90’s kids”, so whenever I hear music from back then (or anything that was played in the car back then for that matter), I not only hear the song but I remember what I felt and was experiencing all those years ago. Powerful, ain’t it? The past can be almost relived through a song or even a sound! This can be a good thing or a dangerous thing depending on the message of the song and experiences you’ve had! Another thing that gets me is that music and weather take on certain meaning together. Some people may associate different color schemes with their particular tunes. Again, all varies like a thumb print from person to person. You can play one song for one-thousand people and end up with one-thousand different meanings of expression. They all receive or reject it differently based on where they are in life. Even the most similar interpretations of the song will show vast differences because although God made people generally the same, still each one of us have been created in a way that is unmistakably unique. All I’m really trying to do right now is to provoke some though in you that will inspire your unique musical creativity juices. What things stand out to you in life? What things do you or don’t you like? All this goes into your music believe it or not. Everything that music is to you, all the influences, life’s changes, ups and downs go right into your music! Take the time to explore this asap and then periodically. That way you won’t has a musical identity crisis. I’m a witness. I hope this is helping you out somehow.

Now when it comes to you who are making music whether amateur or professionally or working in music business here are some other factors that can help you determine what music means to you! Here they are:

Knowing Your Purpose- this is essential because you will only truly succeed both privately and publicly (without losing your soul) in the thing you are truly called by God to do!
Your Gifts & Abilities – You have a God given purpose and calling. Along with that an equipment of talents, gifts, and abilities have been given to you to fulfill that call while satisfying God’s purpose for you. There is a difference between the purpose, call, and abilities/gifts! Always remember that! So what can you do? Do you play an instrument? Are you a rapper, singer/songwriter, or producer? Are you a recording, mix, or mastering engineer? Do you love people working to bring out the best in them? How about a team player, are you a good one of those? Can ya cook? Love promoting others? Do ya write? Co-ordinate well? Ok, I know you get the point. However, I do suggest using these gifts to glorify God, the one who gave you not only your abilities but your very life! (And I’m not talking bout for the devil either! Cuz you know he wanna use you too! Ole snake!)
Goals- on your life’s journey there will be a series of goals that you will need to accomplish to reach time sensitive destinations. These may be received by instruction from a mentor, given directly from The Lord in a vision, dream, or maybe you set them the best you can and are trusting The Lord to lead you along the way in Jesus name. No matter what you do, trust God!

The Conclusion

Each one of the points listed above directly affect the way you hear music and why you are or are not listening to certain types of music. Likewise, your approach to studying and practice are shaped by them. Ultimately, they will give you direction in how to go about making your music. Your best efforts will be needed to express your music as purely as possible because it will take on meaning its listeners! The decisions you will have to make in order to sharpen your craft and how you will handle journey are heavily influence by the concepts and principles contained in this article. Well, we could go on for days about this but I’ll save it for other posts. This isn’t complicated, just little detailed points of thinking that can help you get on the right track or help fortify your position on it. I’m sure you can think of more things that contribute to what music means to you? If you enjoyed this article and it helped you then please join the mailing list; I would love to hear from you! I’m also open for comments and suggestions. Thanks for reading!!!!!