Success Music Studio

Music

 

Teaching Music Teachers

 

 

Music

Where Did the Word for Music Come From?

The Western term for music comes from the Greeks. The ancient Greeks thought that the arts were inspired by a collection of nine gods called the Muses.

 

This is understandable, because when a songwriter creates a song, it can feel as if it has come from an outside source. However, it has really come from the intuitive part of the songwriter’s brain.

 

The idea in mythology was that the Muses channeled creative ideas to singers and instrumental performers, and they in turn created their art.

 

On the other hand, some cultures lack an equivalent word for music. For instance, in some parts of the world the word for singing remains the same as the word for praying.

 

Music in the Non-Western World

For most of the world’s history, songs have been about more than just entertainment. It helped pull people together and bind them as a community. It would be hard to imagine a church service, sporting event, or school rally without songs.

 

Songs have often had important roles in life cycle events: births, deaths, seasonal songs, coming of age, work songs, and holidays.

 

Music in the Western World

Composers and songwriters sculpt sound into compositions. In Western culture, we usually view it as entertainment. This mostly likely results from the structure of free market societies, which always looks for ways to monetize products and services.

 

The Music Archive includes posts on different ways of learning to sing, play instruments, and compose. However, the list below focuses on songwriting posts.

 

Songwriting Posts on Melody and Harmony Composition:

 

See the posts below for full descriptions.

 

– Geoffrey Keith

 

© 2022 Geoffrey Keith

 

Back to the Successful Music Student Blogs page

How to Play the Easy Beginner Guitar F Chord Without a Barre - Acoustic Guitar - What’s the Basic Difference Between Drop D vs Open D Tuning?

How to Play the Easy Beginner Guitar F Chord Without a Barre

Do you want to know how to play the easy beginner guitar F chord without a barre? Learning F on the guitar has long been a rite of passage for guitarists. Why? The barre makes it difficult to play, keeping many beginner guitarists from being able to play many otherwise simple songs. Keep reading to learn how to play the easy F chord on guitar. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

How to Play the Easy Beginner Guitar F Chord Without a Barre Read More »

Explore Handel's Captivating Music in Less Than Four Minutes - Harpsichord Trio - Explore Bach’s Epic Orchestral Music in Less Than Four Minutes

Explore Handel’s Captivating Music in Less Than Four Minutes

Would you like to know more about Handel’s music, but are too busy to devote a lot of time to it? Handel is a major composer from the baroque period. Best known for the iconic Messiah oratorio, he influenced composers as diverse as Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Chopin. Keep reading to explore Handel’s captivating music in less than four minutes. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Explore Handel’s Captivating Music in Less Than Four Minutes Read More »

Explore Mozart’s Enchanting Music in Less Than Four Minutes

Do you want to know Mozart and his music but not take a ton of time? Mozart, along with Bach and Beethoven, is in an elite category of classical composers. If your average person on the street knowns any name in classical music, it’s probably one of those three. Keep reading to explore Mozart’s enchanting music in less than four minutes. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Explore Mozart’s Enchanting Music in Less Than Four Minutes Read More »

What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean - Abba

What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean?

Are you unclear about what harmony is? Do you want to know how it works? Harmony is a major subcategory of music theory that helps musicians to understand how notes should go together. This in turn impacts how they arrange their music. Keep reading “What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean?” to learn how it works. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean? Read More »

Requiem Meaning - Music, Memorial, and Mourning [Video] - Mozart Choral Music - Perfect Pitch: Discover the Truth [Plus Absolute Pitch Test] - Explore Mozart's Enchanting Music in Less Than Four Minutes - What Makes a Barbershop Quartet a Special A Cappella Group?

What Is the Meaning of the Death Requiem? [Video]

Do you want to understand the astonishing beauty and heartbreak of a requiem? Do you need to know which famous composers have written them? A requiem is a major musical art form and a solemn ceremony both at the same time. Famous composers such as Mozart, Verdi, and Berlioz have written them. Keep reading “What Is the Meaning of the Death Requiem?” to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

What Is the Meaning of the Death Requiem? [Video] Read More »

Beethoven (Why Did He Keep Composing After Deafness) - Sheet Music - Singing Beethoven’s Beautiful Ode to Joy - Explore Beethoven’s Beautiful Music in Less Than Four Minutes - The Top 10 Best Iconic Classical Music Compositions

Why Did Beethoven Keep Composing After Suffering Deafness?

Do you want to know what motivated Ludwig van Beethoven to push through adversity to create some of the best and most influential classical music ever? By the time he turned fifty, he was considered by many to be the world’s best living composer. His funeral was attended by 10,000 people. However, to achieve this level of fame he literally had to suffer for his art. That begs the question, why did Beethoven keep composing after suffering deafness? Keep reading to learn the answer to this and more. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.

Why Did Beethoven Keep Composing After Suffering Deafness? Read More »

Symphony Meaning (Definition, Videos, and a Quick Guide) - Symphony Orchestra - What Does the Exotic Sounding Word Bravo Mean at a Concert? - How to Orchestrate Enchanting and Powerful Music

Symphony Meaning: Definition, Videos, and a Quick Guide

Do you want to know the symphony definition and meaning? Would you like a quick guide on where to start listening? The orchestra has a rich history spanning hundreds of years with tons of fun pieces to listen to and enjoy. Keep reading “Symphony Meaning: Definition, Videos, and a Quick Guide” to dip your toes in the orchestral waters. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

Symphony Meaning: Definition, Videos, and a Quick Guide Read More »