R&P: let's play a round of...?

"Is it Music?"
[some may remember a similar question asked a while back. I figured it had been a while, and was worth asking again]

Part I: Give your definition of what music is.

Part II: Tell Which of the following you would describe as music, and which you wouldn't. Feel free to explain your choices:
[because some may be quite long and/or harsh, feel free to skim. Just make sure that you aren't missing anything when you judge)

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaEWQYhtszM
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agnGv_2gmSQ
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89STRv9_0Ys&fmt=18
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8T5gC_ttIY
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oODgI-VLumI (a link to part 2 is available in the video for any interested)
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78lZwVoST8U
7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRqlv3RyCoc
8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQal-lJrSLI
9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z1IGjr2cT0
these next ones shouldn't need audio:
10. Whale song
11. Wind chimes
12. Nature sounds (non-animal)
13. Radio static
14. Silence

BQ: Any changes to your definition after hearing any of the pieces?
BQ2: Any favorites out of those pieces?
BQ3: Any other thoughts on the subject?

2010-07-08T18:52:48Z

Julie T:
I've been listening to most of the bands/musicians for a while, with the exceptions of Beiber and the Beatles, who are both pretty well-known, and Masonna, who is a pretty recent discovery, for me. I think I found them through Last.fm.

Anonymous2010-07-08T18:01:38Z

Favorite Answer

Part I:
Music: It captures you, mind and body. Music takes you to another place where nothing matters except what's going on in your head as you listen.

Not-Music: The antithesis of Music. Not-Music makes you want to stab your own eardrums in an attempt to rid yourself of mindless, incoherent drivel that is plaguing your once peaceful mind.


Part II:
1. KILL IT WITH FIRE! NOT-MUSIC!

2. *vomits* Not- *barfs*

3. Not-Music...This is sad...Where's the music? -__-

4. Well...It certainly captures the imagination. *checks the windows and locks the door* Not-Music

5. Not-Music. *grabs the tylenol*

6. See questions 2-5....Not-Music.

7. ...I'm starting to see a pattern...Not-Music.

8. face + palm .....To me, not music.

9. Jesus that scared me...Napalm Death is cool though.

10. The music of Nature. Thumbs up.

11. Couple that with a little rain and some light thunder and you've got your soundtrack of the day. Two thumbs up.

12. I frequently listen to ocean and rain sounds when I'm reading. If there's too much noise, I can't concentrate, but with no noise, it's just uncomfortable.

13. *changes the station*

14. Silence is deafening...

BA1: No. My definitions are still the same.
BA2: Number 9.
BA3: I'm sleeping with a light on tonight....

FEED YOUR HEAD2010-07-09T10:37:21Z

Music is something in which the songwriter/composer expresses themself, and it has the power to inspire others, depending on their personal taste. The exact definition varies, because music doesn't HAVE to have instrumentals, and it also doesn't HAVE to have a singer. Isn't Beethoven's work music, though it doesn't have lyrics?
1. Yes
2. Yes
3, Yes
4. No..
5. Yeaa
6. Yeaa
7. Yes.
8. Yes
9. No
10. No
11. Yes
12. No
13. No
14. No
BQ: Nope.
BQ2: Revolution 9
BQ3: I have debated with my friends for quite some time on whether or not Revolution 9 is music. It's hard to describe why you think a certain way, and maybe I just naturally say it's a song because the Beatles are my favorite band and you believe what you want to. But personally, I love that song. I play it for almost half an hour straight all the time. It just relaxes me in some way.

Anonymous2010-07-08T18:20:04Z

To me, music is a combination of organized sounds to create a mix for people to listen to.

1. It's music, but not pleasant sounding music.
2. Music.
3. Music.
4. Sounds like a recording from the beach. A question mark on this one.
5. Music.
6. Music.
7. Music. Ouch! I swear, I think my ear is literally bleeding from this one.
8. Music.
9. Question mark....
10. Oh yes, whale songs are lovely.
11. Yup.
12. You mean like wind? And rain? Probably not.
13. No.
14. From my definition, no. But personally, I think this is an exception.

BQ: Eh, I guess not.
BQ2: After hearing #7, I think #14 is the best.
BQ3: Where did you find all these vids?

Shot Gun2010-07-08T18:16:28Z

A definition that I came up with a while ago that's been working for me is: Music is any sound (or the lack of sound) intended as music.

1-9 are all music, that's easy. The others are more complicated. I wouldn't really say whale song is music, because I sort of feel music is strictly human. It can't be used as music, though. A guy could just record whale sounds, or have a live presentation, and that would be music, I guess. Wind chimes are music. Nature sounds answer is the same as whales. So is radio static, sort of, just because it's not music unless it's meant to be music. Ditto for silence.

BQ: Nope, I'm already totally entrenched in my opinion.
2: I like Sunn O)))
3: see source

Nightlife Commando2010-07-08T18:54:38Z

Part I: Sounds and rests (lack of sounds) purposely arranged in a particular way as an art form, or a way to make money for some.

Part 2:
1 Justin Bieber: Yeah, it's music. Good example of cheap moneymaking music.
2 Psyopus: Yes, that's music for experimentation it seems! It's pretty awesome I'll say.
3 Converge: Hell to the yeah, gotta love Converge.
4: Isis: Yeah, it's organized music, hence it's on the record. It's just more sound effects, but still music in my mind.
5: Sunn O))): Yeah, Sunn O))) is music. They're really interesting, but they have some method to their madness.
6: Lustmord: Never heard of them! But yeah I call that music.
7 Masonna: Woah that was interesting! I consider it music though, since it was purposely made that way (for some reason or another XD)
8 The Beatles: Yeap!
9 Napalm Death: Hahaha yeah I think that's music. Random and awesome, but yeah!
10 Whale Song: No. It's arranged in a particular manner, but not as an art form (to my knowledge). It's more for communication, right?
11 Wind Chimes: Ooh that's tough. Although it makes enjoyable sounds, it's not music because it's not organized by anyone.
12 Nature Sounds: Nope, it's unorganized.
13: Radio Static: No, for the same reason as above.
14 Silence: Depends. If it is just silence in life, then no. But if a composer made a song comprised entirely of rests, then yes.

BQ: Not really, since I answered all with my definition in mind haha. Although it's an interesting thing to think about. My jazz band teacher had us all give our definition of music on the final.
BQ2: Hmm, I think I liked Converge the most out of all those.
BQ3: Thanks for posting an interesting question, as always!

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