Studying Classical Music

Music and Culture

 Historical and anthropological studies have found that music is a basic human behavior - a form of human expression as natural as

speech.

Virtually all known cultures throughout recorded human history

have had some form of music.

What is classical music?

The category of music commonly called classical music is a form of music that first developed in Europe during the Middle Ages (also known as the Medieval Period of Western history) and continuously developed over the centuries through different

periods of cultural and historical development to the present day.

In addition to the category of Western classical music described above, the term "classical music" can also be

used to refer to certain types of unrelated music that originated in other parts of the world, such as

Indian classical music, Chinese classical music,

Indonesian classical music, etc.

These other types of “classical music” generally all developed

independently of influence from Western classical music.

Classical music, which can also be called “art music,” is a category of music that is

distinct from both traditional music

(also called “folk music”) and popular music.

Why Study Classical Music?

Studying classical music is an alternative way of learning

the history of Western culture. The periods of

Western classical music run parallel to the general periods

of Western culture.

Western classical music is the music from which nearly all

forms of contemporary popular music around the world are

derived, especially with regard to harmony.

While many other forms of music around the world possess their

own unique types of melody and rhythm, virtually all forms of

contemporary music throughout the world have adopted

the system of harmony first developed in

Western classical music.

Studying or appreciating classical music is easy to do… it mostly involves listening. Unlike reading a great work of literature,

which requires concentration and a serious time commitment, great works of music can be experienced in relatively short periods of

time - most in well under an hour. You can also do other things while you listen to music at home. You can cook,

clean, exercise, or do all sorts of simple tasks.

Music is very accessible and inexpensive nowadays.

In fact, a lot of classical music can be listened to for free.

The great composers of Western classical music are among the

greatest creative artists in world history, especially the great composers of the Baroque,

Classical & Romantic periods.

Listening to their music can be a very uplifting experience

in many ways.