Introduction
It is hard to disagree that many people can feel the impact of their favorite music on their mood, concentration, determination, and overall emotional and even physical state. Music may be considered magical since its early forms were used by shamans to induce trances and perform various rituals. Indeed, over the centuries, only musical forms and preferred genres and trends have changed, but the very presence of music in people’s everyday lives remains just as necessary. Therefore, it is evident that music and culture have a mutual impact on each other, and changes in one can shape further changes in the other. The purpose of this paper is to analyze this mutual connection and provide some historical and modern examples.
Music and Culture of the Middle Ages
Many people know that the Church had an extremely significant effect on everyday life during the Middle Ages. It was a major part of the culture of that period and had a severe impact on Medieval music, which became both secular and sacred. The fact that these characteristics both applied to the music of the Middle Ages may mean that both secular and religious cultures influenced it. For example, the Gregorian chant is considered the representation of the Catholic Church’s continuing musical tradition. The great value of this form of music proves culture’s powerful influence.
The Way Today’s Culture Shapes Music
It is evident that modern culture has strong effects on music. Many popular singers and music bands focus on important everyday events and refer to them in their songs. It is possible to express the emotions, ideas, concerns, and trends of societies in music, which, in turn, can be used to spread these ideas and make more people stick to them. The current culture is defined by the fast, edgy, and even daring pace of life that allows genres like rap to be popular. At the same time, many representatives of Generation Z prefer to splash out their true emotions and indulge in depressive states. It leads to the appearance of many melancholy tracks about love, depression, and other states that have not been talked about before.
The Influence of Music on Current Culture and Society
Further, there is a powerful influence of music on cultures and societies. Various changes in music can cause major changes in hairstyles, clothing styles, and general behaviors of people. Modern music teaches children and teenagers new words and models of conduct, including impudence, thoughtlessness, and a certain carelessness about the future. Specific songs about the negative features of society can make people angry and ready for changes, which further changes the whole culture.
Today’s Music vs. the Music of the Troubadours
Troubadours became extremely popular in Southern France during the 12th and 13th centuries. Their songs, sometimes melodic and intellectual and sometimes vulgar and satiric, were mainly about courtly love and chivalry. Noticeably, many modern singers also devote their songs to beautiful girls and women, who may be either real or imaginary ideals, and the latter was common for the troubadours. As for the difference between the modern music bands and the songs of the troubadours, the former mostly works for large audiences and money, while the latter composed their songs for the court.
Conclusion
To draw a conclusion, it is possible to say that one cannot deny the powerful and strong interconnection between music and culture. While one changes, the other chases those changes and adapts to them, which creates a mutual influence of culture and music on each other. Therefore, if one wants to gain a comprehensive understanding of the culture or music of the past centuries, it is necessary to study them together.