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Rough draft -- Definition Paper 01.30.11

Term-Music

 For ages, the definition of the word music has been an devoted argument between many parties. Believed by most to be a term reserved for those true acts out there that deserve the title for their meaningful lyrics and sound, however many of todays generation believes Ke$ha is the next legend. By dictionary definition, music is “an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous matter.” As I asked three other people of various age groups for their personal definitions on the term, I began to see why the subject has been so touchy for many.  I first asked this question to my six year-old neighbor Samantha. Her response was very rapid and simple; “Music is anything your can dance to and have a good time while listening to it.” The never ending pop songs blasted in cars across America are hard to avoid on a daily basis. Many of the artists we hear on the radio today appeal to this adolescent to teen age range, and can be heard everywhere in our society. The driving force behind this music is pretty much verbatim to Samantha’s definition, being something that you have a good time listening to. While many today have the same attitude toward the topic as Samantha does, this American Top 40 “genre” of music can also be seen as a shallow insight into the world of the age-old art treasured by many.  To get a different perspective on the question, I turned to my 68 year-old grandmother Nevada, who consequently lives in Las Vegas. As I asked her, given to me was a five minute lecture on the true definition of music. To my grandmother, music will always be “the involvement of instruments and singing in the song, not this rap garbage I keep hearing nowadays.” Many music critics share my grandmothers opinion, the same in the fact that “gangsta rap” is ruining todays youth. While not just a genre that isn’t as deep as most music, rap is also infamous for its filthy and violent lyrics.What some could see as a classic seniors reluctance to conform to anything new, a number of listeners of all ages can concur to this statement. Unlike Samantha, my grandmother believes that there is a stark difference between music and organized sound. The countless ballads of club lust and extremely linear love songs have proven no more than an annoyance to many.  For one last interpretation of the question, I turned to one of my close friends Jonah. An avid music fan and guitar player, he seemed to be an easy first choice for this assignment. When asked what he thought the definition of music was, his answer was “Music to me is any artist or song actually speaks to you both lyrically and instrumentally.” Truly, Jonah’s definition would have to be closest to a real definition of music, because no valid argument can be made to the statement. As nearly everybody listens to music at some time in their daily routine, it is hard to find someone who listens to music simply just to listen. When somebody finds a song they like, they first become hooked on the beat and catchiness. Once they begin to listen to it more, they begin to delve into the lyrics and their meanings.  In conclusion, there truly cannot be “bad” music. As I questioned others about this topic, this realization became obvious. Even if the music is something that gets blown off by many due to being pointless, stupid, or shallow, there will always be people out there who find it genuinely amazing and interesting. To alter a famous saying; good music is in the ear of the beholder.