What purpose does music serve?
Actually, music serves many purposes, as wide and varied as the world we live in. Commercial jingles, selling products. Funeral songs, remembering loved ones. Children’s songs, teaching lessons. Lovers’ ballads, soothing longings. Humorous intonations, lifting spirits. Spiritual worship, lauding the Creator.
Music helps us express ourselves, whether writing a song or singing one.
Ever wonder why there are so many musically inclined, talented people in the world? It’s a good indication that we’re mostly meant to serve the local community around us.
As a musician, I’ve come to find more satisfaction in practicing my music in a way that focuses on serving others. Not just performing to please others.
As a listener, I’ve determined to be more purposeful with regard to the music I listen to and learn.
What pitfalls does music bring?
As in so many other areas of life, a crucial question to answer: “Is it all about me, or is it all about someone else?” Of course, “all” is a pretty all-inclusive word. Maybe “mostly” would be a better word. When I reflect on the whole-wide, big-ole-world, I’d be deluded to think it’s mostly about me.
We live in delusional times, the day and age of personality cults. Fame is sought after and fought for like a be-all, end-all source of significance and satisfaction. Music is some people’s ticket to fame, bought and paid for by the masses. But it’s interesting how many famous musicians “...can’t get no…satisfaction...”
Am I a self-serving musician, seeking approval, fortune and fame; or am I focused on crafting music that will meet people’s needs?
Am I a self-serving consumer of music, enabling the self-serving musician; or am I a "patron of the arts", helping cultivate beauty and encouragement, truth and life?
Pondering:
As any other craftsman, the musician wrestles with how far to go with the “fit-and-finish” of the "final product”.
A craftsman’s skills and resources, as well as the need for the “product”, help determine where their craft will be used.
Are we reactionary to music, using the pitfalls as an excuse to exclude music from our public life?