THE ORIGIN OF MUSIC

THE MYSTERY OF SOUND (TMS)

20 April, 2017. Seminar material 3

THEME: UNDERSTANDING MUSIC

TOPIC: ORIGIN OF MUSIC

INSTRUCTOR: BENJAMIN ELIZABETH

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, even the gift of prophecy reveals only a part of the whole picture - 1 Corinth 13:9.

  Origin is the point or place from where something begins or is created. Music has no all inclusive definition because it is what you understand it to be. However, for the purpose of this write up, music as defined by Oxford dictionary is sounds that are arranged in a way that is pleasant or exciting to listen to. It further defines sound to be continuous rapid movement called vibration that travel through air or water and can be heard when they reach a person's or an animal's ear. 

  Theories have been developed by men to explain the origin or evolution of music. Chief amongst them are the adaptationist theory which proposes that music is a product of natural selection which originated as a result of biological evolution due to the survival value for human ancestors. In other words, just as man evolved from the Stone Age to our present age in order to survive, so also did music evolve. This school propose that music was used by Man for sexual purposes in order to aid courtship, to aid parental care and serve as a mechanism to promote coercion within groups.

  There's also the Non-adaptationist theory which posits music as an invention of Man built from pre-existing brain functions such as language, emotional vocalization and so on.

All of these theories places man at centre of music. They therefore do not explain the activities of music in nature talk about rivers, trees, oceans etc. 

  In ancient times sound itself, the very basis of all music, was thought to be intimately related in some way to non-physical and sacred dimensions or planes of existence. Why was this? Because audible sound was considered to be but an earthly reflection of a vibratory activity taking place beyond the physical world. This vibration was more fundamental, and nearer to the heart of the meaning of things, than any audible sound.

Inaudible to human ear, this Cosmic Vibration was the origin and basis of all matter and energy in the universe. In its purest, least differentiated form, this Cosmic Sound was known to the Hindus as OM… This quote from The Secret Power of Music by David Tam, explains music as being a result of an activity that happened beyond the earthly realms. This is roughly in line with most religious views of music i.e. as being divinely originated. It thus explains the presence of music in almost all spiritual acts of worship to please one deity or the other.

  For the ancient Greeks, music was viewed as quite literally a gift from the gods. The invention of specific instruments is attributed to particular deities: Hermes the lyre, Pan the syrinx (panpipes) and Athena the aulos (flute). In Greek mythology the Muses personified the various elements of music (in the wide Greek sense of the term) and were said to entertain the gods on Mt. Olympus with their divine music, dancing, and singing.

 As Christians we make reference to the Bible in seeking answers.

Music is a creation of God. God created it and connected it to our senses and emotions such that when we praise God through this form of worship, a unique connection is made between us and the creator and we bond through our heart, mind, soul and emotions.

 It has evolved over the centuries in man’s hands, depending on the various times, places and the inspiration of the individual composer. But it was the Creator, God Himself who put in place, all the laws governing the world of sound, also giving man the ability to work with them artistically and scientifically. In that sense, the God who made the universe, the Earth and all life upon it also created music.

All the Angels sang in unison together in heaven before creation Job 38:1, 4, 7 describes 

“And the Lord answered Job… Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding…When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Morning stars are symbolic Of angels)

  Music began by having its focus on God. God sits between the cherubim in heaven and they have an important role in heaven to hover around God’s throne worshiping Him continually (1 kings 8:7, psalms 99:1, 1 chronicles 28:14). In Revelations, all of the singing done was in reverence to God. (Rev. 4:8,11 5;9,12,13 7:10,12 17:3,4 etc). David a man of music enjoined us in psalms to sing unto the Lord (psalms 30:4, 33:2-3, 105:2, 98:4) He even wrote psalms of nature singing to God (psalms 65:13). Most of the records of the Israelites singing was in relation to God.

 

 Conclusively (as a Christian), music originated from God and suffice it to say that when God poured His breath into man, music being a part of God was also deposited in us.

 Also, everything exists to give glory to God. Since music is occupies a high place in the glorification of God, all of creations including nature have no but to be involved in music.

 REFERENCES

·         http://www.letusreason.org/current137.htm

·         http://www.ucg.ca/bible-study-tools/music/music-and-the-creator

·         https://theoryofmusic.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/bruno-nettls-theory-of-the-origins-of-music-1956/

·         Music, Biological Evolution and the Brain by Aniruddh D. Patel.

THE MYSTERY OF SOUND

themysteryofsound1@gmail.com

Elmond Isaiah

08067370005
07016606412