Why do humans make music ?
May 23, 2008
Why do humans make music ?
Human beings are (almost) the only mammalian species that possesses both
speech and music. By “almost” I mean, whales and dolphins also communicate with sound, wolves howl and singing birds know melodies. It is very clear what speech is good for: we use speech to communicate our thoughts to our fellow humans both in spoken and in written form.
But why do humans need music ?
Every single human being, male or female, handicapped or not, young or old, has a desire to sing and dance and to listen to music. It is as essential as the desire for food, drink, sex and sleep. Mankind uses music to express and convey feelings and to develop a sense of togetherness. Different social groups have their own songs that give them an identity, nations have anthems, even football and soccer clubs have their own songs.
Music may express sadness, love, loneliness, happiness and convey these feelings to other people through notes and lyrics. Music consists of rhythm and melody, dancing goes according to the rhythm and singing according to the melody.
Ever since the stone age, the best dancers and singers have always been given due recognition,
And had an easy time finding a mate/ a partner of the opposite sex..
The invention of the record player and the gramophone made it possible for the first time to reach out to a wider audience, thus raising prominence for stars like the Beatles.
I personally believe ( yet there are no scholarly opinions about this subject) that also singing birds, parrots, dolphins and whales have genes for speech and maybe there are genes for the ability to make music and enjoy it which these animals have, and we humans, too.
Music was necessary in human evolution, since only by making music ( and enjoying it) societies could stick together, thus enabling civilization. Monkeys and apes (gorillas, chimpanzees) live in small groups, but we humans form states and complex societies which would break apart without music.
While most monkeys (except gibbons) are promiscuous, many humans like longer-lasting sexual relations like marriage. Music and dance has been , since the ancient times, a means for humans to find a mate. Music makes us social beings.
