It is not an understatement that music is a very large part of our human existence. From the tribal ceremony, to setting the pace of war and even to help you sleep. Music has been around since the dawn of time. It has influenced individuals and nations. Causing emotion and the inevitable boogie. It may be the single most unifying of human life. So, I ask, why in the majority of modern media, does it sit on the bench?

Music has made many drastic changes in its lifetime. Armies using the music to issue commands and set marching pace. Then, patriots writing music to describe the armies and battles. Eventually followed by musicians using music to protest war. In all walks of life, music has played a large part. Now, it is even used consistently in two of the largest forms of modern media: Film and Video Gaming. So take a moment and imagine two things.

1. Picture yourself playing "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero" without sound. Just yourself, in a quiet room, with the sound from the game gone. The only sounds are that of the strumming and your furious button pressing.

2. Do you have a favorite musical? That has been transitioned to the big screen? Take your favorite scene, with your favorite song. Keep it all the same, except, no music. Just the sounds of the actors and actresses dancing. (or if you aren't the type for musicals, here is a "Youtube" link for reference.

Now you can understand how important the inclusion, or exclusion, of music in media is. While many films and video games have memorable and incredible music, the majority of productions significantly undervalue its use. Rather than including the idea of music and sound design from the beginning, it has become a feature to be crunched out in a post. Though these musical writers may take their job seriously and put a lot of heart and soul into their projects, they are often hired as an afterthought without much stock in integration. A piece of music, in the right place, can make you laugh, cry or even lead you astray. Music is a solid way to influence and strengthen a director's vision.

So as you go out to see the next big movie or play the next big game, keep your ears on alert. Let them open to the immersive qualities of music. Notice the good, the bad and converse on the matter to make it a more well-known factor. Finally, to those looking to be the next composers or sound engineers, think about this. Push the boundaries of your craft, you are integral to the successful passage of art. Experiment, explore and make music the important step it should be.