I suppose I could say that I have little to no musical talent whatsoever. I played the drums throughout middle school, and the recorder in my early elementary years, but for all intents and purposes, my musical talent at this point in my life is null and void. Of course, I had the option to fulfill the Asian stereotype by learning either the piano or the violin. And, for a while, I did play the violin, albeit quite poorly. Essentially, my lame excuse for musicality has come from listening to classical music on a La-Z-Boy while rain patters outside.
However, I don’t believe we must be incredibly musically inclined to enjoy the great pieces of music that our predecessors have left behind. Sure, I cannot play the piano like most people, but does that truly mean I cannot enjoy Mozart’s “Sonata in D major for Two Pianos?” Perhaps I cannot coax a beautiful sound out of a violin, but I still feel that Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise” is a rich and illuminating sound. In any case, being musically talented may allow one to appreciate the music on a more technical scale, but I seriously doubt it has a monopoly on understanding the beauty of the piece. This can be applied in other areas as well. A man need not understand the architecture behind Versailles to appreciate its grandeur.
Primarily, there is a large physical component of playing an instrument exceptionally well. The pianist with longer fingers will be more adept at sliding across the keys; the trombonist with a massive lung capacity can more effortlessly release a complicated jazz solo. However, to enjoy the music, one only needs to be able to hear the notes in succession. The physical constraints of listening are far less severe than that of playing.
On a further note, perhaps we all have a certain sense of musicality within us. Music is a language that is completely universal; every culture has its own. Whether it’s jamming to an EDM beat or relaxing with a trio of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, music is interesting for its universality. I have never seen a field with so much diversity. The various genres have a place for everyone. The phrase “I don’t enjoy music” simply doesn’t hold true.
In all honesty, I am curious about why music appeals to humans. Is it just the fact that is a more interesting version of noise? Or is there something innate in the sound of pianos, violins, cellos, harpsichords, synths, guitars, and various other instruments? Furthermore, what drives our tastes? Personally, I prefer anything that I could consider “refined”: classical music, orchestras, even certain opera pieces. However, I also enjoy a great deal of international/world music, R&B, or anything else that sounds passable while driving.
There is no doubt that music, no matter who you are, plays an interesting role in all of our lives. Whether one is as snobby as me by listening to classical music while a thunderstorm rages, or as simple as finding a harmonious concoction for a long road trip, music will always remain central to our existence.
