Music: Entertainment, Artform, or Message Medium?

[jonnywolfet]

music is a reflection of culture. as an art form it can reflect anything. Politics, Creativity or even for the sake of Burlesque. simple as that.

 

[ZephyrSapphire]

Music is entertaining art. But at its basis, it's art.

 

[jonathanjong]

Is that a descriptive claim or a normative one?

 

[Cousin Patty]

i think theyre all kind of wrapped up together but for me the artform aspect is most important.

 

[chadbang]

I prefer to think of it as a non-message medium. Occasionally someone can use it liguistically (like Dylan or John Lennon) but I primarily "feel" the music and melody and seldom pay attention to lyrics or messages. A good melody is a work of art. Mozart wrote melodies and he didn't try and get people beind the plight of the Sudan. That's why his work endures and other message mongers won't (unless of course they're great composers as well.) I actually think of music as being somewhat spiritual as well. Great music is emotionally soaring.

 

[launche]

Other.

It can be all of the above and then some.
The artists and music I've connected with the most are those that display vunerability in their music. Those that reveal pieces of themselves in the songs and after awhile I tend to feel as if I know the person behind the music to some degree.

 

[Zaubertuba]

I prefer "food for the soul," or some other similarly vague and nonsensical-sounding descriptor.

 

[berthoud]

Medium for sure, its all about communication, emotion

 

[bakercj93]

I'd have difficulty choosing anything but entertainment, but maybe I just have a broader definition of entertainment than most. Even when I'm in a mood to listen to "artsy" music or something with an intriguing message, the reason is basically because that's what I feel will entertain me the most.

 

[i_don't_know]

This poll shows why the music on MTV is (insert negative adjective of choice).

Yes, music is a form of entertainment, but when entertainment is put before art... well...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpocrqvP2Yg

 

[Hot Pixel]

^ I've been told that 'club' has a different objective than for example rock or other genres of music.

For me: music is the language that speaks to my heart and soul.

 

[jonathanjong]

Chiming in:

Like some others here, I find it hard not to think of music as "primarily an artform." I enjoy music first, and insofar as I appreciate the artistic genius behind compositions (musical and/or lyrical), this is secondary to my sheer enjoyment. I feel the same way about visual art. I don't care if the artist used her own blood to paint a picture, to express something deep about herself...if it ain't pretty, I ain't putting it on my wall (or copying a digital imagine off the internets...).

 

[bakercj93]

I agree. I have always been in awe of those with artisitic ability, but I'll spend my time listening to music that I enjoy. It's easy to use artistic snobbery to bash mainstream music that you consider low-brow, but I just don't understand how someone could claim that the "artform" is more important than the entertainment/enjoyment aspect. I mean...for that to be true, wouldn't it mean that they are purposefully listening to music that they find less enjoyable simply because they consider it a higher artform?

At best, I think one could claim that their entertainment/enjoyment was completely linked to their appreciation of the artform....if that was the case, then I think we would be engaging in a crazy circular argument:

"The entertainment is most important because that's why I like art."
"No - the art form is more important because that's what entertains me."

 

[i_don't_know]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakercj93 /img/forum/go_quote.gif At best, I think one could claim that their entertainment/enjoyment was completely linked to their appreciation of the artform....if that was the case, then I think we would be engaging in a crazy circular argument: "The entertainment is most important because that's why I like art." "No - the art form is more important because that's what entertains me."

Damn. Good point.


Still, for me it's art first, enjoyment second. Then again, my mind works in a sort of artistic way, I guess you could say (both my parents have their masters in art, and my sister is planning on going to graduate school for art. my entire family is a bunch of crazy art people), so basically the more artistic music is the more I enjoy it because I can respect it more. But still, since the artistic content of the music is what gets me going in the first place, it's art first for me.

Anyway, good post, bakercj93.

 

[bakercj93]

Thanks, and here's a compromise: High art and entertainment rolled into one....and with thought provoking message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NusFPEluBWU