Music is one of the most powerful media. What puts it above print and visual media is its audio property which makes it multi-task friendly. For example you can listen to music while driving to work or washing dishes at home, but trying to watch a video while washing dishes, and especially driving to work is a serious compromise on health and safety which can be fatal.
The three main components of music I would like to mention here are rhythm or instrumentation, lyrics, and melody. When these are put together, a perfect music is created, even though we don’t require all three to compose good music.
Instrumentation is basically the instruments used in composing music. Rhythm or beat is part of the instrumentation but can also stand alone in its own right. Whereas genre gives a broad categorisation of music, instruments give a song a unique identity and add more flavour to it. Rhythm or what is normally called beat is what triggers attention; I call it attention catcher! This is what stirs a listener to move the body to begin dancing. It’s also the part of music that transcends all languages and cultures. It gives the timing of the song and can be slow or fast determining also the mood.
Lyrics or words of a song form the message a singer or artist is bringing to their listeners. Every songwriter has got a message to deliver; either good news, bad or neutral. Almost everyone has got something to say everyday. In music we sing or put what we want to say in a melodic or stylish form and by this we are able to reach a wider target group. Using good lyrics in our songs is a way of presenting good news to the world. Let’s share God’s word through the words of our music.
Melody is the call to action part of the music. It can also be called the language-bypass. Like the beat of a song, it cuts across all cultures and throws an invitation to listeners to sing along or repeat a line by humming, etc. The melody doesn’t make people passive listeners or spectators; it makes listening interactive and makes you a participant. The melody silently urges a listener to play a part. On stage a singer sings and at a point asks the audience to sing back. The melody becomes the reference point of the song to help people sing along with or without the words.
Music is very friendly and allows you to do your own thing while you enjoy it. It’s powerful but gentle. It comforts, soothes, heals and drives away fears. Music doesn’t kill you; it makes you stronger.
