The 10 FUNctions of Music

Everybody loves music, however few people realize just how much music is a part of their lives.  Music is food for the brain, and helps develop people into hard working intellectuals.  There are ten basic functions of music that we should know about:

1. Emotional Expression-  Listening to music helps express emotions.  It is natural for humans to experience feelings that words simply cannot express, and that's where music steps in.
2. Aesthetic Enjoyment- Listening to music is fun and pleasurable, which is important for overall happiness.
3. Entertainment- Children enjoy the music diversions through television, radio, the media and much more.
4. Communication- Different communities value different musical styles that help them express the way that there society is run and the beliefs that they follow.
5. Symbolic Representation- Many cultures listen to different music than others, leading to a familiarity and symbolic meaning to "comfortable" modes and/or meters.
6. Physical Response- Children will naturally move in their own ways to different styles of music.  Having children dance is a great way to keep their involved and interested in the classroom.
7. Enforcement of Conformity to Social Norms- Music can be used in order to help teach children manners and social etiquette.  Singing the clean up song instead of simply telling children to clean up makes them much more involved in doing an otherwise boring task.
8. Validation of Social Institutions and Religious Rituals- Children often use musical riddles or chants in the games they play.  These songs will also incorporate patriotic, religious and seasonal themes.  In church, children might learn a song to remember the books of the Bible, and in history, children might learn a song to remember the names of the 50 states.
9. Contribution to the Continuity and Stability of Culture- Many cultures incorporate their cultural history into their music in order to teach children through a more entertaining medium.  We grew up learning the National Anthem and God Bless America, but we didn't learn their meaning till much later.  Once we knew the events connected to these songs we were much more likely to hold onto the information, because it was attached to music.
10. Contribution to the Integration of Society- Common musical interests is a great way for children to socialize and meet groups of children that share similar interests.  Playing music in a group is a great way for children to cooperate with each other in a fun, constructive way.

These ten basic functions are things that still affect us as adults, and will continually affect our students throughout their entire lives.  It is being aware of them that will makes us great teachers.