Page 12 - Music

costumes and others included in music performances can identify the
cultural background of the musicians.
(f) A source of income: Music has become an independent industry that
provides a wide range of economic opportunities to many individuals in
society. Through music, people can employ themselves as song composers,
singers, dancers, music producers, disc jockeys (DJs), music promoters,
music distributers, music teachers and so on.
(g) Accompaniment to other works of art: Music plays a great role in

accompanying other works of art such as drama, film, painting and others.
In drama, music is used to illustrate or build actions, create mood and make
the audience anticipate on the mood of the scene that is about to happen on
the stage. In film and movies, through a variety of melodies or tunes, viewers
can understand the characters’ feelings and emotions such as fear, anger,
hopelessness, achievement and others. In painting, music inspires painters
by causing different feelings within them because it arouses imaginations,

interpretations and emotional response to their works.
(h) A method of treatment: Music can be used as a method of improving physical,
mental, psychological or spiritual wellbeing of people. For example, people
with mental disorders can be offered recovery programmes through certain
types of songs that can help to improve their mental health. This process is
known as musical therapy.
(i) Accompaniment to some social activities: In African societies, for example,
there are special songs used in some social functions. These songs are
associated with various life cycle events such as birth, initiation ceremonies,

weddings and funerals. Other human events which may use songs, including
games, prayers, work, wars and others. Figure 1.2 shows an example of a
social activities where people are dancing to music at a wedding ceremony.

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