Aesthetic Reflexivity

How do we identify ourselves? There are many ways we choose to create our own identity. The way we dress, the way we talk, the movies, television shows that we watch, and the music we listen to all help the way we identify ourselves. This is known as aesthetic reflexivity, which is really emphasized in the book Music in Everyday Life by Tia DeNora. Self-identity is really important amongst everyone which is why we spend so much time trying to discover ourselves.

                Music is one of the most important ways we identify ourselves. The type of music we listen creates certain cliques, and trends that we follow. People who usually listen to hip-hop dress a certain way, as well as the kids who listen to punk rock, have an entirely different style. The type of music we listen to is how we identify ourselves. Most of us don’t just listen to one type of music. We have a variety of preferences for music. This can make it a little more challenging for finding oneself.

                There are many reasons to have a preference for a certain type or a variety of types of music. Sometimes one might like a song based on memories affiliated with that song. Sometimes people just like the style of the artist. The voice of the artists or the uses of the instruments are all important attributes to making good music. The lyrics can also make a song more appealing for someone. The lyrics are able to convey a certain message to the listener, which allows the listener to relate to the song. Some messages are inspirational, and some are just expressions of emotions that we all have experienced. Many different types of music acquire these qualities, which is one of the reasons I don’t have a very narrow preference for only certain types of music.

                The first thing that usually grabs my attention when listening to a song is the voice of the artist. Alicia Keys, Tom Jones, and Freddie Mercury are very talented singers. In many of their songs they sing with such passion, which is why I enjoy listening to their music. I like passion in music, I am not exactly sure what that says about my self-identity, but when an artist has a passionate voice, I am drawn to them.  I also like music based on the way it sways my mood. I love to listen to music that makes me feel happy, or music that makes me feel relaxed. Sometimes though, I do like to listen to music that helps me vent when I am feeling angry. Songs that bring back memories also have huge impact on the way I listen to music. I do listen to certain types of music that bring back certain memories, which can also alter my mood. A variety of types of music acquire these attributes, which is why I have a wide range of preferences for music. After 18 years I am still not able to identify myself through music, I am not sure that the self is something that can be defined.  What I am sure is that even though music isn’t required for survival it is an important aspect in our daily lives, making life a little more colorful and interesting.

Enjoyable Aspects of Music

              There are many qualities to music that make it enjoyable. The lyrics to the song, maybe the tempo or beat could be pleasant. According to Daniel J. Levitin and his studies, music being familiar with a little unpredictability can make music quite desirable for many. If a song is too predictable it gets boring, and most people lose their interest in the song. If a song is very much out of the ordinary and completely unfamiliar, a person will not have much liking towards the song. There must be a combination of these two aspects in order to make music enjoyable. I agree with Levitin.  I usually don’t listen to music that I am not too familiar with or music that seems unorganized with its beet and rhythm. Also some types of music just seem too predictable and I don’t really care to listen to something that sounds like another that I have heard many times before. I noticed as well that when I do find a song that I like, I tend to listen to it over and over several times. After a while I am very familiar with the song, and I know what to expect. Once I am completely familiar with the entire song, I am bored with it, and I stop listening to it. I always look forward to discovering new types of music, so I can listen to something a little unexpected. When a song acquires that unpredictability, it brings excitement to the music. Today there are so many styles of music all around the world, and different genres from different eras. Today it is accessible to all these types of music, making endless options of different varieties to get acquainted with. In the Western culture there are many opportunities for people to learn an enjoy music from other cultures an eras. People can become better-rounded about music, and experience the unfamiliar aspects of something new. This makes all types of music somewhat universal. We can learn what qualities people from other conteries find enjoyable in their own music.

False Consciousness

                Music is involved in everyday life. There are countless genres of music and people from different countries and even different eras listen to music daily. It has such a great impact on all those who enjoy music, and it is not very common for someone to have distaste in music. The genre of music that is popular varies from different cultures, ages even eras.  Music is easily accessible to many, and the music industry is making large sums of money off the music they sell us. Popular music in America does very   well in sales. The radio plays various types of music urging people to go and buy the popular artists music. Usher, Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne and many others are very popular today. The music they play has a many features that make it easy to listen to. The rhythm and beat of the music is entertaining to many. Music is highly advertised all around the world. There are many music videos, song played on the radio, and plenty of commercials. When listening to music, there is no depth required, or even thinking required. A man by the name of Theodor W. Adorno believed in order for music to be truly art, there should be depth and insight to the music; when listening to music, a person should be required to use his or her mind. Aldorno thought music was too predictable. He believes that all products that are advertised are misleading and manipulating to all consumers. Music especially, considering how popular it is in many cultures. According to Adorno all this mainstream products people consume create a “False Consciousness”, meaning people are not fully aware of the world around them. I do not fully agree with Aldorno’s accusation. Even though most common music is quite predictable, the reason for listening can involve depth and insight. Most of the music I enjoy bring back good memories or change my mood. Whether music is in the norm or different, that piece of music can be personal to the listener. I believe most people are mostly aware of their surroundings, are not completely blinded by capitalism. The products we consume are not really necessities to our daily lives, but they are useful. Life with music would surely go on, but it puts more enjoyment to life. In most social gatherings music is present, when cleaning a stereo can be on, even when just hanging out at home music can be playing. The music today does not lead to “False Consciousness”; it just contributes to enjoyments in life.