Music’s Role in Your Family History

Tyler Burrell
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read

As this class draws to a close, I find myself contemplating some of the concepts we addressed earlier this summer. As I went through our discussion forums, I was drawn to the “Music’s Role in Your Family History” discussion. After learning more about music and its influence, I feel I have gained more insight into this discussion and it holds new meaning for me.

In my initial post, I shared that music has always been present to some extent within my family. My early exposure to music came from lullabies and children’s songs that my mother sung to my younger sister and I, many of which have remained ingrained in my memory. As I aged, I was drawn to jingles during my early school years, and short, catchy songs were immensely helpful as I learned mathematical scales, books of the Bible, and many other things.

Below you can listen to “Hush Little Baby,” one of my favorite lullabies.

Presently, music’s role in my family life is often expressed through random bursts of song throughout the day. My sister and I especially enjoy breaking out into loud, dramatic song whenever the opportunity arises. While we do occasionally introduce each other to new songs and genres, the role music plays in my family tends to be much more subtle. I believe my comfort with music — as well as my family’s general outlook on music — stems from early and persistent exposure to various types of music. Being exposed to various forms of music throughout my life has culminated in my current propensity for blurting out jingles or randomly singing with wild abandonment.

Below you can listen to “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot, one of my go-to songs for loud, dramatic singing.

I received some great feedback on my initial post, and two of my classmates agreed that part of what makes music so powerful is its ability to stick with people. The ability to take information and turn it into song, and the fact that those songs resonate with us so much more than the information itself, is fascinating. One of my classmates, Will McDaniel, mentioned something that made me consider the influence of music differently: he reflected on how soothing lullabies can calm a crying baby even when words cannot.

In this discussion forum, my fellow classmates shared how music brought them closer to their families and represented ties to their heritage and ethnic culture. Even families who are not musically-driven have shared musical moments in various ways. Whether through special songs or hymns, random songs on the radio, or lullabies and children’s songs, music creates precious memories that draw people together.

What is interesting about music is that you do not have to be capable of playing music in order to appreciate it. Other than belting out songs, my family has no musical talent; none of us play an instrument, though we have all tried at one point or another. However, this does not stop us from appreciating various forms and genres of music. The magical thing about music is that it is universal; it moves beyond language and genre to touch the heart. I like to listen to a broad range of music, enjoying songs from Indian, Arab, and Korean cultures, among others. Through this class, I have been exposed to even more styles of music; I have discovered the beauty and influence of classical, folk, jazz, and blues music, among others we have examined in this course.

Below you can listen to a performance of “What Wondrous Love,” a song rooted in shape-note tradition and a style of music I have come to love through this course.

These concepts are incredibly thought-provoking, especially given the context of musical influence I have learned through this class. Music has the power to evoke change, rally entire movements, influence culture, bring together communities, and represent our souls. Music is universally understood and crosses language barriers. A simple melody can be more impactful and touching than words, and our minds cling to those melodies more tightly than facts. Music speaks to our hearts, able to calm babies who know nothing of language or culture. Music is remarkable, and I appreciate it now more than ever.

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