In recent years, mankind has recognised the necessity of music. Many scholars argue that the paramount role of music is that it facilitates stress relief among individuals. Although I agree that stress reduction is a principal function of music, it is not the most vital function.
On the one hand, there are some reasons why I accept the idea that stress reduction is a principal purpose of music. The first reason is that music can increase people’s positive mood. A recent survey has shown that over half of humans who listen to music tend to be in a better mood than non-listeners as when listening to music, the brain produces happy hormones, which help improve feelings of excitement and joy. Therefore, listening to music will boost a person’s emotions when they are in a stage of depression, like studying or working. Another reason is that music is a method of emotional expression since it provides inhabitants with a means to express their true emotions through various patterns. In fact, today, numerous individuals conceal their true feelings because they want to suit the preferences of others. Moreover, some individuals are scared they will be rejected by the people who surround them when they show how they feel. For this reason, music is important since it provides people with a means to reveal their feelings themselves.
Despite the aforementioned arguments, I strongly support the view that relaxation is not the most critical function of music. First and foremost, music has also always been a part of cultural and religious ceremonies, including national anthems. This illustrates how music assists countries express their national identities. Eventually, musical compositions possess the capacity to enhance human memory due to the constant elements of melody and rhythm that facilitate the brain in forming a sequence that improves memory. As a result, listening to preferred musical selections will help people recall and adapt information more effectively.
In conclusion, the idea that stress reduction is a principal function of music seems practical to some extent. However, it is my firm conviction that this is not a paramount role.
