how to start off an essay about music

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Blog > Essay Advice , Personal Statement > How to Write a Great College Essay About Music (with examples)

How to Write a Great College Essay About Music (with examples)

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Alex McNeil, MA Admissions Consultant

Key Takeaway

Ask any admissions officer if they’ve read a college essay about music, and they’ll definitely say yes. Between music extracurriculars and academic interests in music, it’s is one of the most common college essay topics.

So does that mean that you shouldn’t write your college essay about music?

Not necessarily. But as with any common college essay topic, some approaches are better than others.

Let’s get into it.

Why you should (and shouldn’t) write your Common App essay about music

As we explained in our Stanford Items exercise , writing your college essay on a common topic isn’t off-limits. In fact, most college essays share common topics and themes. Trying to find a completely unique, never-been-done-before topic is almost impossible. And writing about a quirky topic in hopes of coming across as unique usually backfires.

In other words, it’s likely that you’ll write about the same topic as someone else.

The problem arises, however, when you write about a common topic in a cliche way . Cliches are always a danger in college essays, but in especially college essay topics that tend to surface again and again.

To avoid cliches, your college essay about music needs to be deeply personal, specific, and meaningful. You’ll want to let go of any over-generalizations or truisms and focus on the details of your own story.

Because you’ll need to write meaningfully and vulnerably, you should only write your college essay about music if you have something genuine and significant to say.

The Best Ways to Approach Your College Essay about Music

College essays about music aren’t off the table, but you should be thoughtful in how you write about them. The following two approaches will help you avoid cliches and find an authentic, meaningful story that fulfills all the requirements of a personal statement .

Writing about music as an academic interest

If you’re interested in studying music in college, then you can consider writing your college essay about music as an academic interest. A college essay about your academic interest in music can show fantastic intellectual fit with a school.

Let’s say you want to study music theory or composition. You might write about a topic you find compelling, a problem you’ve solved, or even a recounting of your journey becoming interested in the subject.

Or maybe you’re an aspiring performer planning on studying music performance. As an admissions officer, I read outstanding essays about students performing their favorite pieces, creating emotional music projects, and teaching lessons to young children.

No matter your topic, your goal with this approach is to show an intellectual spark, a curiosity and passion that will demonstrate to your admissions officers that you’ll be a great addition to the music community on their campuses.

Writing poignantly about a deeply meaningful extracurricular

The previous approach is great if you want to study music, but what if music is just an extracurricular passion of yours? Don’t worry—you can still write about it.

In that case, the best way is to focus on meaning. Remember: personal statements should be deeply-meaningful reflections on your personal strengths.

To start, reflect on your music extracurricular. Is it playing guitar in a band? Playing trombone in your school’s symphony? Learning piano from your grandma? How your love of poetry turned into a love of songwriting?

Next, think about what strengths you have to showcase. If you play guitar in a band, maybe you want to highlight your collaborative spirit. If you love poetry and songwriting, perhaps you focus on your creativity.

Writing about your love of music in a way that draws upon your strengths will make sure that your Common App essay avoids the following two approaches and gives admissions officers a reason to admit you.

Approaches to Avoid

While the following two approaches aren’t necessarily bad, they are the most cliche ways of approaching a college essay about music. You might want to consider avoiding them.

An inauthentic tale of triumph

Let me tell you a cliche story.

When I was in fourth grade, I decided to join the school orchestra. I found it exceedingly difficult at first. No matter how hard I tried, I never could seem to place my fingers correctly on the fingerboard. Every sound I made mimicked a screeching cat. But I decided not to give up. I practiced every day after school and on the weekends. By the time I was in ninth grade, I had made it into my high school’s top orchestra.

Is that a lovely story? Yes, absolutely. Is it hearty enough for a college essay? No. While it tells a good narrative of growth and progress, it remains on the surface of the writer’s life. It comes across as a convenient way to brag about your strengths instead of exploring them in a genuine way. In this example, the story also focuses on events that happened way too far in the past.

A song that changed your life

This approach is by far the most common cliche in college essays about music. We’ve all been there: a favorite song that transports you to a moment in your life whenever you hear it. It makes sense that you’d want to write about yours.

But there’s a problem with this approach. Too often, it reads as trite or unoriginal, and the end result usually doesn’t say much about the writer. And when it does, the message an admissions officer gets doesn’t typically give them any more reason to admit you. Since you want your college essay to be meaningful, even vulnerable, and strengths-based, you’re better off choosing another topic that better speaks to who you are.

Key Takeaways + Examples

College essays about music aren’t for everyone. But when you get it right, you can strike the perfect chord with admissions officers (you’re welcome for the pun).

As you go, dig deep, find something genuinely personal, and try to avoid the most common and cliche ways of approaching the topic.

Want to see some examples of college essays about music before you get started? Check out our examples, The Time Machine and The Band .

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Guide on How to Write a Music Essay: Topics and Examples

Let's Understand What is Music Essay

You know how some school assignments are fun to write by default, right? When students see them on the course syllabus, they feel less like a burden and more like a guaranteed pleasure. They are about our interests and hobbies and therefore feel innate and intuitive to write. They are easy to navigate, and interesting topic ideas just pop into your head without much trouble.

Music essays belong to the category of fun essay writing. What is music essay? Anything from in-depth analysis to personal thoughts put into words and then to paper can fall into a music essay category. An essay about music can cover a wide range of topics, including music history, theory, social impact, significance, and musical review. It can be an analytical essay about any music genre, musical instruments, or today's music industry.

Don't get us wrong, you will still need to do extensive research to connect your opinions to a broader context, and you can't step out of academic writing standards, but the essay writing process will be fun.

In this article, our custom essay writing service is going to guide you through every step of writing an excellent music essay. You can draw inspiration from the list of music essay topics that our team prepared, and later on, you will learn what an outstanding essay on music is by an example of a music review essay.

What are Some Music Topics to Write About

There are so many exciting music topics to write about. We would have trouble choosing one. You can write about various music genres, be it country music or classical music; you can research music therapy or how music production happens.

Okay, forgive us for getting carried away; music makes us enthusiastic. Below you will find a list of various music essay topics prepared from our thesis writing service . Choose one and write a memorable essay about everyone's favorite art form.

Music Argumentative Essay Topics

Music essays can be written about an infinite number of themes. You can even write about performance or media comparison.

Here is a list of music argumentative essay topics. These edge-cutting topics will challenge your readers and get you an easy A+.

• Exploring the evolution of modern music styles of the 21st century
• Is it ethical to own and play rare musical instruments?
• Is music therapy an effective mental health treatment?
• Exploring the Intersection of Technology and Creativity in electronic music
• The Relevance of traditional music theory in modern music production
• The Role of musical pieces in the Transmission of cultural identity
• The value of historical analysis in understanding the significance of music in society
• How does exposing listeners to different genres of music break down barriers
• Exploring the cognitive effects of music on human brain development
• The therapeutic potential of music in treating mental disorders

Why is Music Important Essay Topics

Do you know which essay thrills our team the most? The importance of music in life essay. We put our minds together and came up with a list of topics about why music is so central to human life. Start writing why is music important essay, and we guarantee you that you will be surprised by how much fun you had crafting it.  

• Popular Music and its Role in shaping cultural trends
• Music as a metaphorical language for expressing emotions and thoughts
• How music changes and influences social and political movements
• How the music of different countries translates their history to outsiders
• The innate connection between music and human beings
• How music helps us understand feelings we have never experienced
• Does music affect our everyday life and the way we think?
• Examining the cross-cultural significance of music in society
• How rock music influenced 70's political ideologies
• How rap music closes gaps between different racial groups in the US

Consider delegating your ' write my essay ' request to our expert writers for crafting a perfect paper on any music topic!

Why I Love Music Essay Topics

We want to know what is music to you, and the best way to tell us is to write a why I love music essay. Below you will find a list of music essay topics that will help you express your love for music.

• I love how certain songs and artists evoke Memories and Emotions
• I love the diversity of music genres and how different styles enrich my love for music
• I love how music connects me with people of different backgrounds
• How the music of Linkin Park helped me through life's toughest challenges
• What does my love for popular music say about me?
• How the unique sounds of string instruments fuel my love for music
• How music provides a temporary Release from the stresses of daily life
• How music motivates me to chase my dreams
• How the raw energy of rock music gets me through my daily life
• Why my favorite song is more than just music to me

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Music Therapy Essay Topics

One of the most interesting topics about music for an essay is music therapy. We are sure you have heard all the stories of how music cures not only mental but also physical pains. Below you can find a list of topics that will help you craft a compelling music therapy essay. And don't forget that you can always rely on our assistance for fulfilling your ' write my paper ' requests!

• The effectiveness of music therapy in reducing stress and pain for cancer patients
• Does pop music have the same effects on music therapy as classical music?
• Exploring the benefits of music therapy with other genres beyond classical music
• The potential of music therapy in aiding substance abuse treatment and recovery
• The Role of music therapy in Addressing PTSD and Trauma in military veterans
• The impact of music therapy on enhancing social interaction and emotional expression in individuals with developmental disabilities
• The use of music therapy in managing chronic pain
• Does musical therapy help depression?
• Does music reduce anxiety levels?
• Is music therapy better than traditional medicine?

History of Music Essay Topics

If you love analytical essays and prefer to see the bigger picture, you can always write a music description essay. Below you can find some of the most interesting topics for the history of music essay.

• The Significance of natural instruments in music production and performance
• Tracing the historical development of Western music theory
• How electronic music traces its roots back to classical music
• How the music industry evolved from sheet music to streaming services
• How modern producers relate to classical composers
• The Origins and Influence of Jazz Music
• How folk music saved the Stories of unnamed heroes
• Do we know what the music of ancient civilizations sounded like?
• Where does your favorite bandstand in the line of music evolve?
• The Influence of African American Music on modern pop culture

Benefits of Music Essay Topics

If you are someone who wonders what are some of the values that music brings to our daily life, you should write the benefits of music essay. The music essay titles below can inspire you to write a captivating essay:

• How music can be used to promote cultural awareness and understanding
• The benefits of music education in promoting creativity and innovation
• The social benefits of participating in music groups
• The Impact of Music on Memory and Learning
• The cognitive benefits of music education in early childhood development
• The effects of music on mood and behavior
• How learning to play an instrument improves cognitive functions.
• How music connects people distanced by thousands of miles
• The benefits of listening to music while exercising
• How music can express the feelings words fail to do so 

Music Analysis Essay Example

Reading other people's papers is a great way to scale yours. There are many music essay examples, but the one crafted by our expert writers stands out in every possible way. You can learn what a great thesis statement looks like, how to write an engaging introduction, and what comprehensive body paragraphs should look like. 

Click on the sample below to see the music analysis essay example. 

How to Write a Music Essay with Steps

Writing music essays is definitely not rocket science, so don't be afraid. It's just like writing any other paper, and a music essay outline looks like any other essay structure.

• Start by choosing a music essay topic. You can use our list above to get inspired. Choose a topic about music that feels more relevant and less researched so you can add brand-new insights. As we discussed, your music essay can be just about anything; it can be a concert report or an analytical paper about the evolution of music.
• Continue by researching the topic. Gather all the relevant materials and information for your essay on music and start taking notes. You can use these notes as building blocks for the paper. Be prepared; even for short essays, you may need to read books and long articles.
• Once you have all the necessary information, the ideas in your head will start to take shape. The next step is to develop a thesis statement out of all the ideas you have in your head. A thesis statement is a must as it informs readers what the entire music essay is about. Don't be afraid to be bold in your statement; new outlooks are always appreciated.
• Next, you'll need a music essay introduction. Here you introduce the readers to the context and background information about the research topic. It should be clear, brief, and engaging. You should set the tone of your essay from the very beginning. Don't forget the introduction is where the thesis statement goes.
• One of the most important parts of essay writing is crafting a central body paragraph about music. This is where you elaborate on your thesis, make main points, and support them with the evidence you gathered beforehand. Remember, your music essay should be well structured and depict a clear picture of your ideas.
• Next, you will need to come up with an ideal closing paragraph. Here you will need to once again revisit the main points in your music essay, restate them in a logical manner and give the readers your final thoughts.
• Don't forget to proofread your college essay. Whether you write a long or short essay on music, there will be grammatical and factual errors. Revise and look through your writing with a critical mind. You may find that some parts need rewriting.

Key Takeaways

Music essays are a pleasure to write and read. There are so many topics and themes to choose from, and if you follow our How to Write a Music Essay guide, you are guaranteed to craft a top-notch essay every time.

Be bold when selecting a subject even when unsure what is research essay topic on music, take the writing process easy, follow the academic standards, and you are good to go. Use our music essay sample to challenge yourself and write a professional paper. 

If you feel stuck and have no time our team of expert writers is always ready to give you help from all subject ( medical school personal statement school help ). Visit our website, submit your ' write my research paper ' request and a guaranteed A+ essay will be on your way in just one click.

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FAQs on Writing a Music Essay

Though music essay writing is not the hardest job on the planet, there are still some questions that often pop up. Now that you have a writing guide and a list of essay topics about music, it's time to address the remaining inquiries. Keep reading to find the answers to the frequently asked questions. 

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Essay About Music for Any Student

• Essay Writing Guides

Our extensive article will walk you through the complex process of writing an essay about music. We’ll present you with a step-by-step guide on conveying the subtleties of music through writing, from picking an exciting topic and doing extensive research to dissecting musical aspects and adding personal observations.

Whether you’re analyzing the historical significance of a musical era, assessing the influence of a particular musician or band, or investigating the cultural and emotional aspects of music, our guide seeks to provide you with the fundamental knowledge and abilities required to write a well-reasoned essay. Come along on this journey with us as we explore the skill of turning music’s profound message into an engaging story.

Essays about Music: Importance and Impact

Music is a profound expression of human creativity, emotion, and culture that transcends cultural boundaries. It serves as a companion, providing solace and amplifying the human experience. Its influence extends beyond individuals, shaping the collective identity of communities and contributing to global culture.

To effectively explore the world of writing about music, one must first understand the fundamental elements that constitute this universal language. The music encompasses a vast array of sounds organized in a structured manner, from classical symphonies to contemporary pop hits, traditional folk tunes, and avant-garde experimental compositions. The diversity of musical forms reflects the kaleidoscope of human creativity, and understanding this diversity lays the groundwork for appreciating the nuanced aspects of different genres and styles.

Music’s emotional and cultural impact is remarkable, as it evokes feelings ranging from joy to sorrow, nostalgia to anticipation. It is a vessel for cultural narratives, preserving traditions and reflecting the spirit of an era. Exploring music’s emotional and cultural dimensions provides writers with a rich tapestry of motifs to weave into their essays about music, allowing for a more profound exploration of the human experience through the lens of musical expression.

Choose Essay Topics About Music

The essay-writing process involves selecting a topic that shapes the narrative and allows the writer to explore the intricacies of musical expression, history, and cultural impact. There are three main ways to choose essay topics about music:

• Selecting a specific genre or style: Each genre has unique characteristics, histories, and cultural contexts. For example, the evolution of hip-hop can be explored by examining its roots in African and African-American communities, its socio-political impact, and the artistic innovations that have shaped its trajectory over the decades.
• Exploring the historical significance of a musical era: Music has reflected societal changes, political movements, and cultural shifts throughout history. Writers can focus on a specific period, such as the Renaissance, the Roaring Twenties, or the counterculture movements of the 1960s, and analyze how the music of that era influenced and was affected by the broader socio-political landscape. For example, an essay could explore the impact of the Beatles during the tumultuous 1960s, examining how their music mirrored the cultural upheavals of the time and influenced popular music.
• Analyzing the impact of a particular artist or band: Focusing on the life and work of a specific artist or band allows for a detailed examination of their contributions to the musical landscape, unique style, artistic evolution, and lasting impact on music and society. For example, an essay focused on Bob Dylan’s impact could explore his role as a poet-prophet during the folk revival of the 1960s, his transition to electronic music, and his enduring influence on subsequent generations of musicians.

Understanding the background of the chosen topic is essential for providing readers with a comprehensive view of its development and significance. That’s what we are going to analyze further.

Understanding Music Essay Examples

In crafting an insightful essay about music, it is crucial to conduct thorough research. This involves using credible sources such as scholarly articles, books, academic journals, and reputable websites dedicated to music history, theory, and criticism. By drawing on authoritative sources, writers can ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in their essays.

This involves delving into the historical evolution of the genre, key milestones, and cultural influences that shaped its trajectory. By studying the background, writers can contextualize the music within a broader historical narrative, unraveling the threads that connect artistic expression to the time’s social, political, and cultural landscapes. For example, if the essay focuses on the development of blues music, researching the historical roots in African American communities, migration patterns that spread the genre, and its evolution through different regions and eras would be integral to providing a nuanced understanding.

Understanding the cultural context of the music adds depth and richness to the narrative. Culture shapes and is shaped by music, and understanding this symbiotic relationship is crucial for a comprehensive analysis. Writers should explore the societal norms, values, and movements that influenced the creation and reception of the music they are examining. They should consider the cultural milieu, social dynamics, and even geographical influences that contributed to forming a particular musical style.

In conclusion, the research and information-gathering phase lays the groundwork for a well-informed and insightful exploration of the chosen music essay examples. By utilizing credible sources, studying the background, and understanding the cultural context, writers can embark on a journey that informs, captivates, and enriches the reader’s understanding of music in its multifaceted dimensions.

How to Write an Essay About Music – Valuable Insights

A well-structured essay about music is essential for capturing the reader’s attention and understanding of the subject matter. The essay should follow a structured approach, starting with an introduction about music essay that captures the reader’s attention with a compelling hook. This can be a thought-provoking question, anecdote, quote, or surprising fact. The thesis statement should clearly articulate the central argument or perspective of the essay, outlining the central theme and key points to be explored in subsequent sections.

The body paragraphs should be divided into distinct paragraphs dedicated to a specific aspect or point related to the thesis. Evidence and examples should be provided to support arguments, such as quoting lyrics, citing critical reviews, or referencing historical events. This helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the chosen topic.

Maintaining a logical flow between paragraphs is crucial, as it helps readers follow the logical progression of the essay and understand the relationships between different aspects of the topic. Transitional phrases and explicit connections between ideas help readers follow the logical progression of the essay.

In the conclusion, summarize critical points discussed in the body paragraphs, reinforcing the thesis statement and emphasizing how the evidence presented throughout the essay supports the overarching argument. This reinforces the central theme and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. In the Beatles essay, the conclusion might reiterate how their innovative approach to music defined a generation and left a significant mark on popular music history.

Lastly, the argumentative essay about music should leave a lasting impression on the reader by connecting the themes to broader cultural or societal implications or posing a thought-provoking question that encourages further reflection. In the case of the Beatles essay, the conclusion might invite readers to consider the ongoing impact of their music on contemporary artists or encourage reflection on the timeless nature of artistic innovation.

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Write a Strong Thesis Statement

A strong thesis statement is vital for a music essay, providing a clear roadmap for the writer and the reader. It defines the central argument or perspective, ensures clarity and relevance, and sets the tone for music essays. A concise and focused articulation of the central argument or perspective is essential, such as analyzing the cultural impact of a genre, the artist’s style evolution, or the societal resonance of a musical movement.

Clarity is paramount in a thesis statement, as it should convey the essay’s main idea in a way that the reader quickly understands. Avoiding vague or overly broad statements enhances clarity and relevance.

The thesis statement serves as the introductory handshake between the writer and the reader, setting the tone for the essay. Depending on the essay’s nature, it can range from analytical and objective to passionate and subjective. For example, if the essay explores the emotional impact of a specific genre, the thesis might set a tone of subjective reflection.

Incorporating Analysis and Critique

An essay about my favorite music requires a nuanced analysis and critique that delves into the intricacies of musical elements, assesses the impact on the audience, and allows the music writer to offer personal insights and interpretations. The music essay writing should evaluate the musical elements such as lyrics, melody, harmony, and rhythm, focusing on their poetic qualities, thematic depth, and storytelling capacity. It should also explore the symbiotic relationship between the music and its audience, exploring how the chosen music resonates with listeners, triggers emotional responses, and influences societal attitudes.

This may involve examining historical reactions, critical reviews, or audience testimonials. When you write an essay about music, you should also offer personal insights and interpretations, allowing the writer to inject their voice into the narrative and share their views of the music’s meaning. This multifaceted approach to analysis and critique enriches the narrative and encourages readers to engage with the music more profoundly, resulting in a lasting impact.

• Academic Writing Guides
• Citation Guides
• Essay Samples
• Essay Topics
• Research Paper Topics
• Research Paper Writing Guides
• Study Tips and Tricks

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How to Write a Music Essay

Are you passionate about music and eager to express your insights and thoughts on your favourite tunes and compositions? Well, your’re in the right place. Writing a music essay allows you to delve into the melodies, rhythms, and stories behind the music you adore. It’s a journey that combines your love for music with the art of essay writing. So, whether you’re a budding music critic, a student, or simply someone who wants to share their musical experiences, this article is here to guide you through the creative process.

Write my essay online might be your initial thought when faced with the prospect of composing a music essay, but fear not! In this article, we’ll explore the steps to craft a compelling and engaging music essay that resonates with your readers. We’ll uncover the secrets of choosing the right topic, structuring your essay effectively, and refining your writing skills. So, grab your headphones and your favourite instrument, and let’s embark on this harmonious journey into the world of music essay writing.

Choosing the Right Music Topic

When it comes to writing a captivating music essay, one of the crucial first steps is selecting the right topic. Your topic serves as the foundation upon which your essay will be built, so it’s essential to choose one that resonates with your interests and passions. Consider exploring a genre, artist, or musical era that genuinely moves you. Are you drawn to the rhythms of jazz or the storytelling of folk music? Do you find inspiration in the works of a particular composer or the evolution of hip-hop? Selecting a topic that personally engages you will not only make the writing process more enjoyable but also allow you to convey your enthusiasm to your readers. As you contemplate potential subjects, take some time to research and gather information to ensure you have enough material to craft a well-rounded and informative essay.

For those seeking guidance and assistance, best essay writing services can be a valuable resource. These services can offer expert advice on refining your topic and provide access to academic sources and research materials. Remember that your music topic should not only align with your passions but also offer a unique perspective or angle that can pique the interest of your audience. Whether you’re exploring the influence of music on culture, the evolution of a particular instrument, or the impact of a renowned composer, the key is to choose a topic that allows you to delve deep into the melodies and stories that inspire you.

Structuring Your Music Essay

A well-structured music essay is like a finely composed symphony, with each section harmonizing seamlessly to convey your message effectively. To begin, your essay should follow a typical structure consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction serves as the overture, setting the stage by introducing your topic and providing an engaging hook to capture your readers attention. It’s here that you should also present a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines the main argument or theme of your essay. Consider the thesis statement as the melody that your essay will revolve around, guiding your readers through the composition.

In the body paragraphs, you’ll develop and elaborate on the themes and arguments presented in your thesis statement. Each paragraph can be thought of as a distinct movement in your musical journey, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Start by introducing the main point of the paragraph, provide supporting evidence, and then engage in thoughtful analysis. This structure not only ensures clarity and coherence but also showcases your ability to articulate ideas effectively. Remember that when discussing musical pieces or artists, it’s crucial to include specific examples, such as lyrics, melodies, or performances, to illustrate your points. Much like a composer weaving intricate harmonies, your analysis should delve deep into the nuances of the music, showcasing your understanding of the subject matter. Finally, the conclusion acts as the crescendo, bringing your essay to a satisfying close. Here, you should summarize your key points, restate your thesis, and leave your readers with a thought-provoking final note.

Writing and Polishing Your Music Essay

Now that you’vee chosen the perfect music topic and structured your essay, it’s time to dive into the heart of your composition: the actual writing. When writing a music essay, its essential to employ effective writing techniques that engage your readers and paint a vivid picture. Consider using descriptive language that appeals to the senses, making the music come alive on the page.

Describe the melodies, harmonies, and rhythms with colourful adjectives and metaphors, allowing your readers to feel the emotions conveyed by the music. Additionally, providing historical or cultural context is often crucial, as it helps your audience understand the significance of the music you’re discussing. Just as a composer combines various elements to create a masterpiece, your writing should blend these elements seamlessly to craft an engaging and informative essay.

Research plays a vital role in enhancing the depth and credibility of your music essay. Ensure that you thoroughly research the music, artist, or topic you’re covering, using reputable sources. It’s imperative to provide proper citations and references to acknowledge the works and ideas of others and to avoid plagiarism. Much like the importance of harmonizing melodies in music, harmonizing your research and writing ensures that your essay flows smoothly and convincingly. Finally, the finishing touches are equally significant. Revise and edit your essay meticulously to eliminate grammatical errors and awkward sentences. This process helps enhance clarity, coherence, and overall quality, ensuring that your music essay resonates with readers as beautifully as the music you’re describing. By applying these techniques, your music essay can become a well-composed masterpiece that engages, informs, and leaves a lasting impression.

In the world of music, where every note carries a story and every melody has its own unique magic, writing about it can be an enchanting journey. As we wrap up our exploration of how to write a music essay, lets recap the essential points we’ve covered. Choosing the right topic, one that resonates with your passion and interests, is the first step towards crafting a remarkable music essay. Structure matters; organize your thoughts coherently, create a compelling thesis, and support it with evidence and analysis. Finally, the art of writing is a powerful tool. Use descriptive language, conduct thorough research, cite your sources properly, and don’t forget to polish your essay until it gleams with clarity and precision.

Now, it’s your turn to take these guidelines and let your love for music shine through your writing. Whether you’re dissecting a symphony, exploring the history of jazz, or analyzing the lyrics of your favourite song, these tips will help you create essays that resonate with readers, just as the music itself does. So, go ahead, embark on your musical odyssey with a pen in hand and a melody in your heart. With these insights and your passion as your guide, you’re bound to craft essays that celebrate the magic of music and inspire others to listen, learn, and appreciate the art form in all its glory.

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Music essay

How to write an essay about music: useful tips from a professional composer.

Writing an essay about music can be a real challenge for many students. Some struggle with technical terms, such as tempo, rhythm, time or key signatures, clefs and ties between notes. Others just need to describe how the music sounds but it also proves harder than they might initially think. 

This article by Greg Wells is for all the learners who don’t know what to write in their papers about music of any genre or era. Read on to find out how to describe the melodies you hear and analyze them in a meaningful way.

How to describe instrumental music

Each music essay starts with you listening to the piece and analyzing the way it sounds without any terminology. So, how to make the most of this stage? For starters, you need to jot down the adjectives that come to your mind. Is the piece melodic or dissonant, does it go from fast to slow or vice versa, or, perhaps, the tempo stays the same throughout it? Once you’ve figured out these basics, you’ll need to listen to the piece you’re analyzing the second time and pick up more details. 

Specifically, analyze how instruments and vocals (if there are any) work together to create harmony. To do this, you’ll need to single out the most catchy and prominent riffs and describe them. For example, the singer’s soft voice might contrast with sharp and intense electric guitar sounds, ending up as an unforgettable mix. In short, keep your ear out for something that’s memorable and remarkable about the song you’re analyzing.

Of course, all the steps mentioned above work better if you keep track of “technical” aspects. Try finding the score for the music you’re writing about and pay attention to the time signature and tempo. Think about the genre of your piece and ask yourself why the composer chose those parameters. For example, marches usually have a 4/4 time signature while waltzes go with 3/4, but it’s not uncommon to write lullabies in that signature as well. Think about what would change if you hummed this song faster or slower, try it out if you have a chance. That way, you’ll be able to understand and describe it far better.

How to describe vocals

Not every essay on music obligates students to describe singing, but it’s an important part of many musical pieces. Here’s some advice on how to understand what to write about.

• Start by describing what you hear. You should determine if the vocals are high-pitched or low and how many singers there are? Is this a solo, a duet, or a choir? If it’s a modern song, are there any backing singers? Do the voices sound harmonious or dissonant? What vocal ranges do they have? Answering these questions is a great start.
• Continue by analyzing the intonation of singers . Essentially, musical intonation is about pitch accuracy and, in some cases, the way in which musicians choose to interpret the piece. Do all notes sound in tune with the backing track or accompaniment? If it’s a cover of a popular song, which parts are different from the original in terms of pitch? Is it higher or lower? Ask such questions to get materials for your future essay.
• End with a brief description of the melody and how it’s written . At the end of your description, you can mention that the specific parts of the song could be difficult for the singer because of their range or the way this melody is designed. Look for information from musical critics to determine which parts are the trickiest and analyze the way they’re performed.

Analyzing musicality: The basic things you might’ve missed

It’s clear why people ask, “What is music essay anyway?” We don’t usually think about songs as something we can analyze and discuss the way we discuss books and movies. However, music conjures images and tells stories in a similar way to other media, so here are some questions you can ask to get more insights.

What is the main emotion of the musical piece? Normally, loud bases make songs heavier on our ears while gentle, higher notes give them soothing qualities. However, that doesn’t necessarily determine the emotions you’ll feel when listening to them.. Remember the eerie melodies of ancient music boxes from horror films. Although they’re high-pitched and theoretically pleasant, they give most people shivers. On the other hand, a rock melody can sound happy and not aggressive at all, despite big basses. 

In which life situation would you listen to this song? Some musical pieces are tied to specific occasions, like wedding marches. However, most songs are just out there, for you to listen whenever you please. If you analyze when would be the best time to turn on the specific piece, it might give you a better feel for it. That way, you’ll know how to approach it in your essay.

Do you think this piece is hard to play? If so, why? Difficult songs are always more impressive, but challenging pieces aren’t always fast and they don’t necessarily have high-pitched vocals. The biggest hurdles are often the complex rhythm, changing intonations, and the bits where the musician is allowed to improvise.

Reading into music: Historical context

Whether you’re writing an essay about songs of modernity or about Bach, who basically founded music as we know it, you need context. 

• Who is the original author of this song and why did they write it? This might seem obvious, but that’s not always the case. For example, what we all know as “The Circus Song” is in fact called “Entry of the Gladiators, Op. 68.” Julius Fučík wrote that march in 19th century Austria to showcase the might of the army. As you can see, the meaning of some music can really change over time.
• What was going on in the world when this musical piece appeared? It’s important to understand the agenda and the messages that the composer could include into their music. For example, Richard Wagner was antisemitic, which has made his music what many people call the German Nazi soundtrack. Such details are also essential for a good music essay.
• Why do people like this music? You can start answering this question by looking at the fan base if you’re writing about a modern song or googling the opinions of critics if your essay is about a classical piece. It can be refreshing and enlightening to compare others’ opinions and impressions to yours.

You might find some of the tips above less useful than the other ones, but you’re sure to write a good music essay if you follow the ones that suit you. Good luck on your journey! I hope that this article has made you one step closer to discovering the true beauty and complexity of music.

Tips on Writing a Music Analysis Essay

If you’re not an expert on music but get assigned a music analysis essay, you may start to worry about how you’re going to pull it off. Your lack of knowledge on the subject matter or inexperience in writing similar topics are not exactly helpful. However, you don’t actually have to be an expert on the subject matter in order to write a quality essay. The truth is, you just need the right guidance.

Just like with any other topics, music analysis essays require a thorough preparation and a guided writing process. You need to create a plan on how you’re going to write your essays and what essential steps you’ll need to cover. And this article will help you do just that.

Take a look at these tips that will help you if you’re planning on writing a quality music analysis essay.

Get to Know the Piece

You can’t start the analysis of a piece of music until you’ve familiarized yourself with it completely. You need to get to know the piece and develop a connection to it. But, how can you do that?

The answer is simple: listen .

Listen to the piece of music you’re analyzing, and possibly even brainstorm while doing so. Write about anything you notice:

• How it makes you feel
• Changes in rhythm
• Instruments you recognize
• Different parts of the piece

Remember, it’s not enough to just play it in the background while doing something else. You need to give it your full attention and repeat the listening until you’ve got the piece down.

Once you’re sure you’ve familiarized yourself with the piece completely, you’re ready to take the next step.

Give Technical Information

Every analysis needs to start with the essential technical details.

Find and write down information about:

• The composer
• The period in music history the piece was created in

These facts are important for setting the ground for the rest of the analysis but shouldn’t be the central part of the essay. One paragraph containing the most important technical details is more than enough.

Do the Research

Now, it’s time for you to do some more serious research.

When writing essays, whether about music or any other topic, you need to be able to get to the valuable information. In other words, you need to know which sources of information are reliable and authoritative and which are not.

Start with Google Scholar . Use it to find scholarly literature such as publications, articles, dissertations, books, and journals containing valuable information on a given subject matter. You can find most of it in a PDF format, download it and find the information you’re looking for.

In addition, use other digital libraries you can get access to, to find even more academic journals, handbooks and valuable sources of information. You can find numerous resources at your local library or in your nearest college or university library.

Remember, when using any of these sources, you need to pay attention to:

• Citation:  If you’re using someone else’s exact words, make a citation to avoid being accused of plagiarism.
• Referencing:  Make a list of all the sources you’ve used to put the essay together, and include it as a bibliography at the end of the essay.

Write the Outline

Once you’ve got all the information together, it’s time to write the first outline.

Use both the information you’ve written down during the listening as well as those found during research. Make sure to adjust your tone and style of writing to fit the purpose. Academic writing requires following the right kind of a writing form and using academic vocabulary.

To make the whole essay even better, don’t forget to use as many technical terms as possible. You can find glossaries of musical terms to help you understand the topic better and write it using the appropriate vocabulary.

Once you write the outline, you’ve got most of the work done. Now all you need to do is polish the outline, adding more details or removing unnecessary information until you’re satisfied with the essay.

Ensure Accuracy

Apart from the fact that you need to use information which is 100% verified and your resources need to be credible, you also need to ensure your writing is impeccable.

Before handing in the essay, you need to remove any mistakes and errors you may have made during the writing phase.

Be sure to pay attention to everything from mistakes in spelling to sentence structure. It’s important for you to make your essay completely mistake-free since even the slightest mistake could make you seem sloppy and unprofessional.

The last step you need to take before handing your essay in is just as important as all the previous ones. You need to do the revision .

When you finish writing and polishing your essay, it’s best to leave it to sit for a day or two. Don’t read it for at least 24 hours. It will help you step away from the writing process and spot any mistakes or weak points once you come back to it.

When the time’s right, come back to it and read it once again. You could even read it out loud to a friend or a family member, to have a second opinion.  If you’re satisfied with what you read, your essay is good to go.

Final Thoughts

Writing a music analysis essay can be a piece of cake when you know how to handle it properly. Use the right resources and follow the writing process steps. Make sure to double check everything and revise until you’re happy with the result. We hope you will find these tips helpful when writing your next music analysis essay.

Bridgette Hernandez

Bridgette Hernandez is a Master in Anthropology who is interested in writing and planning to publish her own book in the near future. The texts she writes are always informative, based on a qualitative research but nevertheless pleasant to read.

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Ultimate Guide to Writing a Music Analysis Essay

By skope  •  february 28, 2019.

Are you tasked with writing a detailed music analysis? Do you need help with your music essay? Come on board as we take you through a step-by-step process of writing an excellent music analysis essay.

Writing about music can be compared to writing about any other essay or topic.  You would need fascinating ideas, clear-cut presentation, proper coordination, and a well convincing argument to get an excellent analysis. Music is not a one-way communication, so it also entails listening, making observations in words and molding those details into a form that gives your opinion about music. 

Following this informative piece and thoroughly listening to the musical piece you are looking to analyze will help you write the best essay from scratch.

We expect that these steps would help a newbie who is trying to get in feel so comfortable with the art of great power and beauty of musical analysis.

If you are looking for an mba essay writing resource there are some top notch options out there for you.

How to Write an Excellent Music Essay

You know you don’t have to be a professional in music before you can write something good about it and you certainly don’t have to know how to read music either. You just need to know how to analyze music, listen carefully and also come to an opinion or view or an interpretation of the meaning of the music. So in conclusion, excellent essays about music are like the best essays to write about.

Music essays have an interesting main subject, convincing proof, elegant style and not forgetting a coherent structure. The best write up about music also includes a unique mixture of precise attention to judicious use of metaphor and musical information. 

The information allows the reader to access a moment in the music without referring to a point (a literature essay could merely apply to a page number) the metaphor approximates in ideas and words that can be expressed in another way of communication altogether still the language of music.

Technical Language in Music Essay Writing 

Technical vocabulary lets writers explain music’s subtleties adequately and though it could be daunting to the neophyte.

Making use of some technical language may be very much necessary for clarity sakes. If you are already used to music, using such language would come so naturally to you and also make reference to the point. 

Well if you are new to music and reading a score is difficult for you or you can’t write for a public audience, then you should only define the evidence of your ears, but that is not the only option you have. You technical language only when you want to make a point and not just for the sake of using it.

Using Metaphor in Musical Essay Writing

A good write-up about music mostly employs metaphorical language, which helps to convey the importance of a musical passage far better than with just technical description. The above paragraph helps you have a chromatic bass line imagination in Chopin piece by suggesting that it slithers.

Metaphor helps convey the expressive worth of a part of music faster than a technical description.

Analyzing Musical Essays

Analyzed music essays are very much like another type of essays except if they contain some specific technical details about the work(s) that you are writing about. You should get the analysis done first before writing the essay usually. 

Starting by making any musical example that would be included in the essay is a good idea. Then you can continue by writing an outline then decide on your principal analytical scores before you start writing. The clarity of the ideas you want to express is being dependent on writing clear about music.

For the first step, be assured you know the piece. If possible, you can play it or listen to multiple recordings until you can look at the point and hear the song in your inner ear. Then you can start your analysis of the piece. 

The analytical standard(s) you use will depend on the style, performance genre, form and work’s period. It will also depend on the work assigned to you by your professor. Your analysis may include some research depending on the assignment (check to work with sources).

For you to analyze quickly, you will have to use the knowledge gained from the course you are taking and any other course. Keep in mind that analysis includes making options since more than one meaning can be gotten from it. 

For you to understand it fully, you need to go beyond your first impression. Try and consider whether there are added features that are important for the piece, those kind of insights are very fruitful in the analysis.

When you have produced any musical example you want to make use or include helping organize your thoughts into outline form, then you can start writing. Use the right technical terms or language that will clarify and highlight the scores you are making (check out the terminology in music). Make sure you use the right citation when giving a reference or quoting the sources (check out citation styles).

When you are done with your essay, keep in mind that whatever you have written is the first draft. Try reading it out loud because it would help you clearly see your expressed opinion or ideas and correct any mistake made. Revision is a sensitive and necessary part of the essay writing process. You can check out drafts, revisions, and editing for suggestions on how to review your work.

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8 Tips for Writing an Essay About Music

Written by Barbara Wintergreen in Lifestyle 👁 19,005

Thursday 30 July 2020, 9.38pm

In many ways, a winning essay on music is no different from an excellent write-up on any other thing. It should be based on a strong and persuasive argument and should be well-structured and coherently written.   If you disagree with this statement, check out music essay samples from various professional essay writers who  make my essay online . You will see that it is true.

So, if your educator assigns you the task of writing an analytical essay on music, you should organize yourself and start on the right foot. That said, here are some eight handy tips to help you tackle the paper and make sure it shines.

Listen and Understand the Music You’re Going to Write About

If you are writing an analytical piece about a certain kind of music or composition, you can’t begin writing without knowing what it’s about. The first step is to listen to the compositions you want or are tasked to write.

Photo:  Audio Reputation

Listen to it more than once, and while at it, really think about the music. Think about the rhythm, what type of instruments you can hear, the different parts you can detect, etc. You can be writing down short notes of your thoughts as listen so as not to forget.

Research the Background Information About the Music

Once you listened and understood the piece, it’s time to do some research on it. First, find the technical bits, i.e., who composed it, when it was written, which genre it belongs to, and the particular style used.

Now, delve into more in-depth research. You want to find valuable sources, in the form of articles, journals, papers, books, etc., that you can use as your citations and references. Researching is not always easy, and you can get yourself an essay writer to do the research and writing bits for you online. Remember, just like any other college essay, your piece must be backed up with proper evidence.

Come up with the Skeleton of Your Essay

The last pre-writing step is  outlining . An outline is a structure or rough breakdown of the main points you are going to cover. Create the best skeleton by bringing together all the material you’ve gathered and then pick the strongest points.  Alternatively you can also ask someone to do my essay reviews .

Create a Strong Topic for Your Essay

Now that you have a clear picture of what you are going to analyze in your essay, it’s time to develop a unique and convincing topic. If you are not sure of the topic that you want to go with, create two or three draft topics and pick the best one once you finish writing.

Work on Making Your Introduction Stand Out 

The introduction is where you officially introduce the reader to your work. It should provide a brief explanation of the topic to get the audience up to speed. This section should stand out to make it easy to woo the reader in.  You could use a thought-provoking quotation in this section to pique the interest of the reader. Alternatively, you could offer a brief, easy-to-understand definition of the issue that you explore in your music essay. Importantly, do not forget to write the thesis statement because it helps provide a quick idea of the contents of your writing.

Elaborate Your Main Ideas in Individual Paragraphs to Form the Body

The body is yet another paramount section of your piece. It is where you lay down your supporting information and facts for or against your thesis claim. Every paragraph should provide varying stances for a good flow of thought. When writing your body paragraphs, be sure that you do the following:

• Write a topic sentence
• Introduce your supporting information
• Include figures and quotes
• Explain your quotes and figures
• Show the link between your evidence and the heading
• Transit between ideas effectively.

End Your Essay by Recapping Your Main Idea

The conclusion should provide the reader with a quick recap of the main ideas your essay contains. Your intention here is to persuade the reader to concur with your suggestions/claims in the paper. To make things easier to comprehend, provide a short sentence to summarize each argument.

The ideal closing paragraph should have the following features:

• A short recap of the thesis statement
• A brief review of all vital points
• Summary of all findings.

Do not provide any new information in your conclusion.

Revise to Ensure Accuracy

There’s no point in spending time crafting an essay on for you to submit a paper that is laden with mistakes. After completing the writing process, if time allows, leave your piece for about twenty-four hours. With a fresh mind, please go through it to identify mistakes and correct them.

Final Words

Handing in an excellent music essay will go a long way in ensuring that you perform well in your studies. The tips highlighted in this article will prove handy in crafting your composition. Implement them whenever you face this troubling task.

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Music Essay: Topics, How-to Guide, & Examples

How significant is music to our lives? Is it merely background noise for our great deeds? Or is it something that sets the tune of our whole existence? Whatever the answer is, one thing is sure: writing a music essay can be pretty tricky at times. After all, It’s a vast topic with a considerable history behind it.

Here, you will find some tips for going around this trickiness, along with 143 music essay topics for your piece, and 2 music essay examples . But first, we need to decide what exactly we are writing about.

• 🎵 The Basics
• 🎼 Music Essay: Writing Steps
• 🎸 143 Essay Topics
• 📻 2 Examples

🎵 Music Essay: What Is It about?

The idea of writing anything about music looks daunting at first glance. Thanks to the number of things you seemingly have to perform to write a good piece: using huge music theory words, analyzing all of the musical constituents, understanding the profound meaning behind every melody, and much other complicated stuff.

We’re delighted to inform you that none of that is essential to achieve the summit of a well-written music essay. It’s mostly about what response music invokes in you . Just tell people how it makes you feel. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that music is a very personal experience and talking about the subjective experience is something anyone can do. This can be done in several forms.

Here are some of them:

• Descriptive music essay . One of the simplest ways to describe something is to, well, describe it . It’s like painting but with a keyboard and a text editor. Here, you can connect to the reader through deep imagery of some musical pieces that you think are worth writing an essay about. Like describing a grimdark future inspired by some depressing lyrics you heard recently. Or you can simply go with picturing a classical music concert essay. Tell everyone how awesome classical music is and why they should spend their next weekend on an orchestra performance.
• Narrative music essay. Here you want to tell a story and use it to support your point of view. Create a tale about a young musician struggling to attain success to show how harsh and unforgiving the music industry can be. Or do the opposite and tell a story of a great artistic triumph to inspire others to never give up on their dreams. Keep in mind that you are writing a story, and every story has a character. And the characters communicate with each other. So don’t forget to include characters and dialogs.
• Persuasive music essay. This one is all about making the reader accept your point of view. This type of essay probably would be great for writing a work on the topic of “Why I love Linkin Park” or “My favorite jazz band of all times” since it probably involves a lot of emotional attachment. And emotions are something you definitely want to push in a persuasive music essay. You may also want to include some logical justification and checked facts. Statistics or sources you find reliable also can be cited.
• Compare & contrast music essay. The name of the genre speaks for itself.If you have difficulties choosing between two things you want to write about, you can compare them . And there are a lot of things to compare in music. Including but not limited to genres, singers, composers, music eras, the list is nearly infinite if you brainstorm hard enough. The structure here is plain and simple: Describe thing 1. Describe thing 2. Compare them.

🎼 Essay on Music: How to Write

Writing a music essay is no different from writing a piece on any other topic in the big picture. You will always need the argumentation, the overall structure, and exciting ideas.

But for music, in particular, you will also need to listen and set the listened things out the way that will set the reader on the same wavelength.

Here are some tips to help you with accomplishing that.

Music Essay: 5 Writing Steps

• Do the analysis. Before your fingers even touch the keyboard, just sitting back and reflecting on the things you’ll write about can be highly beneficial. This step can be applied to any music essay topic. If you make a statement about some lyrics you find beauteous, for instance, you can listen to the song again. And while relistening, try to observe details you haven’t noticed before. How does the melody frame the lyrics? What makes it sound so lyrical? Why does the music sound like it does when certain words are sung? The more questions you make and answer, the better.
• Thesis – A thesis statement is a part of introduction you will try to prove, disapprove or discuss in the body of your writing.
• Body – The biggest and the most informative part. In a regular 5-paragraph it consists of 2-3 paragraphs with all argumentation necessary to support your thesis statement.
• Conclusion – The final part. Nothing new needs to be told here. Just restate your thesis collect your body information in a couple of brief sentences. Plan on the details as well. And try to think of as many as you can. If you’re using a narrative style, what chronological order will there be? What characters will you insert into your narrative? Maybe you should let go of chronology and arrange the story’s events in order of significance? Or in the persuasive piece, you ought to think about the argumentation you’re going to provide. Check the viability of your sources and make sure the statistics you cite are not outdated. Do your research, simply put.
• Make a strong thesis statement. The thesis is the essential part of your essay. It’s not an argument, and thus you shouldn’t be trying to impose your point of view right from the get-go. If your thesis statement goes, “Rock music is undoubtedly the best genre out there with no considerable competition and here’s why.” you probably want to consider the possibility of a counterargument to your point. “The energy rock music gives and the majestic mood it can get you into makes it one of the best genres presented in today’s music industry” would be a better choice. If you have any difficulties formulating your thesis statement, you might want to use our free thesis-generating tool . Note that it is able to make various theses depending on the essay type.
• Don’t be scared of big music words. While it’s not obligatory to know every term out there, some of them can help express seemingly complicated ideas in a laconic way. It’s not wrong to say that you find the speed and rhythm of the music to be just suitable for the time it takes. But you can also phrase it into “I like the tempo” and be done with it. Although tempo might not be the most complex music word, it shows the point.
• Go sentimental. Music in itself is one enormous sentiment. Therefore, if you think you’re being too sensual with your essay, you’re probably not. Use metaphorical language and compare your favorite song to a trip to the stars. Or express your feeling towards a band you adore by putting it on par with antique gods. There’re no limits to your feelings, so don’t be scared to exceed them.

🎸 143 Music Essay Topics

If the topic of your work is not assigned, it can be challenging to either come up with one or choose one of the many ideas you have. Here are some possible options for you to go with:

• The best ways to enjoy your favorite band’s new album.
• Classical music as a way of energy for the whole day.
• What Is Hip-Hop Subculture?
• Rap music and its characteristics.
• What makes music challenging to listen to?
• Social Commentary in Pop Music Industry .
• How does low-fi music chill you out.
• A perfect playlist for working out.
• Music Paper: The Type of Music Jazz .
• Motivational music and its effect on you.
• Music Education: The Descriptive Research Methods .
• Is there such thing as “Cooking music”?
• Effects of Music in Advertising .
• Choosing a song for your alarm clock.
• Social Use of Music in Contemporary American Society .
• Can your music taste define your character?
• Woodstock The Music Event and Festival .
• What is the best music to relieve your stress ?
• Ethnomusicology in Analyzing Society’ Music .
• What is “Alternative” music?
• How can jazz music make you feel?
• Dance style: Capoeira .
• Why does music make us dance?
• The National Centre of Popular Music .
• Good and bad music. How to define?
• Hip-hop in Japan and cultural globalization .
• Defining features of The Beatles music.
• Popular music in the modern culture .
• What were the first rappers in history, and how were they different?
• Chamber Music in the Early Twentieth Century .
• What meaning can a song without lyrics have?
• The effect of music on culture .
• The future of electronic music.
• Choir Director & Participants in Music Making .
• Live music and the wonders it can do.
• Popular music in America .
• The mix of traditional and modern music and its specifics.
• Folk Music: Evolution of the Term and Scholars’ Works .
• How important is appearance for a musician?
• Feminism in the hip-hop culture .
• Musical instruments and the mood they bring.
• Sound analysis and aural experiences from music .
• Defining qualities of Elvis Pressley’s music.
• The Use of Violin in the Baroque Concerto .
• Ambient music is not a background.
• Descriptive Qualitative Research in Music Education .
• My first time seeing an orchestra concert.
• Hip-Hop Culture: What Philosophy to Choose?
• The struggles of an amateur musician in modern days.
• Teachers Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Education .
• The story of Queen’s success.
• Use of Music in Classrooms of in-Service Teachers .
• The day I fell in love with underground music.
• The first date and how the choice of music can affect it.
• The Effects of Hip-Hop, Rap Music on Young Women in Academia .
• My music taste progression.
• When did the music I love become old?
• Presentation for the Russian Musical Society .
• The two-faced reality of the music industry.
• Frank Zappa: composer & social critic .
• Why do I feel threatened at a punk-rock concert?
• The great triumph of 80’s rock music.
• E-concert report: Pieces by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky .
• The role of music in fighting prejudice .
• The origins of hip-hop culture .
• The most fantastic song I’ve ever heard.
• The magic of Christmas music.
• The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – the touring years .
• The origin story of Coldplay.
• My appreciation of heavy-metal bands.
• History of jazz music .
• Music effects on unborn children.
• American Popular Music and Its Styles .
• The effectiveness of music therapy .
• Hip-Hop and Theatre, Hip-Hop in Theatre or Hip-Hop Theatre .
• Heavy music and aggressive behavior .
• Teaching and Learning Music Technologically .
• Rap music and its influence on crime rates.
• Minimalism in Music and Its Development .
• The coexistence of traditional and modern music.
• How effective is music in pushing propaganda?
• Popular Music and Its Impact on the Economy and Politics .
• The importance of a national anthem.
• The Illegal Downloading of Music .
• The most ear-pleasing instrument.
• Music industry: the downfall caused by technology .
• The psychological and physiological impact of music.
• The problems of music piracy.
• DMCA pros and cons.
• Personality traits and musical elements preferences .
• The music and the freedom of speech .
• Is the music industry accessible?
• Music, media and culture influence on behavior .
• Can drugs help you to write lyrics?
• Manufactured bands. Good or bad?
• African music’s contribution to contemporary genres .
• Why is pop music popular?
• Visual Music: The Concept of ‘Visual Music’ and Historical Excurse .
• Should we listen to less music?
• Do physical copies of music still make sense?
• Heavy metal music gender trends .
• The importance of background music in movies ?
• The world without music. Better or worse?
• Studying Music Evolution .
• The extreme difference between jazz and acid jazz.
• Historic Violin Pedagogical Treatises and Teaching .
• How different can the tastes of people from various countries be?
• Sociology of Music: What Music Means in Our Life .
• Comparing rap: old vs. new.
• Your today’s music taste. Better or worse?
• The History and Concept of Rock Music .
• Professional and amateur music.
• Presentation on Articulation Related to the Violin .
• The idea of depression in different songs.
• Gender and Sexuality in Popular Media .
• The 80s and 2000’s rock: compare and contrast .
• Debussy’s String Quartet and Influence on Symphonic Music .
• Office with background music vs. office without it.
• Performing Forces Related to Violin in the 19th Century .
• The difference between rap and hip-hop .
• Music Education Pre-Service and Beginning Teachers’ Learning .
• The visions of the future in various music genres.
• Philosophy Scenario in Music Education .
• Listening to music or listening to lyrics?
• Debussy’s String Quartet and His Influence on Symphonic Music .
• Does it matter to listen to music outdoor or indoors?
• French Romanticism Features in Camille Saint-Saens’s Music .
• Western and eastern traditional music.
• History of Community Jazz Bands in Floridoniaville City .
• Baroque and renaissance classical music comparison.
• Folk Music Definition and Development .
• The usage of acoustic guitar in happy and depressive songs.
• The Mind of Music: Psychology of Musicians .
• Calm or energetic music for driving. What’s better?
• Rave parties vs. country festivals.
• Is there a difference in men’s and women’s music tastes?
• The Violin Trio Music in the Early Twentieth Century: Specific Features of Aram Khachaturian’s and Bela Bartok’s Contrast .
• How do your high school and college music differ? And why?
• Mozart’s Third Violin Concert Performance Skills .
• Music therapy. Active or receptive?
• Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major: A Western Form of the Russian Music .
• Importance of a Choir Director in Music Making .

Haven’t found anything suitable in the lists above? Feel free to use our essay topic generator for more ideas.

📻 Music Essay Examples

Here we will look at two simple examples of a written music essay with a brief parsing of principal components for each.

Classical Music Concert Essay

If we’re going to write something about a classical concert, the narrative essay would be one of the best ways to do that. Remember that introduction and thesis are in the same paragraph. Pay attention to the absence of thesis. It’s a common thing in a narrative style essay.

Essay on Music Therapy

Going with a persuasive style for this topic might be a decent idea. Many people are doubtful about music being somehow related to health, and an essay on music therapy is a proper tool to convince them.

Overall, you need to bear in mind that a music essay is no different from any other type. Make sure to keep the structure, logic, and coherence together, and you’ll be good to go. Make sure to let us know if the article was any use for you, good luck with your assignment, and thank you for your time!

🔗 References

• Writing about Music: A Guide to Writing | Harvard College
• 6 Tips for Writing About Music – Writer’s Digest
• Music – UNC Writing Center
• The music essay – The Guardian
• Write Your Essay | UNSW Current Students
• How to Write an Essay

267 Music Essay Topics + Writing Guide [2024 Update]

Your mood leaves a lot to be desired. Everything around you is getting on your nerves. But still, there’s one thing that may save you: music. Just think of all the times you turned on your favorite song, and it lifted your spirits!

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

So, why not write about it in a music essay? In this article, you’ll find all the information necessary for this type of assignment:

• 267 brilliant music essay topics,
• a sample paper,
• a step-by-step guide and writing tips.

And don’t forget to bookmark  custom-writing.org  where you can find helpful essay tips in articles like this one.

🔝 Music Essay Topics: Top 10

• 🎵 Music Essay Definition
• 🎼 Essay Topics
• ✍️ How to Write
• 📑 Essay Sample

🔗 References

• Compare different recording formats.
• The purpose of music.
• Ternary and rondo: compare and contrast.
• Music as a lifestyle.
• The benefits of singing.
• Ethnomusicology as a career.
• Evolution of the radio.
• The importance of school musicals.
• Music as a tool for meditation.
• Music in sports.

🎵 Essays about Music: What Are They?

A music essay describes or analyzes a piece of music, its context, or one’s personal attitude towards it. This type of assignment requires a compelling primary argument and a clear structure.

To write well about music, you don’t have to be a professional musician. All you need is to be able to listen, understand, and evaluate it. You should also provide your interpretation and opinion on it.

Writing about Music: Assignment Types

An essay on music is a popular assignment in high school and college. However, many students find it hard to describe sounds in a written form. In this article, we will give you some tips on writing about music.

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Here are the typical tasks that you might receive:

• Concert report. It requires describing the music you’ve heard using as many details and terms as you can.
• Historical analysis of a piece. Your aim is to describe the historical context of a piece or its relation to the historical setting. For this type of assignment, you may need to do some research.
• Song analysis. In this type of essay, you explore song lyrics’ meaning and show how they work together with the melody.
• Performance or media comparison. Here you need to compare several interpretations or performances of one piece of music.

All of these assignments require a different approach and topic. You will find topics for these types of tasks below.

How to Choose a Music Essay Topic

First things first, you need to find a suitable music essay topic. To accomplish this task, you might want to take the following steps:

• Analyze your relationship with music . What role does it play in your life? Your topic choice will be different if you are a musician or merely a listener.
• Think about how music influences your everyday life . For instance, you can study how listening to music affects our mental health. Impressing your readers with some historical facts from the world of music is also a great idea.
• Try reflecting on the role of different music genres in your life . Whether you prefer rap or classical music, exploring a genre is an excellent topic idea. Topics related to musical instruments are also worth attention.
• Narrow your topic down. Otherwise, it will be too difficult to focus your essay on just one idea.

🎼 Music Essay Topics List

The first thing you need to do is to choose your topic. We have prepared a variety of music topics perfect for research papers and short essays. You can also use them for speeches or college application essays.

Argumentative Essay about Music: Topics & Ideas

Argumentative essays about music are usually concerned with a specific music-related issue you choose to address. Just like with any other argumentative essay, you should present both sides of the topic. Also, reliable facts are a must for this type of essay.

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• The influence of modern technologies on the music industry. Technologies allow artists to create and promote their songs independently. Because of this, record labels are less critical to musicians than before. However, the emergence of new technologies also gave rise to piracy. Do the positives outweigh the negatives? 
• What’s the effect of  pop music on the modern generation? Today’s pop songs are usually commercial . Because of this, some people say that pop has ruined the current generations’ perception of music. Others argue that contemporary pop music expanded the possibilities of the genre.  
• Rock music makes people more aggressive.  Some consider rock music merely an arrangement of aggressive tunes that foster violence. On the counter side, science has proven that people who prefer rock to other genres are calmer and more concentrated. Which position do you agree with? 
• Can people with hearing impairments become famous musicians?  Many believe that access to fame and fortune is limited for disabled people. The deaf may seem especially unsuited for the  music business . Yet, the examples of Beethoven, Neil Young, and Chris Martin show that hearing problems don’t have to be an issue.  
• Will  streaming  completely substitute physical copies?  Digitalization is on its way to replacing LPs and CDs. For most people, it’s simply more convenient. But their opponents claim that an MP3 file can never sound as good as a physical copy.
• Some music genres can be a catalyst for violence.  While their beats may be calm, hip-hop and rap’s  lyrics are often aggressive and brutal. Does it have adverse effects on a listener? 
• Can a person become addicted to music?
• Censorship on the radio: why stations shouldn’t bleep out obscenities. 
• Is mandatory musical education in high schools practical?
• The impact of Mozart’s music on toddlers.
• Should a musician’s personal life affect people’s perception of their art? 
• How susceptible are teenagers to political messages in songs?
• Music influences one’s mental and physical capabilities .
• Are children who listen to music more intelligent than others?
• Music genres are inherently dependent on musical instruments .
• Is music as an art form more popular than cinema ?
• Debate whether rap musicians promote a frivolous and careless lifestyle .
• Many musicians became famous only because they’ve had connections. 
• Music festivals are the best form of entertainment.
• Does music always sound better live than on records? 
• Is classical music better than modern genres?
• Is it justified that some religions view music as a sin?
• Typically, music defines a culture and its traditions: true or false? 
• Rap music has a strong connection to rebellious movements. 
• Jamaican music’s link to the stoner lifestyle is unjustified.
• Synesthesia: how is music related to visuals?

Opinion on Music: Essay Topics

Opinion essays about music might seem similar to the argumentative type. Here, you are expected to write your personal opinion on a topic. Naturally, you can have many opinions on musical topics. Why not broadcast them? Keep in mind that you also need to provide reasons for your point of view.

• Music therapy can help people with mental illnesses.  It’s a well-known fact that music affects the human brain. This ability makes it perfect for treating mental health problems. On the one hand, psychologists established that listening to classical music increases one’s  cognitive capacity . On the other hand, listening to heavy rock impacts responsiveness. 
• The questionable treatment of women in the  music industry .  While it may seem that both sexes are treated equally, women still earn much less than they deserve. Moreover, the extreme sexualization of girls persists as one of the most pressing problems in the industry. 
• Which musician or band impacted your worldview ? Discuss what makes your favorite artist special. Consider analyzing their lyrics, genre, and evolution. If you want to, add a review of one of their albums .
• What are the challenges of being an independent artist? Typically, independent artists deal with all the financial, promotional, and distributional affairs by themselves. In the increasingly complex music business, this is not an easy task.
• Is  social media  efficient for promotion?  Almost every modern artist uses social media to promote their albums or songs. Users often check their networks for updates, which increases the musician’s visibility. But do such methods help in the long run? 
• Passion is the essential personal quality for every musician . If an artist is not eager to continually produce high-quality output, they’re unlikely to succeed. However, qualities such as responsibility, honesty, hard work, and creativity are also vital.
• Is music good for stress relief? 
• How does music connect people ?
• Analyze qualities that good musicians shouldn’t have.
• Who are the most excellent musicians in the country genre ?
• Is it possible to live without interacting with music ?
• Choose three successful rappers and analyze their influence.
• How can a musician become famous without having money or connections? 
• What are the difficulties of being in a band? 
• Who impacted the development of indie music the most?
• Is pop music losing its popularity? If so, why?
• Three factors that affected your choice of a favorite genre .
• Which artists are the most prominent in power metal?
• Which record label is the most influential now? 
• Can Justin Bieber’s songs be considered legendary?
• Did Kanye West introduce a new kind of rap?
• Which rock bands lost their fame because of a scandal ? How did it happen?
• Discuss Dire Straits’ impact on music history .
• Who are currently the most successful women pop singers ?
• Why are some music genres more popular than others?
• What does success in the music world depend on? 

Topics for a Persuasive Essay about Music

Is there anything music-related you want to convince people of? A persuasive paper is your chance. Carefully craft your arguments to show your readers you’ve always been right about the beauty of cowbells. If it’s not your jam, consider these essay topics about music:

• A seven-string guitar is superior to a six-string one. The additional string gives more room for creativity. It might be challenging to master, but in the end, the music has a fuller sound . Do you think it’s worth the effort?
• The lyrics don’t matter as long as the melody is good. It’s possible to like songs from different countries, even if the listener doesn’t understand the language. The singing is simply part of the composition. Does this mean that what the vocalist says is unimportant?

• Most people living in big cities neglect country music. People from urban areas tend to think that country music is tasteless. For them, its tunes and lyrics sound too simple. Does the strong association with cowboys, farms, and long roads simply not appeal to the city lifestyle?
• Should rap music be performed only by black people?  The genre hosts a large portion of  African American artists . Not only that, but black rappers are widely considered the best of their craft. Do white artists do the genre justice? 
• Music that artists make merely to get money is soulless. Passion is a critical factor for every musician. If money is the primary driver for creating a song , the result is inevitably flawed. Do you agree?
• Pop music is undergoing a transformation. Listeners acknowledge pop as the primary genre of contemporary music . Yet, new musical instruments are changing the game. Even the lyrics touch on more serious topics than before.
• Indie is the new pop. Indie music is a relatively novel genre. Still, it continues to gain popularity. The light-hearted tunes paired with existential lyrics have captured the audience’s hearts. Is it possible to envision the future of music without bands such as Coldplay, The 1975, and the Arctic Monkeys?
• The meaning of freedom for jazz as a musical genre .
• Punk rock has recently witnessed a renaissance.
• Exposing plants to classical music makes them grow faster.
• Classical music: intellectually stimulating or relaxing ?
• Is it justified that some countries legally prohibit artists from performing?
• Is it easier for children to learn with music? 
• Can a person ever become a great artist without a natural talent ?
• Should workplaces allow their employees to listen to background music ?
• Jimi Hendrix’s guitar skills are still unmatched.
• The impact of pop music on European culture and trends.
• Kurt Cobain’s death should have been a wake-up call for the music industry .
• Why is music beneficial to society?
• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s legacy can be felt even today.
• Nintendocore is a legitimate genre that the industry should take more seriously.
• Should you listen to a bands’ music even if you disagree with their opinions ?
• Musicians should receive more government support.
• Patriotic songs make people feel passionate and energetic about their country.
• Depressive and sad tunes can worsen a person’s mood.
• Doctors and therapists need to understand the importance of music. 

Music Evaluation Essay Topics

Do you want to know how to evaluate music? The point is to divide your overall impression into several parts. Music evaluation requires much attention and concentration, so try to do your best to stay focused while listening.

Use these criteria for evaluating music performances:

Now all you need to do is choose a topic and get down to writing!

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• Discuss the rise and fall of hardcore punk. Many bands that started in the hardcore punk scene softened their sound over time. Why did this genre disappear from the mainstream?
• Copyright laws are going too far .  It’s getting increasingly difficult to use somebody else’s intellectual property. Creators on YouTube have to fear lawsuits for creatively repurposing copyrighted music. Moreover, laws such as the DMCA are frequently abused to generate revenues. 
• More bands should use their influence for political purposes. Renowned artists have a broad reach. Bands like Rise Against or Anti Flag use this influence to raise political awareness among their fans. Is it a fair approach?  
• Borrowing and plagiarism in contemporary music . New artists don’t emerge without having listened to other musicians. They draw inspiration from their predecessors. Thus, songs are always a mix of already existing tracks. In your essay, discuss the difference between homage and plagiarism.
• What are the similarities between poetry and song lyrics? Songs and poems are similar in that they deliver a message to the audience. Their creation demands extensive knowledge of rhyming, literary devices, and other components.
• Why do some musicians ask others to write lyrics for them? It is a common practice to have a crew of songwriters who create texts for performers. Sometimes it happens due to a lack of imagination or inspiration. Does finding out that your favorite artist doesn’t write their lyrics destroy the magic of their music?
• How can popular music diversify as a genre? Pop music reached its peak. Adding and borrowing elements from different genres can be one way to diversify a streamlined genre.
• The history of music as political propaganda. 
• Explain the difference between high and low contemporary music culture .
• How is contemporary music related to that from other periods?
• What are the connections between pop music and the hip-hop genre?
• What connects popular music and contemporary culture ?
• How does music in the United States relate to Spanish music ?
• Analyze the evolution of Indian music .
• Discuss why certain albums manage to climb to the top of the charts.
• The link between social classes and musical genres. 
• Differences and similarities of music and other art forms .
• How does a musical instrument’s origin influence its development?
• What is the role of traditional music today?

• What are the main processes in music production? 
• How is music theory relevant today?
• Analyze which contemporary artists’ albums had an effect comparable to that of Queen’s A Night at the Opera .
• Eurodance: Europe’s most extravagant genre.
• Songs and everyday life of Michael Jackson vs. Madonna: who wins the ultimate pop crown?
• What difficulties has Eminem faced throughout his career?
• Over-ear headphones provide a better sound experience than on-ear ones.

Topics for an Expository Essay on Music

An expository essay explains or describes a subject. In the colorful world of music, topics can range from the physics of sound waves to artists’ social impact.

• The importance of Blues music in the late 19 th  century and now.  Blues originated in the 19 th  century American South. It was an outlet for  African Americans to express their sorrows. Later, it exceeded by far the cultural boundaries that confined it. 
• The role of music in prison camps.  Singing was an essential part of life in the Nazi concentration camps. One of the most well-known songs of that time is called  Peat Bog Soldiers . In your expository essay, explore why prisoners started singing and how it developed.  
• How did Chester Bennington’s death impact the music industry? Linkin Park was a giant in the business for decades until depression made their lead singer take his own life. The event sparked debates surrounding mental health and pressure in the creative industry. What long-lasting effects did these discussions have?
• How did Baroque music reflect the zeitgeist? Compared to the Renaissance period, Baroque was in all aspects very pompous. The artists of the Sun King’s time didn’t shy away from the extravaganza. This ideal is especially prominent in architecture. How does music fit into the picture?
• Investigate the development of musical harmony. The Ancient Greeks already had an idea of some tones fitting together better than others. However, it wasn’t until the 1600s that tonality became a crucial part of music theory.
• Music in commercials: an analysis. Songs and jingles are commonplace in TV commercials. But what are they good for? In your essay, you can compare the success of advertisements with and without music.
• What causes music trends to change? It’s easy to define various eras of music . Naturally, the invention of new instruments has influenced this development. What other factors played a role in these transformations?
• Why is 4/4 a universal beat?
• Examine the origins of The Star-Spangled Banner .
• The effects of dissonance on the human mind .
• How do staccato, legato, and other forms of articulation influence the perception of a musical piece? 
• Discuss the significance of music in video games. 
• Music drives people’s motivation.
• Explain the calming effects of nature sounds .
• How does music influence literature? 
• Celtic music is known to have an extraordinary impact on the psyche. How does it work?
• How does music impact the discharge of hormones such as dopamine?
• Music therapy is suitable for those who have bipolar disorder. 
• What made Falco such a unique artist?
• How does the perception of a silent film differ from that of a movie with sound? 
• A rock concert by Kansas: How the relevance of live concerts changed over time. 
• Is being able to read music important for a composer ?
• How did Beethoven write music after losing his hearing?
• Should all songs have proper rhythm and structure?
• Why do so many indie artists become commercial? 
• Is it essential for song lyrics to rhyme?

History of Music: Essay Topics

If you’re interested in the evolution of music, you’ve come to the right section. Historical research reveals the significance of music throughout time. Unsurprisingly, songs and melodies have been part of human culture for centuries. Dive deeper into this exciting subject with one of the following ideas:

• How did the Catholic Church influence music development in Europe? During the Middle Ages , religious movements had a significant impact on music. Consequently, composers used to create more sacred music. It became a way of personal expression since it often contained religious texts. 
• The cultural meaning of Renaissance music and its influence on other styles . During the time of the Renaissance , sacred and secular music heavily impacted each other. As a result, more variety emerged. The chanson and madrigal, for example, became popular around Europe.
• Research archaeological findings of early musicality.  The search for the oldest musical instrument delivers thrilling insights. Archaeologists have excavated a flute made of ivory and bird bones, dating approximately 43,000 years ago. They found it in a cave in Germany where Neanderthals lived.  
• History of early music and appearance of  musical instruments.  The beginning of the human culture was the turning point of  musical instruments’ appearance. They were primarily used for spiritual rites; typically, they were horns or drums for ceremonies.
• Louis Armstrong’s contributions to the jazz world.  Jazz originated in  New Orleans and was a favorite among African Americans. Louis Armstrong’s improvisations forever changed the genre, making the soloist-improviser the center of the performance.
• The phenomenon of pop music and its origins. Popular music dates back to the second half of the last century. It comes from the US and the UK. Its main peculiarity lies in the variety of tunes and lyrics .
• Native American music before the discovery of the New World . Incas and Aztecs had particular styles of music. Findings show that these ancient civilizations used instruments for ceremonies. Researchers also discovered that various American cultures mingled, thus creating new techniques. 
• The use of string instruments in classical Greek songwriting.
• Famous composers of 18th century Italy and their influence. 
• Mozart vs. Beethoven: comparison of techniques.
• Deliver a thoughtful analysis of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony .
• What role do acoustic instruments play in jazz compositions?
• Explore the history of the Ocarina.
• Due to what circumstances did Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart become one of the greatest musical geniuses in history?
• Influence of the Romantic period on modern music.   
• How and why were the swing era and jazz connected?
• Rock and roll as an international language in the 20th century.
• Explore the rise of techno music.
• Is there a historical connection between music and math? 
• How did music become a staple subject in many schools?
• The greatest musicians of World War I. 
• Industrialization and its effect on music development.
• How did female producers such as Kate Bush impact the music industry?
• Analyze Frédéric Chopin’s contribution to classical music .
• Music evolution in ancient Greece vs. the Roman Empire. 
• How does archeology help to uncover musical traditions ?
• Tupac’s influence on modern rap music .

Classification Essay about Music: Topic Ideas

In a classification essay, you explain how a whole relates to parts or vice versa. To do it, you need to divide one broad category into several subcategories. Each classification paragraph focuses on one subcategory, so you need to find a key feature that will be your basis of division. For example, you can divide music by genre, volume, musical instruments, etc.

Here is our list of musical topics for this essay type:

• The most popular types of alternative music among teenagers.  Naturally, teens like different kinds of rock and experimental music . Try to dig deeper and ask some teenagers about their preferences to get a clear picture.  
• Types of modern dance music . Describe the tendencies and popular genres. You can also focus on a specific country.
• The most popular types of jazz music in Europe.  Although jazz emerged in the United States, this genre became recognizable all over the world. You can analyze the most popular streamed songs, or the concerts and other mass events.
• Rock music in the ’70s.  You can describe the genres, styles, or types of performers. The concerts, clothes, and lifestyles are also suitable for this topic. 
• Blues musicians of different time periods. Analyze the lyrics, the musical instruments they used, and how long their careers lasted.
• Classification of music for children . Some of it can be for dancing, development, or just listening. Research the purposes of different kinds of music for children.
• Types of music used in films. The soundtrack is one of the main things we remember after watching a movie. There can be popular songs or tracks composed specifically for a film .
• Rock bands that represent different subgenres.
• Rap subgenres in the United States.
• Periods of classical music.
• What motivates people to start a musical career?
• Different kinds of music for relaxation.
• The industries where composers work .
• Types of opera singers and instrumental music. 
• Different professions in the music industry.  
• Unpopular genres of independent music.
• Different types of music listeners .

College Essay about Music: Topics

When you apply to your dream college, you need to write an impressive essay. Admissions officers pay attention not only to your grades and achievements but also to your personality. Your writing can indicate your motivation, academic interests, and how well you fit into the college.  Writing an essay about “music in my life” is a great way to demonstrate your passion and creativity.  

Choose one of these topics related to music for your college essay:

• The role of music in your life . Describe what music means to you, how often you listen to it, and how it helps you in life. For example, you can write about inspiration, motivation, or the sense of freedom that it gives you.
• What are the essential aspects of music for you? Try to write down everything you like about music. It might be melodies, lyrics, vocals, or mood. You can choose several aspects if you feel that you can’t decide.
• The time when music changed your life.  In this essay, you can pick one occurrence or describe how music changed your life gradually. It’s important to indicate where you started from and where it led you. 
• How do you see the future of the music industry? Demonstrate to the admissions officer how well you know the art and the business.
• Your  role model  in the music industry.  You may write about the qualities of the person you admire and why you want to develop them in yourself. Remember that admission officers want to read about you, not your idol.  
• How did your musical  taste change over the last ten years?  Describe the evolution of your preferences. Explain why you have changed some of your past choices. Do you think your musical taste has improved?  
• Your favorite musical genre .
• Does listening to music help to heal body and spirit?
• What is the best music performance you have ever seen?
• Why do people become fans of particular musicians?
• Your favorite song lyrics .
• Can people be judged by their musical taste?
• Why is music an essential part of human culture? 
• Quote about music that appeals to you the most. 
• How can music education help you in the future?
• Do you prefer listening to music or performing it? 
• How can music change your mood?
• Why you want to become a musician.
• Which culture has the most beautiful ethnical music?  
• Is music more of an art or business?
• What are the essential parts of musical education ?

Other Music Essay Topics

• Why do supermarkets play music? Think of the reasons why marketers use music in advertising and how it impacts customer behavior.
• An analysis of Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music . Evaluate how the director uses music to tell a story.
• The impact of music on the human brain.  Examine the latest research in the mental health field and how music therapy affects depression treatments. 
• The workings of the music industry . Assess how contemporary audio technology and touring lifestyle affect musicians.
• The role of music in different cultures. Choose and compare two countries to analyze their perspectives on the music industry.
• Music on television . Evaluate how the music of TV shows and movies impacts the audience’s feelings and behavior.
• Oliver Sacks’ contribution to music psychology. Explore the theories he discusses in Musicophilia and describe its influence on music psychology.
• Should all music be available for free download? Think about the ethical and legal aspects of this issue.
• How did music psychology help the development of music education ? Try to find a correlation between these two fields.
• Britney Spears and the adverse effects of teen popularity. Writing about this topic, you might want to focus on how her early fame affected her life. What happened after her famous breakdown in 2007?
• The half-life of one-hit-wonders. Focus your paper on quantitative research. How long do one-hit-wonders stay famous on average? Why do they fail to maintain their success?
• Journalism and the music industry. Examine the effects positive or negative press had on a musician of your choice.
• Festivals and sponsorship.  Discuss the benefits that corporate sponsors and the creators of music festivals gain from working together. 
• Rock songs and pessimistic lyrics.  Why do most popular rock songs have such sad and angry lyrics? 
• Discuss the development of your music taste. Write about what pushed you to change and how it influenced your life.
• The psychology of music.  Examine what someone’s favorite music genre can tell about their personality.
• Is ASMR music? ASMR artists make quiet sounds to soothe their audience. But can we really consider it music?
• A historical analysis of jazz. Explore how African Americans influenced the flourishing culture of jazz that has spread worldwide.
• The effect of classical music on children’s cognitive abilities. Supposedly, classical music is great for kids. Study this theory and make your conclusions.
• Discuss the characteristics of modern Latin American music . Dive into its diversity and describe the reasons for its popularity.
• How do Chinese artists make traditional music? Write about its complex creation process. Analyze the importance of articulation for composers.
• The history of music . With this essay, explore the six periods of music history. To top it off, you can predict what music will be like in the future.
• The music industry goes online. Discuss the importance of the internet for the industry and the challenges associated with it.
• The magic of instrumental music. Pick your favorite orchestra pieces and find unique features in each of them.
• Musical education: the sound of success?  Does everyone need a musical background?
• Explore the latest techniques in songwriting . Look into the song creation process of contemporary musicians. How do they get the audience to enjoy their art?
• Compare and contrast e-pianos and keyboards. In doing so, consider their structure, sound, and features. 
• The Woodstock festival as a game-changer. How has the Woodstock Music and Art Fair influenced the current state of the music industry? Additionally, investigate how current festivals hold up to the standards set by Woodstock.
• Music therapy for stroke patients . Find out whether incorporating elements of music therapy can support the treatment of patients who suffered a stroke.
• How do amplifiers work? If you’re a musician, you’ve likely used an amplifier before. Now it’s time to figure out what they are actually doing.
• The Killers’ contributions to indie rock. How would you define their style of music? What makes them a key player in indie music?
• Analyze the music in Grease . Pick some of the most popular songs from the musical and write about their influence on American culture.
• What’s the best way to interpret songs?  Describe methods to deconstruct songs and how the music style affects this process. 
• Teufel vs. Sennheiser: the ultimate comparison.  German sound equipment manufacturers are known for their cutting-edge technologies. But which brand is the best? 
• What role does harmony play in music composition? Choose several pieces of music and describe how the artists used harmony.
• How necessary are double bass drums? Do musicians place them on stage just to impress people, or do they have actual use?
• Compare regular festivals and free ones. Why spend hundreds of dollars on Coachella if you can go to Woodstock for free? In your essay, focus on the differences such as size, participating artists, and general entertainment .
• A historical analysis of choral music.  Singing in groups is a practice common across various cultures. You might choose one or two to work on.
• How did The Rolling Stones influence British culture? The Rolling Stones are one of the longest-standing rock bands of all time. Naturally, this left significant marks on their home country.
• How important are regional accents for English-language singers ? When working on this theoretical topic, include some examples and your personal opinion.
• The world of musical instruments: medieval music.  This fun essay can focus on different types of medieval instruments and their evolution. 
• Does the creative process differ for electronic and acoustic music? Look at how artists usually write songs. Do they start with the melody, the rhythm, or the lyrics? Does it depend on the medium? 
• The correlation between poems and medieval songs.  Find out how composers were reinventing poetry to create songs. 
• Hip-hop and gender equality . What is the role of women in the development of this music style? Don’t forget to give examples.
• When politics interferes with art: Eurovision. Analyze the role of the political situation in this song contest. Is there anything left of its original idea?
• How did Vladimir Vysotsky become a beloved musical figure outside of Soviet Russia? It’s unusual for Russian-language musicians to gain fame outside of their home country. Research how Vysotsky managed to mingle in the USA and have some of his work posthumously released in Europe.
• K-pop conquers the world .  You may narrow the topic down to a specific artist. Focus on the influence of Korean music in other cultures. 
• Music school students vs. amateurs. Discuss the different experiences and outcomes of music school students and those who learn to play instruments at home.
• Do music choices shape one’s identity , or is it the other way around? It’s an exciting question that lets you dig deep into the psychology of music.
• The music of dissents.  Energizing songs play an essential part in rebellions and revolutions. For example, analyze how protesters used music during the Arab Spring.
• The development and popularity of electronic music.  Starting from the early experiments, analyze the development of this style and its increasing influence 
• How do artists use social media to promote their music? You might want to choose one or two examples to illustrate the tools they use.
• Organum as one of the oldest written types of music . Study the development of this music style throughout various cultures.
• The appeal of Metallica’s  Nothing Else Matters. Many people consider the song one of their favorites. Examine its structure, melody, and lyrics. What makes it unique? 
• Africa’s hidden musical gems.   African  music is as diverse as its people. Pick two countries and compare their style. How do they differ from Western art? 
• Did people’s music  tastes improve compared to previous decades?  Here, you have the chance to express your views on the evolution of people’s music preferences.
• Is the life of pop stars as easy as people think? Share your thoughts on whether famous musicians and singers have a leisurely lifestyle.
• Physiological reactions to different types of music . Study how your body reacts to various beats and tones.
• Why do people tend to listen to specific songs on certain occasions? In your essay, ponder the effects of love songs or powerful anthems on one’s  mood . 
• What does someone’s ringtone say about their personality ? Think about how it affects your perception of a person.
• The impact of music on the individual’s  productivity .  Studies suggest a positive effect on people’s performance when they listen to something pleasant while working. But all the noise can get overstimulating. That’s why finding the balance is central. 
• Music is natural. In the depth of nature, there is music. Rain, a bird’s song, or the tapping of a squirrel’s feet melt together to create a beautiful composition. Music is everywhere—one only needs to listen carefully. 

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for, you’re welcome to use our topic generator .

✍️ Music Essay: How to Write

So, you have chosen your essay title. Now it’s time to start writing! But before you begin, read the sections below and learn how to organize your work.

How to Describe Music in Writing

You might think that writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Well, it is not an easy task, but we know how to cope with it.

Follow these tips while writing:

• Make a comparison.  Explain which characteristics of a piece remind you or are identical to those of another one. It’s better to avoid comparing music from different composers in this case. Instead, evaluate and analyze two musical pieces from the same composer.
• Describe the melody and dynamics.  You may want to use musical terms to show your knowledge and proficiency. Define the genre and what kind of instruments and tones are used.
• Explain how it makes you feel.  You can use basic human emotions to describe the feelings of a listener. For example, it can be anger, tenderness, irritation, excitement, or nostalgia.
• Use metaphorical language.  You may try using your imagination to create analogies. Be careful not to make your metaphors overcomplicated, as it may confuse the readers.

Essays about Music: Descriptive Words

Do you want your essay on music to be interesting and expressive? Then you may want to use descriptive vocabulary. Here are some of the terms that you can use in your essay to make it sound more professional:

• Tempo is the “speed” of music. There are fixed expressions to define tempo—for example, largo, moderate, or presto. You can also describe how fast the music feels.
• Timbre is the term that evaluates the “color” of music. Even if two instruments play the same note of the same volume, the sound is still different. This is how you can notice the color of the tone. For example, gentle, clear, heavy, or warm can be the adjectives to describe timbre.
• Dynamics define the volume levels of music. The volume can be the same all the time, for example loud or soft. If the volume of music changes, you can use such expressions as “gradually gets louder” “or suddenly becomes soft.”
• Harmony characterizes how all the notes and chords sound together. The sequence of chords—chord progression—defines how satisfying the melody is for the listener. For example, if the transitions are smooth, you can use such words as “relaxed” or “warm.”

Music Essay Outline

Like any other assignment, writing about music requires a proper essay outline that will guide you through the writing. The following sections will help you with that.

Before you start, here are some tips that will help you prepare for writing:

• Do some prior research. Try to learn as much as possible about the piece you will be writing about. It’s also helpful to listen to the music several times with headphones to notice more details.
• Don’t be afraid of asking questions. Consult your instructor if you’re unsure about your topic or the piece you have chosen.
• Choose the topic that you like. If you’re passionate about a subject, it is always easier to write about it. Who said that homework could not be interesting?
• Follow the recommendations that your instructor gives. It includes word limit, formatting style, deadline, and essay type.

Music Essay Introduction

The introduction is the section where you come up with a brief explanation of the topic. You may start it with a quotation, definition, or short statement that catches your reader’s attention and leads them to the essay subject.

A thesis statement is usually the last sentence of the introduction that defines the content of body paragraphs. It needs to be specific and not longer than two sentences. If you decide to shift the focus of your essay while writing, it’s crucial to change your thesis too.

Different types of essays require different thesis statements. Let’s take a closer look:

Music Essay Body

Your essay’s body is the most significant part of your writing. Here, you provide evidence and explanations of your claims.

The typical body paragraph structure includes:

• A topic sentence explaining the argument for a particular paragraph.
• An introduction to the evidence you gathered to support an argument.
• Quotes and facts (don’t forget about proper citation!) and their explanation.
• A connection between the evidence and the essay topic.
• Paragraph transitions  leading your reader to the next section.

Topic Sentence about Music

Topic sentences can be used as a roadmap to writing your essay. Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that defines what the paragraph is about. It introduces the argument or main thought that will be explained. It’s also connected with the thesis statement.

It’s essential to make your thesis easy to understand, so it’s better not to overcomplicate it. For example, here’s an unsuccessful topic sentence with unnecessary words:

As stated above, the guitar is an essential musical instrument in rock music that defines how it sounds.

Instead, you can formulate it like this:

The guitar is the most iconic musical instrument in rock music that defines how it sounds.

Music Essay Conclusion

When writing a conclusion for your essay on music, you can use the following structure:

• Summarize the text in a few sentences.
• Review the key points of your paper.
• Paraphrase the thesis.

To make your essay conclusion more effective, avoid the following:

📑 What Music Means to Me: Essay Example

Now you know all about writing an essay on music! To make it even easier for you, we’ve prepared an essay sample that you can use for inspiration. Check it out:

Now all you need is to turn the music on and get down to writing! We hope you liked this guide. If you did, don’t hesitate to share it with your friends.

Further reading:

• How to Write a Good Critique Paper: Killer Tips + Examples
• How to Write an Art Critique Essay: Guidelines and Examples
• How to Write a Movie Critique Paper: Top Tips + Example
• Modern Fairy Tale Essay: How to Write, Topics and Ideas
• 200 Creative Topics for Opinion Essays
• 182 Free Ideas for Argumentative or Persuasive Essay Topics
• 180 Excellent Evaluation Essay Topics

✏️ Music Essay FAQ

Music is a vast topic. An essay might deal with anything ranging from trends in the 1950s to the best guitarists of all time. Writing an introduction to certain music styles or bands is also possible. In any case, the paper should be well-structured, logical, and cohesive.

Writing about music doesn’t necessarily require any specific skills. If you’re not familiar with the theory of music and can’t play musical instruments, you can just write about the music you like. Here are some topic ideas: favorite music band, style, or how you perceive music.

You can interpret music as a topic in various ways. If you are getting a degree in this field, you might want to write something more specific and technical. If your essay aims to merely inform and entertain, write about your favorite music style or band.

If you are writing an essay for school, a good choice would be an expository essay. It doesn’t require any specific knowledge of the music industry. Title suggestions might be: “My perception of music,” “My favorite band,” “How music can change the world.”

• What is the Music Industry? Definition and Facts: Study.com
• What Music Do You Write To?: Writers & Artists
• A Music Review: British Council
• Music: UNC Writing Center: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Sound and Sense: Writing about Music: Colorado State University
• Music analysis Research Papers: Academia.edu
• The Power of Music Therapy: Belmont University
• Musicology: Northwestern Bienen School of Music
• Musicology: Areas of Study: Indiana State University
• Music Facts: Facts.net
• Music History from Primary Sources: Library of Congress
• Music: Encyclopedia Britannica
• A History of Classical Music: Part 1: The List
• What Is Jazz: Smithsonian Institution
• The 50 Greatest Composers of All Time: Classical Music
• Musical Terms and Concepts: SUNY Potsdam
• Ethnomusicology: University of Oxford
• Music Research Process: Syracuse University
• Journal of Popular Music Studies: University of California Press
• The History of Pop Music in 5 Defining Decades: The Culture Trip
• Music of the 20 th Century: Lumen Learning
• Explainer: Indie Music: The Conversation
• Your Brain on Music: University of Central Florida
• Music and Health: Harvard University
• The Psychological Function of Music Listening: NIH
• Essays that Worked: Hamilton
• Writing in Music: Writing Thesis Statements: The City University of New York
• Academic Writing about Music: University of Denver
• How to Write Song Lyrics: Berklee
• Essay Introduction: University of Maryland
• Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements: Purdue University
• Writing Body Paragraphs: Monash University
• Some Tips for Writing Efficient, Effective Body Paragraphs: University of California, Berkeley
• Writing a Paper: Conclusions: Walden University
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Thank you very much for this post on music essay writing! You don’t know how long I looked for the helpful information on writing music essays!

Music takes an important part in my life. I wake up and go to bed listening to music. And now when I’m writing my music essay, I also listen to music. And it’s also a pleasure to read an article on how to write an essay on music!

10 Essays About Music Anyone Can Write

Are you interested in writing essays about music? There are plenty of essay topics from which to choose.

Just about everyone loves music. Whether they like to listen to music, play musical instruments, or read about it, music is an essential part of our society. As a result, it should come as no surprise that many people like to write music essays.

If you want to write a music essay, there are plenty of directions you can go. For example, you might want to write about the different forms of music. Or, you might be interested in writing about the importance of music. You can focus on popular music, classical music, rock music, or even hip-hop. 

The music industry has changed significantly during the past few years, and listener preferences have changed. Take a look at a few of the top music essay topics you can write about below.

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

1. Write About the History of Music

2. write about the effects of music on human beings, 3. write an essay on music therapy, 4. write about the differences between the genres of music, 5. write about a specific classical composer, 6. write an essay on basic music theory, 7. go on a tour of the world of music, 8. talk about the benefits of learning how to play a musical instrument, 9. write about how to get started in the music industry, 10. talk about the history of the piano.

One of the top essay topics you should consider is the history of music. Music is as old as human history itself, and you could even turn this into a thesis. Some of the ideas for this essay include:

• Consider writing about some of the earliest musical instruments people played. Then, you might need to focus on archaeological findings at some of the oldest dig sites in the world.
• Dive into classical music. You can go into three separate eras, including the baroque period, the traditional classical period, and the romantic period.
• Discuss the split between the romantic period and jazz music. Then, you can talk about how both jazz and romantic music evolved into today’s popular music.

As you craft this essay, there are plenty of types of music you can write about. Music as an art form has long been a central part of the lives of human beings. You can use this point to place the various parts of your essay in context, helping to emphasize the importance of good music to your reader.

Looking for more? Check out these essays about dance .

You might also want to write about the various effects of music on listeners throughout the years. If you are struggling with how to start this essay, think about how music has impacted you. How does it make you feel? Some of the points to keep in mind include:

• Think about the type of music you like to listen to. For example, if you like pop music, why do you choose to listen to it?
• Consider the impact that music has on your mood. Does music help you melt the stress away? Does music give you energy? If so, think about why that might be.
• Do you listen to international music? Or do you stick to American music? Think about why your preferences are the way they are.
• Consider talking to other people about the music they listen to. Ask them why they like that specific type of music.

You can use these points to help you with your essay. This is a deep essay topic that can be taken in several directions. However, if you focus on the effects of music on yourself, you will have an easier time getting the essay started.

Another popular essay topic is music therapy. When people feel down, they often seek the care of a mental health professional. While traditional talk therapy and prescription medications can be helpful for some people, music therapy can also play a role in the recovery process. Some of the top benefits of music therapy include:

• It rarely leads to any complications or side effects. Music therapy can be the answer if you are looking for a treatment option that doesn’t throw off other parts of your body.
• Music therapy is accessible to everyone, including college students, elderly individuals, and even children.
• Music therapy can be customized to meet your needs. For example, you can choose the type of music you listen to and change the track depending on your mood.

This could be a great essay writing topic because it is so versatile. For example, you can talk about how music gets you ready to party, helps you relax in the evening, and might play in the background to help you focus on your studies. In addition, you can separate this essay into defined sections and focus on various types of music therapy.

Another essay topic you might want to write about involves the different genres of music. Some of the prompts for this topic include:

• Focus on yourself. What is your favorite genre of music? What do you remember listening to as a child? Have your preferences changed over time?
• Focus on a genre of music you have never listened to before. For example, if you do not like country music, listen to it for the first time. How does it make you feel? Do you think you will keep listening to it?
• Try to get analytical. Put on some classical music. What are some of the biggest differences you notice between classical music and other types of music?

There are many ways you can use your music essay to highlight different genres. You might even want to consider turning this essay into a series that focuses on different genres with each publication.

If you are curious about the impact of music, you might want to highlight specific classical composers throughout human history. Unfortunately, many people believe that all types of classical music are the same. Some of the time periods and composers you might want to highlight include:

• Start with the Baroque period and write about Bach. Bach was known for his preludes and fugues, and he wrote a set of compositions called the Goldberg Variations. Consider highlighting these compositions and their impact on composers in the Classical and Romantic periods.
• If you need to write about a Classical composer, think about exploring the impact of Mozart or Beethoven. Mozart did not live a long life, but he wrote his first composition at five years old. Beethoven wrote 32 piano sonatas and is one of the most popular composers even to this day. Could you focus on the impact they had?
• Think about writing about Chopin if you need a Romantic period composer. You can write about the iconic Four Ballades he published, which are still played at conservatories worldwide. You can focus on the inner voices the pianist needs to bring out.

These are just a few specifics you might want to highlight if you write on different composers. Think about picking a composer from each of the periods, and publish an essay on each of them. You will be busy for a while!

If you want to dive into the weeds, you can publish a short essay on music theory. If you haven’t taken classes in music theory, this is a great way to focus on something new. Some of the components you might want to highlight in this essay include:

• Highlight the influence of Alberti bass from Baroque music to today’s music.
• Focus on the Circle of Fifths and why this is important to composers and songwriters.
• Talk about the different styles of music, ranging from sheet music to improvisation, and how this might impact the singer or performer.

One of the challenges of this topic would be taking something relatively dry and making it more interesting. Imagine yourself trying to explain how music is written to the reader. You can highlight the other clefs, explain how to count out the beats, and talk about different mnemonics to learn the notes.

Music is a vital part of just about every society, so consider taking the reader on a tour of music. There is a saying that music is the universal language because it does not need to be translated. This means that people understand the meaning of music, no matter where it is from because they can feel the impact that music has on them. Furthermore, if you put notes on a page, anyone who knows how to play a musical instrument can play that song because the notes are the same everywhere. 

A few possible directions to take this essay include:

• First, talk about traditional music from China and what makes it different from the kind of music found in other parts of the world. Then, talk about what makes it similar.
• Move across the ocean to the United States and talk about the different types of music that evolved here. You can highlight country music, folk music, and jazz, which got their start right here.
• You can move across another ocean to Europe and talk about the music played there during the Middle Ages. Then, you can talk about Classical music and its role in the growth and development of modern music. You can even talk about electronic music and what has made it so popular.

High-quality music has come from every part of the globe. As you write your essay, you might notice that we have more in common than we realize.

While just about everyone takes music classes during their secondary schooling, not everyone learns how to play a musical instrument. Learning how to play an instrument can be difficult, from the time involved to the cost of lessons. However, there are a lot of benefits to learning how to play an instrument.

In your essay, some of the benefits you might want to highlight include:

• Playing a musical instrument fosters creativity.
• Learning how to play a musical instrument works on  both sides of the brain simultaneously.
• A major time commitment is involved, and learning how to play an instrument teaches good time management.
• It takes persevering through countless mistakes to learn how to play a new piece.
• Learning a musical instrument is a skill that will last for the rest of someone’s life.

As you explore the benefits of learning a musical instrument, you might want to learn how to play one yourself!

Many people look up to music stars, and they might be wondering how to start a career in music themselves. This could be a great research topic. Some of the points you might want to highlight include:

• Highlight the average number of hours someone spends practicing to become a professional musician.
• Talk about some of the competitions that could help someone get noticed, such as the International Chopin Competition .
• Write about the different types of music careers, including touring classical pianists, popular rock stars, and music professors.
• Explore the different parts of the music industry and how someone could get involved if they aren’t performing.

You might want to reach out to music professionals in the local area to see if you can interview them. Then, you can weave personal stories into your essay to make it more interesting.

There is a saying that the piano is the central instrument. When someone goes to a conservatory to study, it doesn’t matter what instrument they focus on. They need to learn a bit about the piano. You might want to write about how the piano evolved.

A few points to keep in mind include:

• The precursor to the modern piano was the harpsichord. Most of Bach’s pieces were written for the harpsichord. So, you could research and write about the harpsichord, its similarities to the modern piano, and its differences.
• Write about the pianoforte. This came after the harpsichord but is still significantly smaller than the modern piano.
• Discuss the pedals on the piano and what they do. For example, there is a soft pedal, a sustain pedal, and a sostenuto pedal. When did each of these pedals become a part of the modern piano?
• Dive into the different types of modern pianos. Examples include the spinet piano, an upright piano, and the grand piano. How much do they cost?

There is a lot of history behind the piano, and you can highlight some of the most important historical facts for your readers.

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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How to Write a Music Essay? Music Analysis Essay Sample, Music Essay Topics

So, you’ve been assigned to write an essay about music. It might seem a bit confusing at a glance. After all, musicians are more used to dealing with notes, not words. But in actuality, music is a very rich topic that can be approached from a great multitude of various perspectives.

Every person has some degree of passion for music. And as such, every person can muster at least some inspiration to address this sort of assignment.

What Is a Music Essay

There is little sense in googling “What is music essay” or similar prompts. At its core, a musical essay has very little difference from your plain old essay writing assignment. It follows the same principles and structure. And you still have to make an adjustment for the essay type.

Any essay writing music enthusiast can come up with a dozen interesting topics off the top of their head. It can be about the abstract and the feeling certain melodies or instruments provoke within you. Or it can be as dry and technical as possible, discussing the intricacies of musical theory.

Music Essay Outline

A 5 paragraph essay setup is the golden standard of essay writing. In case you are not familiar with the basic essay writing music structure, let’s go over it again. Here’s how it looks:

• Body paragraphs (3-5)
• Counterpoint paragraph

You always start with a general introduction to the subject of your essay and an explanation of why you've chosen this particular topic. You don't usually go into details here, but it depends on your target audience. You follow it up with a thesis - a factual statement that serves as a foundation for the rest of the essay.

Body paragraphs contain your arguments. It’s usually one paragraph per argument. You can then dedicate a separate paragraph to an overview of possible counterpoints. Finally, you make a short summary in conclusion, reiterating your points and stressing your thesis once again.

Types and Formats

There are many different types and formats of a music essay. And it’s not just the genre that makes the difference. Apart from basic types like an explanatory essay and argumentative essay that you are familiar with - there are many variations. We will go over some of the most common and interesting types of music essays. We will also provide some music analysis examples for you to draw inspiration from.

Music Therapy Essay

A music therapy essay deserves its own spot on the list of types and formats. It's a very interesting type of music essay that overlaps with clinical psychology and its applications. Music therapy and its effects on people have been studied for a long time. Yet as music changes, students get an opportunity to explore different effects of it on the human psyche. 

Concert Report

A concert report is a pretty straightforward choice if you are a fan of these sorts of events. But even if you are not  - visiting one out of interest is an experience in and of itself. There’s nothing like being in the middle of a crowd united in their passion for music.

You may like the band, and you may dislike the noise. Whatever your personal feelings may be, they are guaranteed to be strong enough for you to be able to easily work the essay writing music. And this, in turn, will help you structure your thoughts showcasing all the benefits of music essay writing.

Song Analysis

Song analysis is probably the best choice for an essay on music, especially if you have never done essay writing music analysis before. You have definitely done something like this in your head before - listening to the song, thinking about what it makes you feel, analyzing the melody, the drums, the lyrics. A song analysis essay is pretty much the same thing. When dealing with the lyrics alone, you might find that a poem analysis has the same flow. Just this time, you’ll have to put it in writing.

Pick a familiar song, put it on, and start working. You’ll notice that thoughts form themselves, and the process is almost seamless. Below you will find the first of our music essay examples.

Song Analysis Sample

Performance or media comparison.

When you write an essay on music and don’t want to focus on one composition (or a single version of a composition) - you can opt for performance or media comparison. It will allow you to work with several sources at the same time. For example, you could compare two covers of a single song.

If you are making a comparison for the first time, it might be a good idea to pick tracks that are very much different from each other. A rock and a lofi version of the same composition is a great place to start.

Historical Analysis of a Piece

For this type of essay on music, you’ll have to be a bit of a history buff. Some people prefer to enjoy the sound itself without getting too much into who performs the composition. On the other hand, hardcore music fans frequently dive deep into the personal life of their favorite singers and musicians. And it doesn’t really matter whether you prefer rock songs or classical music.

If you are one of the latter, you’ll have no trouble writing a historical analysis essay on one of your favorite tracks. And even if you're not - you might find yourself uncovering some interesting facts about your playlist that add to its charm. That’s another one out of the long list of benefits of music essay writing.

How to Write a Music Analysis Essay?

When you are writing a music analysis essay, your best bet is to take your source material and break it down into separate components. It’s much easier to do when you are familiar with how music theory works. But even if you don’t - it’s not that hard to do. Try to look for aspects you understand well.

For example, you could break it up by instruments. Vocals, strings, keys, drums, etc. Each part of a band contributes to the overall sound of the composition in its own unique way. And if you dissect the song, you might find that even when analyzed separately from each other, each instrument creates its own melody.

To put things bluntly, writing an informative essay is pretty time-consuming. Dedicate enough time for essay writing. Ideally, you want to be able to take your time, allow yourself some breaks, have a buffer for proofreading and editing, and then still have a safety gap before the due date. You shouldn’t be in a rush when you are writing an essay on music (or any essay for that matter). Otherwise, you will find the quality of your writing deteriorating rapidly. Below you’ll find another one of our music essay examples. It’s an example of a music review essay.

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Tips on Writing a Music Essay

Here are some tips on how to write a decent music essay. Before you even get to your music essay introduction - have another go at your subject. Listen to the song you’re going to write about. Read about the history of a band member. It doesn’t matter how well you know the subject of your writing. Refreshing the memories in your mind will put you in the right creative mood.

When looking through music essay titles, don’t think too much about which one to pick. Just choose the one that speaks to you and go with it. Time is money, and you don’t want to waste it on such a basic thing.

Once you figure things out with your music essay titles, find a music analysis essay example to reference in terms of structure and writing style.

Try not to get carried away too much. Music is a topic that inspires creativity. But you should always keep the essay structure in mind. It’s very easy to go overboard in your body paragraphs. Stick to your plan, keep it short. If you can’t fit all your thoughts into one paragraph - make it two or spend some time editing the unnecessary stuff out.

How to Choose Music Essay Topic

Normally, in an academic setting, whenever you write an essay on music history or theory, your professor will provide you with a topic. However, there are instances where you’ll be allowed free reign. This is your opportunity to show your creativity and passion for music.

Your best bet is to pick either a topic that you are knowledgeable about or one you are interested in learning more about. It can be the history of your favorite band or the musical analysis of an unusual composition you’ve heard recently. Choosing a complicated topic is probably not a good idea unless you are sure you can take it. It might sound interesting, but if it’s too much hassle - you’ll get bored pretty quickly.

Music Essay Topics: List

If you can’t muster enough inspiration to come up with a decent topic (something like “what is music essay” is probably not the best choice) - don’t worry. Here is a list of 30 cool music essay topics you can pull from essay service review or get inspired by:

30 Best Music Essay Topics

• What Influence Has Music Had on the World's Biggest Cultural Events?
• The History of Music Production
• Evolution of Music in Different Countries
• How Different Music Genres Connect
• The Difference Between Contemporary Culture and Popular Music
• How Music in Your Own Country Connect with Music in Other Countries
• How Social Class Is Connected to Music Genre
• How Has Culture Contributed to Music Production?
• The Importance of Music Theory as Far as Music Production Is Concerned
• How Is Poetry Related to Music?
• The Role of Music in Impacting the Society
• The Role of Classical Music in The Current Music Production Industry
• What Music Does to The Human Brain
• The Role of Women in Music Production
• The Hardships That Minority Groups Face in Today’s Music Industry
• The Trend of Culture That Is Propagated by Music Over the Years
• Challenges That Advancements Have Brought to The Music Industry
• How Music Creation Affects Peoples’ Way of Thinking
• Cultural Characteristics That Are Prevalent in Modern Music
• The Connection Between Modern Music and Music in The Past Time Periods.
• The Role of Music in Creating Political Propagandas
• What Is High Culture and Low Culture According to Current Music?
• The Impact of Modern Music on The Society
• The Connections Between Music and Other Media Types
• The Origin of Different Musical Instruments
• Important Processes in The Current Music Production Industry
• Why Should a Musical Artist Find Someone Else to Write Music for Them?
• Vital Components of Skilled Musicians in Music Production
• The Differences Between Music and Poetry in The Way They Influence Society
• Is It Important for One to Read Music in Order to Succeed?

Music Style Essay Topics

• Does metal music lead to violent behavior?
• How can playing a musical instrument help a person's mental state?
• The protest music of Northern Ireland
• How has rock music changed since the 70s?
• Exploring the culture of punk rock in the United Kingdom.
• The tones and scales of Middle Eastern music
• Why is “praise and worship” a separate genre of music?
• The most popular misconceptions about country music in the United States
• The songs of war and protest in the United States
• The stress relief through the lens of extreme styles of metal music

Music Argumentative Essay Topics

• How has rap music affected modern social movements?
• The role of music education in the United States
• How can cultural conflicts be settled down with the help of music?
• The role of musical collaborations during pandemic times
• John Lennon: from children of the flowers to strong political statements.
• Military matters: the presence of music in the military
• Popular music and its effect on the distorted body image model
• Copyright issues and protection of intellectual property
• The use of music education in elementary school curriculums
• Should music created by the computer be considered art?
• The use of music in political campaigns
• Can a person's character be identified by their musical tastes?
• Does playing a musical instrument lead to better writing skills?

Music Essay Sample

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The Music Industry Essay

Introduction, current state of the music industry, current income generation strategies for the music industry, licensing of music to intermediate users, challenges the music industry faces, responses to the problems facing the music industry, reference list.

The music industry is dealing with many issues that are affecting how it operates. The industry is among the many that have endured the most of technological and social changes in the last three decades. The forces of globalization have changed for good how people access, use, and distribute music.

In addition, there are very powerful forces in the music supply chain that will influence the music industry at least in the near term. The industry had many commercialization approaches before the emergence of the internet as a force driving globalization. Some of them remain valid ways of running a career in music but some are becoming obsolete.

The relative ease with which new entrants can make music has reduced in a significant way the barriers to entry. It is no longer enough to be a talented musician to succeed in music. It takes business acumen, intelligence and a keen appreciation of subtle changes in consumer tastes and preferences to keep up with the rapid rate of change in this industry.

This paper will explore the driving forces in the music industry. It will also look at the strategies used in the development and marketing of music, the challenges to the industry and some potential strategies that can help to overcome these challenges.

Scope of the Music Industry

The music industry is a very varied establishment. Understandably, music was not an invention in a lab or a unique cultural element in a specific part of the world. Rather, music evolved in different cultures independently leading to very many classes of music. Even within the same cultures, there were songs for each occasion.

There were songs of celebrations such as when a child was born or when there was something important in the community, and there were songs for funerals and general mourning. Some communities had songs to accompany work while almost all cultures had singing games for children. In this sense, the evolution of music is a human phenomenon that grew with the technological development of each culture.

The emergence of the musician as a career person is also a new development in the world. Advanced cultures allowed people to specialize in music but they often had another trade to make it possible for them to earn a living. Otherwise, music was a community endeavour where all the people took part in singing and dancing.

In last century, mass communication and rapid transit systems made it possible for some people to become career musicians, travelling from town to town to play music for varied audiences. As this art grew in commercial meaning, many other people joined the commercial facets of music to support the careers of popular musicians.

The current scope of the music industry is very large. There are still elements of the traditional sense of music where whole communities participate in singing. This is common in churches and in institutions of worship where the entire audience participates in singing as part of their spiritual expression.

There are also songs that families sing such as during birthdays. Lullabies help children go to sleep. Perhaps the most common expression of communal aspects of music is the singing of national anthems, which every country sings during important national functions. Apart from these expressions of music, there is a fully-fledged commercial music industry. This industry packages music as a product and presents it to a paying audience. This paper will concentrate on this type of music.

Stakeholders in the Music Industry

In order for music industry to function, several stakeholders must cooperate to ensure that a song leaves the music writer’s pad and ends up in the earphones or stereo speakers of a music enthusiast. While the list below describes these stakeholders individually, is common for an individual to play more than one role.

Composer: This is the originator of songs, the person writes the actual words of the songs. This role calls for someone well versed in music to understand musical language, and has the gift or skill of writing songs.

Singers/Musicians: A singer or musician is the person that performs the song because of their ability to sing. Their talent gives them this role. It is not strange to find musicians that write their own songs. In fact, many of the talented musicians that songwriters seek start as their own composers.

Instrumentalists: This category of stakeholders refers to the people that play musical instruments to accompany music. They have a much-reduced role in recorded music especially because of the use of computer-based instrumentals. However, their role in live music is still intact. They are also in demand by instrumental music enthusiasts.

Producers: These are the professionals managing the music production process. They ensure that all necessary factors of music production come together to produce music

Technical personnel: There is a class of technical personnel necessary for the effective recording of music. They include sound engineers and recording technicians. Their role is to manage the technical factors of music production.

Record label companies: Since the advent of the gramophone record, companies came up to profit from the music industry. These companies continue to sign musicians and then support their careers at a fee. In other words, they provide musicians with everything they need to get their music out and then they share the proceeds.

Marketing companies: After the production of music, record label companies hand them over to marketing companies to send the music to the market. Some record label companies own the marketing companies that handle the marketing of the music they produce.

Retail distributors: The final important stakeholder in the music industry is the retail distributors. They make copies of the music available to the eventual consumer.

The stakeholders above represent the music supply chain where the eventual music gets to the consumer via tangible means, in this case, a disc. Other stakeholders benefit from music such as advertisers, movie producers and television companies. The important thing to note is that the industry is very large and the number of stakeholders is very large depending on the supply chain used to market a particular piece of music. For instance, there is no role for a record label company if a band or a musician decides to use concerts and music tours as the only way they distribute their music. On the other hand, they will need other people to support their business model.

An analysis of the music supply chain reveals the fact that the musician is only a small part of the entire process. The process of commercializing a musical production is a very complex business undertaking that needs more than just the musical skills of an artist to succeed.

In the same vein, it is imperative for musicians to have a working knowledge of commercial aspects of the music industry to ensure that they get the most out of their work. There are direct ways and indirect ways that the music industry uses to reach consumers. Direct ways refer to those that aim at reaching the eventual consumer and hence earn revenue from it. Indirect avenues refer to uses of music where the music forms part of the final product, or accompanies another product before reaching the final consumer.

Direct Strategies

This paper classifies indirect strategies used in the distribution of music as concerts, selling of a music bearing product, and thirdly, internet sales of music. These strategies feature actual transfer of the music from the musician to the end user.

Concerts are still a popular method used to earn revenues from music. With the globalization of music, musicians normally have fans in vary vast areas. Many fans of popular musicians have never met of seen their idol performing in person. This makes concerts a very powerful means of facilitating this interaction.

Revenue from concerts comes in different ways depending on the popularity of the musician. For very popular musicians, organizers sell tickets to cover the concert expenses and to pay the artist their performance fees. Some of these organisers use the concerts as a means of making a profit.

They bring in a musician to a local fan base, and organize the concert in such as a way that in the end they have a profit from ticket sales. A musician can also use personal resources to organize the concert and make a profit from it. In situations where the musician needs publicity, a concert can also help to raise the required awareness. In this case, the musician may either meet the cost of the concert as part of their marketing fees, and hope to recover their expenses by selling CDs.

A concert is also a good place to sell merchandise products to fans. A musician may arrange to sell t-shirts, jewellery, shoes and other fashion accessories that carry their brand. If well planned, this method can help meet the costs of organizing the concert. The advantage of converts is that they eliminate the risk of piracy. If a musician uses concerts as the exclusive means of distributing music, then there will be no copies of the music to pirate.

Selling CDs

In the life of the commercial music industry, there has always been a means of conveying music to consumers. While technology has moved from the gramophones to iPods, the principle remains unchanged. Mass commercialization of music took place when the magnetic tape came into existence.

This tape had certain advantages over the gramophone record such as portability. It was possible to carry a number of tapes on a trip using a very tiny carriage space. The walkman was also a revolutionary invention in the development of music. It made music personal. The magnetic tapes introduced the problem of piracy.

Magnetic tapes were erasable and easily reproducible. However, the impact of piracy in the era of the magnetic tape was not as serious as the impact of piracy on CD sales. Original tapes had a superior sound quality and there was a sense of prestige in having original tapes. CD’s do not have the same qualities.

The output quality of a pirated copy can match the original. CDs are still popular nonetheless as a means of selling music. In the late nineties, the success of a musician depended on the number of albums sold, while in the last ten years, the measure of a musician’s success is the number of CDs sold. Outlets for CD sales include local retail stores, bookshops, supermarkets and music stores. In addition, CD sales can form part of the revenue streams for a concert.

Internet Sales

The internet is a new avenue for the distribution of music. With the development of digital versions of music, it is possible to transfer music by digital means. Selling music via the internet has several advantages. First, it eliminates the need to transport music physically to retailers. The consumer simply logs in to a site such as eBay or iTunes and buys music. It is very easy and convenient to pay for music online using one of the many online money vendors. The most popular vendor is PayPal, but a number of competitors exist.

Sales from the internet cut out a number of intermediaries from the music supply chain. It is possible for a musician to pay studio time to record their music, and to make sales online without passing through a record label. The only copy the musician will need is the master copy of the music from the studio.

After that, it is theoretically possible to sell millions of copies of the music at no additional cost, or the need to make physical copies. This method of sales is becoming more attractive even for record labels because it reduces their distribution costs by a very large margin.

The final means through which musicians commercialise their music is by licensing. This refers to selling rights to the music, in whole or in part to a third party for their own use. Since music is an intellectual property, copyright laws protect the composers and the musicians by outlawing the use of the music without the consent of the musician.

The demand for licensing will increase as more and more people selling products online and advertising products through mass broadcast develop the need to piggyback their advertising messages on the music of popular musicians. Clients for licensing include moviemakers, advertising companies, video game makers and producers of television programs. A good example of this method of making money is the use of Celine Dion’s Song, “My heart will go on” in the Movie “Titanic”, produced by James Cameron.

Indirect Strategies

Some musicians have successfully developed merchandises from their music brand. The idea behind making products unrelated to music comes from the realization that a fan base is also a market niche. Developing products that can help fans to identify more with the brand makes the fans feel more attached to the musician.

The products that make successful merchandises are fashion items such as shoes, clothes, armlets, caps, bracelets, necklaces and T-shirts among others. It is feasible to produce perfumes, cosmetics and beauty products as a means of commercializing music. The basis of their success is the strength of the musical brand they represent, and the loyalty their fans have to them.

The music industry has been on the receiving end of both the positive and negative consequences of technological growth. In fact, music makes for a very viable subject when it comes to the study of the impact of technology in the modern world. As music becomes more and more reliant on technology for production and distribution, it is clear that the most significant challenges the industry faces are technology related.

These challenges include piracy, influx of software alternatives to musical instruments, ease of file sharing and file transfer, and the death of the album as a measure of success in the music industry. Another problem related to technological developments is the creation and retention of a fan base.

Piracy in music in its simplest terms refers to the production and sale of illegal copies of music. It does not matter whether it is a single song or a complete album. Piracy is not new in the music industry. Its recognition as a problem came about with the emergence of the magnetic tapes.

Magnetic tapes were easy to reproduce even at the domestic level. However, the real threat came from commercial piracy where people set up entire business systems that made counterfeit copies of music and sold them for profit. Often pirated copies of music had a lower quality compared to the originals hence the market put up some form of resistance against pirated music.

With the advent of digital technologies, it is almost impossible to detect a pirated copy of music from an original one by listening to it. This is making pirated music more acceptable. Moreover, CDs lack the prestige magnetic tapes had.

They are not very good show items. This has led to a lack of attachment comparable to the one that original magnetic tape owners and gramophone records enthusiasts exhibited.

In fact, it is very easy to simply take an original CD and in just a few minutes copy it onto a laptop’s hard disk. Unless new technologies inhibiting the making of digital copies of CDs get widespread use, the problem of piracy will continue to affect the music industry.

The Software Influx

On the creative end, music is suffering from an influx of softwares for use in the production of music. This comes from the fact that it is possible to make a song, complete with beats and instrumentals using a headset and an open source software. It is no longer necessary to learn the art of making music such as playing a musical instrument in order to produce the sound of that instrument.

What a person will learn in three months about playing a guitar, an average computer user with access to a music making software can reproduce within a day. The remaining frontier that computers have not yet conquered is singing. Theoretically speaking it will not be long before it becomes possible to reproduce voices of popular artists or to create fictionalised ones and synthesize their voices into music!

There is a real threat to music as a form of art. The space for creativity is reducing more and more. As people become more accustomed to music made by computers, the sounds of authentic artists playing authentic musical instruments will become strange.

As voices undergo scientific manipulation to perfect them in digital sound studios, there will be lesser recognition for the effort it takes to perfect a singers natural voice. It may not matter anymore.

Ease of File Sharing

Another problem that music faces today because of technological change is the ease of file sharing enabled by the internet. It is true that “Illegal downloading remains to be a continuous challenge for the recording industry”. Once one person in a clique of friends finds an interesting song in digital format, it is then very easy to pass on the song by forwarding the file to their friends.

In the context of social media, it may be hundreds of people in an instant. This whole clique will not need to buy the music thereafter, which wipes out that market. Sharing files is much harder to track especially when the sharing takes place in privately held email accounts. This problem eats into the potential revenue a musician can make from their music.

Death of the Album

The next threat to the development of music is the death of the album. Musicians are working harder to produce near perfect singles rather than committing time to produce full albums. The current distribution systems of music make it easier and more economical to produce a hit single and then go find the next big song rather than sell a whole album to an audience.

In addition to this, people no longer listen to whole albums the old-fashioned way. Rather, they listen to specific songs of interest from different albums. People are listening to music on digital media more and more. Whether it is a CD player, a laptop, a phone or an iPod, a user creates a playlist and listens to the particular songs of interest. Unlike records and magnetic tapes, picking specific songs is not a laborious activity.

The response on the side of musicians has been to provide music in detachable formats hence fuelling this new trend. The problem it posses to music is that it reduces the power of music as a communication tool. The art of producing music albums revolved around the capacity of the musician to produce a set of songs based on a particular theme thereby increasing the communicative value of their music.

Creating and Keeping a Fan Base

Globalization and “increased amateur activity” in the music industry because of the lowering of entry barriers have made it very difficult to develop and retain a fan base. Music markets span the world and are not in specific geographical confines. For a musician to reach such a diverse audience, it calls for a lot of work.

The challenge of raising a fan base also stems from the difficulty of getting through to the fans because of the high number of musicians looking for their attention. Remember, music is not the only input an average music fan receives. It is a constant struggle to keep looking for an appropriate means to find and maintain a fan base.

In order to address the issues facing music, it is important to have certain things in mind. First, there is need to recognize that a successful music career depends on the soundness of the business strategy used to distribute it. The musician needs a source of income, and the most efficient way of making a living is through the music.

A successful musical career requires dedication and focus, which a part time hobby just cannot allow. Secondly, music is essentially an art form. Therefore, the commercial aspects of music do not have the last word on the success of music.

The intrinsic appreciation of music by enthusiasts transcends the challenges that modern music must deal with. In this sense, the technological challenges music faces cannot kill music. However, every musician must find a way of overcoming these challenges.

Using Piracy to Advantage

While piracy imputes illicit gain on the part of the commercial pirate, some concession on the part of the musicians can reduce the impact that piracy has on their careers. For instance, a musician can decide to use pirate networks to build publicity and to grow their fan base.

After all, it is the demand for the music by their fans that makes the music pirates find it attractive to make illicit copies. Even better, if the perceived losses in revenue by the distribution of illicit copies do not outweigh the benefits from the resulting publicity, then it may make sense for a musician to allow their music to pass through pirate channels.

Another safe way of avoiding pirate channels can be the use a business model that does not rely on the digital copies for success. This can include the sale of merchandize to raise funds for the music. If fans know that a musician does not sell their music but instead uses merchandise to pay for its production, they will be supportive of the efforts.

The other way to beat piracy is to release music free of charge for personal use but to position the music as a product for licensing. If the song is popular, them someone will want to use it for their promotional campaigns.

This model will make it easy for the musician to monitor commercial uses of their music and to make money from royalties. Giving out the music without cost will also make the music available to many people thereby growing the fan base.

“Live Music” Tag to Mitigate Software Threat

The threat posed by software will be very difficult to beat. Music lovers are listening to more and more computer generated music that it is only a matter of time before music from real instruments becomes odd. The only way to ensure that the taste for music made from real instruments remains is by providing opportunities for the fans to listen to live band music.

It is possible to use concerts for this purpose. Another method would be to add the label, “made from real Instruments” to such productions to differentiate the music from the rest. This approach will likely create a market niche for music lovers who value the art of making music from real instruments.

Education that File Sharing Constitutes Piracy

After establishing a fan base, it may be necessary to educate fans on the fact that file sharing is as bad as piracy. While a fan does not derive economic value from the copies they share, they deny the musician potential revenue when they share musical files with their friends.

A musician can exercise a certain amount of persuasion over loyal fans hence it makes sense to try to persuade them against sharing files. Moral persuasion is the best tool available for a musician because any other method of dealing with piracy will be very expensive. Policing piracy is a very expensive undertaking, which is difficult even for organised law enforcement agencies.

Letting the Album Die and Creation of Collector Albums

The traditional album seems headed for certain death. However, it is not a trend worth trying to change. This is because the way people listen to music no longer supports music delivered in album format.

From today’s standpoint, it is inconceivable that people will revert to the old ways of listening to music the way magnetic tapes and gramophone records forced them to. They do not have to listen to music sequentially but can choose to shuffle them, skip, or rearrange them in the way they wish.

On the other hand, it may be helpful to sell collections of singles such as the best hits by an artist in the last two years. Just as people no longer look for whole albums, they will only be interested in songs that please them.

Another way of looking at this situation is to consider it a marketing situation where the old way of packaging music does not support current consumption trends. Artists will therefore have the increased burden of planning their songs in a way that they each song stands alone. What should guide them is more of a philosophy rather than a theme when writing their songs.

Use of Social Media to Create and Maintain Fans

The need to raise and maintain a fan base will not become easier with time. The good thing is that technology has solutions to the same problems it has created for the music industry. The difference between a successful musician and a non-starter may well be their social media strategy.

The young generation, who support the emerging music industry, spend a lot of their time on social media platforms. With a good strategy, it is possible to grow a fan base using the tools available there. In fact, a musician today has more opportunities to build and maintain a fan base by adopting existing technologies to do the work that old musicians travelled thousands of miles to do.

Alternative Income Sources

It is incumbent upon musicians to continue thinking about more income streams that they can use to bolster their financial standing. Granted, there is a point where too much commercialization of music can actually kill the art. However, without some kind of income, artists cannot commit themselves fully to the art of making music.

Musicians should do their best to find new ways of utilizing their talent for income. As they do this, record labels also should work hard to find ways of making music available to users at a lower cost and in a manner, which discourages piracy. It is vital to develop CD technologies that will resist duplication. While technically it is very complex to do this, it is vital to find ways of reducing this vice. Piracy is a real vice that threatens the future of music.

The music industry is not exempt from changes in technology. If anything, the music industry bears the brunt historically whenever there are groundbreaking changes in technology. For the music industry to survive beyond this point as a commercial venture, it will need to adapt its systems to fit the current circumstances.

Holmes, D 2005, Communication Theory: Media, Technology, and Society , SAGE, London, UK.

Mather 2012, ‘Print & Digital Audience Pricing Strategies’, Mather Economics, Roswell, GA.

Project Management Institute 2003, A Guide To The Project Management Body Of Knowledge , Project Management Institute, San Diego.

Weichmann, D 2009, The Impact of Online Music Services on the Music Recording Industry: Opportunities and Challenges , GRIN Verlag, Berlin.

Wikstrom, P 2010, The Music Industry: Music in the Cloud , Polity, Cambridge.

Wilson, HJ, Guinan, PJ, Parise, S & Weinberg, BD 2011, ‘What is your Social Media Strategy’, Havard Business Review .

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IvyPanda. (2023, November 30). The Music Industry. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-music-industry/

"The Music Industry." IvyPanda , 30 Nov. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/the-music-industry/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'The Music Industry'. 30 November.

IvyPanda . 2023. "The Music Industry." November 30, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-music-industry/.

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How to Write Introductions for Music Essays

Table of Contents

Music is food for the soul, or so they say. A music essay analyzes or describes a piece of music, its setting, or the author’s feelings.

The primary argument for this kind of assignment must be strong, and the structure must be evident. You don’t need to be a skilled musician to write about music well.

Simply being able to listen, comprehend, and assess it is all that is required. Additionally, you ought to offer your interpretation and viewpoint. However, even if you are a professional musician, expressing your opinions in writing might take a lot of work.

Most people struggle with writing an introduction the start of their essay! That’s why, in today’s post, we’ll look at some example introductions for music essays that you can use. If this sounds (no pun intended) interesting, keep on reading!

Example Introductions for Music Essays

• Our emotions are triggered in various ways by the art form of music. The elements of rhythm, pitch, texture, timbre, and dynamics make up the essence of music. The effects of using music differently and across various fields are incomprehensible to the average person. Music has already been shown to be capable of much more than uplifting. You can use other musical genres to calm and relax our minds and senses. Music has grown to play a significant role in both pregnancy wards and chemotherapy clinics. When slow music is played, the heartbeat slows down, and the blood pressure drops, allowing us to breathe normally and calming our nerves.
• Everybody loves music in their unique ways. Thanks to its pleasant sound, it plays a significant role in a person’s life. You become calmer and more content in life when you listen to music. Life would be complicated without music’s harmony and melody.
• Music is a framework for artistic and cultural expression that uses sound as its medium. The music of various locations reflects that location’s culture and traditions. We can also find peace in music. We feel joy from it, and it keeps us moving. Here, we’ll talk about a few music-related issues. Such as what music is, how it’s classified, what kinds there are, and how significant it is.
• Nobody can dispute that music has a unique capacity to influence mood. The music’s rhythm, pitch, texture, timbre, and dynamics form its foundation. It has multiple uses and can be put to use in a variety of situations and scenarios. In addition to improving mood, music also helps our brains unwind. The most apparent result of music is calmness. In this article, we’ll talk about how music affects the body and how it can heal.

More Example Introductions for Music Essays!

• Everyone is aware that music has a powerful capacity to lessen people’s health problems and tensions. Additionally, it eases the pain in various body parts. According to Bob Marley, music helps us cope with our mental health issues and helps us forget our pain. Since music benefits our soul and brain equally, it is also called the sound of peace. Here, we’ll talk about the many facets of music, such as its therapeutic, inspirational, and professional uses.
• Each of us has experienced enjoying music at some point in our lives. The symphony of the musical instruments and the singing voices creates the overall sound. Since arriving in this world, it has been a part of our identity. Our parents, grandparents, and other family members sing us lullabies to help us sleep peacefully. Even the sound of plants and tree leaves rustling and birds chirping in the mornings is soothing to our ears. You need to open your ears to hear the music around you.
• The impact of contemporary technology on the music business. Thanks to technology, musicians can independently write and promote their songs. The importance of record labels to musicians has decreased as a result. However, piracy was also a result of the development of new technologies. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• What impact does pop music have on the current generation? Most pop songs today are marketed toward consumers. Because of this, some claim that pop has damaged how the current generation views music. Others contend that modern pop music has broadened the genre’s potential.

We hope you know more about how to write a good introduction for a music essay. Music essays are different to write compared to traditional papers. However, the underlying format and the way to write the music essay are the same.

If you still have problems writing an introduction for your music essay, try our  essay intro generator ! It uses AI technology for writing different introductions that are unique and plagiarism-free! 

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Last year, a jury considered whether Ed Sheeran had copied Marvin Gaye’s classic “Let’s Get It On.”

But the courtroom didn’t hear Gaye’s sensuously sung original recording:

Instead, the jury was played a bare, electronically recreated track with a robotic voice:

It brought up a curious question …

Supported by

What Is a Song?

Is it simply the music flowing out of your earphones? According to the law, the answer is a bit more complicated.

By Ben Sisario

Ben Sisario has been covering music and copyright for more than a decade, including trials involving Ed Sheeran, Led Zeppelin and the song “Blurred Lines.”

For most music fans, a song is a simple thing to define: It’s the melodies, the lyrics, the grooves that come out of your speakers.

It’s a much thornier question when it comes to copyright law, one that has been tested in a series of high-profile lawsuits over the last decade, involving stars like Ed Sheeran, Led Zeppelin, Pharrell and Robin Thicke. Is songwriting defined by what you hear on a recording, or the notes inked long ago on a piece of sheet music? Where does a composer’s work end, and a performing artist’s begin?

In other words, what, exactly, is a song, in the eyes of the law?

In many music copyright disputes, one of the main issues is originality, or how the law sets a boundary between creative expression that is the property of a single artist versus material in the public domain. Last year, a federal jury in New York heard hours of expert testimony about whether a syncopated four-chord sequence in Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” was distinctive enough that Sheeran’s song “Thinking Out Loud” infringed on it — or whether, as Sheeran’s lawyers contended, those parts are generic “building blocks” that no musician can own. The jury ruled in Sheeran’s favor , finding that he and a co-writer had created their song independently and not copied from Gaye’s 1973 classic.

But a key question running through that trial was about something even more fundamental: whether the core of “Let’s Get It On” — and what is protected by its copyright — is determined by the sounds we hear on its original recording, or the notes written on yellowing sheet music stored at the Library of Congress.

That issue was at the center of an appeals court’s decision four years ago regarding Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” and it is being considered in another appeal related to Sheeran and “Let’s Get It On.” Many experts believe it’s an underexplored question that gets to the heart of how copyright law intersects with music.

“This is the deep, existential, metaphysical question at the center of music copyright: We don’t even know what it is,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a law professor at Duke.

It is also an important question for an industry that in recent years has poured billions of dollars into deals for song catalogs, partly on the faith that their underlying copyrights offer robust protection against infringement. That may be challenging for older songs, because of a quirk in the law that can restrict how a song is defined and, therefore, just what its author owns.

How does a song get copyright protection?

There is a key date related to this issue: Jan. 1, 1978, when the last major revision of United States copyright law took effect.

Since then, songwriters have been able to register a composition with the Copyright Office by submitting a recording; all the melodies, chords and lyrics on it are considered evidence of their work. But earlier songs were subject to the Copyright Act of 1909, which required that songwriters submit transcribed sheet music, known as deposit copies.

For a century, these deposit copies were little more than receipts in a copyright paper trail. But since the “Blurred Lines” case a decade ago, when Pharrell and Thicke were found to have copied Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up” and ordered to pay more than $5 million in damages, these once-obscure documents have taken on a greater significance.

The judge in that case ruled that, under the 1909 law, the deposit copy for “Got to Give It Up” (1977) determined the “scope” of that song’s copyright. In other words, only the notes on its paper submission counted as representing Gaye’s songwriting creation, and any other elements that were on the song’s recording but not the deposit copy — like percussion and studio atmospherics — were not part of the underlying composition. (A separate copyright applies to the recording.) The jury, instructed to consider only what was on Gaye’s deposit copy, found that “Blurred Lines” had copied from it.

These deposit copies can be minimal, sometimes featuring just a vocal melody and indications of chords. The one for “Taurus,” a 1967 piece by the psychedelic rock band Spirit, which Led Zeppelin was accused of copying on “Stairway to Heaven,” is a single-page sketch of barely 100 notes, and a lawyer representing Michael Skidmore, a trustee of the trust that owns rights to “Taurus,” argued that it was not even an accurate transcription.

The deposit copy for “Let’s Get It On” is five pages but omits elements like piano, drums and guitar — including the wah-wah opening guitar lick that has been a Pavlovian call to the dance floor at many a wedding — that are part of the signature sound of Gaye’s original track.

The judge overseeing Sheeran’s trial, citing an appeals court’s detailed decision in the Led Zeppelin case, ruled that the absence of those elements from the “Let’s Get It On” deposit copy meant that lawyers for the plaintiffs — family members of Ed Townsend, Gaye’s co-writer and producer — had to restrict their arguments to the vocal melody and the chord pattern. That restriction likewise applied to Alexander Stewart, a music professor at the University of Vermont, who testified as an expert witness for the plaintiffs.

“Every time I opened my mouth and said the word ‘bass line,’ I was cut off,” Stewart said in an interview. “It was hard to make any cogent argument.”

Following a ruling by the judge, Gaye’s recording was never played for jurors. Instead, they heard an electronic realization of the deposit copy, submitted by the defense. It included bare piano chords and a robotic-sounding vocal — an oddly cold interpretation of one of pop music’s supreme erotic anthems. As the track played, quizzical expressions came over a few jurors’ faces.

Some scholars say the legal distinction between a composition in a deposit copy and what appears in a finished recording is a sign that the law has not kept up with how pop music has been made for decades. Very often, songs are created in the recording studio, and the line between composing, producing and performing can be fuzzy.

“It is completely divorced from actual music-making practice,” said Joseph P. Fishman, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School.

Jenkins, of Duke, said these cases point to one of the basic complexities of applying copyright — a concept originally made for books and other written material — to music.

“Music is first and foremost an auditory art form, but for most of copyright’s history it’s been defined as something you see,” Jenkins said. “There’s this disconnect, where the signifier — that written thing — is what a composer owns, but the signified is what the song actually is. It’s what we’re listening to.”

Is a whole song on the sheet music?

Exactly why deposit copies have gone from obscure legal formalities to hot topics in some of the biggest music lawsuits of the last decade is unclear. One theory is that historically, most accusations of infringement have involved the most prominent elements of a song, like the hook, vocal melody or lyrics — things that even the plainest sheet music would highlight.

But as pop music has evolved, and techniques like sampling have become standard, it has also become more common for background elements and secondary parts to be in dispute. Many recent cases, like those over “Blurred Lines” and Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse,” have focused on these aspects. (To some observers, the “Blurred Lines” verdict seemed to give the Gaye estate control over a loose rhythmic groove , though lawyers argued that it involved specific notes on a deposit copy.)

David Pullman, an investor whose company Structured Asset Sales is bringing the Sheeran appeal — he is best known for creating “Bowie bonds,” backed by David Bowie’s music royalties, in the 1990s — said he believes that many current artists borrow too much from popular old songs. “It’s easier to take a shortcut and infringe,” Pullman said in an interview, “than write a song that’s original.”

The history of the Sheeran case, now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, is complex. Structured Asset Sales, which owns an 11.11 percent interest in “Let’s Get It On,” filed its own suit over “Thinking Out Loud” after a judge blocked the company from joining the Townsend family’s original action.

Structured Asset Sales’ suit was dismissed by a district court judge shortly after Sheeran won at trial last year. In its appeal, the company argues that a deposit copy does not necessarily define the scope of a song’s copyright under the 1909 law, and that the material on the sheet music only needs to be sufficient to identify it, despite the law’s reference to a “complete” copy. In court papers, Hillel I. Parness, a lawyer for the company, argued that expert witnesses should be able to interpret deposit copies for the jury, as happened at a trial involving the singer Michael Bolton in 1994.

Sheeran’s lawyers argue that the deposit copy rule is clear from the law, and is supported by longstanding guidance from the Copyright Office. At oral arguments last month, Donald S. Zakarin, a lawyer for Sheeran, also warned that straying from a deposit copy’s notation could lead to problems of “subjectivity” when defining a musical work that is in dispute.

“Future authors,” Zakarin said, “are going to be subjected to, ‘No, no, no, I intended to have that bass line. I know it’s not there, but I intended it.’”

In an informal survey of about a dozen intellectual-property experts, most said Sheeran’s side had the stronger argument about deposit copies under the 1909 law. “It’s a lousy rule,” said Fishman. “But that does seem to have been the rule at the time.”

But this rule, as set down in the Skidmore v. Led Zeppelin appeal, has at least one prominent skeptic in Paul Goldstein, a professor at Stanford Law School who is the author of a widely cited copyright treatise.

“Where I disagree with Skidmore,” Goldstein wrote in an email, “is in its assertion that the fact the copyright was secured by deposit of a copy of the musical work implies that the deposit copy defines the scope of copyright in the work to the exclusion of any other relevant evidence.” That evidence, he said, could include things like drafts and correspondence around a song’s creation.

Goldstein pointed to another possible source of evidence: sound recordings submitted to the Copyright Office as a supplemental registration. Under that theory, a songwriter with a deficient deposit copy of an old song could, since 1978, submit a recording of it to cover any additional elements — bass lines or guitar solos, for example — absent from the original registration.

This workaround was suggested by the Copyright Office and the Justice Department in an amicus brief filed in the Led Zeppelin appeal. It was apparently little known at the time, though Structured Asset Sales’ court papers note that in 1988, the music publisher for the Rolling Stones’ song “Sympathy for the Devil” submitted that track’s 1968 studio recording to cover a new “arrangement.”

Pullman, of Structured Asset Sales, said that discussion of this workaround during the Led Zeppelin appeal led him to submit the recording of “Let’s Get It On” as a new registration in 2020, to cover any compositional elements not on the deposit copy — which could be more ammunition in a dispute against Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”

Could it work? So far that issue has not been tested by the courts.

Credits: Rob Verhorst/Redferns, via Getty Images (Marvin Gaye photograph); Let’s Get It On: written by Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend; Taurus: written by Randy Wolfe, a.k.a. Randy California (music sheets)

Produced by Alicia DeSantis , Sean Catangui , Jolie Ruben , Josephine Sedgwick and Tala Safie .

Ben Sisario covers the music industry. He has been writing for The Times since 1998. More about Ben Sisario

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