Music has been an integral part of the community since prehistoric times. It is known that humans created art around 50,000 years ago in the form of cave paintings and jewellery. They also started to bury their deceased at this time ceremonially. These types of intentional activities suggest that music also emerged. Indeed, findings from the 1 palaeolithic archaeological sites show that prehistoric people used many tools to make musical instruments. This suggests that music was important to early communities.
It would have sound, not the more modern concept of music created in these prehistoric societies. Animal bones would have been blasted together to create sounds, and horns blow to make sounds. These sounds could be used to alert of danger, call people together, and mark important events in the lives of the community. As human cognition improved and instruments became more sophisticated, these primitive sounds would have become more recognizable.
The History of Music and Community
Music, which is pre-lingual, is one of the earliest forms of communication. This is why it was integral to positive community relations. Anthropologists have shown that cultures with strong musical traditions thrived, while other cultures without one struggled to survive 2.
Music can elicit strong emotions and raise awareness. Strong emotions are associated with evolution 3 (reproduction, survival), which is why societies with a musical culture have had a better chance to thrive. The music coordinates people’s emotions, helps to communicate important messages, and motivates them to identify with and support others in their community 4.
Music is essential for human social development.
Music plays a vital role in human social development and the development of communities. According to David Francis, The Performing Rights Society, music ‘stimulates infants and foetuses in such a manner as to promote their wellbeing’ 5. Modern music can be traced back to the early interactions between mother, child, and father known as motherese. Motherese occurs when parents with child-caring responsibilities, particularly mothers, communicate their intentions and meanings to their babies via vocal-gestural communication.
Motherese’s function is to strengthen the bond between baby and parent and help an infant learn the language. Motherese can be found in all cultures, despite differences in languages. These early interactions between mother-child have been shown to have an ‘essentially musical quality’ 6. Singing, playing or listening to music can bring about strong feelings of wellbeing, even subconsciously. It reminds us of our childhood and our connection with others. Music is essential for our personal and social growth, even as adults. Ass opposed to listening to it,music-making is a great way to develop social skills. It’s also fun and requires different skills than most people use every day. Making music can be a relaxing activity to help relieve stress and anxiety. There is increasing evidence that playing music can improve your mental and physical health 7.
Studies from 2001 have shown that individuals with improved mental and physical health are more likely to integrate into the social world 8. Because people feel more confident, positive, and relaxed when they can interact with others in their community, this strengthens the community overall because each community member can contribute their unique skills and talents to the whole community.
Music has two benefits. It improves an individual’s social development by increasing their sense of wellbeing and connectedness. However, it also increases that person’s ability to integrate into their community. This results in a stronger community.
What is a Modern Community?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a community as “a group of people who live in the same area or have a common characteristic 9″. This suggests that community, although broad, emphasizes the joining together of diverse groups. Perhaps because they have common interests, social ties, or share the same geographic location or settings. Therefore, modern communities would include people of various ages, abilities, and cultures. It can be not easy to cater to such diverse groups.
Music and the Modern Community: The Benefits
Music is not subject to the same difficulties as other groups in modern communities. This is because music is not verbal and doesn’t discriminate against age, culture, or ability. Percussion Play’s outdoor musical instruments can be integral to encouraging cross-cultural engagement and fostering positive community integration.
Music community engagement has many benefits. Music is a powerful medium. This can be seen in the fact that there have been attempts to control or suppress its use in some societies. Music can either facilitate or hinder social change. It reflects and creates conditions that reflect the social world. Community music therapy is a “context-driven and ethical practice”, and it has been necessary to develop theories to explain how can use music intentionally to enhance connectedness’ 11. As Professor Gary Andsell 12 (2014) explains,
“Community music therapy”
Krivo 13 and others have pointed out that we live in an era of increasing social isolation and anxiety for all ages and backgrounds. Music therapy is one of the most effective ways to encourage participation and reduce anxiety.
We all have experienced the power and feeling of community music. Music can communicate meanings without the need for words. Music promotes individual, group, cultural, and national identity development and preservation. Today’s global community can create new online communities, share music and even cross borders using the internet.
Benefits of Outdoor Musical Instruments in the Community
Music is something that anyone can create. Playing musical instruments can bring people together, regardless of their ability, income, or social class. Percussion Play’s musical parks and outdoor musical instruments can significantly positively impact the community at a low cost. Because there is no need to have any musical skills or training to play the instruments or enjoy the outdoors, musical parks are ideal for everyone. Many of Percussion Play’s instruments can be used by those with disabilities or in wheelchairs.
Outdoor musical instruments are a great way to address community needs. They can ‘help create pride in a community and help transform it into a place people want to live in and feel connected in‘ 14.
Participation in music can also bring additional benefits to the community. There is also an economic benefit. Percussion Play has created outdoor musical parks to bring more people to the area and help with regeneration. Often, local authorities do not provide funding for music or the arts because they are not compatible with their mainstream policies. Outdoor musical instrument parks are a great way for people to access music that they may not otherwise be able to. It is also a cost-saving option for local services because it reduces loneliness and social exclusion.
What does music do to bring people together?
Singing and listening to music together can create a sense 15 of group identity. It may also be particularly effective in social integration, as it directly affects the neurochemicals within the brain that facilitate feelings of connection and closeness 16.
A 2017 study 17 showed that singing, dancing and playing musical instruments result in more positive emotions. This suggests that people are closer when they play music. These activities stimulate the release of endorphins. Music can make us feel happy and connected, especially when we create it 18. Jill Suttie said that music could help us “connect, collaborate and care for one another” 19.
Music is an effective tool for bonding people. Many studies support this.
Music can bring people together because it transcends the limitations of language. Instead of providing a language of rhythm and melody, music allows users and players to communicate non-verbally. This provides opportunities for people in a community to get to know each other and fosters healthy relationships. It also helps to build a sense of belonging. If music is available and engagement encouraged, it becomes clear that music can be a powerful tool in building a harmonious society.
It is easy to forget that music was originally intended to communicate. We live close to our neighbours in modern times, so it is easy for us to lose sight of its original purpose. Music does more than that. It demands connection and inclusion. Music is a powerful stimulus to positive community relations.
Research has shown that music can enhance group identity. Playing musical instruments in a group can help us “synch our brains and coordinate our body movements with others. Therefore, it is possible to increase our sense of community and socialize by coordinating music.
How does music bring people together? A case study from Percussion Play 21
Percussion Denmark asked percussion Play Denmark to create an interactive musical park for residents, visitors, and children. This is a testament to the power of music in bringing people together and fostering positive community relationships.
The primary purpose of outdoor musical instruments was to combat loneliness. It has been shown that the instruments can be used for physical and psychological therapy and in other settings. The instruments were strategically placed to be easily seen from the path leading up to the garden to attract neighbours and curious passers-by. “When someone outside comes and starts playing musical instruments, residents also come out to look. It’s an opportunity for them to meet new people,” says Agnete Bille, Care Centre Manager.
Poppellunden nursery is the nearest neighbour to the care centre. These young neighbours regularly visit the care centre to play their new outdoor musical instruments. She says that children from nearby nurseries do the same.
Older people love to help children. This is a natural instinctive response for them. It often mobilizes them in unexpected ways. Although it has only been a few months since Trollemose Care Centre was given the outdoor musical instruments, they have already become an integral part of its daily life. Residents and outsiders often use them. Residents are accompanied by care assistants who take them into the garden to use the instruments for rehabilitation at the centre.
Lars Hansen, Percussion Play Denmark, says that “We hope that, by sharing the musical instruments, a community pride and ownership will happen among the residents.” Music is an enjoyable, multi-generational activity. Playing music with other residents and helpers can have a positive effect on your mental function, mood, and overall wellbeing em>
The Future for Community Music
There is growing research on the positive impact of music on individuals’ lives. However, there is an urgent need for a “systematic investigation of how music can affect groups of people in social settings 22″. David Francis from The Traditional Music Forum believes that most past research has focused on work and commercial environments. Research into music in public spaces has been neglected. Francis believes that there are many areas of research worth exploring, such as whether music can increase tolerance for people who have to wait in long lines and whether music and musical instruments can be used to promote safety and wellbeing in public places 24.
Recent psychologists such as Gary Andsell (2014), Giorgis Tsiris (2014) and Ornette Claire (2013) called for greater collaboration between the fields of music and health 25. Tsiris argues that we need to study music and health in everyday contexts 26. He also points out the need to understand how modern societal changes affect the delivery and practice of community music therapy. Clennon suggests further research into the relationship between community and community music therapy. He also points out the importance of community therapy for clients in the mental health system 27.
It is evident that despite the important role music has played in communities since prehistoric times, there is much more to be done about its impact on modern communities. However, having musical instruments available to all members of a community can have a tremendous positive impact on the individual and the entire community.
Percussion’s Power: Play
Percussion Play’s outdoor musical instruments are accessible to all community members. They make great additions to any environment. Percussion Play’s musical instrument can be placed in gardens, schools, hospitals, care homes, hospices, nursing homes, and other social spaces where they can be enjoyed by everyone who sees them. The joy of playing these amazing instruments is available to everyone. PercussionPlay instruments are being installed in many settings around the globe.