Music : Composition, Interpretation & Effects

Music is an art form whose medium is sound organised in time. Common elements of music are pitch (which governs melody and harmony), rhythm (and its associated concepts tempo, meter, and articulation), dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of music vary according to culture and social context. Music can be divided into genres and sub-genres, although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle, sometimes open to individual interpretation, and occasionally controversial. Within "the arts", music may be classified as a performing art, a fine art, and auditory art. To people in many cultures, music is inextricably intertwined into their way of life. Music is known to have many benefits for health, ranging from inducing relaxation and sleep to improving a depressed mood. Music also enhances cognitive function such as attention to task, communication, learning and memory. This book gathers the latest research from around the globe in this dynamic field of study and highlights topics such as: rap music and its effect on sexual attitudes, music videos and risky driving, burnout and music use, music memory and the right hippocampus, and others.