Someone has said, “when opposites attract they result is a powerful reaction that produces an enormous influence to be enjoyed by many.” I think immediately of a battery and the power produced by those opposites being coupled together. In some ways, music is also like that. Music by definition combines two complete opposites, sound and silence. But when the two are correctly composed, you have a form of art which has a powerful physical, spiritual, and emotional influence on mankind.

Music is produced through a precise set of components that is called Music Theory. Music Theory encompasses the process used in composing music and when studied it provides one with an understanding of note reading, scales and intervals, chords and symbols, and expression marks.

The actual composition of music involves many elements and is quite complex in and of itself. The composer must take each of these elements:(pitch / register, rhythm / meter, timbre / instrumentation, texture, dynamics, etc.) and place it together with precise handling and control. The result is music which is as varied as its components.

With so much music and so many different styles of music in the world today, how can one know what is good music? Is music to be judged solely on its listening appeal or personal preference?  No!  There is much more to it than just listening pleasure because music affects the hearer in more than just the physical realm.  We must have more than just our ears involved in determining if music is good.

One thing to look for in determining good music is the melody. All music has three parts which include melody, harmony, and rhythm. But the key to good music is always found in the melody. Another familiar quote of some musicians is, "The melody is the golden thread running through the maze of tones by which the ear is guided and the heart is reached."  Since it is a heart issue, good discretion must be used in choosing music.

Would you like to learn more about good music for the Christian family? Then why not begin BBN BI course # 50300 The Study Of Music. Dr. Frank Garlock shares valuable truths to help every born-again believer better understand good music.

Don't decide to listen, or allow your children to listen to music just because you or they like it. Remember the ears may enjoy it but the heart will also be affected by it.