Music is part of every culture on Earth. Many people feel that music makes life worth living. We can make music ourselves if we play an instrument or sing. We can hear music on CD and on radio or television. Music can be happy, sad, romantic, sleepy, spine-tingling, healing—all kinds of things. Music, like language, is a uniquely human form of communication. As with language, there are many different kinds. In North America, people listen to jazz, rock, classical, folk, country, and many other kinds of music. Today, modern communications make it possible for us to listen to music from all over the world. Music from one part of the world influences music from another part. No one knows for sure when music began. Perhaps while people were working, they began to chant or sing to make the work go faster. Music plays an important part in our lives. It’s usually part of weddings, parades, parties, and sporting events. Television shows and movies use music to communicate emotion or drama.

 Many people enjoy playing musical instruments. Music plays an important part in our lives. It’s usually part of weddings, parades, parties, and sporting events. Television shows and movies use music to communicate emotion or drama. Many people enjoy playing musical instruments. Music goes along with many of our activities. We dance to music. We sing songs at school. Many of us exercise to music. Bands play at football games. We hear music in cars and stores. Music accompanies many important occasions. At a wedding, for example, the bride marches down the aisle to music.

Music has always been important to religious ceremonies. Music is heard in Christian churches, Jewish synagogues, Islamic mosques, and other places of worship. Music entertains us. We listen to show tunes, spirituals, pop, opera, and rock. We have favorite performers. We hear music as the background in movies.