we can all make music

no more need

Perhaps the original function of music is redundant

It seems at least probable that our earliest ancestors used making music together as their way of learning to become, and to enjoy being, social.

Some sceptics argue that, even though this may have once been true, we have moved on since those times, and no longer need this capacity for this use, having developed more sophisticated ways of socialising ourselves.

The main factor pointed to is language (which appears to have emerged in human development much later than our musical capacities) and to the development of cultural traditions that ensure the continuation of collaborative behaviour.

The problem with this perspective is that none of these 'new' ways of promoting social bonding bring with them the pleasure that singing together does. Indeed the opposite - most of the ways that the 'social contract' is described point to the coercive and punitive basis of maintaining our capacity to live together.

Yes, we have become very good at forcing ourselves to live together (after all, what choice do we have?) but we seem less and less able to enjoy living together,

Our capacity to collaborate, and certainly to enjoy collaboration, seems to be diminishing. So much so, that when we do it in times of crisis, it is always reported as remarkable, particularly in contrast to the constantly reported, and worried about, fragmentation of our communities.

From a biological perspective, we know that survival behaviours need rewards in order for them to become a normal part of what we do. Being able to collaborate was essential to the survival of our ancestors, and is no less important today. But our forebears were able to indulge in a collaborative process that provided instant gratification; we, on the other hand, don't.

Yes, parents still sing lullabies to their children, medalists still stand to attention through their national anthems, fans still sing their club songs, lovers still sing to each other, soldiers still march to brass bands, kids still identify around 'their' music, gods are still sung to. Surely music continues to fulfil all of the roles it always has.

And not only that - new functions have emerged. Not least, music's contribution to advertising, it's function as a symbol of excellent civilisation, and perhaps most important, music's commercial role - it is challenging pornography as the major commodity on the internet and is the source of staggering wealth for many associated with its production.

But, these ways of music making and music consumption don't offer the community-wide buzz that once was integral to the process. Nor is the essential need for this buzz any longer acknowledged. Nor do any of our 'new' ways of socialisation offer an equivalent reward.

So, if we want to live in a society whose members feel socially connected, and who revel in their connectedness, then we better get back to singing together a lot. Without it, we will continue to fragment.

No more need? What tosh. We need to sing together more than ever.

we can all make music

no more need

Perhaps the original function of music is redundant

making a sound world together