Genesis 1-2 Why is there Music?

When I read the creation stories, I often wonder “Where is music?” Is it intrinsic to the formation of the universe? Is it possible for there to ‘not be’ music? One way to have your music students consider the value of music in their lives is to ask them where it comes from. Ask them if they think humans are ‘pre-wired’ for music. Or have a conversation about whether or not the generally accepted perceptions of the different emotional responses to major and minor tonalites is inherent or learned. Have them watch the video by Jacob Collier in which he musically ‘performs’ increasingly complex emotions and ideas, and use it as a starting point for any number of discussions. Consider the physics and biology of music (overtones, the math of string lengths and pitches, how the brain ‘hears,’ etc.) and speculate about a ‘different’ universe in which the ‘numbers’ are different. You can even ask them to consider if music was given to the universe or developed from within it.

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