An evolutionary boost, heightened communication, social bonding, or dopamine trigger – figures from Darwin to Wagner have debated music’s function, and their theories are as varied as the art form itself.
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There is a great variety of music around the world, although the word ‘music’ exists in only a few languages apart from English (at least in the etymological sense we know it). Bach; Beethoven; Mozart; Islamic religious chants; the traditional music of Java; Taylor Swift: these are merely a handful of examples which show how diverse the musical world is and always has been. Many scientists believe that, like language, music is a universal phenomenon, which can be traced back to the very beginnings of human history. But why do humans actually make music?
The question has long been debated, resulting in a range of theories. Charles Darwin, for example, believed that music served an evolutionary purpose, originating in animals’ mating calls, which were then imitated by early humans. In recent times, the evolutionary angle has also been emphasized by neurologists, who have found that music makes it easier for humans to deal with cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance is a phenomenon which can be observed, for example, when children learn new things and knowledge which they acquired earlier is contradicted or disputed. Studies show that children are able to solve more complex tasks when, for instance, Mozart is played in the background.
Richard Wagner, on the other hand, claimed that music was an elevation of emotional speech. Others have argued along the same lines, theorizing that there must have been a more generalized form of communication using sounds in early human history which then branched into the functions of music and speech. From then on, so the theory goes, music’s role has been to transmit emotions by using certain sounds, whereas language is for denotative communication.
This idea of purposeful communication has also given rise to the theory that music originated from humans calling to one another over long distances. Furthermore, similarities between animals and humans are routinely considered in studies of music’s role in human communication. When birds communicate through song, silence usually means that a threat is near. Similarly, this effect might be taken into account when tackling the question of why humans make music. It has also been observed that music forms part of our collective memory and therefore plays an important role in intergenerational communication.
Some scientists highlight music’s social dimension, postulating that it helps individuals to synchronize themselves. It is well-known that music is often used while groups accomplish difficult tasks together. The synchronizing effect of music may have originated in the rhythmic sounds of footsteps and breathing as small groups wandered about in early human history.
It is also important to note that music doesn’t transmit real-time messages like direct, communicative language does. This makes social bonding easier as disagreement within a group can be avoided. Another example of music’s ability to bring about social cohesion is the effect singing together usually has. Singing together often serves a religious or spiritual purpose – at least in some cultures. In religious contexts, music is then sometimes combined with dance and is intended to lead the group into a trance.
Last but not least, music has a measurable effect on brain activity. When we listen to music, for example, our brain releases dopamine. This effect is usually only observed in combination with behavior which is essential for day-to-day as well as species survival (like eating or reproductive sex). In other words, music makes us happy and is essential for human survival.