Music as language: The necessity of communication

​It has been said that music is the 'universal language'. To what degree is it universal? One could say that there are many language groups which are represented by many cultures across planet earth. Each of these groups or civilisations have generated language as a means to communicate with one another. They have also created music as a way of communication with one another. They have also created music as a way of preserving their language and cultural history. Regarding the ability to communicate musically on a global level with for example: an African musician from Ghana and a Russian musician would require something of a common ground. The elemental fundamentals would be melody, harmony, rhythm and form. This process would be intentional and very much intuitive and it would require experimentation and discovery within the two spheres. This does not necessarily represent a universal language but does represent collaboration in order for the act of communication to occur.

And so what does this all have to do with the creative process of music making and how it is represented as an aesthetic and as an ideal? The notion that there is a global ideal and that music is a global language is nonsense because each culture is subjective to its own traditions and expectations. It would require an individual to go against tradition in order to create a new one thus aesthetic's are forever changing and it is a personable experience not just for the individual but for the society and in its context and time.

Language is a form of communication expressing our thoughts emotions presumptions objections and so on. To be able to communicate through the language with music one needs to have a firm grasp and understanding of the fundamentals at play. One can compare this to grammar and syntax which is used to form language structures in order to communicate. In music the basic fundamentals would be intervals, melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. Intervals are the building blocks of melody. Triads are the building blocks of harmony. Mathematics and pulse is the building blocks (conveyed as movement) in music (otherwise known as rhythm). Form is the most important of all fundamentals. It is demonstrated the as a canvas for presentation and space for architectural design to occur. It is the space in which musical communication can occur and be transmitted, conveying the musical language.