by Ainsley Wolf

Created on: June 06, 2008

"The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils." -William Shakespeare The love of music is a cultural growth for men. All men and women have it in themselves to appreciate music types that they previously have not been a fan. Throughout history it has been a priveledge to listen to secular music. In the dark ages and the following time periods it was forbidden to listen to anything other than religious music.

For example, the Gregorian chant, a melody set to Latin verse and sang without aid of instruments. To me the Gregorian chant is very monotonous but has its own appeal when one listens objectively and does not close one's mind to the talent exuded by those that continue this historic type of music.

Personally, I have always found myself at a loss for a favorite type of music. When I was in school all my friends would gush about this song or that or this performer being their favorite. When they would turn to me and ask who my favorite was I could never answer the same way twice. Depending on my mood or whatever had taken my fancy that day I could answer anything from Janice Joplin to Bare Naked Ladies to Mozart.

I think when someone says they don't like a certain kind of music, that person has closed themselves off from that music because of something someone else has said or one experience that colored their out look on it. For example, my husband of nine years: when we got together he said he didn't like the Beatles. After some discussion I learned that because of his parents making the statement that the Beatles were no good (their own personal opinion) he decided that he didn't like them. Later, after bombarding him with the Beatles for weeks, I heard him whistling the tune to Yellow Submarine.

When trying to expand your taste in music you must understand where the music comes from and always keep an open mind. I did not believe that I liked opera. On my first time to the opera I was determined that it was going to be boring and I was going to hate it. After Act I of Don Giovanni by Mozart I was hooked. I went on to listen to such Operas as Carmen and Erlkonig (The Erlking), and loving every minute.

Since then I have nagged and cajoled my husband into going along and he too has found a certain respect for opera. No, it is not his favorite, but he doesn't fall asleep through it either. He kept an open mind and now he can honestly say that he listens to opera and he doesn't hate it.

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