I Believe in Music by Jaclyn Pennington

In the 1920's it was all about jazz and Louis Armstrong. In the 1930's and 1940's Duke Ellington introduced swing. The 1950's were filled with Elvis Presley's rock n roll. In 1963 the Beatles crossed the big pond and dominated. Disco and the Hustle became the it thing in the 1970's. In the 1980's everyone cool could do Michael Jackson's Thriller dance, and in the 90's CD's outsold both vinyl and cassette tapes. Music is the universal language, almost every country you go to will have some form of it, and it will evolve with the years. I believe in music.

Music creates individuality. I personally listen to people like John Mayer, Michael Bublé, and Jack Johnson, but that doesn't mean that is what everybody listens to. And I am glad that it is that way, because then people can introduce me to new styles of music that I may or may not like. It gives me something to talk about with people. It can fill the empty space or awkward silence. But some people don't take the chance to expand their horizons; they only listen to what the media tells them is good. I'm not saying that main stream music is bad, I listen to it sometimes, but people should decide what they like for themselves.

Music is a form of expression. Music writers tend to use their feelings as their main inspiration when writing songs. Even when listening to music, the tempo of the song blasting through your speakers will probably be pretty parallel to what you are feeling that day. For example when I am in a bad mood I tend to listen to darker more depressing songs, but when am in a really good mood I listen to more upbeat, positive songs. Another way music is used for expression is in movies. During action scenes more intense rock music is usually used. During romantic love scenes calmer melodic music is used.

Music is part of your everyday life. In my life it can sometimes take up my entire day. My alarm in the morning is my iPod. I arrive at the school sometimes as early as 6:45 for Swing Choir rehearsal. My 2nd, 4th, and 5th period all have to do with music in one way or another. During this time of year I have musical practice at least two times a week for sometimes as much as three and half hours. Also I take singing and guitar lessons. You probably have an mP3 player that you listen to music on. You most likely listen to the radio. Most homes in America have televisions that show programs and commercials that feature different kinds of music.

Music is not only a part of America s history, but also the world's history. Who knew that popular music would evolve from symphonies to what we listen to today? I do not know what will come next, what will be popular and what will fade out with time. But I do know that music is the universal language and I believe in music.