Spring 2024 Music Appreciation (MUS-110-2904)

The Discussion Assignment

Please watch the embedded YouTube videos entitled “John Cage about silence” and “John Cage – Branches” before completing this discussion board. In your opinion, what characteristics differentiate sounds from music? Does music have to be pleasing? Is an element of human organization necessary for something to be called music? Do you agree, or disagree with the thoughts of the composer John Cage, and would you consider his piece Branches music? This all leads to the very important question: in your opinion, what is the function of music? Please elaborate in a post giving YOUR opinion to this question, regardless of what you think the textbook would say.