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Music

Music is one of the performing arts, a group of physically expressive arts who aim to engage an audience aesthetically, emotionally and visually.

Music uses a combination of sounds, which are then combined in such a way as to create a harmonious structure. These sounds are manipulated in a variety of ways, over time, by such methods as rhythm, pitch and melody.

Music can be carefully constructed, e.g. a classical composition, or more free form or improvised, for example, jazz fusion. It can also be performed as a solo or with others, such as an orchestra or a band.

The pace or tempo of music is compared to the human heartbeat. Musical tempo can have a direct influence upon the heart rate, causing it to either slow down or speed up. Examples of this can be seen in the case of listening to a piano recital which is both soothing and relaxing, or watching a rock band at a live concert which tends to get the heart rate up. Dance music such as techno and garage is often set at 120 beats per minute or more, which is designed to energise its devotees.

Music is very often seen as a mood thing: people have very definite tastes in regard to a piece of music and often choose to listen to a particular song or track depending on the atmosphere and their mood at that time. It can also trigger a wide range of emotions in people, from sadness through to extreme joy. Whatever the style, whether blues, soul, jazz or progressive rock, music is enjoyed by countless millions of people around the world.

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