As we near the end of the year, and the end of the decade, it seems inevitable that we too will give in to the compulsory list-making mania that hits the media around this time. Everyone makes their top-10 of the year, top-10 of the decade, and top-10 of the new millenia lists. I'll make it a little easier (or maybe harder?) on you: the top of the list, period.
If you had to choose the most important instrument for today's music (and you can use the term "instrument" loosely, if you like), what would it be, and why?
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The human voice. It is used in nearly every genre of music, and it's easily the most versatile instrument in use today. The best part is, everyone can use it! That's not to say everyone SHOULD use it, though...
ReplyDeleteif you want to consider the voice as a muscial intrument then it would be the most inportant because withouth the voice you wouldnt have the music in any kinda of genre of music. If you dont want to concider it as an istrument that i would say that the drums were the most important because it supplies the backround beat and tempo for every musical piece.
ReplyDeleteElyod Trebor makes my response unnecessary because I would say the same thing. The human voice is definitely the most important instrument for today's music world. In fact, it is the most powerful and most important instrument ever. It is used in nearly every music genre, in every country, in every culture. And personally, its my favorite to use.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the people above me. The human voice is the most important instrument for music these days. If there was no voice in music i personally think music would be very boring. One other instrument that I think is important in todays music is the drums because it sets the beat for the song and makes it better.
ReplyDeleteGuitars are easily the instrument of the year. If one more person says the human voice i might be forced to kick your dog. Guitars make an infinite number of sounds and can be used in any genre. Anyone can sing. not just anyone can play guitar. There is a greater appreciation for a good guitar player than for a good singer. there is a sick local band named monkeys riding tigers. the guitar player takes guitar to a new level and when you hear him you will have no doubt that guitars are the instrument of the ear.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say the drums because across the world you can find the drum in one shape or another. The drums are like the foundation to a song setting it's beat. Did you know that drums were invented approximatly 3000 BC? Yeah that was a LONG time ago.
ReplyDeleteThe recorder is easily the most important instrument today. People learn to play it in elementary school and it comes in many colors. I used to have a clear blue one that was pretty cool. It inspired me to go on and never play music ever again.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that the voice is the most important. Most people in todays world don't listen to music that just has instruments. I also think that if songs didn't have words most people would not love and listen to music as much as they do today.
ReplyDeleteTHE single most important instrument used in creating 20th century music has yet to be mentioned: Psychoactive substance.
ReplyDeleteIts significance never seems to be clearly and objectively discussed, it is first important to set up the guidelines that popular music, no matter when it began, began as a counter-culture: that is, an artist founded or began a new style of music contrary to the norm and its popularity grew to social status.
Now consider counter-culture in the 20th century and most people will come up with 3 words: sex, drugs, and rockn'roll. Considering one is something that has been around forever and another quickly became the most popular form of American music, drugs must have been a deciding factor in some shape or form.
To truly demonstrate the impact drugs has on the musical experience, here is a documented list of 20th century artists who have claimed to use them for their benefit in musical expression:
The Beatles, Kurt Cobain, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Grateful Dead, Guns N' Roses, Jane's Addiction, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, Elton John, Jimi Hendrix, Weezer, KMK and an uncountable number of the most popular and successful bands of our century.
I don't advocate the use of drugs, but with results so undeniable, this insidious and unnoticed instrument may be one of the most distinguishing principles of 20th century music.
I would have to say drums/percussion is the most important instrument. Every song has a beat no matter what style of music it is, or how old the music is. there are so many different kinds of drums and different ways to create a beat that can make every song unique.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with some of the other posters that the human voice is the most important instrument. Without it, it would be nearly impossible to determine the meanings of songs, which is at least why I listen to them, so it's obviously the most important instrument in all of this century's music.
ReplyDeleteI think that all of the musical instruments are important because I don't know many people who would just like to listen to a boring voice. You need something to make a voice sound nicer. But then if you just had music and no voice it would be boring too so I have no idea what is more important.
ReplyDeleteEvery instrument has its purpose. All parts make a complete band and a complete sound. In my opinion they are all important, however the voice is usually most required. Almost every genre has room for a voice and it gives a mood to the music.
ReplyDeleteThe most important instrument is someones voice. There are plenty of bands out there who dont even have other instruments. People can even use their own voice to make beats for others to rap to. Without a voice there is no music. Listening to just instruments play is boring, why do you think nobody goes to band concerts except for parents.
ReplyDeleteI just have to jump in here...
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated that we've had so many votes for voice--although I love your reasoning. But I think only parents go to band concerts more because of who's playing and their level of training than because there's no one singing... And it sounds to me like there are a lot of people who haven't experienced a good live guitar solo recently...
Though I think the human voice and percussion are important, and I express myself musically using those instruments, I think the guitar is the most important for today's music. The guitar is used in many forms of music, and acoustic sets are often accompanied by a guitar. Guitars are usually a vital part of a band. The capability of a guitar to lead a rock band or serve as the sole instrument played in an acoustic song makes it a very important instrument in today's music.
ReplyDeleteI think the human voice is the most influential instrument today, agreeing with the other posters. The voice expresses the meaning behind the song. And today, with auto tune changing how voices can sound (example t- Pain) that has become some of the new style. Also songs being made a cappella or with a show choir have become more popular this year especially with the show Glee. I respect guitar solos and the drum beats the set the rhythm and heart beat of a song. But without a good voice I don’t think music expresses the same idea. Music today relies on the singer’s voice to express the meaning.
ReplyDeleteFor me it would be a computer or synthesizer. All music today is some way or another made with a computer. Especially the new people, like jonas brothers and those types. I could almost promise that they use computer to make there music sound somewhat like they play it. Some bands, not all abuse technology way too much
ReplyDeleteI guess I would have to say guitar. It is used in a wide variety of music. There are all different forms of guitars that can fit in almost any type of music. The guitar is probably the most commonly used instrument used in music today, I think.
ReplyDeleteThe electonic background music has become pretty big. Its easy to dance too and is different from most music. Mostly rappers us this and sounds good with just singers not insturments. Therefore the best intruments is technology and the human voice
ReplyDeleteThe most important intrument is now, has been, and forever will be the piano. It is the instrument that all other music and music theory is based off of. We would not have half of the songs or instruments that we have today if the piano was never invented. Thats not to say other instruments are less important. I love the sound of a correctly played clarinet or a cello. Every instrument has it's strength. Just depends on what genera of music you listen to.
ReplyDeleteI would say the guitar because you can make so many different sounds with the guitar. you can make loud heavy metal sounds or with and acoustic guitar you can have more mellow sounds like citizen cope.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to point out that there are plenty of bands like Da Vinci's Notebook that make music using only their voices. Whenever they need instrumental sounds, they use their voices to make the sound. Just because you can play a cool solo on a guitar doesn't mean you can't emulate that sound.
ReplyDeleteMy vote would have to go to a synthesizer mostly because it can produce any sound imaginable and almost every relatively modern song has some synthesized elements.
ReplyDeleteIt is defently the computer. People are too lazy to make music so they simpple have a computer do it form them.
ReplyDeletei'll have to give my vote to electicity.
ReplyDeletewithout it, we wouldnt be able to record the music, play it through mics or amps. and instruments like the guitar and bass guitar wouldnt function as well. Plus, with all the effects of distortion, echo, whammy, etc. music wouldn't be the same. electricity allows the computers to edit the pieces and then make a final draft, without it we'd only see written words and notes.
Definately the drums. its the thing that keeps the beat, keeps everyone on track, provides that tempo that makes you tap your foot and jam out.
ReplyDelete