Research+paper

since the dawn of man, musical instruments have been integral part of every culture. Music has in the past been used for religious purposes, and self expression, and is forever evolving as humans evolve. Music is and forever will be one of the great expressive motifs of all people and of all cultures.

Music has long been a centerpiece in religious institutions and is in many cases integral to many practices. For centuries basic instruments like rattles drums and bells have been a part of many african religions, sometimes instrument like horns and flutes were integratied into their practices. By playing this music, the performers were inviting onlookers into the prayer and song, the music was a very central part of their practices. these practices also influence the look and decoration of instruments. the morin khuur for example is an instrument native to mongolia, and because of the practices and religion of mongolea, is alway decorated with a horse head carved into the head of the instrument.

(traditional morin khuur)

religions are one of the great institutions of every culture, and every one features different musical styles and instruments.

The creation of musical instruments are ever changing. in the late 1600's and early 1700's a man named Antonio Stradivari was producing violins of an unmatched quality. His violins were so unequaled in fact, that stradivari violins are priceless instruments today. People claim that the stradivari violin is absolutely unmatched in quality and sound, and that no modern instrument can compare. But modern violin maker create violins of a quality that in many blind tests, sound the same or better than stradivari violins. The process and methods of making instruments changes massively over time. now, companies like suzuki music, and crescent pump out consumer grade violins at incredible speed, they dont sound near as good as a stradivarius violin, but to millions of people its all they can afford, or its good enough. these changes in building process decrease the sound, and worth of the violin, but make spreading music to the masses much easier. (Stradivarius Violin) the same can be applied to all instruments. pianos made by Steinway are some of the best in the world. their building process hasnt changed since people started making fine pianos, and steinways are worth more money than most people are willing to even think about spending. but because of advancments in technology other piano making companies are able to sell more pianos at a lower cost to more people. in all these advancments are a good thing because they help the everyday musician buy instruments that used to be worth much more, for much cheaper.

In the rural fields of japan, a man plays a classic japanese folk tune on a shamisen. the sounds he produces with that instrument are japanese and japanese only. that instrument has been a part of his life and many other japanese people. the sound of a shamisen to them is instantly recognizable, and represents the sound of their culture. many cultures have instruments that play a pivotal part in their culture. instruments like the mohrin khuur pictured above, the sitar, and even instruments like the piano and guitar represent specific cultures.