How culture impacts musical taste by exploring the endless diversity of music

I was delighted to get a ping when a new video from BigThink was uploaded to their YouTube channel, and to my surprise, it was actually about music and how the inner-psychological aspects of sounds and cultural implications can have a significant impact on the way humans understand music through personal perspectives.

Music is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and generations. Yet, despite its apparent universality, musical taste is deeply influenced by cultural factors. In this post, I wanted to touch on how culture impacts musical taste, drawing on the concepts of musical instinct, colonisation and counter-colonisation, and the endless diversity of music, as covered in the video itself.

References to cited material will be at the bottom of the post (I will try to include free sources to mainstream material where possible).

The question of whether a musical taste is innate or learned has long been debated in the field of psychology. Some researchers argue that some people have a biological predisposition to respond to certain musical elements, such as rhythm, melody, and harmony, which are universally present in all musical traditions [1]. Others argue that musical taste is shaped by cultural exposure and socialisation [2].

While it is true that certain musical elements may be more likely to elicit a positive response across cultures, the way in which these elements are used and combined can vary greatly depending on the cultural context [3]. For example, the use of dissonance and complex rhythms in Western classical music is often seen as sophisticated and refined.

Another important factor that shapes musical taste is the history of colonisation and cultural exchange. When a dominant culture imposes its values, language, and traditions on a subjugated culture, it often leads to the suppression of local music and the adoption of Western musical styles [4]. This process of cultural hegemony can be seen in the widespread use of European classical music in colonial schools and churches, and the marginalisation of local musical traditions in many parts of the world.

However, colonisation also leads to resistance and the emergence of new musical forms that challenge dominant cultural norms. This process of counter-colonisation can be seen in the rise of African-American music [5], which blends African rhythms and melodies with European harmonies and song structures, and has had a profound influence on popular music worldwide [6]. Similarly, the punk and hip-hop movements emerged as forms of musical and cultural resistance against mainstream norms, and have since become global phenomena with their own distinct subcultures and musical styles.

Despite the ongoing globalisation of music [7], with the rise of streaming platforms and the increasing ease of cross-cultural exchange, music will never homogenise completely. This is because music is not just a set of sounds and rhythms, but a reflection of the social and cultural context in which it is created and consumed [3].

Every culture has its own musical traditions and values – I can attest to that with a Greek cultural background – and as long as these traditions continue to be passed down through generations, they will remain a vital part of cultural identity. Moreover, the emergence of new musical styles and subcultures, driven by individual creativity and the desire to challenge dominant norms, ensures that music will continue to evolve and diversify.

The impact of culture on musical taste is complex and multifaceted, involving both innate predispositions and socialisation, cultural hegemony and counter-colonisation, and the ongoing diversity of musical expression. By understanding these factors, we can appreciate the richness and diversity of musical traditions worldwide, and celebrate the ways in which music reflects and shapes our cultural identity.

Dig in and enjoy some music!

References:

[1] – This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession
[2] – The do re mi’s of everyday life: the structure and personality correlates of music preferences
[3] – The Study of Ethnomusicology: Thirty-One Issues and Concepts
[4] – Nationalists, Cosmopolitans, and Popular Music in Zimbabwe
[5] – History of African music
[6] – Making Popular Music: Musicians, Creativity and Institutions
[7] – Cultural Divergence in popular music: the increasing diversity of music consumption on Spotify across countries