a CD collection at most? Also, in America, some people put so much effort and faith into religion and spirituality, but without arts, especially music, it doesn't seem as though spirituality can truly be meaningful. The African culture has really found something that the Western culture shakes off so easily as primitive, but they are so much stronger and united as a people because of it. This is because to the African tribes, "the vital function of African music is to mold separate individuals into a group" (Stone 7). In conclusion, as a musician, I am absolutely intrigued by the way the music so naturally sets in to the life of the African tribes, and I almost wish that it could be similar in my life. I use music in every way possible to guide me through life, but the way I have been raised to think, I still consider 'music' itself a form of art. However, it's not something I lock away as a hobby. I recognize its significance, and have benefited so much from writing and performing music that is completely from the heart. To me, it doesn't matter whether the music is catchy or has a commercially marketable groove, it only matters if it means something to me and makes real feelings come out. In that way, I believe that my thinking is somewhat similar to that of the people in the African tribes. We shouldn't change our entire society in order to have music benefit us spiritually, but to me, I stand by the belief that we should acknowledge it as more than art, but as a gift that can inspire, motivate, move, or even heal us as a people....
