musique

Musique is the French term for music, referring to organized sound and its study, production, and reception. It encompasses aspects such as melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, dynamics, texture, and form. Music can be vocal, instrumental, or a combination, and may be performed live or recorded, improvised or composed.

Etymology: the word derives from Old French musique, from Latin musica, and ultimately from Greek mousike, meaning the art of the Muses. The term has parallels in many languages to distinguish musical art from other sounds or noise.

Origins and history: music likely predates written language and appears in ritual, religious, and communal contexts across cultures. The development of musical notation in the medieval period enabled more complex composition. Western traditions include classical, romantic, and contemporary periods, while non-Western and traditional forms evolved independently. Global diffusion and cross-cultural exchange have broadened the concept of music to include diverse genres and practices.

Practice and tradition: music-making relies on instruments, voice, or both; it may use written scores or oral transmission. Performance practices vary widely, including solo, chamber, orchestral, and choral settings, and they often involve varying degrees of improvisation and interpretation.

Function and reception: music serves ritual, religious, ceremonial, social, and entertainment roles, and functions as a vehicle for personal and collective expression. It interacts with language and other arts, and electronic technology has transformed recording, production, distribution, and consumption.

See also: musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, performance, notation.