Essay 22 – Is traditional music more important than International music

GT Writing Task 2 (Essay Writing) Sample # 22

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic:

There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

You should write at least 250 words.

Use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

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Model Answer 1: [View: Neutral Opinion]

Music is an intrinsic part of human culture and plays a significant role in our lives. This essay aims to explore the importance of music and examine whether traditional music holds more significance than international music in today’s globalized world.

One of the primary reasons why we need music is its ability to evoke emotions and enhance our well-being. Music has a profound impact on our mood, relieving stress, and providing comfort and solace. It serves as a universal language that transcends barriers and allows individuals to connect with their inner selves and with others. Moreover, music serves as a means of cultural expression and promoting cultural identity.

The traditional music of a country carries the legacy of its people, their history, values, and customs. It serves as a cultural archive, reflecting the unique heritage of a nation and providing a sense of belonging to its citizens.

However, in today’s interconnected world, international music has become increasingly prevalent. It offers a platform for cross-cultural exchange and allows individuals to appreciate diverse musical styles and genres. International music fosters cultural understanding and promotes unity among people from different backgrounds. While traditional music holds cultural significance, it is important to recognize the value of international music in enriching our musical experiences. Global music collaborations and fusion of different styles can lead to the creation of innovative and captivating melodies that resonate with a wider audience.

In conclusion, music serves as a universal language that evokes emotions, promotes well-being, and fosters cultural expression. While traditional music is vital in preserving cultural heritage, international music has its own merits in promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Rather than viewing traditional and international music as mutually exclusive, it is essential to embrace both and celebrate the richness and diversity of musical expressions.

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Model Answer 2: [Neutral opinion]

We love listening to music whether we are at home, at work or on the streets. In fact, music has become a part of our daily life whether it is traditional music or international music. Therefore it is fair to suggest that we need music because it is good for our souls, and it helps calm us down during the time of stress and anxiety besides conveying our human feeling from generation to generation. Because both “traditional music” and “international music” types enjoy a certain degree of popularity among music lovers, I am not hesitant to say that both of them are equally important for a country.

Traditional music, of course, can help understand the important elements of culture, heritage, history and the emotions of a particular country. But that does not necessarily mean that those particular “elements” always remain the same. They also go through some internal changes as time progresses, and simply because we, humans, are just not programmed to remain the same always. These changes are certainly reflected in “traditional music” as well, be it through a different kind of rhythm or a different kind of musical instrument. And, if these “changes” indeed are incorporated into the “traditional music”, they do not always remain “traditional”! Besides, who is to decide what is “traditional music” and which is ‘international music”, when many “not-so” traditional elements of international music are getting integrated into traditional music easily and rather “successfully” sometimes. For example, the “traditional tabla” (made of woods) in Bangladeshi folk songs is frequently being replaced by “metal made drums”, but it doesn’t exactly reduce the appeal and traditional value of that particular type of folklore songs in any manner.

Then, of course, there are satellite TV channels and the internet which have virtually erased the already “not-so” visible boundary line between traditional music and international music whereby we are continuously being “subject” to the music of other countries. Sometimes, we actually even like music from other countries. But in that case, it does not mean that our traditional music is becoming any less important to us.

To conclude, traditional music and international music are equally important for a country if it wants to preserve and also carry forward its traditions and cultures.

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Model Answer 3: [View: traditional music is more important than the international music]

Music is an essential cultural and traditional component of a nation and a rich variety of music could be found all around the world that not only entertains us but also expresses our joy, nationalism, freedom, happiness, love and struggles in the finest form of arts. Despite the huge popularity of international music, traditional music is still more important due to its adherence to the traditional aspects of a country.

We need music because it makes our life meaningful and accompanies us throughout our lives. In our childhood, we listen to and learn music simply as a form of entertainment and joy. We learn to sing our national anthem and our parents sing to us to help us sleep. Later in life, we come across a variety of songs and music as part of our life stories and our favourite music often defines the person we become. In our old age, we see life and recite memories through music we love. Music both expresses and arouses emotions in a way that words alone cannot, and it tells stories of our lives that we long to hear. Thus we need music to relax, be entertained, be inspired, express our feelings and often relieve boredom in life.

In considering which kind of music is the most important, we must acknowledge that traditional music teaches people about their history and helps people remember and retain their national and cultural identity. International music is often set in a totally different environment that we have no experience in and despite engaging and entertaining lyrics and music style, it is often a commercial product which fails to reflect the true stories in our life. Traditional music, by contrast, expresses the culture, tradition and history of a country and gives narratives of people and their life in a way that will be always relevant. Thus traditional music, without any doubt, is more important for us as people in a society and a country.

In conclusion, music is a crucial part of our life and existence, and I believe that traditional music should be given more importance than international music so that we can enjoy music not only for entertainment’s sake but also to learn who we really are.

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Model Answer 4: [View: International music is more important than traditional music]

In this day and age, different kinds of music genres prevail around the globe and one can find a stunning range of categories and styles according to his choice. No doubt, music is of critical importance to us for several reasons and despite conventional music nurturing nationalism, I unswervingly believe that global music is highly significant by reason of diversity.

No matter when, where and how music was invented, it has been playing a vital role in our society for a really long. Music can touch our feelings and even change them by soothing the nerves and many researchers suggest that music can invoke catharsis feelings in the listeners who have emotional stress and tension. In addition to this, music can reach the core of our minds and inspire us greatly. That is why, in nursing homes, they commence with musical therapy so as to let the old people remember the incidents of their sweet past.

International music is of considerable importance despite the fact that folk music resonates with the culture, heritage and legacy of a nation. There are myriad reasons in favour of international music. The most prominent one is solidarity. In simple words, world music brings together a diverse range of cultures and histories and thereby demonstrates different paradigms of notions, worldviews and so forth; which in turn transcend cultural differences and tear down the barriers of social class, ethnicity, national identity and so on. A case in point is the song “Wind of Change” by Scorpions, which is a rallying cry for unification and for freedom and a message of hope.

On a final note, traditional music is a strong carrier of the culture, history, and heritage of a nation. Nevertheless, global music paves the way for international unity which is crucial as the world we live in has become a global village.