3.1. What kind of music? 

Music is not just a collection of sounds; it’s a powerful medium that conveys emotions, tells stories, and sets the atmosphere. We use music as background track to movies and plays, we also listen to energising songs when we exercise or soothing songs when we want to feel calm.

To understand the diverse ways music can be used to facilitate learning, let’s start by analysing a podcast (CC BY NC SA) by Ajita Deshmukh based on Kekulé’s discovery.  While listening, ask yourself the following:

Did you notice how different types of music are used to depict the historical setting?

How does the music build the atmosphere of England during Kekulé’s time?

Are there sounds that mimic laboratory equipment, contributing to the scientific setting?

How does the music reflect the emotions of the characters or the tempo of the story?

How does the tempo changes to suit the story’s progression and the narrator’s tone?

Now, take a moment to imagine the same story without any sound. Can you sense the difference?

The absence of music would make the story feel flat and less engaging, proving how crucial sound is in storytelling. This podcast is more than a story; it’s an invitation to explore how sound can animate science, history, and imagination. Each carefully chosen audio cue sets the tone, enhances understanding, evoking place, process, and thought.

The sound of music

Music is not limited to classical compositions or studio-produced tracks. It comes in myriad forms, from the chirping of birds to the rhythmic tapping of raindrops.

You don’t need to be a professional musician to create meaningful music. Everyday objects can serve as instruments. Imagine the clinking of glasses, the tapping of a pen, or the hum of a fan.