Sound is all around us. Some people question whether there can be true, complete silence. We hear sounds around us all day long. Some sounds are used to create music, and some sounds are just noise. We know there are sounds all the times because we hear them, but we don't always listen. There is a difference between hearing and listening. When we listen to sounds, we use a higher level of consciousness to distinguish the sounds around us. We can tell the difference between a car engine and a chainsaw when we really listen. Some parents can tell the difference between the types of crying their baby is doing. Is it a hurt cry or is it an "I want attention" cry? We can tell who is on the phone just by the voice we hear, because we are "listening."

For one twenty-four-hour period, make a list of all of the sounds around you. Listen to the sounds and focus on those sounds. How many different sounds did you hear in one day?

Interview a friend or family member who has played a musical instrument for at least several years. Ask the following questions.

1. How long have you played your instrument?
2. How did you choose your instrument?
3. What types of ensembles have you performed with?
4. Do you enjoy playing your instrument and if so, what makes it enjoyable to play?
5. How often do you practice?
6. Can you describe how your instrument works?
7. Create a question of your own.
8. Create a question of your own.
9. Create a question of your own.
10. Create a question of your own.

Have a friend or family member who has played an instrument for more at least several years instruct you in how to make a sound on that instrument and, if possible, play a simple melody on that instrument. If you already play an instrument make sure you learn a different instrument.

Write a two-page summary of your lesson.

Music enriches our lives in many ways.

• We dance to music.
• Sometimes music accompanies a nonmusical activity, as when a pep-band plays at a football or basketball game.
• We use specific types of music for group identity. Classical music attracts a specific group of people just as punk rock, heavy metal, or country attract specific groups.
• We use music to excite us and relax us. Music can effect our emotions. Music therapists use music to help patients deal with their emotions. A parent sings to calm a crying baby.
• We use music for recreation. We sing around the campfire, we sing together for holiday celebrations.
• People have used music to accompany work. Railroad workers called gandy dancers sang together to make the work easier. Sailors sang sea chanteys while hoisting the anchor or raising the sails.
• We use music in religious services.

In the activities listed above, music is secondary. When we have music on in the car, the primary activity is driving, I hope. We are not truly listening to the music. We hear the music, but hopefully, we are concentrating on our driving.

Think of five ways you use music in your daily life and how music enriches your daily life. Don't just make a list of five ways, elaborate on how you use music. Can you think of other ways music is used in your/our lives?