Music

Music is an art form consisting of sound and calm. Elements of sound in music are pitch, rhythm, dynamics, structure, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture.

The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of music diverge according to culture and social context. Music ranges from strictly organized compositions, through improvisational music to aleatoric forms. Music can be divided into genres and sub-genres, although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often fine, sometimes open to character construal, and occasionally divisive. Within "the arts", music can be classified as a performing art, a fine art, or an auditory art form.

Music is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from artistic pleasure, religious or traditional purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Recreational musicians compose and perform music for their own pleasure, and they do not attempt to receive their income from music. Professional musicians are employed by a range of institutions and organisations, including armed forces, churches and synagogues, symphony orchestras, broadcasting or film production companies, and music schools. As well, professional musicians work as freelancers, seeking contracts and engagements in a variety of settings.

Although recreational musicians differ from professional musicians in that amateur musicians have a non-musical source of income, there are often many links between amateur and professional musicians. Beginning amateur musicians take lessons with professional musicians. In community settings, advanced amateur musicians perform with professional musicians in a variety of ensembles and orchestras. In some rare cases, amateur musicians attain a professional level of proficiency, and they are able to perform in professional performance settings.