The Problem of Violence in the Context of Music and the Social Sphere Reflections

Abstract

Considering the power of music to directly affect people's lives at any time, it becomes essential to recognize and understand the elements of violence in music. Some studies have revealed that music can cause violence-related problems in different contexts. One of the main problems encountered in this context is the aestheticization and legitimization of violence through music. While song lyrics and visuals can produce direct violence through music, the performance of music, spaces, instruments, and social relations, it is also possible to symbolically create violence in indirect ways. This study addresses the problems of violence that arise in the context of music in many different ways during music production and the listener's encounter with music. Literature/document review, one of the qualitative method techniques, was used in the study discuss the relationship between music and violence. Articles, dissertations, books, and internet resources containing music and violence were scanned in this context. The results obtained within the scope of this study are as follows: The relationship between music and violence often produces a more vaguely defined problem area. Individual musical practices and the massification of music and its transformation into a cultural industry bring about problematic dimensions reflected in social relations, especially in terms of cultural domination, commodification, and symbolic violence. Thus, the functions of music as controlling, transforming, and suppressing society, turn it into an element of violence. Music's use of violent elements and, conversely, the transformation of musical practices into a symbolic field of violence produces thoughts and practices reflected in the social sphere and shape society. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize direct or symbolic violence in the context of music and address its reflections on society. The process of choosing music, marketing strategies, which music is liked, and the power networks that develop in the meantime are at a critical point that determines the role of music for those who experience it. In this context, the study analyzes the reflections on different aspects of the relationship between music and violence, direct and indirect, in the social field and considers the possibilities that the music can turn into violence and produce a position and consciousness against violence at the same time.