Peace Through Music

By Kirsten Browning


Dictionary.com says that peace is the normal lack of conflict between people or groups (nations); a state of mutual harmony; silence; tranquility. It also says that music is organized tones; an art form in time that expresses ideas and emotions through form, rhythm, melody, harmony and color.

The word “harmony” comes up in both definitions, so focusing on harmony might be most useful to understanding the concept of peace through music. The dictionary says that harmony is agreement and a consistent, orderly or pleasing arrangement.

Obviously, music can be produced with only one person; however, we often think more of groups of musicians. Playing in ensembles like duets, quartets, or orchestras allows us to be part of something that’s bigger than just you or me. Playing music together is what it’s all about. Musical training teaches you to listen – to yourself, to others playing with you, to how your part fits into the whole. If a musical group is playing together but they’re not listening, the piece is ruined.


In the group classes I teach, we play a game called the Ruining Game. I choose one person in secret who becomes the “ruiner,” doing something (playing a wrong note or rhythm) that doesn’t go with the way the piece is being performed. The rest of the class has to try to figure out who the person is that’s ruining our piece. It demonstrates to everyone present how important it is to be in agreement and to work together to play the piece.

A friend of mine is getting a communications degree and has been exploring how a working string quartet can illustrate relationships in business. Take the example of a group project in school or work where one person isn’t pulling their weight – I’m sure many of us have been in that frustrating circumstance. When that happens in a quartet, as you can imagine, there is a part missing. The piece cannot be performed without that one part. It sounds hollow. And if that person were to suddenly show up for the concert, he wouldn’t know how to fit into what the group had decided in terms of dynamics, or what melody needed to be brought out when. It just doesn’t work. Or how about the person who bosses everyone around and takes charge and talks over everyone – let him try to play a symphony by himself, or imagine the soprano in the choir whose voice always sticks out over the rest of the ensemble.

In learning an instrument and playing music with others we learn the abilities of relating to others’ feelings, understanding our role within the piece, and knowing when to back off and when to be heard so that everything is in its proper place. There is order, harmony, and yes, peace. If everybody had these abilities, we would know how to get to peace in the world. And these skills can and need to be taught to our children from the moment they are born.