Arabic music can be characterized as very alive and independent. In its colorful history of integrating with music from other regional genres and styles, Arabic music has resulted to the kind of music that most of the time radiate an atmosphere of festivity. Today, there are many renowned Arabic composers and musicians who did very well not only in the local music industry but also around the world. Below are some of the most famous Arab composers with few of their well known works.

Saleh Al-Kuwaity

When it comes to the 20th century Arab and Iraqi music, Saleh is one of the most popular figures that can be attributed to it. His Iraqi Jewish family was living in Kuwait when he was born in 1908. Saleh has a brother named Daoud who like him also became famous in the music industry. Saleh is a genius musician for he has created a new style of Iraqi music. From the traditional Iraqi maqam music, which is characterized by restrictions, he created an Iraqi maqam music that is free of restrictions. To add more taste to it, he mixed it with urban music.

Saleh Al-Kuwaity’s songs have transcended generations. People today are still singing his famous compositions. He has written meaningful songs for stars such as Munira Al-Hawazwaz, Zohour Hussein, Afifa Iskander, and Zakiya George. Part also of their precious achievements was them becoming one of the favorite entertainers of King Faisal. HE and his brother Daoud have composed music and performed them during formal gatherings. One of the most notable was during the coronation ceremony of King Faisal. The two have also took part in the establishment of the first radio station in Iraq.

One of his famous compositions was his first song entitled “Walla Ajbani Jamalec”. This means “By God, I Love Your beauty”. This song is still being played over the radio stations until today. His other popular hits include Hadri Chai Hadri (make the Tea), El-Hajer Mu Ada Ghariba (Neglect Isn’t a Foreign Custom), and Ma Tqulli Hilu Min Wein Alla Jabek (Tell me, Beautiful One, From Where Did the Lord Bring You?).

Omar Khairat

Another great Arab composer is Omar Khairat. Aside from being a very prolific composer he is also a pianist. He is also a conductor in and the founder of “Omar Khairat’s Group”. He was born in Cairo and was raised in a family that is inclined to music. Most of his relatives are musicians. One of his musical influences was his uncle Abou-Bakr Khairat. With this music influence, Omar has discovered and explored new musical dimensions to depict the Egyptian and Arab memories and emotions.

One of his achievements was to being a professional independent composer. He has achieved new musical visions that show richness and deepness. His debut performance was on the 1983 film music The Night of Arresting Fatima (which, by the way, is a beautiful fit on the Musical Saw).

He has presented very successful works such as the Arab Rhapsody (1992), The Magic Perfumes (1989), and The Fortune-teller (1989). Because of his talent in music composition, he was able to compose for international events such as the Inauguration Ceremony of Bibliotheca Alexandrina in 1996, Operetta El Sheikh Zaid, Tunisia, Emirates 2000, Musical Impact Cairo in 1991, October Celebrations 2000, the National Feast of Oman in 1993, and many others.

Some of his famous compositions include The Bangles, Escape from Prison, The Bangles, The Society, The Miser and Me, This Man, Face of the Moon, Home Have Secrets, and Spring in the Storm. All of these are for television drama. He has also composed for movies and some of these are Mafia, The Forbidden Time, Love Also Dies, Deer’s Blood, The 6th Day, The Island, The Hostage, and many more.

His compositions, according to experts in music, have created the bridge between Western music and contemporary Arab music. This resulted to a kind of music that reflects genuine maturity. It is from this nature of his music that he is loved and listened to by many people from different generations.

Saleh and Omar are just some of the greatest Arab composers. Listen to their music and you will surely enjoy

Top Ten Asian Composers

Like any other regional or continental music, Asian music is very diverse and rich. I don’t think there is a word one can use to generalize the Asian music. One thing that is sure is that Asian music is very rich when it comes to the culture, genres, and styles. It would be easier to describe Asian music based on their regions. For example, you can have a general description of Middle East Asian music and Southeast Asian music. With this, I have listed great composers from the different regions of Asia.

1. Levi CelerioCelerio was born in Manila, Philippines on April 30, 1910 and died on April 2, 2002. He was a Filipino composer known not only in his country but also around the world. He was a very prolific music composer. During his life he has written more than 4,000 songs. Many of them are still influential in the music industry in his country.

   Perhaps, he is best known for being a genius in leaf-playing. Because of his talent as a leaf player, he was placed in the Guinness Book of World Records. One of his greatest achievements is to be awarded the National Artist of the Philippines for Music.

   He has composed very popular Christmas songs such as Pasko na Naman, Misa de Gallo, and Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit). He has also written very popular love songs such as Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, and many others.

   Most of his compositions expresses so much emotions particularly love for a special someone and love for parents such as his mother.

2. Bombay RaviRavi Shankar Sharma, or well known in his stage name Bombay Ravi, was born in 1926. He is an Indian music director and has composed music for Malayalam and Hindi films. He had a successful career in Hindi films.

   Part of his achievements is hit songs and Filmfare nominations for the films Do Badan (1966), Ankhen (1968), Chaudvhin Ka Chand (1960), and Nikaah (1982). It is in the films Khandaan (1965) and Gharana (1961) where he won Filmfare awards.

   Some of his unforgettable compositions are Yeh Mausam Rangeen Shamaa (Modern Girl), Jab Chali Thandi Hawa (Do Badan), Yeh Hawa (Gumraah), Chalo ek baar phir se (Gumrah), and Neele Gagan Ke Tale (Hamraaz).

3. Chen YiChen Yi is a Chinese composer who was born on April 4, 19543 in Guangzhou, China. She is a famous composer of contemporary classical music. In China, she was the first woman to earn a Master of Arts in composition of music. She earned it from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

   At the tender age of seventeen, she has worked as the concertmaster in Beijing Opera Troupe’s orchestra in Guangzhou. Her famous compositions are Ancient Beauty, Ancient Dances, As Like a Raging Fire, Arirang, As in a Dream, Ba Ban, and many others.

   Her music style is highly influenced by Western composers such as Mozart and Bach.

4. YirumaI Ru-ma, or better known in the stage name Yiruma, was born in South Korea on February 15, 1978. He is known around the world for his music compositions that are colorful and uplifts the listener’s spirit. His piano music can be characterized as introspective and expressive.

   His popular compositions include Kiss the Rain, Maybe, and River Flows in You. First Love is his most popular album.

5. Nat YontararakNat Yontararak is a Thai music teacher, composer, and a classical pianist. He was born in Bangkok on 1954. In 1971, he was awarded first place in the first ever Siam Music Festival. He was 16 years old then. In 2006, he was awarded the Silpathorn Award for contemporary artists in Thailand.

   One of his famous works is the Glory to Our Great Kings (piano sonata).

6. Phoon Yew TienPhoon Yew Tien is the most recorded composer of classical music in Singapore. He is known not only in Singapore but also around the world. Aside from being expert in Western and Eastern styles and genres of music, he is also well-grounded in music for concert hall, music for theatre, and chamber music. He has won the Distinguished Prize in the National Song Writing Competition from 1977 to 1979.

   His popular compositions include Ripples, Butterfly, Dream, and Love Song. All of these are for solo performances.

7. Ryan CayabyabCayabyab is a Filipino musician. He was one of the resident judges of Philippine Idol 2006. He also became the Executive and Artistic Director of San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts.

   His popular works include Iduyan Mo, Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang, Tunay na Ligaya, and Nais Ko.

8. Rizaldi SiagianSiagian was born in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. He earned his B.A. at the University of North Sumatra, while it is in the San Diego State University where he earned his M.A. Currently, he is the University of North Sumatra ethnomusicology department head.

   His popular compositions include Lebah, Gambus Binal, and Gambus Menjelang Magrib.

9. Kanchman BabbarBabbar is a multi-instrumentalist and a music composer. He learned playing the flute at the age of 14. From there, his musical journey began. During his college days, he is heralded as the best student performer due to his winning performances.

   One of his popular works is “Nit khair manga” for the film Sarhad Paar. This composition has led him to his entry in the Bollywood scene. Generally, his music spells magic to every listener.

10. Ogie AlcasidOgie Alcasid is a Filipino composer who was born in Manila, Philippines on August 27, 1967. Aside from being a composer he is also a singer, songwriter, actor, parodist, entrepreneur, comedian, and television presenter.

    His famous compositions include Nandito Ako and Ikaw Lamang. Generally, his compositions rich in emotions and speaks of genuine and sincere love.

Like Asian music, it is hard to generalize African music. It would be easier to characterize them according to its region such as North Africa, East Africa, South Central Africa, and West Africa. But the most common in most African music is its festive mood. Below are some of the most famous and notable composers in Africa.

• Michael Mosoeu Moerane
  Moerane is a South African pianist, choral director, and composer. He is the first black to graduate in music at the South African University.

  One of his famous compositions is Fatse la heso (My Country). His other popular works include Chorale, Sunrise, and Why Worry? He has also composed for solo performances. These include Joy ride, Fantasia, Lonesome, and In Hout Bay.

• Solomon Popoli Linda
  Linda is a South African singer, musician, and composer. He has written the popular song “Mbube”. Later on, the song became the successful and popular music “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. Form this, the Mbubes tyle was derived.

  One of his achievements is to be credited in his innovations in music. These innovations later on dominated the isicathamiya style. Some of his popular works include “Yetulisgqoko” (“Take Off our Hat”) and “Sikhalela izwe lakithi” (“We mourn for our country”) which are all part of his music.

• Lebohang “Lebo M” Morake
  Morake, who is known professionally as Lebo M, is a South African composer. He is famous for his arrangement and performance for movies such as the Lion King. He also did arrangements and performances for stage productions.

  His other famous compositions were works for Dinosaur, The Power of One, Tears of the Sun, Back on the Block, The Color Purple, Congo, Made in America, Long Night’s Journey Into Day, and Born to be Wild.

• Todd Tozama Matshikiza
  Matshikiza is a South African journalist, jazz pianist, and composer. He opened the Todd Matshikiza School of Music. For a while he also taught in the said private school. He became committee member of the Syndicate of African Artists from 1949 to 1954.

  Some of his famous works include Hamba Kahle, Makhaliphile, Uxolo, and many others. In many of his compositions, his love for classical music is exhibited.

• Omar Khairat
  Khairat is a pianist and a composer. He is also a conductor in and the founder of “Omar Khairat’s Group”.

  His compositions are for television drama, movies, operettas, and others. Some of his very well known works include Arabian Rhapsody, The Nile, The music for the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Games in Doha, and The Sourceress and the Magical Perfumes.

  Notable in his compositions are the memories and emotions of Arabs and Egyptians translated into a new musical dimension.

• Mohammed Abdel Wahab
  Wahab is an Arab Egyptian composer. He is also an accomplished singer. He is very notable for his composition of “Ya Beladi”, Kingdom of Libya’s national anthem. He has composed a number of musical pieces. In particular, these are classic Arab music.

  Some of his well known works include Al Gondol and Ya Albi Ya Khali. In these compositions, he is notable in integrating waltz and rock and roll.

• Baligh Hamdi
  Hamdi is an Egyptian composer. He can be noted as creating hit songs for many of the most prominent Arabic singers. Before he entered the world of music composition, he started as a singer.

  His famous composition El Hob Eih was sang by the very famous Oum Kalthoum. His other very popular compositions include Why No, Ma Thbinish Be Al Shakl Dah (Don’t Love Me Like That), and Tkhounoh (How Do You Betray My Heart). His kind of music has many influences and this can be attributed to the fact that he has sought knowledge about music from different teachers.

• Sayed Mekawy
  Mekawy is an Egyptian composer. He is also known as a great singer. His music has been part of the Arab heritage. This is due to the fact that he became popular in the Arab and Egypt world. He became an Azharite scholar even if he found out one day that he is blind.

  He has produce 100 musical compositions. These are all for religious songs. His other popular works include Ya Messaharni and Al-Leila Al-Kebira.

• Justinian Tamusuza
  Tamusuza is an Ugandan composer particularly of contemporary classical music. Striking in his works are the combinations of various elements such as Western music and traditional Ugandan music.

  He became popular due to his first string quartet which was included in Pieces of Africa, a 1992 CD by the Kronos Quartet.

• Malek Jandali
  Jandali is a Syrian pianist and composer. In the Arab world, he is considered as one of the most creative and versatile musicians. He is the only Arab and the first Syrian to use the oldest notation of music in the world in arranging music.

  He won first prize at the competition of the National Young Artists in 1988 in Syria. His latest compositions are included in his latest album “Echoes from Ugarit”. Compositions in this album are original and are all for orchestra and piano.

For any kind of entertainer, the most important thing, aside from the talent, is finding the right places where to perform music. This is actually a common dilemma among musicians and singers alike. Some do not know where they can perform and showcase their talent. This article will basically guide you on how you can find places to perform music.

If you are still a relative neophyte, finding a place may seem too hard. However, as you gain experience and gather more contacts, things will be a lot easier. The first thing you need to do is to assess your own expertise and genre. If you want to perform in a bar, for instance, you need to make sure that your genre fits the bar where you are planning to perform.

Here are some practical tips intended to help the budding musicians and singers out there.

• Do the legwork. You can scout for possible places where you can perform through your own observation. You can also search through the Internet. If you want, you can come up with your list on which of the bars or venues you know your musical talent can fit it.
• In this industry, you are your own salesperson. It is like selling a product to a potential buyer. You need to prove them that you are worth their time and money. Thus, make sure you always do your best if you are given the chance to prove your worth.
• Learn how to blow your horn. This is important so you can get noticed.
• Forget about your shyness. Some talented musicians and singers end up having rare performances since they are not confident about themselves. And apparently, lack of confidence often leads to a poor performance. If you are too shy to be on the stage, then forget about your dream of improving and sharing your talent.
• Be professional enough whenever you are given the opportunity. For instance, if you are invited to sing in an event, you need to be on time and be pleasant with the guests. If you are snob and late, then you cannot expect to get more gigs in the future. You will only get a negative impression. And they will never get to appreciate whatever talent you may have. Remember that you are still starting, and you do not have something yet to brag about.
• Always be ready with a professional demo tape. You will never know when a talent scout would approach you. Some of the popular musicians of today started in performing in small venues. Bear in mind that great things start as small things.
• Learn how you can widen your network. This will help you get in touch in the most number of people possible. If there are a lot of people who know you, it is possible also that they will recommend you with their respective networks whenever they need a musical performance from someone like you. Network is everything is this kind of field.
• See if you can work with an agent. An agent can help you have bookings in the future. However, make sure the agent has enough contacts and knowledge in this kind of industry. Otherwise, you are just wasting your time, effort and talent.
• Try to be persistent and resilient as possible. Along the way, you may feel very frustrated. But those challenges are all part of the success you are bound to. If you will stick to your dream, you will surely get what you want in due time. Aside from having the chance to share your musical prowess to other people, you can also earn a lot from this.

With these tips, you can be guided in finding places where to perform music. The key here is to be patient and professional enough in every undertaking that you have in mind. Also, it is important to enjoy every opportunity that you may come across along the way. There is no need to pressure yourself as it may just affect your performance. Just share your talent, be professional, and enjoy what you do. In the long run, finding the best places to perform will no longer be needed since performance opportunities will suddenly approach you.

Researches show that women’s preference in musical instruments as follows:

1. Flute
2. Violin
3. Clarinet
4. Piano
5. Cello
6. Harp
7. Oboe
8. Piccolo
9. French horn
10. Saxophone

Although the list may raise myriad of questions and objections, there are underlying factors why these instruments landed in the top ten. Gender, parental influence, peer influence, music educators influence, exposure to music, media, personality and the instrument’s pitch, timbre, shape, size, loudness and weight are the factors that influences a man and a woman’s selection.

“Feminine” Instruments, Gender & Parental Influences

In a school band, observe how most flutists are females while males prefer to play either the trumpets or the trombones. It is not a coincidence nor is a pure chance since a woman or a man’s selection is a result of gender stereotyping.

At a young age, a girl acted her part in the role-playing on how a female should behave, and this is reflected in her choices and preferences. So, when she asks her mother that she wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument and then pointed out to a drum kit that she and her mother saw in the mall, sadly, it is not hard to guess what her mother’s reaction would be.

Perhaps for a stereotypical mother, playing drums is making noise aside from the ‘fact’ that it is unlady-like to play loud and seemingly rebellious instruments. A stereotypical mother would insist that her daughter selects a more feminine instrument—flute, violin and clarinet. However, categorizing musical instruments according to sex-based stereotyping is limiting—it limits her chances in exploring possibilities in learning other instruments that are dubbed as ‘masculine’. So, whenever a man or a woman sees a woman playing drums or guitar, it increases her ‘cool’ factor.

Peer and Music Educators’ Influences

Peer pressure also affects how a woman selects a musical instrument. The fear of being bullied when she chooses an instrument outside of the stereotyped feminized choices weights heavily. While exposure to same sex musicians playing the feminine instrument also shaped her choices.

Aside from this, the influence of music teachers is also another factor why most girls choose flute, clarinet, violin or piano. Music teachers see these instruments as more refined and just properly correspond to how a girl should behave. However, there are instances also that a woman is not bound to gender-stereotyping. And this is evident in contemporary female musicians who play a seemingly masculine instrument like a guitar or saxophone.

The Influence of Media & Exposure to Music

Researches show that girls at a preschool age still don’t follow the gender role-playing, thus their choices in musical instruments cross over to those that stereotypically belongs to the masculine gender. But when she reaches age 5 to 7, she is already aware on the roles of gender and this manifests in her attitudes and behaviour. And this is supplemented by other influences—peer, parental and teachers.
However, media also plays a big role in shaping a girl’s choices in musical instruments. Whether she sees on TV a same-sex or opposite-sex musician, she will try to emulate the musician including her or his choice of musical instrument. More than this, a music-loving environment also nurtures a girl’s desire to also play an instrument; and this includes playing a predominantly used musical instrument in the area.

A Woman’s Personality & the Instrument’s Timbre, Pitch, Size, Shape, Weight and Loudness

Researches show that the softer tone of a flute or a clarinet is the preferred choice of reserved and shy women while women displaying an out-going personality prefer loud instruments. But aside from personality, the convenience of choosing smaller instruments also is a factor. Petite women will have a hard time carrying large tubas yet other large instruments like a harp is still considered as feminine. Perhaps stories in great literature as well as tradition also contribute to a woman’s choices.

Many would presume that topping the list of a man’s choice for a musical instrument is a drum kit while others would argue that it is the guitar. Another contender for top instrument played by males would be the saxophone. Although many of the top empresarios who play flute or violin are males (Perlman and Galway come to mind), these instruments seem to get short shrift with male musicians.

To resolve the seemingly subjective preferences, several researches and reports over the past few decades tried to determine various factors that affect a female and a male’s choice for musical instruments: Factors such as: gender, peer influence, parental influence, music educators influence, personality, media, exposure to music, and the instrument’s timbre, pitch, size, shape, weight and loudness.

Gender and the ‘Masculine’ Musical Instruments

Children at 5 to 7 years old already dresses according to their gender identity, acquire gender consistent behaviors, and it is the time when they imitate and look up to same-sex models. With this gender association, it thereby leads to the determination of what musical instruments are more masculine— trumpet, saxophone, drum and trombone—and which are feminine. However, researches show that sex-based stereotyping in the choice of musical instruments can be a limiting factor and in turn will not nurture wider or diverse musical preferences.

Peer, Parental and Music Educators’ Influences

Gender-based stereotyping leads to peer pressure which then affects the choice of musical instruments. There were even several reports that show how students fear being bullied when they choose instruments that are not in accordance to the stereotyped musical sex preferences.

Researches also show that many boys learned how to play musical instruments through informal and social ways. They rather have fun learning music from their peers than enrolling in a classroom controlled lessons. This is probably the reason why boys see ‘feminine’ musical instruments as ‘uncool’ while those his peers chose were the ‘cool’ instruments.

Also, adults already formed their own biases on what are the feminine and masculine instruments thus parental influence also plays a big part in shaping their male children’s preferences. While the same goes with how music teachers affect the choices of their students.

Personality

There are researches that show how personality influences a child’s choice. Regardless if the child is a he or she, a rather shy or reserved child would choose flute or clarinet because of its softer tone. But those who display a more adventurous and out-going personality prefer louder instruments like a drum kit, trumpet or trombone.

Exposure to Music and the Influence of Media

Many virtuoso performers developed their passion in playing a specific musical instrument basically because of their exposure to music. Take for example Sir James Galway, his exposure to flute came from his father , grandfather, uncle and uncle’s grandfather. Perhaps it was also because of parental influence but Sir Galway also grew up to a place where everyone seemed to know how to play the flute.

Yet, media is also a great influencer. It is through media that a male child develops his dream to become a rock star, like the one he saw on TV. So, his preferences may lie with the electric guitar, bass or drum kits.

Instrument’s Timbre, Pitch, Size, Shape, Weight and Loudness

Bigger and louder. These are usually associated to the gender-stereotyped influences. Yet, on the practical side, a male’s physical characteristic also plays a significant factor on his choice. He is more physically capable to carry a large tuba, thus leaving a dainty and seemingly delicate flute in the hands of the females.

Another underlying factor why most males choose brass instruments and drums is probably because of its association to war and military. And again, gender and role-playing comes into play.

Top Ten ‘Masculine’ Musical Instruments

With the above-mentioned determinants, researches show that the following musical instruments landed in the top ten choices of men yet its importance (on what comes first) is not necessarily reflected on how it is numbered.

1. Drum kit
2. Guitar (electric, bass or classical)
3. Trumpet
4. Trombone
5. Saxophone
6. Keyboard
7. Violin
8. Flute
9. Piano
10. Cello

Sad to say Musical Saw is not in this list – but on the other hand… the Musical Saw crosses all boundaries: gender, cultural, genre, etc.

Just like any piece of art, fine musical instruments can increase its value over a certain period of time. But to determine its value more than its worth when it was bought decades ago or even a few hundred years back, the quality and condition, on who played it (great musical geniuses and even its previous elite owners), and on who made it are all highly considered. Its value also increases especially if few or limited instruments of its kind exist in the market.

However, some collectors also have their own set of criteria like if it is a newly discovered piece of antique, etc. With this, it is no surprise that some musical instruments are valued at whopping millions of dollars or close to it like this Top Ten Most Expensive Musical Instruments.

1. Jens Ritter’s bass guitar is a work in progress and once finished, it is estimated to value at $100,000 USD making it the world’s most expensive in its category. The bass is being made by Germany-based luthier named Deidesheim who is driven to perfect his creation—solid maple wood body, 10,000-year-old mammoth ivory nuts, 24-karat gold floral inlay pattern fingerboards, decorated in each leaf is a black diamond set in platinum while cast in gold are the tuner buttons, bridge and knobs.
2. Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù violin. It was sold at an auction in Sotheby in New York for almost $4 million USD making it not only the most expensive violin but also the most expensive musical instrument in the world.
   Once owned by Tsar Alexander II’s court violinist, Guarneri’s violin is a 250-year-old piece that was sold to a Russian lawyer and violinist Maxim Viktorov who later lent it to Israeli virtuoso Pinchas Zukerman.
3. Dizzie Gillespie’s Martin Committee trumpet was sold in 1995 at Christie’s for $55,000 USD. The trumpet’s name was derived from its maker, a committee with the likes of Renold Schilke, Elden Benge, Vincent Bach, Foster Reynolds, and an unnamed local trumpet player believed to be from the Chicago Symphony. From the late 1940’s to the mid-60s, this unusually-named trumpet was played by virtuoso performer Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker and Miles Davis.
4. ‘Lady Tennant’ Stradivarius. Even though Guarneri’s violin surpassed Antonio Stradivari’s ‘Lady Tenant’, its whooping value at $2.03 million USD sold at Christie’s in 2005 is worth mentioning. It was originally owned by Charles Lafont and was crafted by Stradivari in 1698. While in 1900, Sir Charles Tennant purchased it as a gift for wife Marguerite Miles. With about 1,100 violins Stradivari created, only 650 are believed to still remain today.
5. Couchet harpsichord was built by Joseph Joannes Couchet in 1679. Joseph Joannes of the Ruckers-Couchet family dominated the harpsichord construction in Antwerp, Belgium during the 16th century until the middle of the 17th century. And in 2001, it was sold in Sothesby’s for $390,550 USD.
6. John Lennon’s Steinway Model “Z” piano was sold at $2.08 million USD to pop icon George Michael in October 2000. Lennon was said to compose the song ‘Imagine’ in the old Steinway piano that still bears his old cigarette burns. It was bought by Lennon in 1970 and was considered by many as a fairly ordinary piano. But due to Lennon’s iconic stature, it was then considered as a part of British history especially that he was filmed playing ‘Imagine’ on it for his wife Yoko Ono.
7. ‘Bonjour’ Stradivarius cello made by Stradivari in 1696 was sold to an anonymous American purchaser at an estimated value of $6.25 million USD. It was named after a 19th-century French cellist Abel Bonjour who owned it until his death in 1885. It was later acquired by Fridolin Hamma of Stuttgart, then by Hans Kühne of Cologne, and passed to Habisreutinger Foundation. The cello was also owned by Martin Lovett of the renowned Amadeus Quartet.
8. A portion of Moon’s drum kit. The drum kit was custom-made in 1968 for Keith Moon. Even though Moon is known as “Moon the Loon” because of his notorious wild antics on and off stage, he is still acknowledged as one the greatest all time rock and roll drummer. He developed his own style of drumming through improvisation and this includes his loony but somehow iconic drum thumping and beat. Luckily, a portion of the drum kit survived and was auctioned in 2004 at Christie’s for $252,487 USD.
9. Platinum Powell flute was a 1939 Verne Q. Powell Company creation for a celebrated flutist William Kincaid. From 1921 to 1960, Kincaid used the flute while he was with the Philadelphia Orchestra and used it until his death in 1967. It was sold at Christie’s in 1986 for $187,000 USD.
10. Reach out to Asia Fender Stratocaster was sold at an all-star packed auction for 2.7 million USD. It was bought in 2004 by Qatar’s royal family for 1 million USD but the tsunami that struck Asia gathered the Who’s Who belonging to the top economic echelon including former US President Bill Clinton.
    The charity was coordinated by Bryan Adams and the Fender Stratocaster was signed by the Who’s Who in the music arena like Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, David Gilmour, Brian May, Jeff Beck, Mark Knopfler, Pete Townsend, Ray Davis, Ronnie Wood, Liam Gallagher, Angus & Malcolm Young, Tony Iommi, Paul McCartney, Ritchie Blackmore, Sting, Def Leppard and the coordinator Adams.

Over the past decades, musicians come and go but only a handful musicians engraved their names in the memories of people and etched their niche in popular culture. They swayed the audience with their songs. Even their lives made lasting impressions thereby making them the greatest musicians of all time.

1. The Beatles. There is no question on why John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr achieved an iconic status. Their numerous singles landed in the #1 in the music chart. Audience in the U.S. and Europe, also in other countries across the globe, sing to their songs, watched their concerts and followed their lives. The Beatles is one of the most critically praised bands in the history of popular music who defined popular culture in the 60’s.
2. The King, Elvis Presley. Four music Halls of Fame and dubbed as the ‘King of Rock and Roll’, Elvis Presley is another icon who influenced music industry and shaped the rock and roll music genre. Even though he met an untimely death, his popularity continued and perhaps one gauge is the thriving industry of impersonators who wanted to be just like Elvis.
3. The King of Pop ,Michael Jackson. Many accolades are tucked under MJ’s belt. Two music Halls of Fame, 13 Grammy Awards, and five best-selling records that topped the charts across the globe—Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and History (1995). He also recorded 13 number one singles and his Thriller album was dubbed as the world’s best selling for breaking record sales. His unforgettable musical performances and dance moves are something that only MJ himself could surpass. Thus, his becoming a music legend and a pop icon was engraved not only in the memory of fans worldwide but he also became a part of today’s popular culture.
4. Rolling Stones and Mick Jagger. Released 55 albums, sold more than 200 millions albums worldwide, and landed 32 top 10 singles in both the UK and US, this English rock band is a legend. Their Bigger Bang Tour earned them a whopping $437 million making it as the highest grossing. With vocalist Mick Jagger, this legendary band was placed in the Guinness Book of World Records and in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
5. Chuck Berry Shaped Rock and Roll. A pioneer in rock and roll music, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Chuck Berry landed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as the 5th Greatest Artists of All Time while #6 on 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
6. Led Zeppelin, the most influential heavy metal band. Heavy metal fans perhaps went gaga over Led Zeppelin’s really heavy electric guitar sound. This four-man English band composed of Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and John Bonham concocted their own sort of heavy metal playing, sold more than 300 million albums worldwide, and more than 111.5 million albums in the U.S. They incorporated their own rendition of the blues, reggae, folk, funk, soul, Celtic, classical, Indian, pop, Arabic, country and even Latin in their heavy metal music.
7. The Nirvana of Generation X. Aside from the 25 million albums sold in the U.S., Nirvana also introduced a sub-genre of alternative rock called Grunge. Headed by Kurt Cobain, the band sold more than 50 millions worldwide and Cobain eventually became sort of a ‘spokesman’ of generation X. Their introduction of the grunge made them one of the most influential bands.
8. Madonna, the Queen of Pop. Controversial and unstoppable, Madonna is a female force to reckon with. She was listed in the Guinness Book of world records for being the most successful female recording artist. She also joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 and was heralded as the best selling female artist of the 20th century by the Recording Industry Association of America.
9. The engaging Queen. Queen’s musical diversity and notable harmonies made them sold over 300 million records internationally. With lead vocalist Freddie Mercury, and band mates Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon, the band Queen released five live albums, 15 studio albums, and numerous compilation albums.
10. Reggae’s Bob Marley. Sporting a somehow fashionable dred locks, this Rastafarian musician became the face of reggae music. He opened the doors for Jamaican music to enter the mainstream music industry and not long, it became a hit worldwide.

By all means, jump in here if you see a group/performer that by all rights deserves inclusion in this post!!!

Music yields many benefits be it in emotional, psychological, mental and physical aspects. Music helps cure ailments and basically it is used for a man’s well being. Even recently, several studies show how music affects the brain and how music can affect spirituality.

There are even recent and modern studies that use brain scans to detect how music affects brain activities and its relation to spirituality and religion. The research brings science to an old belief that normally cannot be or in any way supported by science. Yet, there are efforts that tried to decode and understand how a human mind works and how music affects the mind that leads to a man’s deeper spirituality.

The scientific efforts further give importance to music and how it is placed as an integral part in a man’s spirituality and religion. Even various researchers and anthropologist suggest that music are perhaps used by ancient men in a social and religious context.

Like in ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece, music plays a significant part in the religious celebration honoring their gods and deities. Music has a special place in the culture of ancient civilizations. In ancient Greece, it was believed that music nurtures the relationship of man with his god, and along with it are the myths that surround various musical instruments—on how the musical instruments was used and favored by the gods. Hence, their veneration to the gods was even reflected in the other works of art like sculptures and figurines—many artifacts bearing a man or a woman with musical instruments were unearthed in sacred or religious sites.

Literature is also laden with myths and stories on how music was used to get the favor of the gods. Music, coupled with dance or movements, was used to perform shamanistic rituals either in the plains of Africa, Icelandic landscapes in Alaska or in the deep jungle of the Congo. So, whatever religion or sect one might belong, there will always be music to accompany any form of worship like:

• For Christians, the hymn is probably the earliest recorded prayer that takes the form of music. Even in Orthodox churches today, hymns are used in baptism while the psalms were sung pretty much like how it was sung during the first century.
• In India, music is used for different purposes. Practically, music affects every facet of an Indian way of life and used in Hinduism to a varying degree. Hymns and mantras were written to show devotion to the saints like in Sikh music.
• Shintō, a native religion in Japan, uses music in ceremonies for the imperial courts as well as for old festivals.
• For Buddhism, the repetitive chanting of mantras characterize how music is used in meditation to gain deeper spirituality.

The above-mentioned list is only a fraction on how music is used in worship and religion—it could be in the form or chanting or prayer music like hymns and psalms. Yet, not all music is used in worship and worship is also more than music. Also, music can be worship as evident in the chanting of mantras just the example given above.

More so, since rhythmic and repetitive pattern of chants and mantras is one of the best-known methods to get into a trance, using or utilizing it in meditation brings a man in deep spirituality thus bringing him closer to god. Also, since religion is perceived to be a ‘language’ of a specific society or culture, music on the other hand is perceived to be as the cultural language that helps a man communicates with his maker.