Many famous people have also used music to relax. Richard Nixon played the piano and King Henry VIII of England composed madrigals. In social situations, we listen to a rock concert or listen to music at a wedding reception. We listen to music when we are riding in our car. Music, then, both provides a means of interacting with others as well as a means for taking a flight of fancy in our own head.
Music is also important in work.
In olden days, sailing ships sang chanteys or sailing songs that had a strong, regular beat. This music helped the sailors keep a steady stroke. Music also played an important part in the South during the early 19 th century. Slaves almost always sang in the field to relieve the tedium of work. And today, often office managers will play soft music in the background to relieve stress and tension in the workplace.