Simon Frith Response

In his article, Music and identity, Simon Frith explains that although a musical piece may have been created with a certain purpose, “as experience, it has a life of its own” and interpretation is left up to the audience. Frith relates the ideas of music and identity on the basis of aesthetics and ethics. The author examines this by stating that how music not only shapes a person, but also “produces them [and] how it creates and constructs an experience.” Therefore, the music one listens to has a large impact on how that individual reacts to different aspects of society and other individuals as well. When investigating these two arguments, Frith asks, “What happens to our assumptions about postmodern identity when we examine a form in which sound is more important than sight…?” This statement goes against the common perceptions in today’s society seeing as the majority of people rely on what they see to be true, rather than what they hear. Much emphasis is put on interpretation through sight, not sound; however, music counteracts this postmodern mindset.

I found Frith’s approach to aesthetics in a postmodern society compelling. Frith believes people in today’s society are only able to “know themselves” through participation in a group or cultural activity; therefore, by listening to or making music, individuals are able to find their identity through aesthetics. This argument goes against much of what I thought to be true. It seems that a person would be influenced by the group to which they belong, thus hindering their expressive nature and identity, not developing it. However, Frith provides two research studies by John M. Chernoff and Philip V. Bohlman that mimic his argument. The author has shown me that there are numerous ways to find one’s personal identity and that those around you have a great influence in shaping who you become.