Music is the art form of combining vocal and instrumental sounds with time and silence to produce an expression of ideas and emotions. Music consists of a combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm and time, as accomplished through sound and silence.

A device that produces music is called an instrument, and one who practices music is called a musician. Music is written and performed, and can be done so solo or with multiple people.

The study of how music works is called music theory, and both theory and art share a strong connection to mathematics. Music has been an integral part of cultures worldwide since the first instruments were created in ancient times. In the modern era, innumerable musical styles and genres exist around the world. In the past century, music has been commercialized, and has given rise to the multimillion-dollar music industry. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)