廣義的講，音樂就是任何一種藝術的、令人愉快的、神聖的或其他什麽方式排列起來的聲音。所謂的音樂的定義仍存在着激烈的爭議，但通常可以解釋為一係列對於有聲、無聲具有時間性的組織，並含有不同音階的節奏、旋律及和聲。
《詞典》上的定義是，用有組織的樂音來表達人們思想感情、反映現實生活的一種藝術。分為聲樂和器樂兩大部門。
在所有的藝術類型中，比較而言，音樂是最抽象的藝術。
音樂可以通過幾種途徑來體驗，最傳統的一種是到現場聽音樂傢的表演。現場音樂也能夠由無綫電和電視來播放，這種方式接近於聽錄音帶或看音樂錄像。有些時候現場表演也會混合一些事先做好的錄音，如DJ用唱片做出的摩擦聲。當然，也可以製作自己的音樂，通過歌唱，玩樂器或不太嚴密的作麯。
甚至耳聾的人也能夠通過感覺自己身體的震動來體驗音樂，最著名聾音樂傢的例子便是貝多芬，其絶大部分著名的作品都是在他完全喪失聽力後創作的。
人們想學習音樂的時候會去上音樂課。音樂學是一個歷史的科學的研究音樂的廣阔領域，其中包括音樂理論和音樂史。
音樂作為一門古老的藝術，各文化也都有其獨特的音樂係統，民族音樂學是一門以該領域為討論對象的學科。
Broadly speaking, music is an art, and very happy, holy way or the other what line up sound. The definition of the so-called music, there are still fierce controversy, but usually can be interpreted as a series for the sound, silent with the timing of the organization and with different scales of rhythm, melody and harmony.
"Dictionary" definition on the use of organized musical to express their thoughts and feelings of the people, reflecting the real life of an art. Vocal and instrumental music is divided into two departments.
In all types of art, comparison, music is the most abstract art.
Music can be several ways to experience the most traditional one is to listen to musicians performing live. Live music can also be by radio and television to play, in this way close to listening to tapes or watching music videos. Sometimes, live performances will be mixed with some good recordings in advance, such as the DJ with a sound recording made by friction. Of course, you can create your own music, through singing, playing musical instruments or less strict composition.
Even deaf people are able to feel the shock body to experience music, the most famous example is Beethoven deaf musician, his most famous works are completely lost his hearing after the creation.
When people want to learn music will go to music class. Music is a history of extensive scientific research in the field of music, including music theory and music history.
Music as an ancient art, each culture has its own unique music system that ethnomusicology is a target for the discussion of that subject area.