广义的讲，音乐就是任何一种艺术的、令人愉快的、神圣的或其他什么方式排列起来的声音。所谓的音乐的定义仍存在着激烈的争议，但通常可以解释为一系列对于有声、无声具有时间性的组织，并含有不同音阶的节奏、旋律及和声。
《词典》上的定义是，用有组织的乐音来表达人们思想感情、反映现实生活的一种艺术。分为声乐和器乐两大部门。
在所有的艺术类型中，比较而言，音乐是最抽象的艺术。
音乐可以通过几种途径来体验，最传统的一种是到现场听音乐家的表演。现场音乐也能够由无线电和电视来播放，这种方式接近于听录音带或看音乐录像。有些时候现场表演也会混合一些事先做好的录音，如DJ用唱片做出的摩擦声。当然，也可以制作自己的音乐，通过歌唱，玩乐器或不太严密的作曲。
甚至耳聋的人也能够通过感觉自己身体的震动来体验音乐，最著名聋音乐家的例子便是贝多芬，其绝大部分著名的作品都是在他完全丧失听力后创作的。
人们想学习音乐的时候会去上音乐课。音乐学是一个历史的科学的研究音乐的广阔领域，其中包括音乐理论和音乐史。
音乐作为一门古老的艺术，各文化也都有其独特的音乐系统，民族音乐学是一门以该领域为讨论对象的学科。
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.