The When, Where, Why, What and Who of Music

In order to place a piece of music in the proper context you need to answer the following questions:

When?

Does the music sound like it comes from a particular time?

Is it your time?

Where?

Does the music sound like it comes from a particular place?

Is it your place?

Why?

Does this music have a purpose

Is it for dancing or for listening

Is it religious or secular?

What?

What is the medium

Is it being sung and/or played?

Is it a solo or an ensemble piece?

Is it excited or calm?

Is it intimate or monumental?

Is it expository or developmental?

Does it have one continuous mood or does it have contrasting sections?

Is it narrative (it has a program or story) or is it abstract?

Is it associated with anything extramusical?

Who?

What do you know about the composer?

What do you know about the performer?

What do you know about the audience?

How?

How is the music coming to you and under what circumstances?

How much did you pay to hear this music?

How are you feeling?