Posted by Benjamin Schardt on February 17, 2002 at 11:37:12:
In Reply to: What is music? posted by Steve H. on February 17, 2002 at 00:07:10:
Yup
Organized sound procured for artistic or entertanment purposes. Including rap.
So, in short, no, intonation and correct rhythms are not essential to music. However, they are quite essential to Western classical music as, hell, it's what we've come to expect. It is what I expect when I'm listening to Western classical music at least.