According to Sebald & Hodges, what does it mean to say music is a 'knowledge system'?

• A. Music is a mode of sharing and understanding information about human experiences and relationships.
• B. Music is a collection of random sounds.
• C. Music is a purely mathematical oscillator.
• D. Music has no social meaning.

Answer: (A)

Music as a knowledge system means it functions as a way communities organize and pass on information about what matters in life—human experiences, relationships, histories, and identities. Through melodies, rhythms, lyrics, and performance practices, music stores patterns, stories, and social norms that people learn to interpret and share. Engaging with music—listening, performing, or participating in musical practices—helps individuals understand emotions, meaning, and how to relate to others within a culture. That makes music more than just sounds or abstract math; it is a living system of knowledge that communities use to communicate and teach about human life. So the best description is that music is a mode of sharing and understanding information about human experiences and relationships. The other options miss this social, informational role.