music , mind , thought and emotion


There is not a society on this planet, nor probably ever has been, which is without some form of musical expression, often closely linked with rythm and dance. My question is less concentrated on the latter two however.
What I am pondering boils down to:
What is music and what does it do to us
Why do we differentiate music from random noise so clearly and yet can pick up certain samples within that noise as musical.
By listening to music, we find some perhaps interesting, some which we would call musical. What differentiates "musical music" from "ordinary music" and this again from "noise"?
In a more general sense again:
If music has impact on us, what is the nature of our receptors for it. Or better: Who, what are we, that music can do to us what it does?
What would be the nature of a system, which practically all of us would agree upon, that it imparts musicality best?
And finally, if such a sytem would exist, can this quality be measured?
detlof
6chac, I hardly think I'm running from myself. I'm comfortable with how I feel about my feelings. That I'm unsure as to whether there is there is a need to quantify that, is a reflection on my inner peace not an escape from my feelings. To quantify my "thoughtless" journey would require much thought into a clinical realm that might best be accomplished with the help of others. Could end up being a rather selfish burden. In the interim I'm content with myself. Thank you for your poetic words. Peace.
Thanks Unsound, really? Poetic? :-) Also, called...

Roll, roll, roll your boat gently down the stream...

Merry Christmas to all
One of the greatest threads with some of the greatest people. I love and miss your passion! Where have you all gone? I have been here a long, long, time hoping for your return.
there is no difference between "musical" music and "ordinary music". music is pitch, timbre and harmonics.

there is no medium for communicating music is universally accepted. enjoyment can come from a $10.00 walkman or a $1,000,000 high end stereo system.

receptivity to the music is more important than any other factor.

certain combinations of frequencies, presented at certain intervals is pleasing to some people.

i see no evidence that there is some music that is universally popular. some people react minimally to music, or rarely listen to it.