muse about music
Why is is that musicians strive to be [better] musicians? What is it about the human psyche that comes alive when a ditty makes us laugh or a haunting violin draws a tear? Why is the theme to Forrest Gump so delightful, to Star Wars so resounding, and to Schindler’s List so mournful?
Without intending to sound too authoritative, there is the incredible feeling of wholeness and delight with the creation of something beautiful. It is as if the act of creation expresses a spiritual quality – harkening back to the creativity of the Creator.
Further, the tacit understanding which exists between communicating musicians who need not use words to express their shared experience is something no other discipline provides. It is so elevating to create something together.
on August 3rd, 2006 at 2:20pm
Matt – have you read ‘The Trilogy’ by Calvin Miller (the three books are ‘The Singer’, ‘The Song’ and ‘The Finale’)? It is the story of Jesus on earth, but told with a musical theme.
Something in this book just sat with me – in it, music is the very stuff of life – singing the right song was a matter of living or not. It hit me as a gospel that ‘got it’. The right knowledge is more than just the words – it’s a song.
Let me know if you’ve never read it and are interested – I can lend it to you.