Music

Music has always inspired men in many ways. It touches lives and changes the virtual world into modes of life. It is an art that displays a very strong emotion. It ceases time and reminiscence some precious moments. It captivates the soul and creates a new conviction. It touches the seat of emotions and moves the listener within its horizon. It draws a soul nearer to God or nearer to men. It comforts and calms the chaotic mind. This is Music, the language that is spoken by everyone. It is alive and inhabits in an enchanted world.

When we hear songs over the radio, concerto or band concerts, we are attracted to join in and jive with the song. But one must understand how this music was created.

I will give a strong statement that music began in heaven. It birthed in worship and was used by angels to give glory to God. It began before men existed. This was later expressed by men (Gen.4:20). The analogy here is that Music is an innate expression of men and heavenly beings. Words may convey the message but music sings the words on emotions. This is why there are no movies without any soundtracks. The director knows that the movie is dead without music.

 I was watching Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the story of the greatest musician who ever lived. On one of the scenes, there was a fight about music with dancing. The director of Music was convinced by one of the court musicians that Mozart should stop making songs of Ballet while dancers dance. The jealousy among artist may have won in terms stopping Mozart for the moment but it was not successful. The king visited the rehearsals and was angered by what the music director did. He demanded an explanation and let Mozart handled the opera and eventually the song sheets. The musician gained the respect of the king of England.

The creation of Music is not a simple puffed up idea but a process or creation although there are songs created in short time. But it needs the fondling of time. It breathes upon the life of emotions. It is birth by inspiration. This is what Music is all about. The music however is dependent on a musician. One may define the musician by what he uses as a medium to produce a song. It may be the voice or an instrument. If you are a conservatory student of music, you would take the painful discipline of reading and interpreting the musical note piece. You would study the different genres of music and the theory of note combination and tempo. You would then proceed to a higher level after being a sight reader. You will learn dynamics and later you will be taught on how to arrange. This is where the musicians split up because artistry is now individual.

But then, how should the Musician be related to Music? What about those who reads notes who can’t play a tune without it? What about those who plays music who can’t read a single note?

This is where the road narrows. A musician is one who plays by the heart. It is not the note sheet that makes a musician. The pieces are meant for the preservation of the song and to be rendered of what the composer has created or played. In other words, a Musician is not an acquired person but the natural person. Every being has a special role in this world. Not everyone is a doctor. Not everyone is an engineer. Not everyone could be a painter. Likewise, not everyone could be a musician. Note reading goes together with ear training. The notes are meant to discipline the musician and to complicate the thinking, but the artistry is rendered individually and no one should question that.

However, there are some disadvantages. When a street musician plays without any background of notes or discipline, he plays with all inventions whether it is right or wrong. He wouldn’t be able to identify. As for the musician who is dependent on notes, he becomes so limited within the arrangement and becomes dull in improvisation. The strike of balance must be exerted on both sides. That is why Mozart was able to write music because he knows how to read and knows how to create music by heart.

Music is a jealous art. If we are also to balance it in our life, we must strike it also in spiritual discipline and moral discipline. It is an art of perfection and may be cruel to the aspirant but if it desired for a good motive, then God would honor it. Music is not just leisure. Those who view it that way never gets to be a successful musician but a successful audience of music.

Music must be viewed on a higher level. If we want to grasp that world we must be a student. Besides, if music started in heaven, then music should then be offered to God (His Excellency). 
Contributor: Japeth