In weaving there is a warp and a weft thread. The warp thread when you weave appears to disappear but of course it does not, it is not lost, it is the unseen that is draped the seen. It is the lesson for every day that the seen is woven on the unseen. Stephen Jenkinson
This is the mystery of music the fact that contained in the music that we listen to is an unseen or unheard structure that holds the music. I often refer to this as the operating system as many of my pupils can understand this dealing as they do with computers every day both are good metaphors for the deep structure of music.
Behind the notes there are chords and rhythm, that in Jenkinson’s words are the warp but I would say there is something behind that, the intention of the artist and this is the power that gives music and art gravitas.
It is the power that makes Muddy Waters’ Mannish Boy work, the repeat riff of five notes does not change but just builds in power as it repeats. The two chord vamp in Le Freak that just continues to drive forward and make you want to dance is another good example. Another good example of this deep structure bestowing a hypnotic power are the icaros of the South American Shaman.
In mainstream teaching this is never covered, the whole of the music teaching is in the reading of the dots on the page this is like looking at the tapestry which is great for the onlooker but if you want to make the tapestry you need to know how.
Answer the awkward questions like, why is it that the most brilliant of musicians often could not read music and many were illiterate? For these it was a case of going straight to the deep structure, the ‘unseen’, getting to the magic and weaving it from there.
Vic
Special rates for Bluescampuk.co.uk
This is the mystery of music the fact that contained in the music that we listen to is an unseen or unheard structure that holds the music. I often refer to this as the operating system as many of my pupils can understand this dealing as they do with computers every day both are good metaphors for the deep structure of music.
Behind the notes there are chords and rhythm, that in Jenkinson’s words are the warp but I would say there is something behind that, the intention of the artist and this is the power that gives music and art gravitas.
It is the power that makes Muddy Waters’ Mannish Boy work, the repeat riff of five notes does not change but just builds in power as it repeats. The two chord vamp in Le Freak that just continues to drive forward and make you want to dance is another good example. Another good example of this deep structure bestowing a hypnotic power are the icaros of the South American Shaman.
In mainstream teaching this is never covered, the whole of the music teaching is in the reading of the dots on the page this is like looking at the tapestry which is great for the onlooker but if you want to make the tapestry you need to know how.
Answer the awkward questions like, why is it that the most brilliant of musicians often could not read music and many were illiterate? For these it was a case of going straight to the deep structure, the ‘unseen’, getting to the magic and weaving it from there.
Vic
Special rates for Bluescampuk.co.uk
