The Music of Philosophy: Music in the World of the Mundane
Part 3
by: Brandon DeGeorge
A few days ago, a friend of mine asked me; "How come you aren't showing me little bits of songs all the time?" Now, I wasn't sure what she meant when she said that, so I go; "What do you mean?"
She said, "All of my other friends who are musicans are always turning up the radio at certain parts in songs, and saying 'listen to this part, or listen to the little guitar part in the background, it's pretty cool', why don't you do that?"
So I replied, "Because I thought you'd find that stupid.."
Okay...so this month, we start off the article with a small anecdote to help introduce our topic du jour. Yes, it's true, music does exist in the world that most of know, but I never seem to live in...but enough about me, let's hear the music.
Being a nut about music for my whole life, and being clinically insane for music for at least the past ten years, has certainly changed the way I view the world. It's changed the way I do alot of things, actually. I mean, before I ever picked up a guitar, I wanted to be an astronaut. Now I am an astronaut (in my own mind) and I've been up in that silent dark hundreds of miles above the earth, and looked down...but now, that I've got music running through my veins, the world doesn't seem so small from outer space, anymore.
Yea, I lied. I'm talking about myself still..but what better way to relate my story about music in our world, than on a personal level? Music just about touches everything we do, which only makes sense, by what it seems to do to us, and that's only just listening to it.
So what about performing music? Of any kind? In front of hundreds, or thousands of drunken individuals, or in front of a crowd who doesn't so much as sit back, much less get up out of their seats, screaming for more. (which in my opinion, isn't necessarily wrong at a concert of classical music, just in the right places, of course..) The feeling is the same for all musicans; one of utter elation, that is paralelled by few things in this world.
Imagine getting up every day, and going to work, just to feel that rush that seems to last in the body's memory for a good long time after the music has stopped. Now, I have to admit, that feeling alone is worth much more than the measly pay most musicans seem to be paid. Some musicans would agree with me, about that, and others would not. Does that mean those who would rather make a quick buck aren't true musicans? I never liked that word, 'true' musicans, because I believe that everyone has a basic musical talent, it's just that they feel it differently. I don't mean to say that everyone was born to pick up an instrument, and join a band, or compose elegant symphonies. All that means it that everyone can move to a rythm, whether it's their own, or it's the bass drum of a dance beat, pounding away in a club.
Now, I know that there are plenty of other occupations that people seem to enjoy, just as much. Take a look at the medical field. I'm sure doctors, and nurses, and the hundreds of other types of positions in the medical field get that feeling of elation, when they see the good that they've done, that they've helped someone, saved a life, or just helped someone to be able to enjoy life that much more.
That's how I like to think of what I do; helping people enjoy life, give them just a hint of hope that things can get better, and will get better.
How do I see that? You ever watch people at a concert? The mob of strangers that overwhelm a dance floor turn into a community of friends when the music is playing, and that doesn't seem to end after the music's over, either, not that I've ever seen. It's like all their little gripes, and predjudices seem to disappear, and everyone has seen beyond their petty differences and has gathered together to celebrate the joy of living.
That goes for every type of concert that I've been at. It's like all the bad has been dissapated, or something like that. The Japanese have a ritual using percussion (they're called Taiko drums, I believe) that is supposed to scare away evil spirits. Well, it seems like not only do the Japanese seem to have the idea, but all music seems to do the trick, just as well.
I'm not finished with this topic...I've got alot more to say...say tuned till next issue...
We've only just begun....
Ok y'all...this is your chance, tell it like it is...you have a band you're just dying to tell everyone about? (if it's your own, that's ok too). You just heard an album by someone new, or someone dead that's driving you bonkers every hour that you play it? Tell us!! We want to know!! This is a place to share good stuff that you think others might just enjoy. No negative reviews, please...we don't do that here. You think someone sucks? Tell them to their face, and see how well everyone takes constructive criticism...Oh..by the way...tell us when and where a band/solo artist/ensemble is performing, or where we can find the album/single/soundbyte, some of us just might want to check it out. Also, if anyone has music they want to share via the Net, send it here...we'll give it a listen...but we make no promises..
I want to send you my Music Reviews! I know that all responses will be considered, and those selected for the article will be duly credited to the author.