Point and Counterpoint

I haven’t thought about the theories of point and counterpoint, as in musical structure, in a long time. If those are unfamiliar terms, think of a song's melody. The counterpoint occurs when musically a juxtaposition of a new melody is woven into and on top of the first. Without going into the weeds of canons, fourths and fugues; these two independent melody lines play together in a piece of music, each complimenting the other.

Yesterday evening out for a walk in this still deliciously cool June weather, I was enjoying the beautiful sky and the forming sunset. The shoots of pink and orange caught my attention as big audacious brushes of color fanned across the sky to create mammoth rays. It wasn’t for some time after admiring those bands of color that I noticed that there were much more subtle lines of blue crossing the rays. Independently there and yet part of the whole picture.

That was when it hit me - it is point and counterpoint! Two melodic views have been joined together to create one whole, each complimenting the other in an artistic God created vision of beauty. 

Chords

Walking up to the top of the Fannin Eldgridge Cemetery, you climb and climb the hill. Walking on a dirt road, there are trees and ferns, wildflowers and moss, on both sides. Thick green growth with butterflies who fly more like dive bombers than the expected flitting creatures are accompanied by a few bees buzzing about. If you come a little late, or are a slower hill walker-upper than others, when you near the top third of the climb, the sounds of the singing occurring at the top seems to just be a sweet breath of air. It washes over you, flowing past and into you as you climb.

Yesterday, I made such a climb. We started out on time. Then, the realization hit that the box of hymnals that had been packed so that everyone could sing along, had been forgotten at the church. A quick trip back to retrieve those left us walking up the hill and listening to that singing. It’s not about how fast you climb the hill; it’s not even about how easy it is to climb the hill. Instead, this hill seems to be a badge of honor. The elderly used to state that if they could climb the hill one more year, then they must be doing all right with their health and would live another year. At the top, there was a small service with a short message and then more singing. Tall pine trees stood like sentinels around us, green and fragrant. Mosses of different kinds created soft and cushy spots on the ground. A rosebush was blooming pink blossoms. The tombstones needed to have the old flowers removed and the new flowers placed.
I enjoy the whole process, except perhaps for knowing that there are snakes in those woods. But, it is the music floating back down the rough dirt road that is something that stands out. Voices blend in different harmonies. Some voices are on key while others are off. Staccato or legato phrasing can be heard, with either sharp and quick words, smooth pronouncements, or something in between occurring. Some voices are very pure, others are nasal. The bass is present, the tenor, the alto, and the soprano. The harmony bends and sways with the music depending on how familiar everyone is with the piece. Sometimes notes are off and do not blend or perhaps are not resolved well. Others can barely be heard as they try to be invisible in their vocal contribution. The words are not always known, or how the parts split out to do their own thing. This can result in a momentary confusion and unsure sense of what to do next.
It wasn’t until later in the day that I really thought about the music and how family is a lot like that. Some come into this world with a beautiful tone, on pitch and pleasant to the ears. They are the encouragers, the ones who can make children laugh, or can speak softly to those who are frightened. Others can squall out a tune which will make the least of the vocally trained dive for cover. Sang with great gusto and absolute disregard for the others around them, the pitch wavers and jumps up to hide the softer. Those who are barely making any sound at all are there, even if they are difficult to hear. They may have the most beautiful harmony of all, but without additional courage no one will ever hear it. Harmonizers can move between parts and add an additional layer to what is there, building the strength of the music.
Family is a lot like this. Perhaps you can realize yourself in the midst of that. I watched children play and they were in a moment of harmony. Their squeals and laughter, mixed with the sound of the creek running around their toes was beautiful. It was a part of the music filled with little bubbles of sweetness and joy. At other times, the music was more somber. A cemetery was looked out over and those who had finished singing their music here and were leaving only their echoing themes were remembered.
There are signs commonly found about not getting to pick your family. Well, that is true. There will be discord from time to time. The very quiet one may grow louder and be tired of the one who always sings loud claiming all of the part. They will have to determine the new blend and start a new theme. Family is messy; there are many discords, many unresolved notes. But it is a symphony of sound, of tightly interlaced chords.

Joyful Noise

Make a joyful noise! I love to sing and may be found humming around just about anywhere. I have heard many people state that that just can’t sing. But, if you check out the psalm, when there is discussion of praise – it is not to make a beautiful noise, but to make a joyful noise. So, you can’t sing? Don’t like to sing? Okay – what kind of joyful noise can you make? A baby’s first cry to a new parent is a joyful noise. A honking horn to a kid who just got sight of their first car is a joyful noise. Pots and pans banging along with some internal tune is a joyful noise to the toddler. The joyful noise may sound different to different people. Words of affirmation, encouragement, coaching, teaching – joyful noises!

No matter what kind of “instrument” you use, make a joyful noise today.

Mozart, the Silmarillion, and Night Songs

Mozart had an extraordinary gift to write themes in his music.  One idea, expressed musically would start, then another would weave in.  It would stand on it’s own as a melody line, yet fit with perfect precision with the first theme.  Then, another independent musical thought adds into the melody, woven into the movement that is already occurring and still fits like a matching puzzle piece.  Building the thoughts until they reach the stories pinnacle, that moment when you have to know how the plot will wind up.  Then, the themes start winding toward the resolution and the eventual conclusion of the score.  Listening to one or two of those musical lines is pleasurable, but learn to pick out the different themes within the sounds themselves lets the listener hear the sound of art which also mimics life.

One line is joyful, bubbling along with purpose and speed.  Another adds a new personality, something richer and with greater depth.  A darker voice joins the song; minors add the new tone of tension, suspense, perhaps even angst.  Life is something like that at times.  We start off our day, the tone is established and then new voices are added in based on where we go, who we speak to, what actions we take, or the opposites of those.  Sometimes, these are things we can control and other times they are far away from our reach. 

 

Many have asked about that minor voice, why does it need to be there?  Named diabolus in musica or the Devil in music several hundred years ago, the tritone is a dissonance within chord structure.  Or, speaking in broader terms, why is there evil in this world?  If you are familiar with the story of Adam and Eve that may be where you point.  There were people, fruit, a tree, a snake, bad choices, and wah-lah entry of sin.  Well, yes that is true.  However, by the very fact that the serpent already existed there was previously sin in existence though not yet in humans.  Why would God allow that to change?

I think one of the most beautiful metaphorical descriptions I have heard of why there is an allowance of sin with all of its disastrous effects is from Tolkien’s Silmarillion.  I won’t quote it directly, though I do recommend reading it.  To give you the gist; the Supreme Creator is leading all of the lesser beings in a song, resulting in the creation of the world.  This is a wonderful thought by the way – wouldn’t you love to hear the song that might result in the creation of a tree or a cloud, even a waterfall or rain?  Anyway, the music was being created, multiple strong threads woven together to form a complete world.  They are rejoicing, as their music is guided by the Leader, and reflects His glory in the creation.  But, then another joins in, putting in discords with such fire and destruction the others are silenced in disbelief.  But, the Creator of the Music comforts them that the minor and threat filled music is something that He knew was coming, already knowing the phrases and melody turns it will take.  And, though they cannot understand it – He has a plan for it and this provides a gentle comfort.

In life, we have songs in the night, times when we don’t know which way to turn or why something happens.   You are going along and then some new melody line weaves into the music.  It may bring hope, anger, joy, hurt, love, or despair.  But, the comfort is that the melody line is not unknown to our God, our Creator.  Instead, He takes the phrase and blends it into the music – making it fit perfectly.  In my own orchestral section I may not be able to see how it fits, but there it is fitting perfectly into the score nonetheless.  There have been so many tragedies this last week alone, the shooting at Fort Hood, in Orlando, and many other catastrophes.  It is so easy, so human, to ask why and be angry at God.  Comfortingly enough, God is big enough for both our anger and all of our questions.  Now that these terrible things have occurred, we must rally in prayer asking God to weave this discord, this diabolus in musica, back into His perfect melody as only He can.