Can you enter my world??
Being a musician, or an artist, or a designer... We tend to dwell in our own world. How genuine are we outside of our own world? Or how authentic are we when we are in our world? How do we measure the authenticity and the creativity? Do we allow others to judge us by what we produce or by who we are? Who are we in our own world? How do we as musicians, composers, conductors, performers, artists, singers,... how do we open up our world? How much of our world can the world feel or understand? Or would it even be possible for people to understand?
It is said that 'a picture paints a thousand words'. Does music sing a thousand songs then? But can music be described as something that "sings"? Or something that we hear? Even by looking at a same picture or painting, everybody interprets it differently. People see it from different aspects and people appreciate it in different ways. What happens when Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is played? Or when Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm is sung? Do you think everyone hears the same thing? Have you ever noticed what happens after a concert? What do people talk about? "Oh, that soprano singer went a little flat in the middle section." "That was good! I like the way the conductor conducts this piece." "Wow! Did you notice how the pianist played those notes? I couldn't even see her fingers. I need more practice if I want to be as good as her." These may be some of the usual comments made. But beyond all these, what makes a pianist good? What makes the conductor's skills admirable? What makes the singer go out of tune? One may hear the singer singing it perfectly all right; but to the critical ears, it may be not just "a little flat" but out of pitch. Everyone may be listening to the same piece, but hearing different things.
How then can we judge music when everyone perceives differently? Can words be enough to describe what actually goes on in a performer's mind and thus presents it as he has premeditated? Is it always that accurate? Does he always produce what he wanted? Is music something to be contained? Does it have a form or merely sound? What makes music, music?
Ah... questions. As a musician, my aim is to make music and allow that power it has, to interpret and share my world. One of the principles I live by is to be real. First and foremost, is to be real to myself and to God. And then, be real to others and to the world. How do we measure the authenticity and creativity then? By the fruits it produce and what lasting legacy it carries.
There may be a gap between composers and performers; between performers and audience; between the composer and the audience too. But from ages past, composers, performers, critiques and audience have been trying to bridge this gap. As real as we can be, as authentic as our music may sound, this is who we are, what we believe and how we function. Sometimes, our music does not always work out the way we want or expected it to. This is a gap we need to bridge; between our thoughts and our actions plus the outcome. Theories, rules, rhythm, tempi, style, form, structure, texture, timbre, harmonies, melodies,... these are all man-made rules to abide with and a way to interpret and study music. Yet, it lays a foundation where new avenues can be discovered and added later on. These rules does not confine us; rather it allows us to express freely in which gives us total liberty. It is the same in life. We abide by the rules and live in peace. It does not confine or restrict us; but it gives us the full freedom to express the utmost potential in us.
Live with passion,
Charissa
It is said that 'a picture paints a thousand words'. Does music sing a thousand songs then? But can music be described as something that "sings"? Or something that we hear? Even by looking at a same picture or painting, everybody interprets it differently. People see it from different aspects and people appreciate it in different ways. What happens when Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is played? Or when Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm is sung? Do you think everyone hears the same thing? Have you ever noticed what happens after a concert? What do people talk about? "Oh, that soprano singer went a little flat in the middle section." "That was good! I like the way the conductor conducts this piece." "Wow! Did you notice how the pianist played those notes? I couldn't even see her fingers. I need more practice if I want to be as good as her." These may be some of the usual comments made. But beyond all these, what makes a pianist good? What makes the conductor's skills admirable? What makes the singer go out of tune? One may hear the singer singing it perfectly all right; but to the critical ears, it may be not just "a little flat" but out of pitch. Everyone may be listening to the same piece, but hearing different things.
How then can we judge music when everyone perceives differently? Can words be enough to describe what actually goes on in a performer's mind and thus presents it as he has premeditated? Is it always that accurate? Does he always produce what he wanted? Is music something to be contained? Does it have a form or merely sound? What makes music, music?
Ah... questions. As a musician, my aim is to make music and allow that power it has, to interpret and share my world. One of the principles I live by is to be real. First and foremost, is to be real to myself and to God. And then, be real to others and to the world. How do we measure the authenticity and creativity then? By the fruits it produce and what lasting legacy it carries.
When one is so absorb with the flow of thoughts, feelings, imaginary picture and end result that one foresees, bystanders can't help but to just wait as it progresses towards a final product. Unless you are in it, together with the visionary, you can't flow nor foresee what is ahead. Yesterday, I witnessed an inspiring conductor - Kevin Stannard, our choir maestro. As he conducted and led us (the choir) in Mass in G, he was full of zeal and expression; not leaving any chance for imperfections, only room for overwhelming responses... He completed that piece with a moment of silence as drips of sweat flowed down his face... Wow, I was overwhelmed myself. It triggered something inside of me - that is to believe in what you are doing and to do it with all your heart! The passion and zeal will naturally surface when that overtakes you...
There may be a gap between composers and performers; between performers and audience; between the composer and the audience too. But from ages past, composers, performers, critiques and audience have been trying to bridge this gap. As real as we can be, as authentic as our music may sound, this is who we are, what we believe and how we function. Sometimes, our music does not always work out the way we want or expected it to. This is a gap we need to bridge; between our thoughts and our actions plus the outcome. Theories, rules, rhythm, tempi, style, form, structure, texture, timbre, harmonies, melodies,... these are all man-made rules to abide with and a way to interpret and study music. Yet, it lays a foundation where new avenues can be discovered and added later on. These rules does not confine us; rather it allows us to express freely in which gives us total liberty. It is the same in life. We abide by the rules and live in peace. It does not confine or restrict us; but it gives us the full freedom to express the utmost potential in us.
Live with passion,
Charissa
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