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50 – Music *

Special thanks to Fraggle for providing the photos. Fraggle is in the UK and I encourage readers to visit her photography blog Fraggle: Rocking a camera across the universe. Please tell her I sent you and feel free to comment on her images here. All images are copyrighted by Fraggle and Fragglerocking Photo Blog.

Click the video above for 2 minutes of background waves while reading.

I like walking on the beach. It’s good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

We can use many adjectives to describe the surf’s sound such as, magical, soothing, refreshing, healing, and more. Then add the wind and birds to the surf for one of the best symphonies nature delivers. Yes, musical is another descriptor for the beach, but with additional visuals and aromas to complete a musical extravaganza for one of nature’s most soothing soundscapes.

I think about music, but music is much more than we think.

I think about musical notes as one, one and a half, two, three, four, one-eighth, and one-sixteenth arranged in potentially many random sequences.

I think about the musical notes of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and their designated accidentals of sharps and flats – let alone the number of times that pattern repeats for a different octave.

I think about the many random combinations composers use to arrange notes for music; let alone combining notes with the previous combination of numbers.

I think about music as a combination of 88 tones of piano keys, and then some – notes of various lengths constructed together in desired chords – majors and minors of the key signature played at a particular tempo. To me, music and mathematics are closely related to each other.

Music is not just for dedications, memories, emotions, relaxation, and/or entertainment. Music engages emotion, thoughts, and memories while painting a picture with the brush of sound.

Music is more than stanzas composed of phrases arranged in measures containing notes of various lengths and accentuations. Music is a message written in a unique language that must be translated by skilled people so listeners can interpret its intent. (translated like visual art)

Music is more than something we extract from the electronic device of choice – Music is an expression of a time, a place, a setting, an occasion, a story, a mood, or emotions. – a tool for transporting us back in time – something that aromas also do.

Music is a combination of notes, phrases in a sequence to a key signature, time signature, and tempo. Music is more than a composer’s notes on a page for a musician because music is one of our universal languages.

Music is one of humanity’s great assemblers. Many gather together for a concert. There was a time when small groups of two to four would also gather just to listen to music.

Music is something that is in us – for some, even from birth. Music within us is part of us – something flowing throughout our body. To some, music is a necessity like food, water, shelter, and love.

Music is a variety of genres as Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll, New Age, Country, Classical, Rap, Folk, and many more – with each subdivided into a host of musical niches – let alone the variations within a culture. All are good for the mood, mind, and soul – but just in a different way for different people.

Music is a language subdivided into a host of musical niches to serve as a dialect to a specific group of people. However, music touches everyone differently, yet can stir feelings and emotions across the barriers of a spoken language.

Through its varying notes, rhythms, crescendos, and nuances, music can set a tone, ignite memories, trigger a rollercoaster of emotions, or tell a story. Perhaps this is part of the explanation for accounting for the wide variety of musical styles.

Music defines cultures, generations, and individuals. Music touches the mind, body, and soul just like walking on the beach does for me. The same music touches each of us differently. On the other hand, the music that touches us the most is different for everyone.

Rhythms, emotions, tempo, and more are some of the terms that come to me about music as I close. Music has been a big part of my life – and I’m better for it.

On this day, I think about music and the countless joys that it has given me – even the musical earworms that happen from time to time. Besides enjoying music, I also like walking on the beach because it is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

See what other bloggers have written about music

Next Post: Spring * – Tuesday 16 March @ 1 AM (Eastern US)

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133 thoughts on “50 – Music *”

  2. Music! Ahhh, I would shrivel up with out it, and I always think how horrid it would be if I was deaf…I think I would rather loose my sight than my hearing. But, I hope to keep both in good order, LOL!
    I am a fan of classical music, mostly….and even in that genre, I have preferences.
    I grew up surrounded with music, my Mom sang all the time, she had been in professional choirs in her hometown before coming to Canada…but we had no $$ to have lessons ourselves, sadly enough. My ‘lessons’ were in music appreciation from recordings, LOL! I didn’t get to start music lessons till in highschool, where I took it as an option…
    I used to lug my violin the mile and a half to school and back…rain, snow or shine…but sometimes one of the teachers would give me a ride. It was totally necessary when I tried to learn the cello, in my last year of high school! Never learned to play the piano, that fell to my older son:)
    But we all have a musical instrument, needs no case, or special equipment…its our voice! Listen to wee ones, unhindered and not worried about who might hear them they sing to themselves as they play…with vigor and glee!
    I have had dogs who sang, too…LOL! Not my current hooligans, though…

    Now I still ‘play the radio/internet cause the bane of getting older has given me sore joints in my fingers and wrists…but music still livens up my days…and I love it when I see my residents at my work, respond to music, too. They love to sing hymns and old songs! Sometimes before covid we would have musicians come in to perform…and some would go to symphony concerts as well. We have tickets too, and its fun to see some of ‘my’ peeps there!

    Anyways, my toe are tapping now as I hear a Schubert song right now:)

    Do you walk the beach in a rhythm of the songs you make up or sing to yourself as you pace along?? (I do that when I walk my pooches.)

    Oh, boy I was wordy tonight. LOL!

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    1. Ingrid,
      Wordy? Not at all because I very much enjoyed reading a small bit of your story about music in your life. Thanks for sharing!!!! You grew up with it and it has stuck with you. I too enjoy classical music. Years ago when we had tickets to a series of symphony concerts, the program included a section about the main piece – such as “the why” the piece was written. With that, one could hear what the composer was painting with musical notes.

      But I also like many musical genres. When I’m wound-up, needing to calm down, I may seek some new age music. I like a variety of popular music, too – and more! Personally, I wish I would have learned the piano. But I was a brass player back in the day – even continued playing in college marching band. Today, it’s handbells.

      I occasionally walk the beach with music – sometimes with a podcast – but most of the time just with my thoughts.

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  3. Nearly lost me there: the technical talk of music, beyond me. But music has always been present in my life and yes, the crashing of the waves is much like heavy metal/rock that I enjoy, and the soft sighing of a calm sea is a lullaby to me

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  6. Good morning, Frank! The seaside definitely has its own music and rhythms. I’ve been noticing how the predawn bird choir has returned. Beautiful music in nature, and as well as the music humans create.

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  7. Ah yes… I like the natural music a babbling brook makes, Frank… but when I try to create music myself, that too sounds babbling – but not in a good way! I’m not very musical!
    I’m off to visit Fraggle! Happy Saturday!

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    1. Tom,
      Cheers to your joy for the babbling brook. I actually heard several on a wonderful walk yesterday afternoon. Not being musical is OK because each of us can’t be everything. Glad you enjoyed Fraggle’s pictures, and enjoy your visit. She’s also in the UK. Enjoy your weekend.

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  9. I’ve always been a fan of all kinds of music…….poetry surrounded by sounds of all kinds. Most of us have certain music to fit our mood or even to help us get in a certain mood. Different music fits different situations but it’s up to us as the listener to pick and choose what to enjoy in those moments and situations. I had a cat (before Teddy) who loved classical music so much that he would curl up at the base of one of the speakers with his eyes closed enjoying the sound. It touches everyone in some way.

    Pam

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    1. Pam,
      I’m with you in terms of enjoying a wide range of music. Yep – each fits a different mood, different occasions. But, that doesn’t mean we like all musical forms. 😉 Love the story about a pre-Teddy cat enjoying classical music. SImply amazing – thanks for sharing! … Speaking of Teddy, he is quite feisty this morning.

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  11. My husband is a musician, so our house is full of gizmo’s to play music on, radio’s record players cd players, streamers, tape decks, and guitars 🙂 can’t live without it. Thanks for using my pictures.

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  12. As you might expect, I couldn’t NOT comment on this one (even though as I’ve said before I savor each of your thoughtful posts)!
    I love your word usage of music is not an ‘extraction’ but an ‘expression’ Especially relevant in these 21st century times where the aural environment has been tossed aside as a banal background type of ‘music’…
    And you’re so correct – notes are merely the road map like words are for the writer. Users/performers/readers bring life to that road map…which is there for who ever decides to take an exploratory trip!
    Anyway to your point of math/music etc I automatically thought about the ancient world’s concept of “The Music of the Spheres’. So on the off chance that that’s a new concept to you – here’s a link to add to the conversation.
    https://www.auroraorchestra.com/2019/05/28/pythagoras-the-music-of-the-spheres/
    peace

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    1. Laura,
      Thanks for your thoughtful response with multiple things to ponder. Music as an expression is very obvious to me. Composers are painting a picture with notes and lyrics – not brushes. Symphonies are like a book with each movement being equivalent to a unit of chapters. In terms of “The Music of Spheres”, I don’t know about it – but will return to see the video later. Thank you!

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  13. A world without music would be a dull one, indeed. I’ve zero knowledge about the inner workings of music but I do enjoy it in all sorts of forms.
    Like Merril, I have noticed that nature’s music has kicked it up a notch in the last week. Bummer the cold has returned after giving us a few days of above-freezing temps. Wonder if the birds will still be singing? I’ll find out a little later.
    Lovely collaboration with Fraggle.

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    1. Dale,
      I know that you enjoy humanity’s music and nature’s music. In terms of the human form, you don’t have the music knowledge, but you do know what you like – and what you are willing to try – and if you have a wide taste of music, that’s even better! Meanwhile, the spring chorus is warming up!

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      1. That I do. And I do like music of all kinds. Spring came for a peak and a tease and today blasted us with cold… I know it’s just a question of time.
        And I forgot to tell you that I loved your choice of Kenny Rogers!

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  15. Lovely post, Frank. Though I cannot play an instrument or carry a tune, listening to music is an essential part of my life. I told my kids if they have to put me in a nursing home one day to make sure I had earbuds and music to listen to to make the days pass more pleasantly for me. As you say, for me, music is a necessity. And listening to live music is often experienced as transcendence to me.

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  16. “… painting a picture with the brush of sound.” That’s a delightful description. A world without music, even just a rhythm, would be missing something vital. My life has had some periods of hands-on music and others when I just appreciate the music created by others. Lately I’ve found myself singing in place of talking (to myself or my dog) – melody is just that important at times.

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    1. Laurie,
      I realize you love for music – and your reactions to it here and seeing your choices at your end reinforce that point. Amazing how many delivery systems we have for music. Back in the day, we had records and the radio. We still have that, but toss in Internet and satellite radio, electronic formats as MP3 and Youtube – but still radio and recordings. Also, cheers to nature’s music!

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    1. Nina,
      Thank you … now you have me thinking … let’s see … classic vinyl station on SirusXM – handbell choir – some music videos on YouTube – and who knows what else is yet to come. Thanks for making me think about it and realizing it’s been low-music so far. Cheers!

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      1. Hi Frank! Glad I got you thinking! This is a favorite piece I wanted to share with you from the movie Le Grand Blue. And you must have inspired me with music…I just posted—sometimes the words come to me singing. 😊. Cheers!

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  21. I enjoyed your thoughts on music, Frank. Music has an interesting place in my life. I don’t listen to music most of the day. My husband works at home and although he probably wouldn’t mind, I wouldn’t play it all the time while he was working. Besides, I do enjoy the silence or what passes for silence in suburbia and where the neighbors have a barking dog. 🙂 However, I was part of our praise team at our former church and that was a huge part of my life, one that I greatly miss. When I’m in the van, I listen to contemporary Christian music or classical or sometimes old rock. There are no jazz stations here, which is a shame. And songs get stuck in my head day and night which is more music that I’d like to have.

    When I was growing up, I took piano lessons for years and after we got married, we bought a refurbished old upright piano, which I played regularly. When the girls were homeschooling, we had another family over and I’d play Mitch Miller and other songs and everyone would sing along. But when we moved, there was no room for the piano and it would have been too costly to move, so many long years without playing. This Christmas, my husband gave me a keyboard, so my rusty fingers are loosening up and I’m enjoying my music “therapy” once again. I just regret getting rid of so many of my music books before we moved.

    Love the photos, especially that first beautifully arranged one.

    janet

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    1. Janet,
      Yes, I’m glad you enjoyed this walk, but I’m very happy that you shared part of your musical journey. Looking back, I wish I would have learned to play the piano – but I am musical. I played brass back in the day – and continued through college. You may enjoy this post from my old blog. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2011/10/19/on-an-unexpected-day/

      When you mentioned different styles of music, I kept nodding my head – yep, I like that – that too. 🙂 My tastes are very eclectic. I love satellite radio and apps like Spotify & Pandora. So many choices. Interesting that you keep the music off while your husband works from home. For me, I love music in the background when working. Yep – something different for each of us.

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      1. He might like it but even though I like music, I like quiet almost more, at least as the majority of the day. When I was in college and after for many years, I had a ’75 VW Super Beetle with only an AM radio. Not much to listen to there but at night, you could get an AM station from Oklahoma City many states away.

        When I was in grade school, I played the clarinet and the piano but eventually stuck with the piano. The clarinet would have been easier to move. 🙂

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        1. All good points about background music. For me, I want instrumental because it is just background to me. I think of it like white noise. Then again, I recognize that others like silence. Meanwhile, oh the days of long ago when we couldn’t get much on the radio. Whew – fortunately we have more outlets available today.

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  24. Where to start?
    I married a music man, much to the chagrin and black sheep designation of my family.
    It worked out super!
    Point is; music has, and continues to make life better.
    Gosh, your musicals and concerts were fun!
    Then there’s the fact that many musicians don’t read music. They play by ear.
    Well, as a kid when I heard that, I got the picture: someone with their head on a keyboard, with a guitar at an ear, etc.
    Wonderful post, Frank! Yes, I see a link between music and math, although it takes away some of the creative mystery.
    2+2=22!

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    1. Resa,
      Thanks for sharing a bit of your personal connection to music. To me, some musicians are naturally gifted … the ear and intuition working in sync – and they do it naturally. Some are naturally athletic – others naturally artistic – others natural with their hands – and others with music. I also think about how people learn differently as in learning styles. I was watching my nephew take one of his guitar lessons – and I noticed him watching the hands of his teacher – and he was getting it —- but I also know that doesn’t work for everyone. 🙂 Cheers to music!

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              1. Yes, I did!
                I liked it, did the like thing.
                Once in awhile I will say something, but I adore how she handles the comments. Nothing left to say.
                I’m thrilled about all of the positive responses her post got. xo

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  26. Music is only an occasional part of my life, yet it is undeniable what a source of joy it is! I can relate to the how music can be synonymous to life for some, just like words and poetry are important for mine.

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  28. UGH Frank – I was really enjoying the post until you reminded me of earworms! Hate those darned things. You’re so right about music and mathematics – and also computer skills. Long ago when I was hiring people for the computer business I worked for, we would look for math, language and music majors in schools that in those days didn’t have computer science majors. It’s been proven that all of these skills draw from the same areas of the brain. I was a French major who ended up in the computer business and I’ve played piano since I was young. Please don’t ask me about math – apparently that part of my brain was already full!!!

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    1. Tina,
      Love that you shared this with us. Math, language, music, and computer majors may be different – but they have something in common – each of those disciplines are specialized languages. So when you mentioned the hiring practices, I’m not surprised. Thanks for sharing …. and oh – not everyone understands all languages. Math just isn’t yours. BTW – would you be surprised if I have a Math walk in the future?

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  30. You never fail to amaze me Frank with your beautiful connections and surprises!
    The sound of the ocean and the beach goes hand in hand. Great history here, connections and always your heart. Thanks! 💖👏❤️

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      1. You’re so welcome Frank.
        It sure does. I use music a lot in my work with the singing bowls, drums etc as it truly connect people to their soul’s purpose. A friend in town produced the movie The Last Higppier which was awesome if you get a chance to watch it. Here is a YouTube describing it. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwizvbuSp7DvAhWnIjQIHcwiBIAQtwIwA3oECAwQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOk7F-Dl-cjk&usg=AOvVaw0b6MFiqGLUP6m8DQFN0nuC
        Of course it doesn’t surprise me and what a perfect Segway! 💖

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  31. Kitty and doggie both got up here close to the computer to listen to the waves. Then I combined both the waves and the Kenny Rogers music. Glorious! Kitty typed his response as well, but I erased it. I loved your comment about the connection between math and music. I would argue that there is also a mathematical connection between all of those and grammar. Remember diagramming sentences. They all have structure. Thanks for the great information and the fabulous music. :).

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    1. Marsha,
      The fact that kitty and doggie walked along made me smile! Besides the definite connection between math and music, I will also toss in math, music, and language are methods of communication! … and to communication requires a structure. … and OH … thanks for censoring kitty’s comment. Ater all, we know how independent they can be.

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  32. Pingback: #Bird Weekly Photo Challenge #39 Mostly Australian Birds that Eat Mostly Fish – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

  33. The thought of linking music to maths is anathema to me! Whereas humans will always react with emotion and feeling to music, to many of us mathematics is dry, dull and associated with hours of unhappiness at school, though I accept there’s more to it to those who’ve been lucky enough to have the key to why it’s more interesting than that, Like many others, I’m really missing our choir at the moment. Singing on mute to Zoom is no substitute at all!

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    1. Margaret,
      Cheers to your joy for music. I can’t imagine singing on Zoom being a substitute for the choir members – however, I have enjoyed many of the choir presentations of Zoom. Then again, I’m the audience – not the singing. The link between music and math is strong. However, even though I enjoy math, I side with you when it comes to math education.

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  34. A lovely post Frank. Music touches each one of us in a different way and if one gives enough to different forms one can decide what is best for the soul. Connection to a particular type is important and once it is attained one can never be lonely.

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      1. I have a note to myself to gather some pine tree-walking images and send to you. As you know, we are THISCLOSE to getting into our house and I may not have internet at first. Meanwhile I’ll gather, take some more pics, shine ’em up and get them to you. Looking forward to it!

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  37. I have always found music an important part of my life. There are so many different music “delivery systems” these days, and it’s an easy time to enjoy music from any decade and across genres. I sure do hope it won’t be too long before I can return to some of my favorite live music performances. And by the way, probably the only place where I do not enjoy music is at the beach. I get so annoyed when people play their “boom boxes” or in any way detract from the sounds of the ocean. The ocean doesn’t need any accompaniment, in my estimation. 🙂

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    1. Debra,
      Knowing how much you enjoy music, I was hoping you would see this walk. Truly amazing how many music delivery systems we have today. Even more amazing is how many are free! Because live performances are important to you, it will be interesting to get your reaction the first time your return to one. Thanks for sharing!

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      1. The more I live such a restricted life the more I wonder if I will have the energy to attend live performances again. It takes a lot of effort, and I may have lost my “oomph!” 🙂

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  38. I remember how much you love music from your AFA days, Frank, so it was wonderful to read some of your further thoughts on the topic. I had no idea you are also into the ‘technical’ side of music! I always admire a person who has the ability to understand those confusing black notes on a page! 🙂

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    1. Joanne,
      Music has been part of me for a long time – and still is. Those black notes on a page aren’t too bad to understand – but what is hard to imagine is the piano player reading two separate lines at once – one for each hand, and creating something beautiful from it. I think they have the ability to read those two lines like a book. After all, music is a language. Hope all is well!

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  40. Fraggle lives not far from my old home in the north east, Frank, and I enjoy her posts very much. For me, music has a unique power to lift my spirits or make me unutterably sad, depending on the mood and memories it evokes. I wish I was musical or could play an instrument. The best I can do is sing from the heart. 🙂 🙂

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  41. At it’s most basic level, music is just math and as such can be convincingly written by a computer programme. But music is also much more than that. It transcends, it communicates, it enriches, it inspires, it emotes, it brings people together.

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  42. Beautiful post, Frank – music has so many threads and meanings. To your point, one of my favorite Einstein quotes is “If I were not a physicist I would probably be a musician.” He played his violin every day and credits music for his theoretical insights into the constructs of the physical world.

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    1. Lynn,
      Given your background, this was the first one I wanted to share with you. The next one (#51) is about musical instruments. I knew Einstein loved music, but I didn’t realize the extent of his love through the quote and your thoughts. He had the mind! Thanks for coming over and sharing!

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