Vertical Horizon

Vertical Horizon

Vertical horizon. Already, the title sets the precedence for a paradoxical writing throughout the content of this letter. As we know it, paradoxes almost always reveal a truth or message or to drive in a point using the art of contradiction.

Incidentally, the first rule of art is contrast.

Whereas the christian faith is a religion of paradoxes.

Let me refresh you with some quotes from the gospel, citing the words of Christ himself.

The Sermon on the Mount

(Matt 5:3-4)

"Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!"
"Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!"

Matt 5:10-11

"Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!"
"Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers"

And needless to mention the countless paradoxical examples Christ have taught us. The infamous one;

"Those who wants to be first must be last" (I am paraphrasing)

Enough quoted as this essay is not a treatment of scripture knowledge. Let us refocus on the point of content, which is music.


When the sun sets in Malaysia, it reaches its peak of noon in London. Therefore, a British only needs to look vertically upwards while a Malaysian look horizontally towards the west and they would be gazing at the same sun. They would face different directions yet arrive at the same point. Both their eyes would "meet" at the "fulcrum" which is the sun. The same sun which sustains life and provides light for Mother earth and her creatures.

The same truth also applies with the SON, the logos, the Word made flesh, the Incarnate Deity, the Messiah, the Christ.

When the Son of Man is lifted up just as Moses lifted up the bronx serpent in the desert, so shall all men gaze upon this Fulcrum which holds the weight of the world as well as one which gives life and light to all. The Cross of redemption, paid in full all our debts is the Vertical Horizon. The fundamental instrument of our very salvation and the ultimate expression of self giving love. A sacrificial love. That ONE should die for the atonement of sins and for the goodness of others.

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Now, since we are saved by the cross, all shall bear their crosses in anticipation of their redemption every hour, every moment and every day of our lives and in every aspect of human living. To be humane is then to carry ones cross and vice versa.

As such, we ought to carry our crosses even as musicians.

How do we do so?It is this area that I wish to dwell deeper and further in this letter.

But firstly, let us explore the vertical horizon of the music itself, before we analyse the vertical horizon of the musician.


Vertical Horizon - The Music

The vertical part of music represents;

1. Technique
   
   1. Phrasing
      
   2. Dynamics
      
   3. Tonal gradation (gradually getting louder and softer, musical colours)
      
   4. Good tone quality
      
   5. Touch
      
   6. Articulation (smooth and detach playing)
      
   7. Objective (ie, tonality, compositional technique, etc etc)
   
   
   
2. Notation (see essay "Notation Or Imitation")
   
   1. Notes
      
   2. Time/tempo
      
   3. Rhythm
   
   

However, if the performer(s) or performance, lack in the horizontal aspects, then, the music would be nothing more than just mechanical rendering of notes. This means the performer(s) or performance is lacking in, or is totally without the essential elements that makes music, MUSIC - no matter how accurate the performer may be in the vertical aspects of music as stated above.

To simply put it, mechanical rendering of notes implies that, a music performance that has no "life" nor substance OR lacking in depth.

You can not really distinguish if the music has a horizontal movement just by listening to a single note. It is in the succession of notes from beginning to the end of the music where one fully detect whether or not the music flows horizontally.

Having said that, the vertical aspects must be sorted out and mastered before the music can take shape, mature and develop towards a horizontal movement. Without which, one can not fully achieve the horizontal movement in the music although he/she has what it takes to bring out that aspect of music.

The ears can only listen what the mind knows.

When the vertical is coupled with the horizontal, you get beautiful transcending music. It is like submerging yourself so deeply into the music with your own emotions mingling with the intentions of the composer, yet, with every technical tool to your disposal. A complete authority over the music.

The below formula explains in a nut shell what the previous paragraphs meant:

Vertical + horizontal = Beautiful transcending music.

Vertical + 0(horizontal) = Mechanical rendering of notes.

0(Vertical) = No music, therefore not possible for Horizontal to take place.


What are the aspects that contribute to the horizontal movement of music? It is difficult to explain or pin-point what exactly brings forth this essential elements of vitality to music. However, I will mention the four major aspects here.

1. Maturity (It can not be taught)
   
   
2. Musical awareness/Musical knowledge
   
   1. Forms
      
   2. Features
      
   3. Stylistic traits of composers
      
   4. Era/genre
      
   5. Structure
      
   
   
3. Depth of interpretation
   
   
4. Talent/musicality (of course, and it can not be taught either. But if one has the talent, then how to help bring it forth and further develop it? That is the task of the teacher (tutor, professor, conductor, director). There are many ways of course, and everyone respond, grasp and develop differently.
   

You need all the above aspects in order to create a full flow of horizontal line/movement in music.

Let me offer you an explanation on one of these aspects. a)Maturity. No, its not maturity in age or wisdom, although they are important to the ever developing musician. Maturity here means the maturity of the finish product - namely, the performance of the music.

Like wine, it gets better with time. So, with time, the music becomes more matured. The music embodies a certain special flavour which never was there in the first place.

Like Besie always says, in a humorous way yet with such serious implications to the meaning of maturity, "Your mother's herbal soup that has been boiling for 10 hours definitely taste better than if it was boiled for only 1 hour." Well, you get the point now.

In other words, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise....you'll never know when full maturity comes.

Now, I will use pictorial/textual illustration to give you a deeper insight to the difference between Vertical line and Horizontal line.

Purely Vertical:

Pater Noster, Qui es in caelis

Notice the rigidity in the letters and the phrase itself. There's no forward movement in the text above.

In music, this would translate to stiffness and mechanical performance.

Vertical & Horizontal:

Pater Noster, Qui es in caelis

Here instead, you'd notice that there is a horizontal flow that directs your eyes toward the next letter and word. There is a certain sense of fluidity.

Similarly, when it comes to music, you need to create this horizontal movement so that there is life in your music.


Vertical Horizon - The Musician


The eastern fathers always teach about the vertical relationship with Christ and the horizontal relationship with men.

One needs to establish this vertical/direct relationship with Jesus before he can successfully bear good fruits in his horizontal relationship with others around him. This brings to mind the commandments of Jesus.

1) Love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart and soul.
2) Love your neighbour as yourself.

How can you truly love your neighbour or maintain a healthy relationship with others without first being in love with God? The love here that I am speaking about is the ultimate self sacrificial love. Even the eros love between husband and wife ought to be a sacrificial one. Your relationship with mankind deepens in proportion to your relationship with God.

Let us now piece this with the formula given out as above:

Vertical + horizontal = Beautiful transcending music.

When we begin to love Jesus and his people, the world would be a more beautiful place to live in.

Vertical + 0(horizontal) = Mechanical rendering of notes.

If we claim to love Jesus but not show charity to others, then what are you? Jesus would then ask you "When I was hungry, you did not feed me; when I was thirsty, you did not give me drink; when I was naked you did not clothe me...etc"

"What you did for others, you did it for me"

Is that how we ought to live our lives? Selfishly keeping Christ's love just to ourselves?


0(Vertical) = No music, therefore not possible for Horizontal to take place.

This formula is self explanatory.

So let us all be encouraged to bring Christ back into our music. Let every note that we produce be both vertical and horizontal at the same time. Let there be life in our music. Let the music transcend God's people to higher, holier and heavenly things. This can be possible if only we place the cross (vertical horizon) of Christ in the music we make.

The cross in itself has no meaning without Christ's death. Therefore, we need to die on our own crosses to our selfishness and pride. Die to the tendency to want to do what we desire and instead do what God wills. Lets take our selfish pride away when we serve God through our music.

Let every note resound the redemption work of Christ's through the cross. As such, our music would truly serve the people. This is how we can restore the true spirit of liturgy in our particular ministry because the liturgy is the work of God at hand. The central, pinnacle and climax of the liturgy is the Eucharist, which is the actual but yet perpetual sacrifice (during the last supper) of what was to come - the bloody sacrifice on the cross.

But where's the paradox is this? It is precisely the fact that one must die before he attains life. New life that is.

You need to put your own personal preference aside and focus on the music. The interpretation of the music must be true, good and beautiful whether it be for liturgy or not. It is difficult to shed all the years of being moulded by a certain way of playing and adapt a different style(approach) altogether. Yes, it is so difficult because it is a call to renounce a set of perceived beliefs; believing that what we are doing is right. But this cross that we carry will bring us to the death of our own idiosyncrasies - and then together, we shall rise to new musical heights and new life.

Alas, it is in this new height and new plane of musicianship that we find true artistic freedom which we set out to attain in the very first place - which is our own personal musical preferences, but without distorting the interpretation of the music because this new personal preference is now guided by what is True, Good and Beautiful. New life, pure music.

Dear musicians, embrace the Vertical Horizon in your quest for music. New life as a musician, pure music we produce.

Almighty Father, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ your son, our Lord and redeemer. Send your Holy Spirit upon us so that we might receive strength and courage to carry our crosses as Jesus himself has requested of us. Amen.

MUSIC: A Responsibility, Divine Gift or Language?

MUSIC : A responsibility, Divine Gift, or Language?

Many musicians, both professionals and amateurs alike, have said that to play or perform music is something divine. A divine task; A divine gift; Time and time again, it is said that music is a gift from God. Indeed, it is. We, as music ministers of the Pilgrim Church here on earth, have come to recognise this divine gift within the depths of our souls. By coming forward to serve Him through music, we can see how we begin to tacitly accept and acknowledge this divine gift. Therefore, we have also realised that we need to utilise this divine gift that we have received. We give what we have received.

It is also a common understanding that music is able to transcend the human soul and to speak to the listener's heart and express what words can not. Thus, music is a form of language - a language so divine, so universal and a language that transcends the barriers of race, dialects, nations and even time.

Now, knowing that music is a Divine Gift from God, what would our 'response-ability' be? (responsibility). Yes, we have come forward to serve. That is the first step. But is that all to it?

Like any gift/skill/charism (Yes, Charism because Music is a Gift from the Holy Spirit), it needs practising. Otherwise, you might just loose it or at best, it gets rusty. Practising is one thing but to further develop the gift is another. Sharpening your skills is just as important as practising them. There is always room for improvement and learning. It is not a dead skill.

Yes, we do practise, one might say. We get all the notes right, the tune right, the tempo steady, the rhythm accurate and the diction clear.

But is that all? Is that what music is all about? Is it just about getting the tangibles right? Is it just about fulfilling a chore? Is it just about making sure that it is GIRM compliant? Is it just about making sure we don't make a blunder during mass?

Surely, there is more to it since it is a Divine Gift from God and also a complex language.

Are we able to communicate effectively through this universal language in the universal church? Are we able to communicate what words fail to express? Are we able to heighten the level of worship and praise God through music. We ought to give back what we have received. We also ought to use this gift wisely with great care and prudence so that others may benefit from it. All for the glory of God, and God only.

We need to ask ourselves these questions.

Let us reflect and think deeper.


Chicken and Egg story


Which do you say comes first? Music or musical instruments (to play the music we hear?) Let us examine:

We know that the angels in Heaven sing praises to God. Angels were doing that since before the creation of man. We also know from the Bible that angels use harps and trumpets. We can safely conclude that music is almost as old as the Heavens above.

But still, which comes first? Is it not puzzling?

Now, take a moment and create a tune in your head. A tune which no one has ever heard before - not even yourself. Obviously, since you are now creating it, solely in your head without even humming the tune out loud.

How was it? I am sure it was a nice tune. The tune is now created but nobody knows what you have just composed? Only God knows. Therefore, how is it possible for you to express your beautiful creation? The only way for you to transfer what you have just heard in your head to others is via an instrument. Now try playing the tune you have just composed on an instrument so that others will know what only you yourself earlier could hear. Use your God given instrument - Voice!

This process is an intricate process. It is also a process of sharing. Sharing one's musical ideas to another. How beautiful it is to partake in this process of sharing - a communion of love. A communication which transcends. A transcendental communication so to speak. A communication between the souls.

Now, if one dies and is united with the Church Triumphant in Heaven - does his ability to partake in music activities halt altogether? Surely not, for the esthological man will be singing praises to God in Heaven!

So, really, our musical abilities lies within the depths of our soul. The body, which is also very much part of the human race, is the medium or instrument in which we communicate this musical ideas to one another. Music is a function of the soul and the body. The human race, body and soul "lives" forever (or at least has that potential if he be saved)- so then shall music be forever.

The body remains an integral part of this music making even in heaven. Remember the credo which we profess, "I believe in the resurrection of the body and life ever lasting. Amen"

The tune you have created is created. This tune now exist. What can destroy it? Not even you yourself. Even if you have not shared the tune with anyone and after that forgot the tune altogether, God still remembers it. He knows all things.


CHRIST and Music



Unlike any other art forms, music has somewhat a unique parallel to Christ.

Music is governed by time. There are only so many beats per bar. There are only so many bars per piece of music. A piece of music has a beginning and an end. All in good time. But yet, its effects are timeless. Have you ever had a nostalgic experience whereby you were brought back to a particular moment in time while listening to a particular piece of music or song? Were you touched by any piece of music before? Has it (music) ever stir up emotions within you - made you laugh, cry, smile, and errect goose pimples? See how long lasting the effects of music can be.

Let us look at Christ.

1st Chapter and verse 1 of John's Gospel states : "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God."

John 1:14 continues... "The word was made flesh, full of grace and truth, lived among us"

It is so humbling for an Eternal God to be encapsuled by time. 33 years that is. For a moment, God from all eternity subjected Himself to be governed by time and to be born a man, though sinless and perfect in every way. Yet, His saving work is timeless. He not only died for those who were living then but also for those who has gone before Him and yet to come. Those who have gone to their graves before Christ's death on Calvary still may receive the merits of Salvation. He died for all, before and after.

Even after 2000 years, we still experience His death and resurrection like it was yesterday and everyday. Through the Eucharist, the perfect sacrifice on Calvary is repeated again at the alter - the perfect sacrifice of bread and wine.

Also in the memorial acclamation we proclaim His death and resurrection and the second coming of Jesus. Dying you destroyed our death. Rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Without God's grace, there can be no music. So let us take some time daily to thank Him for this Divine and Beautiful gift. We must, as response-able Catholics, make an effort to do justice to this gift that was bestowed and entrusted to us from above.

Let us ask God to grant us humility and wisdom especially when using this gift. We ask for a deeper faith in Him and the courage and strength to do His Holy will. Amen.