More on Contemplative Music Theory

In a previous post, I discussed Contemplative Music Theory in the context of beginner’s mind, and asked what that might offer to improve our thinking about music, and music theory. That essay barely scratched the surface of what contemplation brings to the endeavor, so I’ll add a bit more now. One primary benefit of allowing… Continue reading More on Contemplative Music Theory

Contemplative Music Theory

This blog is called Contemplating Music for very specific reasons, the primary one being that it urges the adoption of an approach to knowing that differs from the paradigm of learning and knowing that pervades our culture. It’s hard to pin down in just a few words what that paradigm is, but I’ll make an… Continue reading Contemplative Music Theory

Drawing musical energy

In my teaching, I have a habit of getting people to draw their account of a piece. Since I call virtually everything into question, a natural thought arises: what’s that drawing all about?  Drawing asks for an embodiment of a visual sort, which helps a person put the thoughts they may have about a piece… Continue reading Drawing musical energy

Grateful for Being Noticed

This spring I was awarded a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support my workshop, Just Listening. It matters deeply to be noticed, recognized for what one does. I’ve been working on a new venture for several years now, always returning to the idea that I am bringing an experience of value to others.… Continue reading Grateful for Being Noticed

Following the Need

The Just Listening workshop began as an attempt to promote the analytical practice I call the Sound-Energy Aggregate. At a time of great distress about my own future, having had most of my teaching cut one fall, I reached out to a career coach to get help in developing a way to promote the SEA.… Continue reading Following the Need

Melody as relationship

One of the most simple, yet striking realizations to come from the SEA theory is the fact that melody is a relationship. It’s so often talked of as all about the pitches, what they convey, and that’s not wrong. Many point to the value of rhythm – Ornette Coleman’s saying that rhythm is like oxygen… Continue reading Melody as relationship

Open Ears, Free Mind

As I have described elsewhere, this blog grows from my experiences with new music, teaching, and Zen meditation. These experiences and more have combined to spur the creation of Just Listening, which in fact derives its name from Shikantaza, or “just sitting”, the type of Zen meditation that I do. As I sat this morning,… Continue reading Open Ears, Free Mind

Resonance

Warning: this post will re-use an idea!  Resonance is an incredible phenomenon: do it a little, the power of the action grows, do it again, do it again… a cycle of increase. Sound is a cycle, the same pattern of vibration thousands of times to hear even a short bit of it. And the idea of… Continue reading Resonance

The Obvious

I have a saying that I inflict upon my students, mostly directed towards musical analysis, but widely applicable: “The obvious is in control… expose it!” The statement points toward a lot of important realities, and is at the very foundation of my workshop, Just Listening, which is in turn founded upon principles embedded in an… Continue reading The Obvious