MUSIC IN THE AIR

 Is it for real? Is it truly music in the air? Where is that music and what is that music? Is it atonal, harsh, discordant, offending the ear? Or is it a sweet lilt reminding us of better times, that we had better times, and furthermore, as a nation, we will have better times, and in fact, they are with us right now. Perhaps, though, this music could be more complex, not all sweet and lovely, harmonic nor totally harsh and discordant. Perhaps it is a combination of all sorts and forms of music at times harsh, at times smooth and comforting. However, the first question to be answered is, do you hear the music, any music at all? Only then can we classify the music heard and pin down the whys and wherefore.

Personally, the music is not simply one sided for me. While there are moments of sweet music, there are other moments, longer and more frequent, when it is dissonant, impossible to retain for the noise it creates, unable to be understood fully. Its rather sharp assertive notes, one often conflicting with the other, is definitely not the music that tames the beast. (Sorry, Prospero.) In fact, quite to the contrary, music, pounding music in contagious tempo is often used to generate martial feeling, overwhelming motifs of over-the-top patriotism, animosity, or involving strong music generating strong emotional pull and buildup, even changing a personality for a time. Emotions not necessarily of benefit to the one hearing the music.

 What opens up minds and ears to the music out there I believe, for the most part, one has to be open to it. Receptive and willing to hear a different tone, a different message when compared to the person standing by his side The emotions and thoughts already lying within the brain are of great influence on what is heard by the listener. Anger, happiness, despair, courage, mad rage, drugged ears - there is no way, in my thinking, to be precise in reactions and emotions generated by music, hence it is important, vital even, that we select our musical selections with great care. 

Now, conduct an experiment. Close your eyes. Open your mind and hear the music - or not - as befits you. If you do indeed hear, does it fall into only one category or is it a mixed bag, so to speak? Did you need self-tuning to begin to hear the sounds of the air or were you ready at the get go? Did you hear separate notes or was there a coordination and unity of these notes? Why? Can you explain it all with a clear understanding of what had just occurred?   Did the music heard convey or arouse thoughts and emotions which surprised you - or disappointed you? Or did it sync with your current viewpoints, moods and/or expectations? Or, did it, instead, take you back to the past, a time which we idealize, which represents warmth, comfort and security?  Or did you hear nothing at all and what does that say to you about yourself? If given your druthers, what would be your chosen music?  Surprised? Disappointed? Accepting?

Frankly, to me, the world's music at present is ugly, discordant, full of disturbing dissonance and uncomfortable. It is meant to build up one's anger and focus it on a ginned-up foe, rather than on the truth of the reality. In fact, the reality is often difficult to ascertain, so conflated is it with sidetracking music meant to distract you and entice you into modalities and thoughts once anathema to you. 

Reality, as it truly is, is obscured by other confusing distracting ideas and emotions inserted into the music that you hear, overpowering the truth until you buy into the false reality 'gifted' to you by the   music chosen by the DJ in charge, who has his own agenda. Feel the pounding beat. Sway with that entrancing flow of music. Give yourself over to it, to the words accompanying it. See and hear and internalize the reality as they would have you see it. You go with the flow of the music. Your body resonates with it. Your heart pounds with the beat. Hell, yes!! I believe!!!  And you do. You acquiesce totally and fall prey to the hypnotic/inflammatory words and notes meant to rob you of your power and will, of independent thinking and assessment and there ya' go.

Music misused. Words misused. Perdigon awaiting, False realities enshrined and believed. And   there, is the reality of the world today. Dark and dismal, but with care, we can brighten it up - if we try, if we are honest with ourselves. If we keep our senses about us and do not allow others to literally co-opt our own selves and use us for their nefarious purposes. If. Only if we remain attuned to the true reality   and then work to improve it. Know the truth.  Know the reality. Choose your music with care.  Note who is playing that rather disturbing yet tempting music. Be aware. Think. Evaluate.

Remember the music of our yesterdays.

Choose the music of today carefully.

May all of our on the morrows be in harmony and peace.