Musical creativity has more layers than you can see. The realm of tuning systems explained via a rap song. Embedded in the songs you love are Rules and Systems from above.
Picture this as a way to see,
how music works in you and me.
A stable structure three floor high,
from solid ground to open sky.
We’ll employ this analogy
and name our floors, ONE, TWO, and THREE!
Use this model to break shit down,
we’ll start our rap, here on the ground.
The First Floor has this MASSIVE ROOM!…….
Where all of music is consumed…….
It’s where we just, experience…….
Any kind, of music event…….
Taste the music, in this venue…….
Restaurant with sonic menu…….
The main thing here that’s most revealing…….
This Floor is all about the FEELING…………………
Servings of sound, slapped on your plate…….
Songs and symphonies captivate…….
For westernized tonality…….
This ground floor’s called R-E-A-L-I-T-Y.
The Second, Floor, is only for…
Those who thirst, for more than the First…..
Where recipes, are created…….
Music theories here are stated…….
Chords and scales and herbs and spices……..
Compositional … devices…….
To make the music sound just right…….
You need a much greater insight…….
What to do from chosen palette….
With brass, string, or wooden mallett…….
How to choose what notes to play…….
Selection from a fixed array…….
Techniques and their required tools…….
Second Floor, is about the Rules.
The Third Floor is a mystery…………………………………………….
That very few both to see……………………………………………….
Our basic twelve notes on this tier,
The Musical System, dwells here.
From the vast sky of everywhere,
A Master Set is brought to bear.
…………………………..
Limiting what’s ALLOWABLE,
…………………………..
Defining what is VIABLE
…………………………..
Ingredients are here bestowed,
the only choice for floors below. ……..
The third floor set the boundaries,…….
of what the tune below can be.
This master set of Sacred Notes,
are rarely questioned or revoked,
Social convention at the helm,
The Third Floor hence defines,
the REALM.
The Sky is vast and full of stars………………………………………
Too many notes, for one guitar…………………………….
So filter out all but a few………………………………
Leaving twelve notes within our view………………………
All recipes are made from these…………………………..
The ebonies and ivories…
They’re sent down to the lower floors……………………..
Ingredients of every score……………………………….
Few folks question from whence they came…………………..
Think twelve tones are, the only game……………………
But if you choose a larger set……………………………
BRAND NEW REALITIES,
you will get.
Surfing
THE SONIC SKY
of Ervin M. Wilson
Hello,
I’m a teacher K-5 and I think my older students will enjoy learning about the tuning systems with this video. The music will draw them in and the videography is awesome. Thanks for introducing me to this composer.
Arietha