Falling Back on Music

Subject: Falling Back on Music
From: Amos
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 11:44 AM

One of the reasons I fell in love with folk music, when I was a young sprat, is that it clarified what Bob D called "a way to be in the world" -- or, more precisely it provided a huge wealth of answers to the question of how others had chosen to be in the world, what they had faced and how they had faced it.

This was a rich vein for someone just coming awake in life and wondering how to best deal with the confusions and contradictions that seemed so prevalent. It was a newly post-industrial age. Electronics was a primitive art, the TV had only recently been commercialized, stereos still used tubes, and people thought Charlie Chaplin was really onto something. Beats were into the dharma way and conservatives were promoting "Plastics". The notion of integrity was not much discussed, but the grownups wondered if America had lost its sense of national purpose. The Boomer Generation, waiting in the wings still, was beginning to growl and talk to itself about the cognitive dissonance in post-war America. In other words, there was a lot one could be confused about, and hearing the voices of distant generations and other countries through folk music was a great help in getting a sense of what it really meant to be a human being walking about on the earth, with or without the blessing of the DAR.

Now, forty or fifty years later, I still find it to be the case. The trials of existence in this country are different but no less trying. The burdens of adulthood are a bit greater than the confusions of adolescence, but the patterns more familiar and less bewildering. But there's plenty of opportunity out there to get dismayed, depressed, resentful or just feeling lost. For those moments, nothing serves as well as going to the wall and taking down the dreadnought, and remembering the misadventures of Barb'ry Ellen, Pretty Boy Floyd, poor Jesse James, Lord Lovell, John Henry or John Hardy, or a thousand others. Maybe it is not so much their stories, any more, as the warmth of the Brazilian rosewood back against my chest, humming out the runs and making space oscillate to the richness of good chords. Maybe it is the reminder, drawn from so many old and new stories, that there are certain constants in the human equation that persist in spite of rhetoric, politics or transient tribulations.

Whatever the reason, I find that spending ten minutes with the Union Maid or Fayre Eleanor, Flaherty's Drake or Tim Finnegan or Patrick Spencer is the very tonic I need, and falling back on the music never fails me.

And I would not be surprised to hear that others had a similar remedy for tough moments.


A

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 11:57 AM

Interesting concept for a thread, buddy.

Somehow, when I am facing trials and tribulations in life (such as now), I can tell where I am at by trying to play music. When I am at my lowest ebb, I usually refer to it by saying "they have taken the music out of me". Such has been the case at the last couple of Getaways. When the struggle has worked it negativity on me, I have a hard time being musical. When I hit bottom, it is usually the music that rouses me back. It occurs when I am playing for someone, and they get the message of the song I am trying to get across. Then a process starts, marked by more music, increased interest, and sometimes just getting lost in the yarns. All the while, I am starting the process, spurred by the messages, of the introspection necessary to recover. So far that hasn't spawned great songwriting, but it has led to discovery of others songs that define the problems I see out there. This time it has spawned interest in networking with the younger singers, sharing timeless values and observations with them, sharing old songs that are as relevant today (if not more so), as when they were written. And helping them find the way to tell those stories with their own voices, using their own music, to reach and inspire a new generation.

Yeah, no matter how hard they kick me down, the music is usually what I fall back on.

Mick

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: Amos
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 01:17 PM

My condolences on your vicissitudes, mate. My formula is to star tplaying and keep on playing until you get that lost perspective back and feel like kicking some butt again in the real world!!

One of the things it does for me is to restore my faith in and connection with my own species. This is IMPORTANT. The songs are like tokens, which serve to evaporate alienation and cynicism about our wonky species.

You can't stay TOO mad at things you can sing about.

A

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: KT
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 01:11 AM

And it's good therapy besides! (chuckle)

It's funny, but for me it works both ways. Like you, Mick, when I'm down, I may feel less inclined to play music. But I find that at those times, when I do pick up a guitar and start singing, it's a sort of "coming home" experience. There's healing there that is physical, emotional and psychological, and it's almost instantaneous. Music has such tremendous power to heal. It's an incredible gift that is so much bigger than we know.

And it isn't just limited to playing or singing. It's also true from a listener's perspective. It happened to me just yesterday....I was listening to my Ipod while I was preparing dinner, and this voice began to come through the speakers. I though wow, that sounds nice. Who IS that? Then I remembered. It was Amos.

KT

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 01:01 PM

For me it's the listenin' that rouses me from the doldrums. I can get lost in it, lose myself in it, and sometimes when I 'come back' I am newly energized and inspired and agog at the richness of human beings.

I don't have it in me to sing - although I'll gladly play guitar for someone else during those times- when the bottom of my belly falls out. That is NOT put very well but I am referring to an emptiness, a hollow space, that I sometimes feel.

If I had a good voice though, I can't imagine not wanting to share it. So keep on singing! There are many like me who will always love the song- and all of you who make it.

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: Wesley S
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 01:24 PM

There is something just so comfortable and dependable about the I,IV and V chords. The rest of the world may be unpredictable but I know the chorus will resolve on the I chord. And holding a well made instrument and feeling it vibrate against your chest is a feeling that technology will never be able to give me. And harmony parts with good friends around the table or in front of an appreciative audience? It's a wonder more folks haven't figured out why we're so hooked on this thing called folk music.

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 01:33 PM

Great thread, Amos. I didn't realise how much I missed my piano, esp. for playing when I am conflicted or down, until a couple of months ago when we got my sister's which we are housing for her until she can get it. It is the piano I grew up with, the one mom played when she and dad played together, when we all gathered round to sing and the one my brother played his own music and other classical music on, the one we all practised on for our piano lessons. The first time, after we got it, that I was incredibly bored and upset about things, I sat down and played the old pieces I used to play. I hardly needed the music at all, my fingers have not forgotten the movements, the spacing, the touch needed. It felt wonderful, even out of tune!

Mostly, I listen to certain music, though, when I have a specific need. That and SING. I am getting my voice back after about two-three years and that feels wonderful, too.

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: Amos
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 03:31 PM

Wow, KT, that was a thrill to read, thanks!

One aspect of the healing is that harmonious streams of sound, such as you feel against your chest cavity when you play, or hear when you sing or listen, are constructive and positive -- that's the way most human music is built. Dissonances resolve and the logic of that resolution seems impeccable and unstoppable. This, I find very encouraging when the real world looks like it's going to hell with no thought of turning around! :D

A

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: GUEST,Rowan
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 03:03 AM

There are people for whom music is just wallpaper. try as I may, I can't seem to understand their relationship to music. I find it difficult to get anything done if there is music within earshot; it grabs my attention and I can't leave it alone. Although I've experienced music as a solo activity it seems music in my life has always been a connection to social interractions.

Singing harmonies with others who are like-minded (about the harmonies) is one of the great uplifting experiences. Playing in a session with others you may have seen the night, or the year, before is another. Who needs drugs when the kick that such music gives can be so viscerally moving? Dance music can be just as uplifting, whether you're doing the dances or playing for others.

And it doesn't always need to be folk music in which you're actively participating to achieve this. Years ago I was at Mawson, which has a daily average windspeed of 30 knots; blizzards have windspeeds exceeding 60 knots and Mawson has an average of 100 such days a year. All this wind is howling through aerials, guy ropes, masts and other outside structures, flapping guys against things; an ever present noise in the foreground, not just the background.

One night I was on nightwatch, which meant that I had to check all the buildings and their oil-fired heaters every three hours. I also had to take the Met. Station readings and the powerhouse readings every three hours, This meant much traipsing between buildings, exposed to the wind. On one of my inspections of my own donga, Bernie mandelkern was working late and listening to his tape deck through headphones so others in the donga were not disturbed.

"Listen to this!" he said, as I passed his door, and gave me the headphones. I had never used headphones before, but it was magic. No wind; no noise! Just quintessence of civilisation! It might have been Brahms but it could have been almost any type of music at all; I was transported. I stayed only a few minutes, as I had to keep on my rounds, but it was a lifetime.

Since then I've learned concertina and, while they don't cause my chest cavity to resonate the way some of you have described, playing with others can perform the same trick. Music can be truly transcendental. I feel so lucky I've got ears that work!

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: KT
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 07:18 AM

Rowan, you said, " I find it difficult to get anything done if there is music within earshot; it grabs my attention and I can't leave it alone. " and " I feel so lucky I've got ears that work!" YES!!! I have thought so often, how very grateful I am for the gift of music, not just for the ability to make it, but for the gift of being able to APPRECIATE it. (THERE is the real gift....)And I have often thought, when things with the world seem to be spinning out of control, when all else may fall away, we still have music. On playing music with others, I say, "What could be more fun than a music party?"

Amos, you're most welcome! I speak the truth!

KT

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: Scrump
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 08:07 AM

As long as I can remember, since I was very young, I've always loved listening to music (of different sorts, not just folk) and since I learnt to play it, to make music too. I always used to assume everyone else was equally enthusiastic about music, but I now realise there do seem to be people around who just aren't that interested in it, as others have noted above. I guess it takes all sorts...

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: Mooh
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 09:38 AM

Music has saved me several times. I truly believe that it is through music that I understand so many other things. Faith, love, hope, charity, and other sicky sweet sentiments; and hate, fear, loss, and the deadly sins. Music opens the mind.

I make my living in music but didn't always. In fact, I put off the inevitable for years, acting in the belief that I wasn't ready, capable, worthy, or willing. Only after a period of unemployment, mental fatigue, and economic insecurity was I able to throw caution to the wind and do what I knew in my heart of hearts was the right thing...and should have done 20 years earlier!

I did feel for a while that "falling back on music" was a bit like taking the slacker's way out, but have come to understand that I had it reversed...I had never actually played my trump card, exploited my strengths, used my base abilities to help myself and my family. It was as if I had denied my childhood training as it wasn't an adult accomplishment. Dismissive and stupid, huh!

But music didn't seem to have a purpose for me that wasn't selfish, regardless of my volunteer work playing for the elderly, charity gigs and so forth. But not everything is fully revealed in this life. However, having lost some family members (I've written about some of them on the Mudcat) and consoling myself and others with music (music was a huge part of the memorial services held for family) it is music which calms and focuses my mind and heart.

Why do I play? In having an answer I found an answer wasn't needed. I was playing fingerstyle guitar hymns for my mother the moment she died. She loved hymn tunes, and loved that I was able to play them for her. It was pretty much the day she died that I realized that what I do doesn't have to be explained before the fact, and that the reason won't even necessarily be clear in this life. I am comforted to know that one reason I play was to be comfort to another, so I no longer feel selfish about what I do.

But never mind all that.

No excuses or explanation, my eyes are blue, and music drives me. Some things cannot be changed. But blue eyes won't comfort me the way music does. It is both within and without me, within and beyond my control. I play, therefore I am.

So then, music is my nature, maybe not brilliant, but purposeful.

The recent thread about Holst got me reacquainted with The Planets, and then on to Thomas Tallis, a brief flirt with Rampal, then Jethro Tull, some Peter Finger, inturrupted by the "job". A long time student shows up for his first lesson of the season with a new Godin guitar and Trayner tube amp, but surprised me not by finally mastering some Zeppelin solo but by doing a good take on "Kemp's", fingerstyle and sounding a bit like Bruce Cockburn. Not that long ago he couldn't quite get that C chord. Little does he know he's made my day, better than I can make it myself.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: mg
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 11:09 PM

Mick and others...if you seek out music that has problems in it, which of course some of the best music does....well, maybe you should at least supplement it with happier stuff. I think that is a very very important purpose of music..to lift our spirits, give us hope in a vale of woe. If all we revert to, and i am not saying you are, is more woe and more woe, we will be so overwhelmed we can't go out and function. I have never really bought the notion that people universally sang about their own trials. I think they sang about other people's preferably..at least my family did..sharecroppers in the south on my mother's side. Well, that is probably irrelevant.

But I think we have to be careful about how much additional woe we take on. There is plenty to go around probably in our own lives, and if we dwell too much on past wars and coal mine disasters etc. it can sap our strength for the trials we need to face of our own. See what I mean?

No everyone go out and get some polka music. It is supposed to be the healthiest of music for our hearts I have read.   mg

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: Amos
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 11:14 PM

Mooh:

Stunning truthness, and thanks.


A

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 06 - 12:02 AM

...falling back on music like it's some sort of crutch, brought out in times of distress to prop up some challenged, fabricated notion?

No way.

It's all there, born with you like legs or woven into you over time like a latticework of scars. Good, bad or indifferent, it's the soundtrack against which everything else plays. We are part of its ebb and flow, not the other way around. If anything, music falls back on you.

Subject: RE: Falling Back on Music
From: KT
Date: 09 Sep 06 - 12:26 AM

Mooh, your reflections on waiting 20 years to do what you "knew in your heart of hearts was the right thing" reminded me of a phrase I read years ago. It has stuck with me and resurfaces from time to time. "Leap, and the net will appear."

We have those inner promptings (knowing in my heart of hearts) for a reason. (We're supposed to listen to them)   Good on ya for listening!