Music Mimics Life

Monday, April 13, 2009

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Consider the song "Christ Arose." On Resurrection Sunday, this song is always a favorite. It is a great example of a song in which the music says the same thing the lyrics are saying. The music enhances, beautifies, strengthens and reinforces the message of the text.

"Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior"
What is sadder than the death of someone you love? Consider how someone acts when they are deeply saddened: slow, smooth movements, no sudden motions, not very active, head bowed, talking quietly. The music here imitates the physical aspects of the emotion of sadness by being sung slowly and quietly. The music notes themselves encompass only three neighboring pitches.

"Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord"
These phrases reflect quiet anticipation. Something big is about to happen! The music builds up to a big contrast in energy by remaining slow and soft, and even ritarding at the end of the phrase.

"Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes!"
Now we increase the energy by singing louder and faster, and the notes move in upward motion, recreating the physical movement of the rising Lord. Musical notes themselves do not have actual vertical or horizontal properties in space, but they do move from slower vibrations (lower pitches indicating less excitement) to faster vibrations (higher pitches, indicating more excitement). The music also contains larger movements and leaps when moving from one pitch to another.

"He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign"
Someone who has won a tremendous battle is enthusiastic and energetic, and this continuing emotion emanates from the music.

"He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!"
People who are excited about something tend to repeat themselves, telling the good news over and over, to one person after another.

Notice here also the wonderful use of putting normally accented syllables on musically accented beats. In normal English usage, in the word "arose," the "a" is unaccented, the "rose" is accented. On the musical side, the syllable "rose" comes on the strongly accented first beat of the measure. Also, in the word "hallelujah," the "lu" is the accented syllable when spoken, and, again, the "lu" is put on the accented first beat in the music.

In summary, music can reflect emotion by imitating human physical responses to emotion. Messages of sadness, happiness, anger, contentment, contemplation, rebellion, sexual arousal, fear, love, hope, etc., can all be communicated by music through the manipulation of musical elements to mimic the physical actions associated with each state of mind.

Music is a powerful tool for communication. Let's use music to communicate the wonderful truths of God's Word

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Curtis Hollembeak

Curtis holds a bachelor's degree in Bible with a music minor, as well as a master's degree in Sacred Music, having studied under Dr. Frank Garlock, president of Majesty Music, and Ray and Ann Gibbs, well-known Christian singers. He has served as music director and jr. high/high school supervisor at Grace Baptist Church of Mankato, Minnesota; school music director at the Franklin Road Christian School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; media engineer for the Sword of the Lord in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and, full-time music director at Second Baptist Church and Twin City Christian Academy in Festus, Missouri. He is currently self-employed and serves in the music ministry of the Berean Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. Curtis is co-founder and President of the Asaph Music Co. He regularly sings bass with the Bible Truth Chorale on recordings produced by Bible Truth Music at Faith Music Missions.