In an exerpt from a book of photographs and writings from a variety of photographers and writers titled America 24/7 writer Naomi Shihab Nye writes of how she was influenced by the truths her parents had come to know, such as how, “All the world’s citizens were mixing themselves together by now, in order to survive. Along the way, we would learn to respect everyone else, especially the people who weren’t just like us. It was obvious, essential.” (by Naomi Shihab Nye)
Next to her writing was placed a photo by Gary Fandel of neighborhood children playing for a gathering of their parents on the sidewalk between their homes.
It made me recall how my daughters would combine their musical talents with those of their cousins and put on impromptu performances at our family get togethers in our respective homes.
Certainly one voice can carry a tune. But if that voice holds but only a single sustained note, without change by raising or lowering it’s pitch, it becomes monotonous.
It is challenging to keep the rising and falling, the depth and lightness of the notes in proper order or sequence without becoming painful to the ear and straining to the senses.
And by adding emotion and influence as well the sound could become raucous and chaotic.
But if you get the mix just right it can become a gelling that can cause the body to sway, swivel, quiver, to laugh and weep.
The words in Nayomi Shihab Nye’s poem Famous accessable to read at this link:
Famous:Poetry Out Loud has a similar flow and familiarity as that which draws us to the music and songs we hold dear and relate to.
Truely a sustained note can have it’s own singular beauty, but when it’s breath runs out the music stops, and there is only silence.
Let our loudest voices the ones in harmonious song.