Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
Making music
Jan keeps an extensive collection of her favorite music on her iPhone. Some time ago she was playing a duet by Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo singing a song from “The Color Purple” Broadway musical. These two women have pipes that won’t quit, and the emotion they put into the song was enough to bring tears as we listened.
Just yesterday I was listening to some performers on “America’s Got Talent” when the Ndoku Choir of youngsters from South Africa performed and got into the semi-finals. The big shame is that they didn’t make to the finals, sometime in the next few weeks. However, the time they spent singing and dancing on the stage was uplifting and powerful. I’m sure this group, that has already performed in many big venues, will continue to send their message of youthful hope and exuberance to thousands of people.
I wonder about the origin of music. Who sang the first few notes and recognized their potential? Who invented the first little reed or clay object with holes that produced pleasant sounds when human breath was added? Was it just one person, thousands of years ago? Or, did people in different regions discover music simultaneously?
Of course these thoughts resulted in a Google search of the origins of music. No one can be sure, but sources state that human endeavors with making musical sounds have been around for at least 35,000 to 40,000 years. Perhaps the first instrument was a simple flute. The Smithsonian Museum has a picture of an early flute carved out of Wooly Mammoth ivory. The flute had three finger holes and could produce 5 distinct notes.
The oldest written music was found in Syria and dates to 1400 BCE. Words and what appear to be musical annotations are inscribed on clay tablets. The are called “the Hurrian Hymns”, to be played on a 9 string lyre. Hurrian Hymn # 6 is on the largest clay fragment and was allegedly written in honor of the Goddess Nikkal. Hers is the honor of being the wife of the Moon God and the mother of the Sun God. I’m impressed by this homage to a Goddess.
Three thousand and four hundred years later we are still captives to the beauty and elegance of music. I don’t know what my favorite instrument is, but the human voice is at the top of my list. When two or more people gather to blend their voices I am instantly transported to a soul/brain place where joy and happiness and sorrow are able to co-exist. Music can move me to tears. It can get body parts dancing or keeping time. Music sometimes makes my chest swell with sheer pleasure.
My mother was a pianist and my father loved to sing. Together they influenced me to pay attention to different musical genres. So I grew up loving instrumental music as well as vocal renditions of gorgeous songs. My listening pleasure is upheld by everything from classical to soul and blues to rock and roll to “new age”. I love most musicals and know the words to some of their songs. I have an extensive playlist of artists that I have followed for most of my life. These are people and performances that have gotten me through times of trouble as well as joyful occasions.
Perhaps some of my happiest moments have been when I choose music to play while I write. Or, when I was doing stained glass pieces I would cut glass for hours while listening to my favorites. I have gone for long walks, accompanied by the latest version of a Walkman – which to me is one of the most brilliant inventions ever. And, singing in a church choir is as close an encounter to God as I can imagine.
I am grateful to have been raised with music in my childhood homes. It has been a lasting legacy that has made life richer and happier. I can’t imagine life without it.