If you spend a little time tuning into the outside noises it becomes easy to understand that some early hominid probably tried to replicate the sounds he or she heard every day. Tapping on a tree or rock could produce sound as could clapping and shouting which was probably the first spontaneous music.
Music, as we know it, may have had its start with fish and birdsong.
In Florida, residents had become so distracted by sounds booming through their homes and apartments that they demanded the township do a study to determine where the noise was coming from. Fortunately, just before the commissioners were going to approve spending almost $50,000 to study the problem and eliminate it, a marine biologist contacted the board and told them it was the fish.
No one believed fish could be making the noise so the biologist gave them notebooks and had them record the time and duration of the noise. The dwelling owners jottings matched the recorded sounds he had been listening to with hydrophones under the water.
"The problem was black drum mating calls traveling at a low enough frequency and long enough wavelength to carry through sea walls, into the ground and through the construction of waterfront homes like the throbbing beat in a passing car." said Mr. Locasio, the researcher. "Their booming was like a water drip torture lasting for months."
Fish sounds have been documented as a way to attract mates, to show aggression and to express fear or distress, just like birdsong.
Males, in the bird world, have a responsibility to use song for calling out to other birds. The males do most of the singing and calling. When a bird sings it is generally done during a courtship ritual, he sings and sings trying to woo a female but when he calls he's really trying to stay in touch by remaining part of the flock and playing the role of protector.
I'm sure none of us would have trouble recollecting some song that has called out to us, that may have been used to woo us, or warn us of some action to come.
Music dates from the beginnings of the human race. It is one of the most ancient of arts
and can touch all of us deep in our core. It is a shared element that appeals to the whole bundle of perceptions that makes us distinct and part of humanity. Sounds from all genres and every part of the world can be incredibly melodious to the human ear. So melodious that even when we are not familiar with the sounds presentation at some base level of our humanity we can recognize and relate without knowing its history.
Like birdsong, humanities music can call to someone in the same manner a bird uses to call or sing to another bird.
Ancients thought understanding the language(music) of birds was a sign of great wisdom.
We aren't governed by birds.....but some inspirational music can make the most unmusical folks get up and move.
i was looking for an inspirational story that had a music component. Searching was not easy because there were so many but eventually i came across the donation of a piano to a hospital that had been built through many small donations. The piano became the centerpiece of the hospital lobby.
Here volunteers signed up to donate their time playing the piano for the hospital's patients and visitors.
All sorts of music is played throughout the day by the volunteers. Anyone can make requests creating an environment of divergent musical combinations. But what most struck me was when i continued researching the piano and came across the woman who had dedicated her life to this very same hospital. She had developed three vows that she lived by.
1. Purifing minds
2. Harmonizing society and
3. Freeing the world from disasters
Her guiding motto has been "instructing the rich and saving the poor."
Master Cheng Yen is a Buddhist nun that has spent her life trying to further her vows.
Following is a description of the work she has been involved in.
The Mission
Master Cheng Yen, a Buddhist nun from Taiwan, established the Tzu Chi Foundation in 1966. With its four major missions of Charity, Medicine, Education, and Culture, this organization has built hospitals, schools, and helped millions of people in need throughout the world. The Master's compassion for human suffering has moved millions of volunteers to serve selflessly throughout the world. She was awarded the Eisenhower Medallion for her contribution to world peace, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Master Cheng Yen understands that misery in this world is not solely due to poverty, but, also, to a lack of meaningful purpose in life. She believes that the most meaningful life is one of service to those in need. It is with this understanding that the Master serves as both the head of the Tzu Chi Foundation and as its Buddhist spiritual leader.
What a wonderful speaker i found while investigating music. If you would like to learn more about her there is a more detailed piece at Wikipedia.
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