sounds of discord
dissonance
where and when
least expected
it is assumed
harmony just happens
when right notes are played
classic thirds and fifths
stacked triads
basic building blocks
producing what the ear is tuned to hear
an occasional fourth, sixth…. seventh
coloring, warming
bringing interest
motion
tension – resolution
nothing to jar the spirit
if anything,
welcome additions,
departures from the rudimentary
then the cat walks on the piano
hands cramp
fists pound keys intended for fingers
delicate and precise
sometimes random – like the cat
other times with forethought – the fists
not necessarily malicious
but mindful nonetheless
the spiky augmented fourth
– the “tritone” –
diabolus en musica
exactly half way
between unison octaves.
something to that location
perhaps?
unexpected and striking.
wrong to the uninitiated ear.
first impulse –
contraction or expansion
bring back the trusted fourth or fifth
I know what to do with that
how to listen and enjoy
for myself.
produce expected harmonies
for others.
love for Mozart serves me well here
classic sensibilities
life imitating art
what then,
when we discover beauty
in the discord?
it’s there – ask Bernstein
West Side Story.
not always happy
always beautiful
Is there room for both familiarity
and unknown frontiers?
or have they always been there
cleverly hidden?
art says yes
88 keys let us do it
at will
or accidentally
how many notes on the keyboard of life?
defying atrophy 