as sound to the ear, as music in the listener

As background, as instruction, or as aesthetic interest, sound is always outside of us. Sound surrounds us perpetually. Music, on the other hand, as language, as expression, as impression, as necessity, music occurs within us. Music is recognized only within the individual. Listening to notes being played on a given instrument, as informed to the one reading, and thus playing the notes and guidelines printed on a sheet, gives us externally the sounds by which we may conceive a musical experience within.

“Birds sing”, “lions roar”, “dogs bark”. All are merely communicating – intrinsically, extrinsically the same. Intrinsic is the inner self, extrinsic the communication instinct, a social need. However, humans read only the communication of birds as singing, as music.

Sound is outside, music is within. In its greatness, essence, and expression, music comes from within. There are those who sing passionately and loudly, even though many listeners will judge their singing as bad. Nevertheless, music lives within that singer.

Sound enters the ear, and becomes music through the way in which we individually listen, based on states of mind, heart, soul, and perhaps a few additional bodily organs revealing the internal music experience.

– October 2024