When
thinking about issues and problems apply the principles of the song. What are
the verses of the problem? What is its narrative? What are its various
components or differing aspects? When analysing the verses of the problem what
chorus emerges? What is consistently emphasised as each verse passes by? This
aspect may well be the major, underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
This blog explores how music's creative principles and practices can be applied to everyday life and work.
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Turn your problem into a song
The
song is one of the oldest and most enduring of musical structures. It has a
simple form: verses narrate the song’s story and a chorus encapsulates its key
message. As the verse carries the burden of the narrative, its tune is usually
less memorable than that of the chorus. The chorus needs a memorable, catchy
tune in order to highlight the key message and help people sing along.
Friday, 26 October 2012
Time shift
One of
the most famous musical examples of time shifting is Prokofiev’s Classical
Symphony. In the words of Prokofiev, his Classical Symphony is ‘as Haydn (one
of the greatest composers of the 18th century) might have written it had he
lived in our day’.
Listening
to this symphony can be likened to the experience of meeting an old friend
after a long time apart. They will have moved on with their life and updated
their image and wardrobe but their essential character and what originally
made them attractive still shines through (perhaps even more brightly than
before). As a result, we are reminded of the worth of the person and how our
friendship with them enhances us.
Prokofiev’s
symphony is written in his own modern style but Haydn’s spirit pervades it.
Formality and correctness of structure where very important in Haydn’s time, so
great care and attention is given to the overall form and balance of the
symphony. Additionally, and more specifically, the piece is brim full with the
spirit of fun, wit and invention that was so characteristic of Haydn’s personal
style.
By
time shifting the spirit of Haydn’s music to within his own modern musical
style, Prokofiev creates an innovative symphony that not only stimulates the
ear but also invites the listener to revisit and perhaps more greatly
appreciate the principles at the heart of Haydn’s classical approach.
We too
can use time shifting. Like Prokofiev we can adapt a past approach to a current
challenge or problem. We can also gain new perspectives on problems and
additional ideas about how to address them by placing them in the future or the
past.
Ask
yourself the following questions:
· How does the problem look when placed in the future? What would it look like in a few weeks, 1 year, 10 or more years from now? How does the way you view it change and what are the implications of this? What insights have you gained and how could they help you deal with the problem now?
· How does the problem look when placed in the past? What would it have looked like a few weeks, 1 year, 10 or more years ago? How does the way you view it change and what are the implications of this? What insights have you gained and how could they help you deal with the problem now?
· How would you have solved the problem a few weeks, 1 year, 10 or more years ago? Can the approach be adapted to your current situation? How can you do this successfully?
· How would you solve the problem in a few weeks, 1 year, 10 or more years from now? Can the approach be adapted to your current situation? How can you do this successfully?
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