Word painting is a technique used by composers and song writers to highlight the meaning of words and phrases. This meaning can be physical, abstract, or emotional: e.g., ragged, jagged music for words describing uneven ground; fluttering, shimmering music for words describing angels and heaven; yearning, sighing music for words describing love.
The Baroque composer Handel did a lot of word painting, and today's songwriters still do it. (Here are some examples of Handel's word painting, and this Wikipedia page not only explores Handel's word painting but also provides examples from contemporary songs.)
Musical word painting increases the impact words and phrases have upon listeners; it makes words and phrases stimulating and enjoyable to hear; it makes meanings memorable.
The best musical word painters, as the above Wikipedia page clearly shows, are some of the most successful and popular of musicians: their music is fondly remembered and sought-after by concert-goers.
We can all benefit from the principle underpinning musical word painting; we can all make our words and phrases stimulating and memorable by incorporating them into rich and colourful pictures.
We can do this by framing our words within personal stories and anecdotes, supporting our words with relevant and memorable photographs and graphics, and forming our words into rich metaphors and impactful phrases. We can even do the most obvious thing: we can write in colours that emphasise the meaning and feeling of our words.
If we make our words and phrases stimulating and memorable, we increase their ability to influence and inspire: to influence people to our way of thinking and inspire people to think and act innovatively.
But lastly, a word of caution.
Some people have ridiculed the use of musical word painting, calling it (among other unflattering things) childish and naïve. These ridiculers have included composers. For example, Thomas Campion (a renaissance song writer) said that "where the nature of everie word is precisely expressed in the Note… such childish observing of words is altogether ridiculous".
The reasons for this ridicule can be personal, social and cultural. Perhaps a person has stoical values that eschew making dramatic gestures and expressing emotions. Perhaps a person lives within a society that is similarly stoical: which seeks to hide overt gesture and emotion beneath a cultural blanket of withering admonishments.
Music, like most things, suffers as a result of ridicule; it becomes a barely heard and distorted echo of what it could be.
Do not allow your words to suffer in a similar way. Do not allow them to become a faintly heard whisper of what you wanted to express. Do not allow ridicule to fade your words to grey.
Paint your words colourfully and with pride.
I recently listened to the orchestral piece "Midnight Sun Variations" by the Finnish composer Outi Tarkiainen. When I heard the title, I immediately assumed the piece was a set of musical variations in the traditional sense (i.e., a number of movements or sections that are derived from an initial melody, each of which develops the melody in different and creative ways).
When I listened to the composer talk about her piece, however, I realised my assumption was incorrect. Outi Tarkiainen said that her piece was not a set of variations in the above traditional sense; instead, it was a musical depiction of the ever-changing light that plays upon the tundra and dense forests of the Northern Finnish landscape during late summer: a time when midnight sun slowly gives way to darkness.
This change of meaning immediately altered my perception and expectations of Outi Tarkiainen's piece, which made me listen to and appreciate the music in a new and refreshing way.
Because of our education, training and experiences, etc., some words and phrases have specific meanings for us: meanings that have become hardwired into our way of thinking about and perceiving things (as illustrated by my assumption about the meaning of the word "variations", which my musical education had embedded into my mind).
The next time someone describes a problem to you, check out your assumptions about the way it is being described. What do the words used to describe the problem mean to the person saying them? How does this meaning differ from the one you were assuming? Does this different meaning alter the way you perceive the problem? Does this new perception of the problem suggest new ways to address the problem?
After performing a concerto at a concert, and taking several bows in recognition of the audience's applause and acclaim, a soloist will often play an encore.
This is a short piece played in recognition of the audience's appreciation. It will in some way contrast with or complement the concerto previously performed and also provide an additional opportunity for the soloist to show off his or her musical skills, be this fast-fingered passage work or the ability to express the beauty of a simple melody.
Traditionally, the encore has kept the spotlight on the soloist. Recently, however, soloists have begun to share the spotlight with others. This happened during a 2019 Promenade Concert. Joshua Bell had performed the Dvorak Violin Concerto. As an encore, he joined two players from the orchestra to perform another piece by Dvorak: a movement from the Cavatina for Two Violins and Viola.
Apart from providing novelty, which the audience enjoyed, this encore achieved three other things:
- It demonstrated Joshua Bell's willingness to share the spotlight with others.
- It publicly acknowledged the skills of the orchestra and their contribution to the successful performance of the Dvorak Concerto. (The second violin player was the leader of the orchestra; this symbolism would have been appreciated by audience and orchestra alike.)
- It shone a spotlight on a section of the orchestra that almost always plays a supporting part: the violas.
We can all benefit from adopting and adapting Joshua Bell's encore approach. Make sure those who support your achievements are able to share the spotlight of your recognition. Focus especially upon those who usually play supportive parts in the background. Offer your supporters meaningful roles in follow-up and "spin-off" projects and events. When you are invited to make presentations about your achievements, ensure your supporters are given the opportunity to speak about how they helped you. When you are asked to write about your achievements, do not only acknowledge the help you received but also include descriptions of how the skills and expertise of your supporters were essential to success. When awards are given to you, find ways to ensure your helpers and supporters receive their share of the acclaim.
By doing the above, you will demonstrate your generosity and willingness to acknowledge the expertise and contributions of others.
People will remember how you shared your encore; they will remember your generosity and willingness to share the spotlight.
And the next time you need help, it will be willingly given.
Word painting is a technique used by composers and song writers to highlight the meaning of words and phrases. This meaning can be physical, abstract, or emotional: e.g., ragged, jagged music for words describing uneven ground; fluttering, shimmering music for words describing angels and heaven; yearning, sighing music for words describing love. 
