Monday, April 28, 2014

Postlude

In music, a “postlude” is the final prt of a piece of music.  Often in a church service one will hear a postlude, often performed on an organ. 

A concluding passage in a speech can often be referred to as a “postlude” as well.

I’ve had to sit through a few postludes in boring sermons, and I’m not talking about just one postlude.  Once, there was this preacher and I tell you he did about six postludes.  He was what you might call “wound tight” and had a lot to say.

Most postludes, however, are mostly pleasant to endure.


P Michael Biggs
Offering Up-Moments
One Moment at a Time


Monday, April 21, 2014

Flat

In music, a “flat” means to lower in pitch by a half step.  Flatted notes are often referred to accidentals as well. 

Flatted notes can often add a rich color to a piece of music when used in the right proportions.

In music, I love flats. 

On automobiles – not so much.



P Michael Biggs
Offering Up-Moments
One Moment at a Time


Friday, April 18, 2014

Fanfare

A “fanfare” in musical terms is a short piece signifying perhaps the arrival of an important person, or preceding an important announcement.

When you arrive home and announce “I’m here”, that is a fanfare.  I suppose someone smelling your bad breath or smelly feet when in close proximity to you is also a fanfare, but those instances are rarely referred to in those circumstances.

I heard a loud muffler once coming from an ancient Volkswagen.  That definitely was a fanfare.

Just saying.



P Michael Biggs
Offering Up-Moments
One Moment at a Time


Monday, April 14, 2014

Technique

In musical lingo, the word “technique” refers to one’s ability to perform a skill.  It is said that Van Cliburn, the world-renowned pianist had impeccable technique.  He was a master at developing his technique. 

I have technique as a ping pong player, and as a drummer, even as a singer and conductor.  You do too, in whatever skill specialty you have developed. 

And I think I have my own style/technique as a writer.  How about that?

Technique can be applied in almost every area of life – even in how you relate to and love your spouse. 

A love technique – I think I love that.


P Michael Biggs
Offering Up-Moments
One Moment at a Time


Friday, April 11, 2014

Percussion

A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck.  Common examples of percussion instruments include: tympani, snare drum, bass drum, bongos, congas, etc.

I am a proud percussionist from back in the day.  Once when my nephew Steve was visiting I mentioned that I was percussion major in college.  He asked what that meant and I said “percussion means to strike or hit.”

He hit me on the arm and said, “I just percussed you.”

Not bad for a six year old (at that time).


P Michael Biggs
Offering Up-Moments
One Moment at a Time


Monday, April 07, 2014

Grave

“Grave” in musical circles means a serious and often slow piece of music. 

I suppose “grave” music could be played at someone’s grave – a place of final resting. 


A “grave mistake, on the other hand, is a serious misstep in judgment.  Someone usually blows it big time if something is referred to as a “grave mistake.”

Try this sentence on for size:  A “grave” musical score was played at the “grave” of the once famous inventor, who died after making a “grave mistake” when his lab blew up in his face.”


P Michael Biggs
Offering Up-Moments
One Moment at a Time


Friday, April 04, 2014

Bar

In musical notation, a bar (or measure) is a segment of time defined by a given number of beats, each of which are assigned a particular note value.  Dividing music into bars provides regular reference points to pinpoint locations within a piece of music.

If I told an orchestra this:  “We will begin at bar 34”,
everyone would know immediately and exactly where to begin playing. 

I suppose I could also say “meet me at the 34th Street Bar” and some of you would know where to go for that meeting.  But let’s not go there right now.

At least in music, when we meet at a designated bar we don’t inhibit our abilities – usually.


P Michael Biggs
Offering Up-Moments
One Moment at a Time