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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 34^th 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

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