the frequency A 440, ANY of them, really, has EXISTED, um, perhaps forever or somethin, LONG before
WE HUMANS IN THE WEST
gave it a NAME and a NUMBER.
it’s a SOUND, or vibration or whatever, and it predates ONE CULTURE’S measurements and things by very far.
it existed, and exists, whether WE or ANYONE gives it a LABEL or NOT. it just IS.
how bout that.
seriously, think about that, so often we feel like if mommy or daddy doesn’t notice us, (rightly so, in that case,) that we don’t exist, so to speak.
but as we grow older, surely (not always) we must learn things such as
- our feelings, existence, etc, ARE Valid, THEMSELVES< with OR without validation from others, in the form of facebook likes, or something similar, fame, etc.
we are not defined in terms of others. to define ourselves that way….seriously, just don’t do it.friends’ comments on this were as follows:
me:
it’s the same with rhythms. grid or no grid (16th notes and such I mean.) they exist independent of this, like Swing. and some African rhythms, some of em are “kinda crazy” if you think of them in a strict western grid sense. some of em’s on the in between.friend 1:
” There is a current math problem that asks whether numbers exist whether or not humans are there to think about them. Are numbers a part of the physical world or are they a human construct? It’s an interesting question and there are many different schools of thought in the issue. What you said about frequencies reminded me of it.”me:
” reminds me of The Matrix (3rd Film, Revolutions.) they ask the same questions of LOVE, whether it is a Human Emotion, or a word.
I tend towards the “I exist whether I am visible to/approved of by others, or not” school of thought myself.
I mean, nevermind hollywood, and the Society of the Spectacle (a book by GUY DEBORD.)
and fuck the Space Monkeys and others like them in FIGHT CLUB.
it’s not about being part of groups. we’re OURSELVES, first. and last.”
friend 2:
“My question that correlates to your statement is: Are we creating music or discovering music? One answer leads to us as the creator of the music experience. Another answer leads to someone or something creating the foundation for discovering music. If you look to the harmonic sequence and the evolution of music from chant to today you can see the pattern of consonance (early chant 8th, 5ths, and 4ths, to harmony (classical Maj 3rds min 3rds) to dissonance (chromaticism) progressing through time to eventual inclusion of all intervals based on the harmonic sequence. Are we creating or discovering? Have fun with this Mike.”friend 3:
“duuude yes. for some years now I’ve been thinking about writing music as a form of discovery rather than creation. and i am especially inclined to believe this is the case because of those moments when i get a really great melody rhythm or progression and i wasnt even trying. it’s almost accidental. and the process of developing musical skills is similar to developing ones abilities to detect things in the environment. you add to your skill set so that you can find music more efficiently. thats my is my hypothesis.”
friend 4:
“Well the “sound” part only takes place in our heads, and doesn’t really exist outside that moment of experience, but yea, 440 probably only exists because that was the most affordable amount of pipe to make an A on an organ or something.”