I've been ruminating on something that was said in the 1920's when an artist was asked to explain the movement into Jazz and swing.
He said
"If it ain't got that swing it don't mean a thing."
What are we to do with such a statement?
What was he telling us.
Here's what, in the absence of the artist, (as I cannot ask him) I have come up with.
He was saying , In my ignorant view that form is secondary, that technique, non essential
a mere means to an end,
Even in this reductionist view these things we perceive in music collapse and fall apart if the essential ingredient is missing in part or all.
But what is this swing that bends all of music to serve it's purpose?
Before we think it moves us.
Before we can even formulate a response it changes us.
It's been set forth as being the only thing that gives meaning to music.
So why didn't he just say that if that what he meant?
Given the amount and degree of speculative thinking that has already been put forth I mine as well go bat shit cray and offer this:
"The heart hath reason that reason knowth not."
Music is a thing of the heart. When it moves us it moves us from the heart. Understanding music may well engage our minds, but our minds do not tell us to move when the bands begins to play.
As it is a thing of the heart it must reach the heart.
When it does not music fails it's purpose.
So how may music assure itself through all it's iterations of reaching the heart?
There is forever and always but one way to ensure any thing we do can reach the heart, when it comes straight from the heart.
So I boil it down like this,
Swing = sincerity.
If nobody put their heart into it no body can take heart from it.
When a sentiment is a true expression of a single heart
it reaches out though music to join all hearts in unison.
No amount of music theory can do that. No.
All theory is after the fact, it arrives after the dance is over. I'm not saying that there's nothing to be gained from intellectual examination. I'm just saying that its not music, It us thinking about music.
"If it hasn't got that swing, it don't mean a thing."
As a side note it goes a long way toward understanding
Why
"Music hath the power to sooth the savage beast."
Because it speaks to it's savage heart.
One cannot reason with a savage beast
But music completely bypasses reason and speaks directly to the heart.
In every case the heart when spoken to is soothed.
"Hello in there, hello."
,
He said
"If it ain't got that swing it don't mean a thing."
What are we to do with such a statement?
What was he telling us.
Here's what, in the absence of the artist, (as I cannot ask him) I have come up with.
He was saying , In my ignorant view that form is secondary, that technique, non essential
a mere means to an end,
Even in this reductionist view these things we perceive in music collapse and fall apart if the essential ingredient is missing in part or all.
But what is this swing that bends all of music to serve it's purpose?
Before we think it moves us.
Before we can even formulate a response it changes us.
It's been set forth as being the only thing that gives meaning to music.
So why didn't he just say that if that what he meant?
Given the amount and degree of speculative thinking that has already been put forth I mine as well go bat shit cray and offer this:
"The heart hath reason that reason knowth not."
Music is a thing of the heart. When it moves us it moves us from the heart. Understanding music may well engage our minds, but our minds do not tell us to move when the bands begins to play.
As it is a thing of the heart it must reach the heart.
When it does not music fails it's purpose.
So how may music assure itself through all it's iterations of reaching the heart?
There is forever and always but one way to ensure any thing we do can reach the heart, when it comes straight from the heart.
So I boil it down like this,
Swing = sincerity.
If nobody put their heart into it no body can take heart from it.
When a sentiment is a true expression of a single heart
it reaches out though music to join all hearts in unison.
No amount of music theory can do that. No.
All theory is after the fact, it arrives after the dance is over. I'm not saying that there's nothing to be gained from intellectual examination. I'm just saying that its not music, It us thinking about music.
"If it hasn't got that swing, it don't mean a thing."
As a side note it goes a long way toward understanding
Why
"Music hath the power to sooth the savage beast."
Because it speaks to it's savage heart.
One cannot reason with a savage beast
But music completely bypasses reason and speaks directly to the heart.
In every case the heart when spoken to is soothed.
"Hello in there, hello."
,
