Friday, September 7, 2012

Listening To The Beat




 


I realized early on that my son would have a talent for music.  Not only does he have a natural ear where the boy can simply listen to a song for a while and then be able to play it on his own, he also has a talent for playing the instruments.  Growing up, he messed around with various things like the piano, bassoon, and different drums.  My favorite was the snare drums he played when he was in his high school's marching band.  I would attend every home game...not for the football...but to see my son and his friends ripping through their drum solos like it was the only place they wanted to be on a Friday night.

For some reason I woke up this morning thinking about those old drum days and realized how I approach my writing is the same way my son played those snare drums.  It's all about the beat.  The ebb and flow of a great song and a great story go hand in hand.  While my son is gifted in many way, he is no genius, so like the rest of us he had to develop a certain amount of skills to be able to play the drums.  I have spent the past two years studying, learning, developing my own writing skills so that I may produce the best sounding stories I can.

My son went to band camp every summer and spent many hours throughout the school week practicing on those drums.  Many a night I sat in my living room and listened to him as he listened for the beat behind a closed bedroom door.  It's the same way with my writing.  The hours, days, months, and now years I have put into my writing has helped me create my own beat...a sound and song which helps to identify my own writer's voice in this writing world.

Of all the musical instruments my son worked with over the years, I think he loved the drums the best.  Think about it. Most songs today have a strong drum base...a foundation where the rest of the melody is built around it.  And if my skills as a writer are MY drum beat and the foundation on which my stories will be built, then oh what lovely melodies I shall create!

And my son...he was good but never as good as this...







15 comments:

  1. "if my skills as a writer are MY drum beat and the foundation on which my stories will be built, then oh what lovely melodies I shall create!"

    Beautiful! Music is so important.

    Love the analogy. I've always wanted to play the drums, and have it on my bucket list...that's another story -- but it has also influenced my writing.

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    1. Hi Yolanda! I agree...music has always been a part of my soul...good music is always that...no matter the platform. I'm glad you liked the analogy...you will find that my blog is based on writing analogies. Look around when you have a moment...all the way back to my very first post I'm comparing writing to all sorts of things...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. You heard music in the womb. You weren't writing in there,too. Were you? I'll bet you were taking notes.

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    1. Lol, Janet, don't give ALL my secrets away...although I think having a grandfather who was a composer probably helped some...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. Coincidence abounds. It is strange because I have been deaf in one ear for a long time and have accepted without question I am tone deaf. Just recently though I have looked at music and bought myself an electronic keyboard.

    Whilst thinking I was tone deaf, maths has never been a problem and I soon recognised patterns to music. I have only had the keyboard a week and have learnt five songs (three to completion). I am now looking into composing using mathematical formulae as opposed to musical creativity.

    Be kind and spare a prayer for my neighbours.

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    1. Just give your neighbors ear plugs. But don't stop playing. (Except to write more.)

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    2. Oh, JP...where have you been lurking, my friend? I hope it has been to focus on more of your wonderful writing! I'm glad you have discovered the beauty in music, even if from a mathamatical viewpoint and congratulations on learning those songs. I have had a piano in my living room that my son played on for years and now it's gathering dust. I would LOVE the chance to learn but simply don't have the time to add that goal to an already overflowing plate...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. This is an excellent analogy! As a musician, I can relate

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    1. Hi Heather! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. Good post. Drummers are the backbone of any band. I'm trying to talk one of my daughters into taking up drums. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. Yours is lovely too. I especially like the font on the headings. So whimsical.

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    1. Hi Jen and welcome to my blog! I was always envious of my son's "easy" ability when it came to music and the martial arts. I guess I got back at him though...I'm now a 4th Degree and he is still a Senior Third Degree...go Momma! Lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. Great analogy! Now to lock myself in a room and practice...lol. Writing that is!

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    1. Hi Diane! Lol...THAT'S what I need to do...lock myself in a room...let's just hope it's not a PADDED ONE! ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. Cool! Is your son in a band?

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    1. Hi Erik! I've been LOOKING for you! Did you not know you WON a prize pack from my last contest?

      And no, my son is not in a band at this moment...he is in nursing school and working at a hospital about a mile from my house. But he played a lot of music as he was growing up and has a deep appreciation for all types of music...just like his Momma! ;~)

      Please send me your mailing address through my email donasdays (at) gmail (dot) com so I can get these books to you!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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