Small words, short sentences and big ideas
By Frances M. Balodis M.Ed., A.R.C.T

The best way to get your message across is to use small words, short sentences and big ideas. Who can argue? The simplest phrases make the spirit soar! The baby's fine. The tests were negative. Welcome to the firm. I do.

How does a composer get the message across? The composer's smallest unit is one note. Powerful Beethoven used one note three times in his famous symphony. He then added one more note and this added special World War II meaning to this musical message. Short and powerful.

How does a musician send out a message in the performance? The short crisp Italian symbols help the musician communicate the expression to the audience. These symbols are often only one letter, yet they convey a world of meaning.

When we do not hear music with understanding we can become confused with the musical message. There are too many notes, too many instruments, too many sounds cluttering our ear. Try listening to one instrument for a while or try listening to a pattern of notes before trying to take in the whole sound. When listening becomes less frustrating the message has better reception.

To get your message across in music, be brief. Use a few notes and short phrases and this will grow into big sound ideas. More listeners would have a meaningful experience with music if they could hear it.