In Search of the Lost Melody
In the old days, a song meant a melody. A melody is a sequence of notes with a beginning, middle and end. It is constructed from phrases, not simply a phrase repeated over and over. It is not a sequence of sounds, sound effects, or random noises. It is not a series of screeches or unintelligible monologue. It is a series of musical notes with meaning. In the old days, songs were song or played on a melodic instrument, like flute or fiddle. They may or may not have been accompanied by strums on a harp, guitar, or something similar. If they were rhythmic, they might be accompanied by tapping or...
Read MoreWhat Is a “Timeless Melody?”
The magic of music is the melody. It always amazes me that a simple string of notes can pack such power. Let's see if we can identify some criteria that define a great melody:
Read MoreWhat Makes Music Jewish?
This article attempts to deal with that classic question, what is Jewish music? Here I present my own spin on the issue, boiling it down to three criteria that must be met for music to deserve the title of “Jewish music.” Check it out here.
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