Coasting through Lent

Today marks the halfway point between Ash Wednesday and Easter. The rhythms of the Lenten season are becoming more practiced and this day finds me with a grateful appreciation of the rise and fall of each new day - a measured flow, yet varied. Waking up this morning, I feel cradled me in a coasting mode. Seems I simply need to let my body seek its own pace. It was the first day in a long time that I haven’t woken up to the alarm. Tuning in to Blue Lake Public Radio seems like the perfect way to ease into the day.
Referencing an online glossary of terms, (http://www.classicalworks.com/html/glossary.html)
allowed for some sweet analogies for this Thursday of the third week of Lent and prompts some questions to be asked of me and you….

Is your day flowing harmoniously or are discordant notes interrupting your hours?
What themes are moving through your days?
Which of the following musical terms describe where you are today?


Fugue - A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition, each voice enters at different times, creating counterpoint with one another

Exposition -The first section of a movement written in sonata form, introducing the melodies and themes.

Sonata -Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo, rhythm, and melody; but are held together by subject and style.

Sonata form - A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition, a development, or recapitulation.


Counterpoint - Two or three melodic lines played at the same time

Legato - Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.

Staccato - Short detached notes, as opposed to legato

Rococo - A musical style characterized as excessive, ornamental, and trivial.

Serenade - A lighthearted piece, written in several movements, usually as background music for a social function.

Requiem - A dirge, hymn, or musical service for the repose of the dead.

Refrain - A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.

Pastoral - A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.

Monotone Repetition of a single tone.

Minor - One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark, melancholic mood.

Major - One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.

Hymn - A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.

Grave - Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.

Galliard - Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.

Forte - A symbol indicating to play loud.

Piano - An instruction in sheet music to play softly.

Fermata - To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.

Drone - Dull, monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.

Dissonance - Harsh, discordant, and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.

Coasting into this Lenten day, I'm grateful for the variety of tones, rhythms, styles, notes of the musical forms - & how these metaphorically play out in my days; for Bonnie Bierma at Blue Lake (you can listen here: http://bluelake.ncats.net/) and ears with which to hear the music.