Cadence

From the time I was seven until I was 16, I studied music. With the help of a private teacher, I took exams with the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music, being assessed on the fundamentals of music -- the elements of making it and playing it.

One of things I learned was how to recognize harmonic cadences, the progression of chords that concludes a phrase, section or an entire piece of music. Think of this as musical punctuations -- is it a comma and is there more to come? Or, is it a period, foreshadowing the close of a brilliant masterpiece?

It was hard to memorise the different types of cadences and their purpose. But I found that when I stopped questioning and just listened, the music will almost always speak for itself -- you can feel the lift that takes you into a refrain, the slight sauntering of chords into a new verse or the comforting, conclusive resolution that you can sink into at the end of the song.

Last week, I heard the word 'cadence' used in a different way. It was used to describe the frequency and type of touches used in marketing campaigns. The question in point: What is the right cadence -- how often, to what degree and what type of communications -- to start a relationship, to deepen one or to relinquish all ties with our clients.

At first I thought -- here we go, the English language being abused yet again. But then, of course -- what perfect sense! What is the ultimate rhythmic sequence and flow, what measure of touches, the right words to reach out with so we take it to the next step -- in marketing, in business. And, in relationships.

How much before we say with a falling inflection of the voice, 'Stop, that is enough.' Or when we modulate from a choice of pulling closer or ... letting loose.

Then, of course, Nature's natural cadences are at play all the time -- when day turns to night, when flowers must bloom, and when it is time for red and brown leaves to fall from trees. I'm guessing our own inner rhythm is attuned to this universal sense of timing as well -- especially when it comes to our personal evolution.

I can't say I understand how the cadences of my life work their way into the music of the Universe. Perhaps I need to stop questioning it ... and just listen instead.

For its lifts, a silent sauntering or for a progression of chords moving to a harmonic close, a point of rest or a certain sense of resolution.

Amazing grace

I've been lucky many times in my life.

But one of the sweetest of coincidences I get to enjoy is being mother of a daughter who is in the band. Okay, yes, being a band mom.

I love music. There is something that lives between the lines of the music staff that speaks to me. For the longest while, I held a secret desire to be a concert pianist. Needless to say, while I was in high school and college, I lived the band.

So, when I get teased about being a band mom, I laugh a little inside because, they don't really know how true it is. But not in a fanatical 'my daughter is the greatest because she is in the band' or 'I'm going to ring my cattle bell the loudest because my daughter's band is the only one that matters.'

This is the music that brings me back to my younger days: when my blood ran a little redder, aspirations sung out a little louder and everything in life could be summed up in a harmonious piece of manuscript, waiting to be performed brilliantly. Being able to relive that with my daughter as a part of the central melody -- is a cosmic convergence I can't even begin to explain.

So, tonight when she was on the field playing Amazing Grace with 400 other high school musicians, the surge I felt was not just from the crescendo of the music on the refrain of one of music history's classic pieces. That cresting of emotion was the coming together of the music that lives in me ... and the daughter who breathes alongside me.

What amazing harmony they make.
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So ... I couldn't resist, but you probably noticed that I added another sensory layer to the blog. Let me know if you like it ... or not. If you want to turn off the music, scroll down and look along the right for the 'controls' in the 'JUST FOR YOU' section. There is a pause button -- click on it and silence shall be yours ...