If, as has been said, the purpose of words is to conceal thought, then
it may be equally as well said that the purpose of Music is to reveal
soul.
I don’t suppose that there is a human being alive but that longs to be
“understood.” There are all too few in this world who are willing to
give the time and thought and heart to the understanding of others. And
even if there were a greater willingness to understand, too few of us
are able to express our deepest thoughts in words.
But Music is the Universal Language. Once we learn it, the tips of our
hearts creep out through the tips of our fingers. There may be no one to
hear. Perhaps no one would understand even if they were about. But the
blessed, joyous part of it all is that at last we have found self
expression, and that is the next best thing to being understood.
Remember that the composers of the ages have been talking through this
language of soul in all that they have written. As you play a piece of
music, you therefore have two tasks to perform. You must strive to pass
on the message that the Masters left, and you must interweave with it
your own inner self. That is what is meant by interpretation and
expression.
You should study to be a good listener as well as a good player, if you
are to be a real Musician. Hear all of the beautiful music that you can,
whether it be on your instrument or on some other. Music is bigger than
any specific means for expressing it, and with you, Music should be the
first consideration.
The Exercises this week are 9, 14, 23, and 31.