On Reading Music

Some people consider it a mysterious aptitude of a certain few chosen by God. Some people see it as an ambiguously complex accomplishment. Actually, reading music is a very exact procedure and one that is easy to learn. Reading the Hymnbook need not be any different than reading the morning newspaper. True, some people find it easier to achieve than others, like some people have an easier time getting up early in the morning. Reading music, though, is essentially available to everyone.

Today, most educated people take learning to read language for granted. Our children in most cases will learn how. It wasn't always that way. Historically speaking, human civilization was reading words long before we were reading music. Thanks to the genius of a monk name Guido d'Arrexxxx, we now have a way to read music. I see tomorrow's world as one that takes reading music for granted also. Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly believed that learning to read music was a natural right of every human being. In his lifetime he devised a philosophy to teach music that transformed his native country into one of the most literate countries in the world. The Kodaly method has greatly influenced music educators in this country.

Reading music is really only the means to an end, not the end itself. Think what a joy it would be if we could all be able to sing any hymn that artisticly expresses our faith. If I could only begin to tell you the insights I have realized from studying, reading, or hearing music. When musicians study the music of Bach, they realize that this composer was a brilliant theologian who spoke through music. Learning to read music only opens the book, and that book includes a whole realm of possibilities that goes as far as humanity.

Would anyone be interested in a 4 week course to get you started towards learning to read music (maybe starting in January)? It won't be a study of the theological implications in the music of Bach, but perhaps something quite basic to plant some seeds of music reading skills. We'll use our hymnal as a source book. Let me know.

Let not your mind be mystified by a skill that can be accomplished; learn to read music. Praise God with a new skill that will bring him honor and glory!