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Showing posts from June, 2024

I find ancient American tribal music closest to nature's hymns and cacophonies

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  Ancient Native American music is a diverse and culturally rich tradition that reflects the customs and beliefs of indigenous peoples across North America. It encompasses a wide array of instruments, vocal styles, and musical functions that were integral to the spiritual, social, and cultural lives of Native American tribes. Instrumentation played a crucial role in Native American music, with drums being central to many traditions. Crafted from wood and animal hides, drums varied in size and were used in ceremonies, dances, and storytelling. Flutes, often made of wood or bone, produced haunting melodies used in courtship rituals, healing ceremonies, and storytelling. Rattles and shakers, made from natural materials like gourds and turtle shells, accompanied dances and songs, adding texture and rhythm to the music. Some tribes also utilized string instruments, like the Apache fiddle, albeit less commonly. Vocal music was equally significant, featuring complex patterns of rhythm and mel

Hurrian Hymn No. 6

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The Hurrian Hymn No. 6, also known as the Hurrian Hymn to Nikkal, is the oldest substantially complete work of notated music in the world, dating back to approximately 1400 BC .  It was inscribed in cuneiform on a clay tablet excavated from the ancient city of Ugarit in northern Syria. The hymn is accompanied by Akkadian cuneiform music notation, which refers to a diatonic scale on a nine-stringed lyre, in a tuning system described on three Akkadian tablets .  The notation consists of interval names followed by number signs, indicating the strings to be played .  However, the relationship between the hymn text and the musical notation remains controversial, with at least five different interpretations yielding entirely different results . The arrangement of the tablet places the Hurrian words of the hymn at the top, followed by a double division line .  The hymn text is written in a continuous spiral, alternating recto-verso sides of the tablet .  Below the text is the Akkadian musical

Alan watt's way of not trying

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  Alan Watts' philosophy of not trying delves into the fundamental nature of existence, urging individuals to adopt a more nuanced approach towards life's challenges. Central to his philosophy is the recognition that our conventional understanding of effort often leads to unnecessary struggle and dissatisfaction. Instead, Watts proposes a radical shift in perspective, advocating for a state of effortless action or "wu wei" inspired by Taoist teachings. At its core, this philosophy invites us to pause and reflect on the nature of our existence, much like your contemplation on the passage of time. Watts suggests that by relinquishing our relentless pursuit of specific goals and outcomes, we can cultivate a deeper connection with the present moment. In this state of mindful awareness, we become attuned to the natural flow of life, embracing its spontaneity and unpredictability rather than resisting it. Watts often employs metaphors to elucidate his point, such as the ana