Rhythm, Meet Bryan

"There's more to playing a drum than banging on it."

Music consists of four basic components: Notes, Scales, Chords and Rhythm. As such, it is analogous to the physical universe. Notes are elements, Scales are compounds, Chords are stars, planets, continents, islands, eagles, mountains, etc. In music, a note, or even each note, in and of itself isn't very important. Music comes entirely from the relationship and energy between notes (therefore making each unimportant note important beyond description and invaluable).

All of the energy in the physical universe comes from the relationship between elements (fission, fusion), compounds (chemical reactions) and bodies (gravity, magnetism). The energy of music comes from the tension or resolution of notes, chords and scales. The analogy is so perfect, it just might be by design. If fact, if the string theory is valid, it may not be music that is analogous to the physical universe. It may be the other way around. The physical universe may consist of nothing more tangible than music.

All of the matter and energy in the universe exist and relate in the context of space and time. Rhythm is the 'space/time' of music.

Not many people will follow the reasoning above, and very few will identify with it intuitively. I met a guy this weekend on a road trip to Dallas that would.

Please meet Bryan. He's the killer cute drummer that showed my a little about the mechanics of playing the drums my nephew brought back from Zambia. He taught and I learned, then we practiced slowly at first, then faster. And as we played, we talked about the spirituality of rhythm and the drum, and the meditative value of it.

We discussed the most basic, tribal nature of the sound of the drum to the most complex structures of rhythm, and getting lost in it, energized by it and being free.

We talked about how he came to Dallas from Idaho to work, but now he just performs and builds drums for people and enjoys life.

Sometimes people who seem free are basically flakes. Sometimes freedom gets confused with just plain old lost and disoriented. Sometimes 'free' is just a euphemism for 'weird'. And some people who think they're free are so deeply entangled in the snares of life they wouldn't know freedom if it kissed them on the mouth.

But Bryan had a countenance about him that I found to be unique and appealing. I very much enjoyed meeting him and talking for a few minutes. It was just another chance encounter with one of God's miracles of the human race, and I am very happy to have had the pleasure of participating in it.

So let me use my blog as an opportunity to wish Bryan the very best in life, and that life would unfold for him for his highest good and deepest joy. God Bless You, my friend. Keep the Rhythm.