155th Reflection💬

“Is creation a random mix-and-match❓”

God’s creations display well-defined boundaries and crystal-clear orders.

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08/10/2020 (Thu) 07:00 Music Institute

Teacher said, “Is there anyone of you sitting here that has decided to study composition?”

I, the only one in the class, raised my hand.

Teacher said, “Alright. What I’m going to say is something that students majoring in composition should have a good grasp while those majoring in other subjects should have a good awareness.”

Teacher said, “What is harmony?”

Student A said, “Does it refer to chords?”

Teacher said, “Much more than that. Harmony refers to the rules of the combination of musical notes.”

Teacher said, “Why must we learn harmony?”

Student B said, “Because harmony is a compulsory subject in the Higher Certificate.”

Teacher said, “Right. But why is harmony a compulsory subject?”

Students were silent.

Teacher said, “There are regular patterns in music. It isn’t something that we make or form all all according to our own preferences.”

Teacher said, “In the world of western music, any sound combination that does not follow the rules cannot be classified as good or bad music, but wrong music. Only those sound combinations that follow the rules can be classified as good or bad music.”

Teacher said, “Let’s take triads as an example. Now I’m going to ask those I taught last year to answer my questions.”

Teacher said, “What is the structure of a major triad?”

Student C said, “Major 3rd plus perfect 5th.”

Teacher said, “What is the structure of a minor triad?”

Student D said, “Minor 3rd plus perfect 5th.”

Teacher said, “What is the structure of a diminished triad?”

Student E said, “Minor 3rd plus diminished 5th.”

Teacher said, “What is the structure of an augmented triad?”

Student F said, “Major 3rd plus augmented 5th.”

Teacher said, “Very good. The 7th chords that I’m going to address later are formed by adding a 7th note of different quality to these 4 types of triads. Each 7th chord carries different structures and different functions.”

Student G said, “Wow, so confusing!”

Teacher said, “Haha, music rules are clear but you are confused.”

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Another me said, “How is the world that God created?”

I said, “Boundaries are well-defined and orders are crystal-clear.”

Another me said, “How was the first day of His creation?”

I said, “God created the heavens, the earth, the light and the darkness.”

Another me said, “How was the second day of His creation?”

I said, “God created water and air.

Another me said, “How was the third day of His creation?”

I said, “God created grounds, seas, and plants.”

Another me said, “How was the fourth day of His creation?”

I said, “God created days and nights.”

Another me said, “How was the fifth day of His creation?”

I said, “God created animals.”

Another me said, “How was the sixth day of His creation?”

I said, “God created man.”

Another me said, “How was the seventh day of His creation?”

I said, “God rested.”

Another me said, “Wow, so confusing. God is so powerful. He can have everything created with only one single word. There’s no need to separate His creation work into 7 days that took as long as 1 chapter in Genesis to describe. So confusing!”

I said, “God’s creations display well-defined boundaries and crystal-clear orders. It is you that confuses yourself - with no boundaries, random, messy, disorganised, disorderly, all mixed up together.”