Music and Air

Air is the 'high' element, not in some hierarchy, but in our world that consists of ups and downs. Air is weightless, soft, free moving. Air is all around us and inside us.

The supply of air is most essential for our bodies. We can do without food for weeks, without water for days, without impressions for hours, but the absence of air will terminate our existence in minutes.

Air is the head element, the one related to thoughts, ideas, daydreaming, and planning ahead. It is odorless and colorless, unless it contains non-airy particles.

Air has two basic qualities.

In our world, it appears in two forms - stationary and on the move; in other words, it is space or spaciousness, or windy in varying degrees of force.

Thus, stationary air helps create gaps where it is crowded, as in "room to breathe" - we can breathe alright, but space is needed to actually feel it. Also, if we consider the lungs - it is all empty spaces enclosed in thin film.

Wind, on the other hand, runs around and has two functions: moving things (particles as well as ideas and thoughts) from one place to another, and shifting the focus of our attention (such as refreshing sweaty faces, or arousing complacent dreamers).

In music, air is primarily associated with (wind) instruments played with the upper part of the body - namely, our head - by blowing air through them. Flutes, trumpets, and bagpipes make air music. Thus, one aspect of air music is that we actually hear the air blown through mediums, i.e. pushed from the musician's lungs through some hollow instrument.

With most other instruments, musicians use their hands as if in manual labor, expressing sentiments through "work." Air instruments are played directly from the air center of our body, the lungs. The same applies to singing and chanting, which is also upper-part music.

Air music has its own special healing qualities. It inspires us directly and can give us "new airs." Speaking in great generalizations - (an unfortunate necessity in short pieces) - there are basically two types of air music: the flowing, dreamy and kind of hazy sound which could be soothing to a tormented mind; and, on the other hand, loud, explosive and blowing in our ear music, which could be described as "blowing" our mind.

When our thoughts will not stop wandering…

an Egyptian Ney (try Omar Faruk Tekbilek) or a Japanese Shakuhachi can make our mind settle down. This is air music that has an open-space and slow moving quality.

When, on the other hand, our mind is slow and encumbered, exciting Irish Penny Whistles, Tibetan horns, Gypsy trumpets or the Jewish Shofar can lift our spirits high. Also church organs, which are air instruments, can fill our souls with awe.

In addition, there are vocals, singing voices, that often open doors to the mysterious parts of our minds, inspiring our humanity. Yes - just sing! Make a contribution of air to the air around you or if you're shy to sing - "shout! Shout! Let it all out!"

As in most therapies, music provides "the missing part."

Playing or listening to the kind of air music we need, can be therapeutic. When our mind is trapped, running around in circles and unable to find a solution, play or listen to some meditative flutes from Japan or Central Asia. The sounds will make you feel alright and can shift the focus of your attention to your breathing.

Even when you are troubled, remember you are breathing, and as long as there is air in your lungs, there is hope.

Samples:
For your listening pleasure, seek out the following pieces, listen to them, and let the wind take you from there.

• Bill Douglas, "Deep Peace Choral" - a choral piece inspired by church music that is mostly contemplative by nature (head music.)
• Ekova, "Wicca Chant" - a vocal piece for women; this pre-Christian piece is thoughtful, and has an underlying feminine fire.
• Constantin Gherghina, "Doina de pe Valea Cereni" - a piece of lead Gypsy trumpet, which expresses wind. Generally, Gypsy music "fans the flames" with air and fire.
• The Chieftains, "Dueling Chanters" - the old men of Irish music present an airy piece that blows increasingly harder, and when the drums join in, the element of Earth comes into play. Interestingly, Irish dancers keep the upper part of their body fixed and steady, and the legs (earth & fire) do the hard work.

To see more photography by Cathy McKinty, visit her site at www.cathymckinty.com/