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EDWARD JACOBS

Category: Living

  • Saturday, September 26, 2020

    Momentum.

    Something about this word, this concept, this range of meanings has been on my mind over the past week. The variety of definitions is a bit daunting, and that’s actually appealing to me, in a way.

    After so very many years teaching the first year of music theory (species counterpoint, diatonic harmony, small forms, then the beginnings of chromatic harmony, larger forms), and a few years of more advanced theory, as well as years of ear-training at all levels–and especially years of composition at all levels–I talk alot about energy. I talk alot about tension, resolution, suspension, maintaining levels of energy, accumulating energy, building to arrival points, allowing energy to dissipate.

    There’s nothing particularly new or remarkable about this, of course. But I wonder if it could make sense to make this discussion of potential energy and kinetic energy an integral part of studying the topics i’ve been teaching. That is, rather than using “energy” references to to shine a light on, to elucidate concepts of musical cadences, or harmonic progressions’ strengths, of harmonic rhythm, etc., somehow qualify (quantify?) the momentum within various moments so that there’s a vocabulary that relates to dramatic momentum, in addition to (if not instead of) technical descriptions.

    Does it make sense to call this momentum, or am i misunderstanding what momentum is?

    I think that, in part, my questioning here has to do with a long-standing problem I’ve sensed in the “scientific” objectivity of “music theory.” That field, to which i am absolutely an observer more than participant, seems to have tried to be perceived as objective in the 1950s and onward, but that led–at least to my sensibilities as performer, then composer–to discussions of music which were not rooted in what’s heard in music, vs. what’s seen on the page. And that’s been an enormous obstacle for me, perhaps especially given my development as a musician arising from non-notated, improvised music.

    So as I think about music as drama (not for nothing, but this makes me think of the well-known book by Joseph Kerman, “Opera As Drama”), that really makes me wonder about how those in theatre arts, dance, poetry, film, calligraphy, visual and plastic arts, etc., not to mention those in different facets of these arts (performers, writers/painters/sculptors/composers, directors/choreographers, etc.) think about momentum.

    Then, of course, there’s momentum in aspects of life–relationships, moods, physical states, tolerance, patience–and in any area of pursuit, really. Momentum is, it seems, another word for life, or at least for living.

    I brought this up in conversation with a performer-colleague a few nights ago, and it seems to have sparked curiosity in him, as well. Perhaps he’ll jot down some thoughts.

    Perhaps there’s an anthology of essays to be collected and shared. Do you have any ideas about this you’d like to share? Would love to hear your thoughts, no matter the pursuits most dear to you.

  • Thursday, September 24, 2020

    A younger colleague/scholar/friend sent me this link, with a note that they found hope in it. At this moment, the prospect of finding hope anywhere is attractive, of course. I did find it both hopeful and reassuring; perhaps we can channel our creative imaginations towards betterment.

    _________________________

    Joe’s home improvement project yesterday was a fire pit for the yard. They’d enjoyed the “sitting around the fire” part of camping a few weeks ago, and wanted to bring that to their home. Clearly, fire or not, the job was well done and being enjoyed!

    While being productive at home, Joe also got another encouraging email from an attorney/firm that wants to hire him–just waiting for the hiring freeze to end. Although it’s a NYC firm, the work would broaden his experience (to include real estate) in a way he would like. Hoping, in the meantime, that the hiring thaw comes to NC before NYC…

  • Wed., September 23, 2020

    A smile to get the day started right.

    Thank goodness for children and pets, whose unfiltered desire for love and attention allows a few moments of distraction. If we just give in to their needs, we can live in the moment, however briefly…and then we’re pulled back with the realization of why it’s so very important to fight for what’s right, to struggle for their future.

    We took a bicycle ride yesterday, and tried to introduce Frankie to something new. She did fine for five minutes, and we’ll try again soon…it’s a process.

    _____________________

    Months ago, at the start of COVID-19, the daily barrage of bad news, the bungling in Washington and elsewhere, the deaths, the unemployment, the loss of any normalcy, all took a very real toll on my mood, at the least, if not my mental health state, in general. It seems clear by now that this has been a broadly shared, if not universal, effect of the past 10 month’s events.

    The daily news right now is having the same effect. Though daily reports include reports on covid cases and death tolls, the continued political bungling and manipulation of public health matters, the lack of a relief package leaving so very many people in dire straits, the natural disasters that seem to be coming several times each week, and of course the impending further right-ward shift of the Supreme Court, and the election season’s barrage of lies…and the daily realization that this country really did elect this thing, and it’s not just a bad dream. And that it might continue.

    The despondency feels familiar, and inescapable.

    It’s hard not to realize that there are so very many countries, societies that are in equally horrific situations, though, each in their own way–Venezuela, Belarus, Ukraine, Djibouti, CAE, Congo, Phillipines, and on and on. And there’s nothing unique about the xenophobia and nationalistic tendencies we see in the U.S., let alone the white supremacists.

    What a ridiculous and self-consuming species we are, so eager to create enemies, and to destroy in order to feed our egos. How does one ‘balance’ the creative good with the insidious evil of humanity? For many, this slips quickly into questions of religion; that’s not a path I will follow.

    This morning, in this particular mood, I can only be happy for pictures of Jackson, for Frankie chewing her bone right next to me, and for seeing the star-filled sky when taking her out in the pre-dawn hours.

    Music, and music-teaching, always lift my mood, so I’ll prepare for class.

  • Monday, September 21, 2020

    Am unable record audio on the video calls that come in from Joe/Jackson in the mornings, but these do tell their own stories of Jackson’s development these days. The first, eating his eggs breakfast, as dad helps him learn about the challenges of eating with a pacifier in his mouth…the second, dancing to the music, and his general glee at seeing Frankie.

    Eating and drinking like a big boy these days.
    A dancin’ fool!

    And the latest arrival…

  • Sunday, September 20, 2020

    The news of these days notwithstanding–the mourning of RBG, the absurd backflips being done by politicians, and so much continuing bad news re fires, hurricanes, COVID-19–yesterday was a day to take care of our little local circle.

    The morning routine is definitely a bit different this past week. Early morning waking hasn’t changed, but there’s a little tail-wagging awaiting me as I get to the kitchen. Once we take care of business and settle in, the view is focused more on something other than my computer…

    Kind of hard to get any work done…but not complaining at all.

    The first part of the morning was spent looking through grades in my frosh class. Seeing a number of students simply hadn’t submitted work, and their grades suffering unnecessarily. I wrote to each of them to let them know what was missing; this is something I would never do in the past.

    I wouldn’t do this in the past because one of the most important things we’re teaching these students is responsibility, actions-consequences, etc. But as I looked at the missing submissions, I noticed that they were all due after these students were forced to leave campus and move back home. So they are back to living as h.s. kids, in their parents’ homes. They’re not facing the responsibilities that come with living on their own, not facing roommates who are failing because they’re doing nothing, or roommates who are owning up to their workload and taking care of business; they don’t have these positive and negative influences right there. They are still in the habits of high schoolers.

    So is my sending an warning another ‘coddling’, or am I helping them…I don’t really know, to be honest. It felt like the right thing to do, to say “take care of business right now, or pay the price when the term ends this week,” so I did it. Some sent emails of thanks, and have jumped into taking care of business; others have yet to be heard from now, 24 hours later. But that’s the way it works. Some will boost their grades with work, others will be happy to get a C, or will face the consequences of failing and having to retake the class–or change their major course of study. And in some cases that’s what should happen, of course, as this really isn’t for everyone.

    _______________________

    My own ‘taking care of business’ involved a number of projects in the house, a bit of shopping, a trip to Lowes, some yard work, moving some furniture to make the kitchen a bit more sitting-comfy, and relocating a tv into the kitchen (where Frankie is pretty much limited until very reliably house-trained), mounting a few Blink cameras to keep an eye on back yard and carport. None of these tasks too demanding, and glad to get ’em done.

    Then the fun really kicked in, as most of the afternoon turned out to be a indulgence for me. A good friend recently lost his mother quite suddenly, and i’d not seen him since. I know he rides, so we took off for a ride at 2:30, headed to Bay View, then Belhaven, stopped and caught up on life for about an hour, then headed back. Didn’t get home until 6, and it was a great day. A great man-date, as they say. Smooth roads, lots of water around us (rivers disturbingly high), small town-centers…very relaxing ride.

    Yesterday’s ride–thanks to Michael Crane for a great route

    During a good part of the ride, found myself singing/setting the beginning of the E.E. Cummings I am itching to get to work on. A good sign of the energy building up, and I’ll write down those ideas this morning.

    The final week of the term’s classes is upon us. The final exam to be taken next Monday. I can’t believe it’s gone by so quickly, but am most certainly looking forward to a drastic change in my schedule.

    Today will be a relaxing one, and looking forward to it. Perhaps a ride later today with Todd, which would be sweet; i’ll likely ride even if he’s not available…it’s Sunday, then Sun’s going to be shining, and the Triumph beckons.

    Wishing you a peaceful day, with moments away from the turmoil.

  • Saturday, September 19, 2020

    Ruth Bader Ginsberg; what a life, what an amazing example of a human being, or advocacy, of persistence in the cause of equality and justice.

    From today’s NYTimes, “A small number of Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Charles E. Grassley of Iowa — have indicated they would not want to fill a Supreme Court vacancy so close to a presidential election. But it was not certain whether they would hold to that stance.”

    What are chances that these Senators will have a spine when the time comes? Based on past actions, the chances are nil.

    Mourning the loss of this remarkable person, and feeling, as many undoubtedly are today, that generations of Americans will despair under the decisions a staunchly absurd Supreme Court makes in the years to come.

  • Friday, September 18, 2020

    Quite an adventure with this website over the past days–completely crashed and unavailable to me or any visitors. Took a while to get things re-established but, if you’re reading this, I think it’s now back on track.

    Among the things I’ve been eager to post is the letter written by my sis to her local newspaper. So very proud that she wrote, of what she wrote, and of her, my nephew who served, and of all who have put their own well-being at risk in the name of military service.

    _____________________

    The week just past has been so very horrific for people on the west coast–truly incomprehensible destruction for so very many people in CA, WA, OR, ID, and more. And even those not personally feeling the property loss are dealing with unbreathable air.

    And the line-up of hurricanes in the Atlantic is more than frightening. Those on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico who were again hit by a hurricane and flooding rains are devastated–again. More hurricanes on the way, though their paths are yet to clarify.

    Here, at least right now, we’re just getting a few inches of rain; bad, but not flooding.

    And there’s a question of whether the globe’s climate is changing? Really? And “science doesn’t know anything”? What level of ignorance, of unwillingness to simply acknowledge what’s in front of your eyes, is necessary to allow perspectives like that to have any credibility at all?

    Another week gone by, another week closer to November 3, and another week of fearing what our electorate will do.

  • Monday, September 14, 2020

    my new morning buddy


    The morning routine’s changed a bit, as someone’s mighty happy to greet me in the kitchen in the morning, no matter the crazy hour I awake. A quick run outside to let Frankie pee is really an opportunity for her to just lick my face, then roll over on the grass to get a belly rub.

    Maybe I don’t get working quite as quickly as I used to, and I don’t mind at all.

    _______________

    Now just six classes remaining in this first term. The remainder of the freshman theory class I’m teaching is really all planned out at this point, and it should go pretty much on auto-pilot. I have a few more videos I’d like to make while some things are still on my mind–and I think these videos will continue to be a good resource in future semesters. I’ll try to take care of those in the coming days.

    I find myself exploring new roads in the area with the new bike, and that’s been really nice. Lots of great winding roads with little traffic makes for a nice hour away from the house and work; and I know Pattie appreciates/needs the break from my being around the house so much.

    More hurricanes approaching the Gulf; the fires on the west coast astoundingly horrible; continuing concerns about the election; COVID-19 spreading again in Europe and the Middle East: so very much to feel concerned about.

    2020 just isn’t getting any easier.

  • Sunday, September 13, 2020

    Yesterday was all about getting the newest addition to our home, Frankie the Cavapoo. She’s a 12-wk old sweetheart, currently weighing in at <7 lb.

    Happiness is a warm puppy

  • September 11

    Like everyone else who was of an aware age in 2001, the shock, impact, and immense after-effects of this date continue to resonate. Just as, I imagine, December 7 resonates for those in a previous generation.

    I remember the person who drew my attention to what was happening as I left a classroom; I remember where I was watching a TV as the second tower was hit. I remember the panic of needing to talk to everyone I knew in lower Manhattan, and I remember the paralyzing shock that lasted days.

    As you do, too.

    Our world doesn’t feel much safer, as much as it has changed our atmosphere of daily living. I’m not at all convinced that we have changed the conditions which brought about the hostilities against the U.S. and all we do to stick our fingers in the eyes of nations across the globe. The U.S. has certainly become a weaker force in the world with our current leadership in the White House and the Capitol; less respect from other countries, less belief in our ability to make anything happen, as these last years have been all about idle threats, departing from alliances, fundamentally having carrot-top’s words disrespected or ignored as mere bluster from a fool. Perhaps that has made us less a threat, I don’t know.

    A day of remembering lies ahead.