I've never been a fan of the phrase "end on a high note". Not much music out there does, and the genres that do, aren't that great. What I want, and I think what most people actually want, is to end on harmonic resolution. Life is a continuous song with so many instruments that fill our daily soundtrack. What feels good, what satisfies, is when the notes in our life compliment; when the dissonance resolves and our song continues.
As I'm getting ready to ship out on deployment, I have come to appreciate the beautiful harmony I have in my life. Deployment is hard. It's exponentially harder if those "notes" in your life don't follow the progression you expect. I've been reading a lot of music theory lately and I came across the following that has really stuck with me. The preceding line was included for music theory context:
"Here second order (Phrygian) resolution is used: one (virtual) fundamental is maintained while the other moves a minor second down. It must be made clear that the successions we have studied are relaxations of local tension and are clearly influenced by the tonal field in which they are situated."
"clearly influenced by the tonal field in which they are situated." So, the resolution we have is product of, and limited to, the tonal field in which we are situated. I have been blessed with a "tonal field" that harmonizes. That has proper intervals and compliments. That, on dissonance, has the capability to beautifully resolve.
Deployment is without a doubt a minor chord. But, all songs that are worth listening to have them, and to hear them, rather, to feel them progress is what lets you know you're alive.
- Matt
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