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Satyr604
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The origins of music 2
#22103368 - 08/17/15 04:07 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Alan Moore, writer of the fantastic graphic novels V for Vendetta and Watchmen, once held a speech where he explains his views on magic. He believes that magic is literally art and vice versa. His ideas are best summed up in this quote:
Quote:
"There is some confusion as to what magic actually is. I think this can be cleared up if you just look at the very earliest descriptions of magic. Magic in its earliest form is often referred to as “the art”. I believe this is completely literal. I believe that magic is art and that art, whether it be writing, music, sculpture, or any other form is literally magic. Art is, like magic, the science of manipulating symbols, words, or images, to achieve changes in consciousness. The very language about magic seems to be talking as much about writing or art as it is about supernatural events. A grimmoir for example, the book of spells is simply a fancy way of saying grammar. Indeed, to cast a spell, is simply to spell, to manipulate words, to change people's consciousness."
Though he mostly focusses on language based arts, like story-telling and poetry, I recently realized how much this holds true for music. I believe that music has its origins in shamanic practices and inducing a trance.
Induction of trance through music can be achieved through repetitive patterns, played in a fast succession. If you listen to some of the most ancient music in the world, you'll hear that that's exactly what it is.
Drums in shamanic drumming:
Waterdrums in Native American peyote songs:
Inuit chanting:
Didgeridoo:
Nowadays people listen to 'binaural beats', which I believe to be trance inducing simply because they're a monotonous, repetitive sound. But back then, the same kind of effect could be achieved by a shaman beating a steady rythm on his drum. The chanting and didgeridoo rely heavily on breathing technique, which is also a big part of meditation. If I remember correctly, part of playing the didgeridoo is the imitation of animal sounds, which would fit with a shamanic ritual.
Finding out if this was true in primitive, western civilizations as well is a little more problematic. The music I listed mostly originates from different parts of the world. The one thing they have in common, is that these were primitive cultures until they came in contact with the (destructive) west and that their music has, most likely, remained largely the same until said contact. Music from those primitive cultures, no matter from what part of the world, has a lot of similarities.
Meditational states of mind are not exclusively achieved with fast, repetitive patterns though. Gregorian chanting serves as a way to pray, to speak with God. To meditate.
I realize I'm probably not saying anything new here, and that this theory is flawed, but it's something interesting to think about.
-------------------- To do: sclerotia, DMT, mushrooms, LSA, mescaline.
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Shining Cosmos
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Re: The origins of music [Re: Satyr604]
#22104939 - 08/17/15 11:36 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Anything can be/ is magic(k). It's all about perception and intention.
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caman
The Sauntering Stranger



Registered: 10/19/14
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My goodness! I love this. My friends proclaimed I was crazy for speaking on the same subject, Art as a tool for the alteration of higher or lower levels of consciousness. It is a dream of mine to write either a book or a film that will have such power. Music, film & books have already worked this magic upon me in my life. Thank you so much for posting this!
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In the province of the mind, what one believes to be true is true or becomes true, within certain limits to be found experientially and experimentally. These limits are further beliefs to be transcended. In the mind, there are no limits.- John C. Lilly
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Shining Cosmos
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Re: The origins of music [Re: caman]
#22106707 - 08/18/15 01:10 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Goals are dreams only if you make them out to be. Just create with intent and the magic will be there.
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caman
The Sauntering Stranger



Registered: 10/19/14
Posts: 414
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Quote:
Shining Cosmos said: Goals are dreams only if you make them out to be. Just create with intent and the magic will be there.
I dig it man, honestly inspired me to just do it. Been busy basking in an ocean of ideas without actually getting busy on creating. Thanks!
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In the province of the mind, what one believes to be true is true or becomes true, within certain limits to be found experientially and experimentally. These limits are further beliefs to be transcended. In the mind, there are no limits.- John C. Lilly
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Shining Cosmos
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Re: The origins of music [Re: caman]
#22107056 - 08/18/15 02:55 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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It's always harder to do it, THEN talk about it
-------------------- MY ART
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Satyr604
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Re: The origins of music [Re: caman]
#22107407 - 08/18/15 04:14 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
caman said: My goodness! I love this. My friends proclaimed I was crazy for speaking on the same subject, Art as a tool for the alteration of higher or lower levels of consciousness. It is a dream of mine to write either a book or a film that will have such power. Music, film & books have already worked this magic upon me in my life. Thank you so much for posting this! 
Hey, thanks!
It sounds to me like you'd be very interested in what Alan Moore has to say on the subject. You should really check it out. 
-------------------- To do: sclerotia, DMT, mushrooms, LSA, mescaline.
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Goose
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Re: The origins of music [Re: Satyr604]
#22109453 - 08/19/15 01:32 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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cool thread. what would life be like with no music??????? i really like the examples of indigenous music you put up.
trance states. we only have a short history of what world music is. only been able to save a small amount of music like the last few hundred years. not counting music passed down orely. its changed so much where will it go???? magic in music.
-------------------- "i will study and prepare myself so that when my opportunity comes i will be ready" Abraham Lincoln
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caman
The Sauntering Stranger



Registered: 10/19/14
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Re: The origins of music [Re: Satyr604]
#22111151 - 08/19/15 11:56 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Satyr604 said:
Quote:
caman said: My goodness! I love this. My friends proclaimed I was crazy for speaking on the same subject, Art as a tool for the alteration of higher or lower levels of consciousness. It is a dream of mine to write either a book or a film that will have such power. Music, film & books have already worked this magic upon me in my life. Thank you so much for posting this! 
Hey, thanks!
It sounds to me like you'd be very interested in what Alan Moore has to say on the subject. You should really check it out. 
Awesome, I will check it out right now dude!
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In the province of the mind, what one believes to be true is true or becomes true, within certain limits to be found experientially and experimentally. These limits are further beliefs to be transcended. In the mind, there are no limits.- John C. Lilly
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