7
notes of C major scale
by
Igiri Innocent
Key of C major scale
Is one of my favorite piano scale
As a child,
Reason is just because it is too simple to play
And all the notes are all in white keys.
But not quite long, I noticed
That key of “C” note in particular
Is only but a firm foundation,
On which all other notes and keys are built.
Inside it were D, E, F, G, A and B.
All of them working together
According to the principle of the head, “C major scale”.
Now, let’s examine the symbolism of this arrangement for
a Church musician (i.e choir masters, music directors, choristers, organists,
keyboardists, and other instrumentalists in the church).
Apart from being the first key to learn as a piano
student, key of C major scale as the primary key of every musical instrument
has a hidden message of God’s direction for His musicians.
A note for church musician
through key of C major scale
Scale degree of
key C major and God’s message in it.
1.
“C” which we call Tonic, Doh stands for CHRIST
who is the First of all things and to whom we ought to offer ourselves first as
members of His kingdom, and then our services. Tonic is a confident note, it
has a natural ability to restore a chromatic sharp or flat note, and it has
rooms to accommodate and assist notes both small and big, and also leads them
like a father. This note is so much needed in music making that we cannot
assume to have started a song or concluded a song without it.
Lesson: In the life of
a church musician, this note is meant to teach us the important of Christ in
the life of every good church musician. In as much as we need “Tonic” note to
start/progress or conclude our performance, we need CHRIST first. Read: 2
Corinthians 8:5 NKJV.
2.
“D” which we call Super-Tonic, Ray: (the super here simply means “above” in
Latin): this note stands for DEDICATION.
Super-Tonic note is one note on the scale that one needs not to question its
dedication or commitment in every musical arrangement. Unassuming but full of
supportive flavor.
Lesson: That is how church musician ought to be. Dedication
to God and His work. Joyfully singing your songs and playing your instruments
to God at all times. This note calls all the church musicians to be dedicated
to the service in which God has placed them in charge that they may receive
grace for their service. Read: 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
3.
“E” which we call Mediant, Meh: this note stands for EDUCATION. Mediant is so a lovely note that plays high efficient
and bold role in every musical arrangement.
Lesson: Education is very important in the making
of a sound church musician. It is through education that one will learn the
norms of professional service which is also required of a workman in God’s
vineyard. Talent is good but it is not enough, you need to harness it and
properly shape it through Education. Read: 2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV
4.
“F” which we call Sub-Dominant, Fah: (Sub, simply means “under or underneath”
in Latin): it stands for FRIENDSHIP.
In act of four part choir training, a particular note is allotted to Bass
singers for deep voice drills. This note has been tested and proven to be a
superefficient tool in balancing the low note male singers otherwise known as
“BASS”. They are the pot on which good or bad foods are cooked. Again, and as a
matter of fact, a good judge at a musical competition always beacon on the
sound of this note when sounded by the low note singers to ascertain if the
general chorus is still on the pitch or have moved. Therefore I can boldly say
that one good bass singer is equals to 15 other parts. As less important as
this note may sound, if you use it to train your bass singers they can sing
32ft bourdon note comfortably.
Lesson:
We cannot over emphasis the important of friends in ones’ life especially as a
Christian, but friends who fear God are best. This note which we call
FRIENDSHIP can be a determinator of how good or bad a musician service can be
to God and his people. If we chose best friends to follow or best music
practice to imitate, we can be like St. Cecilia who chose to use her
musicability only for the praise of God. Music in general has a good and bad
spirit, and that is because the evil one has long noticed that God dwells in
songs of praise and worship and has vowed to pollute that divine practice and
the practitioners of music. But God in His infinite wisdom having foreknown the
mind of satan gave us a warning not to imitate or follow bad (music) friends
who are capable of ruining us and making our works unacceptable to God.
Therefore, making good music friends who has fear of God in them will always
keep us on the right track to render a holy service to God. Read: Proverbs 13:20 NKJV
5.
“G” which
we call Dominant, Soh stands for God. This note has a unique height of
governance over all the other notes. In
music, dominant is so important that we call it the salt of basic chords in
chordiatic theory. All notes of the C major scale has a reserved respect for
this note, they needs her backup to make a balance harmony. No wonder all the great
musicologists of the sixteenth century derives satisfactory always by
positioning their compositions on 5th note (i.e Dominant)
modulation. In fact, this note is as active as its name “DOMINANT”. Aside of
this note, all works and efforts of all other notes could become useless or
wasted effort.
Lesson:
That is how important God should be in our lives as church musicians. Music in
the church is a calling unto praising and worshiping God and we cannot do that
genuinely if we fail to make God the king of music. All music should be played or
performed with a conscience of godliness. Read: 1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
6.
“A”
which we call Sub-Mediant, Lah: this
name was given to it simply because it is in the middle of upper tonic and
subdominant: and it stands for AUTHORITY.
SPIRITUAL AUTHORITIES. This note is always obedient
to authorities that be. It carries out orders as ordered. It stands in the
position of authority only when asked to by the main authority. No note in all
the scales is as obedient as this note. When this note is at work, the main
authorities can beat their chest and have a sound sleep knowing that submediant
recognizes her seniors.
Lesson: Church musicians should be
like this note, standing in the middle between Man (subdominant) and God (upper-tonic)
not as a priest but as a servant to people of God. The duty of church musician
(choir master, choir director, choristers, organists, and other
instrumentalist) is not and can never be solo in itself but in total obedience
to spiritual authorities whom God has placed over us. Spiritual authorities can
be Our Pastors (Priests), Directors, Chairmen, etc.. Spiritual authorities are to direct and
oversee our functions/duties as church musicians. Therefore, we cannot claim to obey God and yet
have not obeyed the authorities which he has placed over us. Read: Hebrews
13:17 NKJV
7.
“B”
which we call Leading Note, Teh: it
stands for BLESSINGS. Leading note
is the seventh note in all major scales, and it is a special note in scaling
both Harmonic and Melodic minor scales. Both in contrary and in similar motions
of scale. Apart from its unique tonal color, it has a way of leading the scale
into upper-tonic (God). And that is how this note is meant to lead church
musicians to God that they may obtain blessings and favors from him.
Lesson:
God always has a way of blessing us through the spiritual authorities which
he placed over us. “I am a living testimony to this”. This note remains dormant
on a straight major scale except submediant is played, meaning that except we
obey spiritual authorities we cannot experience the influence of this note
which is blessings. But remember, there are 6 other notes before this one and
none of them is less important. All should be observed. Take note.
God bless us. inno_organ@yahoo.com. (Organist @ Holy Cross Cathedral Lagos)
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