Phrygian

Take Note!

Phrygian and the Modes.

(Disclaimer - the following information could be hazardous to your health.) The song Phrygian, is actually based on the HypoPhrygian Mode. With all things being relative to the Key of C Major, the Phrygian Mode is based on the 3rd degree of C Major, or the note E. The HypoPhrygian Mode begins on the 7th degree of C Major, or, the note B. Whereas the Major Scale, whether it is based on C, E or B is always comprised of 2 whole steps, 1 half step, 3 whole steps and 1 half step. The HypoPhrygian Mode is always comprised of 1 half step, 2 whole steps, 1 half step and 2 whole steps. Based on these scale degrees, the HypoPhrygian Mode contains the Tri- Tone between the 1st degree to the 5th, whereas the Major Scale contains a Perfect 5th between those same degrees. Thus, the HypoPhrygian Mode, with it's Tri-Tone (or augmented 5th) lends itself nicely to a particularly dramatic quality of the 18th Century musical practice of "sturm und drang" (storm and stress). Theoretically then, the song Phrygian, even though it is composed in the HypoPhrygian Mode, with it's "sturm und drang " qualities, could be classified as a Neo - Classical composition. Personally however, I think it belongs in the category of a Driving Rock song!!!! To continue, once the main musical statement of Phrygian is presented in the HypoPhrygian Mode, the composition then modulates into the Parallel Minor Scale of the Phrygian Mode (otherwise known as E minor). However, as one might expect, at this point in time, there are some harmonic adjustments that need to be made. Normally the ascending 7th degree of a Minor Scale is raised (Melodic Minor) and the chord built on that scale degree is Diminished, but now the 7th degree is not altered, and the chord based on that scale degree is Major. Normally the chord built on the 5th degree of the Minor Scale is Major, (or the Dominant) but now the chord built on the 5th degree is Minor. Normally the 2nd degree of a Natural Minor Scale is 1 whole step, but now it becomes 1 half step with the Major chord built upon that scale degree in second inversion (otherwise known as a Neapolitan 6 Chord, with absolutely no relation to the ice cream!). Finally, the Dominant Chord does have it's 3rd raised 1 half step to become a Major Triad, thus leading the harmonic progression to a dramatic and powerful climax! Whew!!!!!! Then there is a recapitulation with a statement of the HypoPhrygian Mode in diminution followed by a short coda consisting of material from the Parallel E minor section. Let me know if this information helps you enjoy listening to Phrygian, or if you are running out of the room screaming with a migraine!?!?!

Ciao,

Cathleen & Chris

"Remember, as you go through life, don't B flat, don't B sharp, just B natural." Mozart - the other Mozart - our Golden Retriever.

Sunrise Afternoon

Let's talk about Tango Rose. The song is from our latest musical Clarion Call. Thoroughbred horse racing is heady stuff, and when you get an owner, a trainer and a gambler all locked into the fortune that rests on one horse, Clarion Call, it can reveal a lot about human nature. The pulse and the tension from a day of horse races can spark some unusual lyrics and unique music that brings back stretch life to the stage and transforms the audience into a crowd of cheering fans. The tango of Tango Rose is a dance for the owner, Peter, and the trainer, Ann to spar and embrace without actually betraying their deeper feelings. Like horse racing, the tango is a dramatic event with a flair for the finish. We'll continue to post the songs from Clarion Call to keep you coming back to the track to see the end of the race!

Added note. As a child growing up on a ranch in Ojai, I had a retired thoroughbred with a tattoo under his lip that suggested he had a history. I didn't care what he had done, or where he had come from. I was a kid with a horse and loved to run on the back road up behind Meditation Mount before it became a serene place of quiet meditation. We had bareback horse races on that country road that would raise the hair on the backs of any track trained jockey. One misstep and we would hurl into a tree or land on a rock. But, in that childhood, it was devil may care, and my horse Charlie knew how to run a race. Let me share a poem that captures the time, the place, and the power of running horses that are "seemingly domestic".

Seemingly Domestic by Catalina


Tilted, a hoof drops down gently into the soft silt.
The slow swish of a long silk tail chases a lazy fly.

A trace of a trail,
once pawed by a hundred hooves,
that trampled grasses with ferocious strength,
while bucking against twisted tornadoes.

All unable to escape the wild stampede,
that rocked the earth for miles,
rattled stall doors and ripped hinges,
that opened slowly and closed fast.

A hint of the wilderness,
where once splashed a hundred hooves,
into the rushing water of a rising river.
All fleeing a black cloud sliced by lightning.

One, shrieking with a stallion’s call,
darted into the forest,
at the top of the mountain,
splitting rocks at a gallop,
sliding headlong into the wind,
down the steep incline,
devil may care.

Ciao!

Cathleen and Chris!

"Improvisation is not the expression of accident but rather of the accumulated yearnings, dreams, and wisdom of our very soul."
Yehundi Menuhin

Sunrise Toads at Toad Hall

Frogs... Croaka, urp, Croaka, urp, Croaka, urp....

All you The Wind in the Willows fans, we have a Toad Hall of own, complete with real live Toads! Every evening a small army of toads (about three to five) crawl to our koi pond and spend the night on the rock island or a lily pad. A few frogs welcome them with steady croaking. These toads are determined, because it is a raised pond and they have to scale a three foot rock wall to get their nighttime soak. It is concerning when we return at night and see a few toads crossing the driveway to get to the Toad Hall spa. We make every effort to support them in their pilgrimage. Often we get out of the car and assist them to their destination, so that we don't run over them.

Merce....muuuuum,screech, whoa!

Can you imagine running over Toad of Toad Hall! Of course stopping to help might open us up to a wild ride with Toad. You know how carried away "Toady" can get when the sound of a car coming up the drive tickles his ears. With a Toad Hall Cd playing in the car stereo ,Toad could hear himself singing about himself - a sure bait for the likes of Toad!

Birds...zinnnng, tweat, tweat,zing,srr,brrinng...

Sunrise comes and all the fully soaked Toads go back to where they came from the night before. The pond is still. A perfect day for reading The Wind in the Willows dawns.

Ciao!

Cathleen and Chris!

"O Mozart, immortal Mozart, how many, how infinitely many inspiring suggestions of a finer, better life have you left in our souls!"

Franz Schubert

Flamenco on Tularosa

Ticka, tacka, ticka, tacka, shoes are moving to the feet, sliding on and over, buckling the straps. Hold on to your hair! The Flamenco way to start your day! It all starts with the shoes. They have a life of their own and they capture your feet and your heart and you're in. That's Latin life for you. Rich with spine tingling music that moves you in the morning. Nothing else like it. Viva!! Old young, advanced, beginner - it doesn't matter. Everyone is an artist when you wear the clapping shoes. They take you over from toes to crown and all the space in between dances with a pulse that is irresistible. The gypsy in each of us that only gets attention when it's dressed in bright colors and striking the floor with hard heels. Ole. Brew the coffee strong, put on "Malo,Malo" and get going. It's better than blues for a blast off gypsy king kind of day.

Ciao!

Cathleen and Chris!