Just sitting here, oscillating.

(DISCLAIMER: This isn't funny. But I had a discussion about it with a new friend last night and thought it was a very cool thought. So don't get all pissed.)

I started playing music when I was 7. My parents bought me a trumpet, and away I went. It's crazy to think that I've been speaking the musical language for over 20 years now. I've been a musician, in some form or another, for most of my cognizant life.

Anyway, in college I was music major for a couple years.  And one of my favorite classes was called "The Science of Sound." In this class, we were taught how sound is generated, how it behaves, how it's perceived, and how it changes in a given medium. In short, sound is an invisible energy wave form that begins at a certain source, is received by our ears, and then translated by our brains. It's a communication. A message.

But here's where it gets cool, to me at least. A string on a guitar, at rest, creates no sound. But pluck it, and it oscillates (vibrates) therefore transmitting a sound wave that has a frequency value (or note). Pluck two strings on a guitar, and their waves interact, much like when you drop two pebbles into a pond next to each other and the ripples converge. When the two strings are in perfect tune with each other, the chord will actually ring for a longer period of time than when the two strings are out of tune. This happens because the oscillating harmonics, within the notes, almost encourage the other string to continue ringing. Two perfectly tuned notes support each other. The chord lives longer.

We humans are the most advanced biological organic energy sources on the planet. And because all energy oscillates, we have a frequency--like a guitar string that is constantly emitting a sound wave. So, we make our way through the world, vibrating. And as we encounter other people, our energy waves interact, just like two ripples on the surface of the water. Just like two strings on a guitar. Sometimes, the other strings we meet along the way don't really mesh with our frequency. The chord is off key. You and that person likely don't end up enjoying each others company much. But sometimes, you meet someone who's vibration falls perfectly into tune with yours. And it feels like you're singing. When you're with that person, just like two strings, the chord you strike becomes a beautifully symbiotic relationship, with each oscillating energy source encouraging the other to keep ringing.

We are energy generators, as well as receivers. We yearn for harmony. Are you with someone with whom you make an off key chord? Is the chord the two of you create a sad sounding minor chord? Or something even more harsh? Or are you with someone who, when paired with your single note, makes a chord the whole world should hear? Someone who encourages you to keep vibrating. Someone who makes you a fuller, brighter, deeper vibration?

I think that's why old people die shortly after their spouse passes away. When the other string in your chord is gone, who's there to keep you humming? As sad as that sounds, I rather like that thought. I think it's pretty fucking amazing.

Comments

[Rian]

I just sent you a craigslist posting I saw in the "best of" section. Did you write this?

[Friendsy]

No... I didn't. I don't think I should be writing any more fake Craig's List posts for awhile.

[John]

I think you're brilliant. You commented on my blog earlier - "Yikes!" We vibrated so beautifully. I don't know what happened, but we stopped vibrating together, now we vibrate apart. The sorrow is that I can still feel his vibrations. Thanks for your post and your comment.

[Mom]

WOW! Matt is that really you??? How enlightened you are! My job is almost done! Keep oscillating!

[Samantha]

I love this post. It's informative and beautiful. Thanks for the info. :-D