Omer 12: Listening in a Loud World

This erev Shabbos, I played clarinet for a service in Brooklyn. As is true many weeks, much of the music was played by ear, creating harmonies and chord structures to support singing through prayer. During the practice for the service, I enjoyed slowing down to listen to the other musicians. In this way, we were able to build a varied base of accompaniment, pair the dynamics in order not to cover the singing, and add our own voices to the mix of melodies and harmonies.

Each time I play music in this way, I am reminded how loud things around me can become. Whether the rush of the subway, laughter in large groups, the overwhelming din of conversations, the rush of information, my own hurried thoughts, or the idea of a melody. All these sounds have to be tamed, tapered, transformed in order to make room for listening and hearing new things.

In this season of the Omer, I hope to listen for the accompaniment, harmonies, and chord structures that support movement and change.