The Secrets of Music – Part One

In fact, the very first lesson in music is also the ultimate secret of music, which lies hidden in its definition.

Music: Music is the expression of inner emotions through an instrument or the voice.

Many singers and musicians, throughout their artistic lives, have never once reflected on this definition. I have often seen singers who, during recording or performance, paid no attention at all to their inner feelings. If a singer or musician experiences stress while performing, what the audience hears—and the effect it has on them—is the feeling of stress, even if the song being performed is a romantic one. If a singer feels pride inside, the impression left on the listener is that very pride.

As a result, such a singer, even with a beautiful voice, will not be truly successful. Let us not forget that many less gifted singers have won the hearts of people simply through the sincerity of their emotions. Therefore, having a good voice or skilled playing is not enough for an artist. What truly matters is the feeling and the impact that a musician leaves behind—and the source of this impact lies in the artist’s inner emotions.

Reza Mohtadi Haghighi

The Secrets of Music – Part Two

Consider your own life. Traveling is one of the best ways to bring variety and avoid monotony in life. In music, modulation serves the same purpose. To free a musical piece from monotony, composers use modulation—that is, a journey into another key.

Music is like life. Its notes form a family. The closer the notes are to each other, the more emotions they share—like two people in a family who are very close. For example, in the key of A minor, playing the notes B and C, which are only a half step apart, is far more emotional than playing notes a whole step apart.

If you seek excitement in improvisation, choose notes that are farther apart. If you seek beauty in improvisation, you must use contrasts—they play the role of flower and thorn, or summer and winter. Look at music as you look at life: all the sweet and bitter events of life are hidden within music.

Reza Mohtadi Haghighi