Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
You may have never thought of a tone that people call the “devil’s tone” in music, now would you?
Well, that song you might be listening to might have the tritone. A tone that was considered evil back in the 1300s.
Music makes some people sad, happy, pumped, geeked up, withdrawn, emotional, tense, sensational, and many other emotions. Music influences the mind.
According to a “Harvard Health Blog” referenced from “AARP: Music and Brain Health Survey.”
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- Music listeners had higher scores for mental well-being and slightly reduced levels of anxiety and depression compared to people overall.
- Of survey respondents who currently attend musical performances, 69% rated their brain health as “excellent” or “very good,” compared to 58% for those who went in the past and 52% for those who never attended.
- Of those who reported often being exposed to music as a child, 68% rated their ability to learn new things as “excellent” or “very good,” compared to 50% of those not exposed to music.
- Active musical engagement, including those over age 50, was associated with higher rates of happiness and good cognitive function.
- Adults with no early music exposure but who currently engage in some music appreciation show above-average mental well-being scores.
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What are some ways that music influences minds, bodies, and souls?
Read the article “6 High-Performance Habits Only the Most Extraordinary People Share, Backed by Science.”
Now, let’s talk more about music…
The flatted fifth is the chromatic passing note between the scale’s four and five – the “blues tone.” The church calls it the “tri-tone,” also called the Devil’s tone. In music, when notes are close, they are small intervals. When they are far apart, they can be called large intervals.
A semitone is a small interval, and a tone is two semi-intervals, according to “Hello Music.”
In music, we use the letters A – B – C – D – E – F – G – A – etc. to label the notes:
Letter names of notes
The intervals are numbered based on if the interval can change between minor, major, augmented, or diminished. Take a look at the “Music Notes” website to get a better understanding of these notes.
A tritone is a very specific interval – it is an interval made from six semitones or three whole tones. The inverse of a tritone is also a tritone.
This means F ⇨ B and B ⇨ F are both tritones.
Technically F ⇨ B is an augmented 4th, and B ⇨ F is a diminished 5th
A tritone in music is used to create volatility and friction. This instability and tension in music used from a tritone is gone over to the next chord, which creates the tone of significance in the song.
According to Scott G. Eberle, Ph.D. The “diabolos in music” is proof. (Even though the phrase would not emerge until centuries after.) Even today, some evangelical preachers will insist that the tritone, if sung passionately, risks inviting the Devil into a church.
The tritone was given this name because of the harsh sound and feeling you get when you listen to it.
Do you believe you can invite the Devil into your place if you listen to a “triad” tritone called the Devil’s tone?
Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
1323 Pope John XXII objected to the ars nova, a new form of music called “Gregorian chant,” that monks sing in unison.
The Pope “supposedly” did not object to the tritone. The pope was against polyphony melodies.
Here is an excerpt…
“These composers, knowing nothing of the true foundations upon which they must build, are ignorant of the church modes, incapable of distinguishing between them, and cause great confusion. The great number of notes in their compositions reveals the plainchant melody, with its simple well-regulated rises and falls that indicate the character of the church model. These musicians run without pausing. They intoxicate the ear without satisfying it; they dramatize the text with gestures; instead of promoting devotion, they prevent it by creating a sensual and indecent atmosphere….”
Pope John XXII, Papal Bull Teachings of the Holy Fathers (1324)
Dissonance melodies in music ignite emotion and tension in the song. The pope felt that these melodies caused feelings of resistance during worship. During the 1930s and 1950s, the tritone peaked in music and is widely listened to today.
If it only causes emotional tension in the song, why is it called the “devils tone” when all music can create an emotion?
Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.
Music can teach us about God and speaks to our soul and spirit.
Songs in the Bible
The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood, you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
25 Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.” 26 While eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is My blood of the covenant,e which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink this fruit of the vine from now on until I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.” 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Other Hypnotic Tones in Music is the “Performer”
In music, most people focus on the performer. It would be best if you focused on the performer and the lyrics. The performer’s personality may be accompanied by depression, anxiety, stress, and many other mentally unhealthy things.
Understanding the lyrics will aid you in understanding the language of the performer. Are they speaking faith-filled words that’ll put you over things or fear-filled words that’ll put you under things in life?
Fundamentally, words have the power of life and death.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Sometimes it can be difficult to identify vocabulary with faith-filled words due to the melody, tone, and interval distracting you from paying attention to the actual words of the performer.
There are so many different music genres: Take a look here
Let’s Take a Look at the Top Performers in Music
Let’s Take a Look at the Top Gospel Performers
Will be continued on Sunday 03.24.23 @7pm will continue interpretation of performers lyrics. Might start over with lyrics.
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God
9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.
Understanding the background of the performer, including but not limited to , ethics, spirituality, and goals will aid you in knowing how authentic, caring, and honest they are in life.
Of course, your favorite artist might influence you to be inspired by them by the way they act, fell and think about things in life.
It is important for you to be able to understand the impact your favorite artists and/or record labels are making outside of their careers in music.
You should be able to answer these 7 questions about about your favorite artist:
- What influences have your favorite artist had on laws, specifically, impacting laws directly within the city you and them both live/reside?
- In what ways has your favorite artists been able to directly help fans in life besides, their music?
- What are some sensitive subjects that your artist have been able to openly discuss. For example, have they had a sit down/table/radio discussion with their opposing artist, to clarify truths that will allow fans to gain clarity/resolve on issues? In addition, when can they clarify rumors and have transparency about their relationships with that individual present?
- In what ways have your favorite artist supported your favorite benevolent/charity cause in life (wildlife, climate change, forestry, etc.) ?
- Why is it important to know these things about your favorite artist that you value and make investments in their music?
- Why is God important when it comes to the music you listen to?
- How does the music you listen to make you feel?
If your favorite artist cares about their fans, they will make sure their fans are not guessing about them. Leaving them in the dark about important issues.
God wants you to sustain yourself in this world.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
You want to always be inspired, encouraged, and have solutions to life’s toughest problems. Listen to music that will encourage you with faith-filled words and not fear-filled words.
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Deanna Watson, CEO of Sudden Changes Corporation
Ph.D. Student, Class of 2024, Chicago, IL
