Music has been called the Universal Language. Every culture has music and I have seen it bridge peoples and foster communication more quickly then words. Memories are evoked. Images are conjured up.  Emotions are stirred.  It is like the music gives a listener a healthy way to engage and share with those in the audience. Music can be a tangible way to connect where social norms might prohibit the connection.

You might wonder how a trained musician survives in the Army. You might think that the upbringing is different and not conducive to the Art? Well…The culture of being an American Soldier is unique.  But like many professions, such as medicine or finance or law, the language and terminology is standardized and woven into the culture. You get used to it and can forget your environment and awkwardly  spit them out as  “old hat” when at home or with friends.  The structure and focus of our job in the military calls for a “different” language.

I thought I would share an example of contrasts I deal with on a daily basis. They are different but complementary. 

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I was in a meeting with my Battalion and Brigade Commander yesterday and I was describing the mission goals for the 9^th Army Band. After, the meeting I reflected on the language I chose to use. It wasn’t longwinded and flowery like my personality or my blog. My language was short, succinct, and action oriented.  I focused on clarity.  I was ready to execute, employ, and initiate.  I used acronyms like RVVT, TEWT, ALIT, STX, STAFFEX. My descriptors lacked shading and nuance. There was no room left for confusion.  My language was pointed and focused on the concept of “do” or achieve.

After the meeting, I reflected on my upbringing as a musician. My instructors, suggested, and cajoled me to do more.  Their descriptors were leading and rich with imagination. The terms were succinct but engaging. The musical terms dealt  with roles, direction, dynamics, styles, technique, expression, mood, form, voice, and tempo. Many of the terms were in a foreign language,  as though to enhance their meaning with potential and possibilities. Repeatedly, the terms were passive and softened as a lure to describe the nuance or shading  in the intended effect.

My favorite example of this is the terms for sorrow in the Army Musical Term manual…..

Terms of Sorrow-Dolore, Doloroso, Dolente, Lacrimoso, Passianato, and Apassianato all describe sad, sorrowful emotions and feelings. All five of these stylistic terms direct you to perform in a sad, grief-stricken, poignant style. Three terms, Dolore, Dolente, and Doloroso originate from the latin term Dol.

Each term  is used in a distinctly different way but can boldly move an audience.

It is curious that the two  above examples can be so strikingly different but have the same goal…effective communication.

Effective Communication as a musician can lead to a great connection with the audience and is an essential transfer of information between the composer/musician to the listener.

In the military, communication is just as key but the immediacy of the mission can dictate brevity and assured awareness or focus. No direction is left to chance.

Every musician who serves in your Army is versed in both languages  and has adapted so we can be effective on the stage or on the battlefield. That is pretty cool.

Until Next Time…Arctic Warrior, Arctic Tough

 CW2 Jeff Price