“Music is the space between the notes.” – Claude Debussy
He could hear the piano no matter where he was in the house. I would practice, and he would listen. I loved playing, but I tended to hate the monotony of practicing. Still, one of my favorite pieces to play was Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy. It is breathtaking. It is moving and silvery slow and heartbreaking and peace. And I know that sentence kind of doesn’t make sense, but that is how the music is.
My Dad would listen to me play and sometimes he would shout from some other part of the house: Don’t just play the notes. Make music! And usually what that meant was that I was rushing through, unfeeling and robot-like. I needed to linger on the notes, to include the white space and to pause. Because the space between the notes is equally as important as the notes themselves. Sometimes, even more so.
That is what Tuesdays are all about around here. Tuesday is a day to elbow out the clutter and create some margin; the day to linger over those moments that we may otherwise tend to rush through, unfeeling and robot-like. But life happens in the space between the action. The white space is where we learn, reflect, remember, and offer thanks. If there is no space, then life will rushed and staccato. That isn’t music. That’s just noise.
The guidelines for Tuesdays Unwrapped can be found here. In summary, please link up with the permalink to your unwrapped post, or your link will sadly be deleted. I would also ask, as a courtesy, that you would please link back here to Chatting at the Sky by either using the button or a text link somewhere in your post. Thank you.
I love this post, Emily. I remember learning that song, practicing. And I remember my Dad’s encouragement to take it further, make more of it, too. This made me happy to read on this rainy Tuesday morning.
xo elizabeth
.-= Boy Crazy (@claritychaos)´s last blog ..In which I’m caught on camera letting my baby play with scissors (TV CLIP!) =-.
“That isn’t music. . . that’s just noise.” Thanks for the reminder. I needed it.
So glad you’re back up and running! Or walking. Or strolling, perhaps, stopping to smell the flowers.
And thank you, yet again, for hosting this Tuesday feast–and reminding us to partake.
beautiful! Thanks for sharing this, it has given me pause this day.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Who’s Hiding =-.
I think that is the most beautiful way that you have described Unwrapped yet! Making music, not just noise.
.-= Rebekah @ It Only Gets Better´s last blog ..Sweet Shot – Chocolate Eyes =-.
we’ve been ahving some real musci at our house, too… he is att he stage where it is all coming together. which is good… because i feel like it make it more enjoyable for the player
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..lego love =-.
Yes! Perfect description of those moments…thank you.
.-= Vonda´s last blog ..1988 =-.
Gorgeous music. My eldest daughter is about to do a piano exam, and she is getting frustrated with her pieces, so the music is not quite as beautiful as it could be in our house right now.
I am joining in again this week, this time with a farewell party to a lovely friend who is about to become a minister/pastor.
.-= janmary, n ireland´s last blog ..No post tonight =-.
I love that you play the piano too. The space between – yes. I needed this today. Thank you.
.-= Kelly Langner Sauer´s last blog ..mirror, mirror =-.
Yes we all need to create or pause for spaces in our lives. Thanks for the wonderful reminder
I love Claire de Lune.
so thoughtfully articulated. i find God present in the chaos, of course, but i only manage to savor his presence in the white spaces.
.-= nic´s last blog ..blooming. =-.
one of my favorites. as are you. xoxo
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Desperately Seeking Blogger =-.
I love that! “Don’t just play the notes. Make music!” Now, if we would all live our lives that way.
.-= Shelly @ Life on the Wild Side´s last blog ..Our Favorite Children’s Books =-.
i love the beautiful pictures here on tuesday. i’m going to try to visit every one today. i missed your blog (or was that just an excuse to lay low and you pulled the plug yourself?) so how close do you live to pigeon forge?
.-= melissa~afamiliarpath´s last blog ..I heart faces {yellow} =-.
Ooo…this post makes me homesick for my daddy!
Thanks for the reminder to actually make some music each day…and not just go through the motions to cross of our “30 minutes of practice”.
.-= Shilo´s last blog ..I Love Being a Mother =-.
Don’t just play the notes, make music! As someone who labored (willingly and unwillingly) through 10 years of violin lessons and practicing in my childhood, that hits me in a very real place.
I love it.
.-= Sharone´s last blog ..because everything is better with pictures =-.
Emily, I literally have goosebumps. Claire de Lune is my absolute favorite piano piece. I cannot begin to explain what it does to me, right to the core. The peace it leaves me… oh, my. I now need to go back and read the rest of your post because I confess that I couldn’t get past the first few lines. Thank you… again!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Game On =-.
Oh, Emily. The words and sentiments of this post are just breathtaking. Your gift to me today. Thank you.
.-= Southern Gal´s last blog ..Computer Crash =-.
I need to make music more often. Too much time playing notes.
I love reading everyone’s thoughts on Tuesdays. It is like being refilled. Thanks for taking the time to visit/comment on mine.
I’m so glad you’re back. I was worried! Having your blog AWOL was like heading down to my local Starbucks for a treat only to find that it vanished overnight.
This is one of my favorite songs. It was played at my wedding and is forever special to me.
.-= The Scooper´s last blog ..I Wanna Hold Your Hand =-.
Emily as Starbucks! The only item on the menu is pumpkin lattes!
.-= ||| laura frantz |||´s last blog ..siblings =-.
Emily, this spoke to me on so many levels. Thank you. You are indeed a gifted writer.
I began taking piano lessons again five years ago, when I was 58. I know just what your Dad was talking about and love the analogy. It is so much easier to play the notes than to really make music – playing the piano or living life.
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Thankful in the Valley =-.
I love what your dad would say to you… make music! That is a fantastic lesson. Beautiful reminder.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..drive home =-.
Ahhhh…your blog brings me such peace.
Love the new look and I love your Tuesday’s unwrapped! What a great idea!!
.-= Mama Kat´s last blog ..i twitter: Anyer Just Thinkin’ Ohhh Shit!! =-.
Wise man, your dad. I love that: “Don’t just play the notes, make music!” I think I need to type that up and paste it to my desk or bedroom mirror or fridge or something like that.
.-= Michelle at Graceful´s last blog ..She Said, He Said =-.
Beautiful words lined up just so. You are making music now.
.-= Flower Patch Farmgirl´s last blog ..It’s Summer When… =-.
the rhythm of your words is always so soothing; the message as well.
thanks for giving me reason to stop and play in the ‘white space’, to notice gifts. i love your tuesdays.
.-= patty´s last blog ..of little boys and baseball bats =-.