The Fighter Within

My brother and I had an amazing conversation last night, where we shared songs with each other that pumped us up for battle.  My brother explained to me how these songs would get him "in the zone" for an upcoming battle he was going to be physically fighting in.  It's not lyrical by any means, but the music therapist in me analyzed the music he shows me and breaks down music into it's elements:

Pitch
Rhythm
Meter
Dynamics
Tempo
*Individual Instrumentation Styles (How each instrument group uses the elements to create something blood-pumping)

I have a couple videos of songs that my brother and I looked at and agreed upon.


 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SenbXX0Lkb4
Like much music, you hear a simple line...but notice the pitch.  Lower strings.  It gets under your skin as you sense that the pitch slowly rises.  Then you hear other instruments from under it rise in dynamics.  Soon the two are working together to build suspension.  The drums kick in more so to add rhythm, and finally higher strings play a very set and simple rhythm to emphasis the beat.  Strings work together to form two sets, and finally the adrenaline begins to climb as the dynamics and suspension builds in this complexity of rhythm and voices.  2:04...hear the driving drums underneath?  This is what keeps the line going.  Everything else is simple rhythm, but this driving percussion line gets your body ready to take a risk!  (and just cause I'm biased, the French Horns come in with rips to REALLY get the song moving at 2:30)  Finally the final line in dynamics brings this piece to an epic close. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shDNaFhPiJY
Now this next one isn't going to have such a broad range of instrumentation.  But notice the use of a constant moving melody line.  No syncopation in the strings, but then the complexity in rhythm from stomping feet and clapping add more to this very set line.  Apart, these lines are very VERY repetitive.  Nothing new, nothing really complex.  The strings alternate between a constant quarter note line with occasional eighth-note transitions and a constantly moving eighth-note drive.  The percussive quality only emphasizes the beats like 1, 2...(3)and 4 and.  The vocals emphasize the beats like 1..(2)..and (3)...(4) and.  On the last phrase, the vocals and strings join in a harmonious grand finish. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGcsIdGOuZY
My final video is one I know most of us have heard...many of which can hold close to your hearts for one reason or another.  This one has vocals that only emphasis the message more that the instruments want to express.  Granted, they don't play as vital of a role to get our blood pumping, but dynamic change to cue the chorus and the constantly moving guitar line helps to get the word "Hero" pop out that much more.  Notice how the male and female vocal interaction.  I love this song because they work together to get one message across..."We need a hero."

Given this short little musical connotation, I hope that your blood is now pumping.  We are in our own constant spiritual battles. 
I Timothy 6:12  "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Ephesians 6:10-11 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

And as Moses lifted the Israelites up with encouragement of our God as our Hero, I also use this to lift you up.  Let God use His gift of music and scriptures to get your blood pumping for the good fight.

Exodus 14:13 "And Moses said to the people, 'Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today.   For the Egyptians who you see today, you shall never see again.'"

If God be for us, who can stand against us?