The Flute, The Breath, and Air

 I realize I have been on a music spree these past few weeks, and after this week, I promise to move on from music. But when the muse calls, one should respond! So in anticipation of finishing up with the music theme for a while, above is a relevant potent quote about breath and music, which relates to the two music files I commend to you, which you can find in the Chant/Music page: “Breathe In”, by Atlanta Jewish chant group SunMoonPie, although this is a little digression from their usual chant fair, and “The Flowers of the Forest”, a solo bagpipe piece by my favorite Irish piper, Blackie O’Connell, which is an “Air”, a traditional slow breathy Irish form much different from the other common forms of “Jigs” and “Reels”. If you listen to it, you will see why it is an “Air”, besides being propelled by the air of the pipes.

The flute is totally empty

It is the breath that flows through

.... sings and dances ....

To be empty is not emptiness

--Rumi