Transitions
With that familiar feeling of summer coming to an end (in a timing sense, not in a weather sense… did summer even arrive? - I’m thinking a lot about transitioning into the latter half of the year, childcare routines, autumn, darker nights, colder evenings, crispy leaves, toasty blankets, and slow cooker stews.
I’ve been reading a lot about music this month. In music, a transition can also refer to the movement between different sections of a piece, a key change, modulation, or shift in rhythm or tempo. I feel all of these transitions to be true for me right now in my life.
Sure, transitions play a crucial role in maintaining flow and coherence between different sections of life, but they also create contrast, build tension, or smoothly connect disparate ideas. Very often we are so busy that we miss them, usually focused on the next place we need to be. For me, the principal practice of transitions, is never assuming an experience you have is the whole story. As I learnt from the brilliant Rick Rubin, there’s always a transition to the next scene.
How many times have I been on my yoga mat where I am bursting to get to the next posture. My mind’s already ‘there’, a hop skip and a jump away.
But I know there are some classes where I am totally luxuriating in the spaces between (namely Mandala with Nicole ) where I am deeply in amongst all the feels. There’s more of an ease to be at neither destination. Perhaps a perfect combination of teaching style, choreography, music, room temperature… who knows truly. But I do feel free in these moments, and most at peace.
My research got me thinking about music as a metaphor for life transitions. The music as life and myself as the listener, full of interest and impact from the emotional and structural flow of the music, metaphorically, of life itself.
I wonder where you might identify some of these musical transitions in your own life.
1. Key Changes and Modulation
A transition from one key to another. Something that happens abruptly or is prepared gradually. And modulation: the process of changing from one key to another within a piece. Modulation often involves a transitional passage where the new key is hinted at before fully settling into it. This shows up for me often, everywhere.
2. Rhythmic Shifts
A transition can involve a change in rhythm or tempo, such as moving from a slow, lyrical section to a fast, energetic one. These shifts can create dynamic contrasts and engagement. And metric Modulation; this involves changing the perceived tempo by altering the note value that is taken as the beat. For example, what was a quarter note might become an eighth note in the new section, effectively doubling the tempo.
Joking aside, this is 5:00 - 6:30pm with our daughter, it’s the hour around teatime and bedtime routine. Every day is different, but you can guarantee it has a distinct rhythm and tempo every day.
3. Textural Changes
Moving from one texture to another, such as from a full orchestral sound to a solo instrument or a change from homophonic (chordal) texture to polyphonic (interweaving melodies), can serve as a powerful transition. This month I’ve felt this ‘transition’ the most. Big life events that shape the character in your story. I am feeling ALL of it.
4. Harmonic Progressions
Transitions often involve a series of chords that prepare the ear for the arrival of a new key, theme, or section. These harmonic transitions can be as simple as a dominant-to-tonic resolution or more complex, involving sequences or deceptive cadences. Newness and change, creeping over the horizon — this is heavily present for me right now, both personally and professionally.
5. Melodic Development
A transition might involve the development or fragmentation of a melody, leading from one thematic idea to another. This for me is flow state, it’s how I feel internally when I access the space where I feel at my most creative.
6. Dynamic Changes
Changes in volume or intensity can also serve as transitions. A gradual crescendo might build tension leading into a powerful climax, while a sudden decrescendo might lead into a quieter, more introspective section. This can sometimes feel overwhelming at first, but learning to surrender and move with less resistance creates powerful shifts for me.
7. Orchestration Changes
In orchestral music, a transition might be marked by a change in instrumentation. A section might transition from strings to brass, altering the colour and mood of the music. A daily soundtrack at Noble HQ!
8. Bridge Passages
Sometimes referred to as a "bridge," this is a transitional section that connects two main sections of a piece, especially in popular music forms like verse-chorus structures. It often provides contrast and sets up the return of the main theme. This notion for me is the accompaniment to the August, a bridge back to routine.
But between all transitions, I am learning more than ever, to make space for the sacred pause. And yes, focus on the journey, not the destination.
So welcome back the familiarity of September. But also pay attention to how it feels to move in your body, however that looks for you. The music metaphors stand true on and off the mat. I invite you to have an awareness for the space between it all.
If you are London-based please join us this month at Clifford Studios in Barnes for a physical exploration of transition.
And as always, if you have your own thoughts and feedback to share with me, I’d love to read them and have a conversation with you. You can reach me here.
Thank you for being part of our community.
Love, Jodie x
