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 Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:09 am
 Belwen chuckled glancing around at her classmates as they each spoke up about what to hear. It was interesting to see and listen to what the others liked and now about the instruments. Belwen's eyes went over the instruments as the others spoke and then since it had gotten left out so far added in, "I think I'd like to hear the trumpet as well," smiling some as she spoke, "all should be lovely and interesting to hear."
She then rested back enjoying the whole thing with a slight smile. Her eyes glancing over Khamsyn, the Professor, and then the floating instruments again. It was a rather interesting display she decided with the lovely floating music.
 Nadyrr smiled slightly when Yalitza made her way over. Sitting up a little more as well, he then noticed she seemed to already be taking notes. Glancing down at his empty page he then glanced up attempting to remember what the professor had said that might be note worthy. Hearing her choice of instrument he glanced up looking at the shy oboe. Arching a brow slightly he glanced over at Yalitza a moment and sighed. Murmuring slightly he spoke, "for you I would have chosen a flute."
Then tilting his head he got a look at her notes before jotting down a few of his own. He wasn't sure if he would need them but if Yalitza had them they were likely worth making sure he had as well.
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:36 pm
"Drums, Professora, when able," Eve agreed with Daggart, leaning forward over her desk at a precarious angle. Awakens more primal emotions and instinct, she repeated to herself inwardly, taking the words to heart, Layers. Thought, leaning, inspiration. Her bright eyes lingered over the floating instruments, rampant curiosity barely keeping her seated. She wanted to feel that primal urge, the very term striking a chord within her, not quite as interested in the quiet and calming effects just yet.
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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:05 am
Once bitten, twice shy. It's hard to overcome the feeling of apprehensive anxiety. After the... turbulent start to last class, in many parts surreal, in some parts scary, reclaimed only by a persistant emphasis on a more measured state, it was only instinctive for Thimble to feel slightly set on edge. She would have been seen, not tromping happily (if a bit recklessly) to class, but with a more rhythmic, rocking gait, one which flicks each foot up in turn, as though to fling off any restless spirits trying to grab a hold; as shadows to heel.
The unease is shown more plainly in her brow: furrowed, the deep lines create shadows that darken the face. It was not merely prior experience of class in general that set her mind (and thus worried her face and foot) so, but that her mind baulked at the mere idea of music. It was not that she didn't like music, per se, but that she was underexposed (perhaps unexposed, at least to some parts of the rich kingdom that is the instrumental world). She could not play any instrument, neither did she know someone who did. Tempered sound as makes music would sometimes float in from faraway places -- another Empyr's room, for example, or a performance in some hall or field far enough away to be out of sight -- but these would come, more oft than not, faintly, or warped by wind, or overclaimed by the sounds of something more natural, more near. She remember chasing the sound once, out of idle curiousity, and remembered the oddness with which these ethereal sounds had snapped into sharp focus, as soon as she saw the performers.
On the first count of her anxiety, at least, Thimble was swiftly reassured. The mere vision of Nehna, puttering into class, had a calming effect. Her hair was buoyant, and smoothly curved, shining softly: like her face and its expression. Kind faces grant great reassurances, and she had among the kindest Thimble had ever seen. Her words dealt the killing blow, a term that could not be used but ironically, as their serene grace made all the vehemence in the world take flight, violent and antagonistic thoughts seemed like fables in the face of them, like talks of demons from darker times. Muscles that Thimble hadn't even realised were tense, unknitted and relaxed. She even caught her fingers roaming the soft length of her feathered quill, as her mood changed track from tension to tranquil.
Her fingers tightened in grip when Nehna posed her question, however. The poor feather crumpled in her unhappy hand, the barbs breaking from each other's embrace, were they to be shown--her hand to be peeled back, for instance--their ruffled, disgruntled countenance, would not be too unlike that of Thimble's. What sort of sounds are she drawn to? She wasn't so discriminate, all sounds played equal, as far as she knew them: perhaps she hadn't heard enough to place favourites. To her, to her it seemed, the appeal in music was not so much in the sound, but in the movement. The sweep of a bow, the gentle rain-like dance of fingers on a harp, the clack and cluck of stoppers lifting from holes in response to their counterparts being forced down. In the sound itself, Thimble would bear greater interest in their physical properties, as vibrations,as waves which, if scripted, would fluidly change in peak and pattern.
It seemed like this kinesthetic appreciation she held was denied somewhat by the shape of the question. And she bit her lip in a bid for silence, unsure of how she'd voice this. Or how appropriate it would be. Instead she listened to other's response, and felt relatively sheepish: how simple it sounded, to be answered in that way, simple... but not easy, not for her to respond, still.
The responses had were enough to illustrate a point perfectly though. Freeing her pen to write (it waggled in tipsy circles as she penned, its rumpled appearance meant it waved like a broken flag of surrender) she jotted down this connection between mind and music. How odd, what did this make of her, then?
But no time to pursue this curiousity -- for then there were instruments in the air! Instruments like odd birds, and behaving much like them: not only in that they drifted free from the bounds of the earth, but that they squeaked and chittered as they tuned, even offering a few brave notes of song. Thimble watched them with a fascination much removed from context, her hand rested with quill, on the end of her pre-emptive list header 'Dif instruments have specif. app:'
It amused her, to hear a request for each instrument to be played first. Such equality to votes always made priority a little superficial, if not redundant. She was bemused, and tempted to make some cheeky retort: 'Oh, play them all at once!' but once again, held her tongue. Oh dear, she hoped she'd have something to say soon, being dumb all class is not her idea of a well-spent lesson. That said, she couldn't help but draw excited little scratches into the margin of her paper, waiting for the instruments to spill their secrets.
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Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:17 pm
 Khamsyn listened to all the students annoucning their preferences for which instrument they wanted to hear first. Personally, he didn't really have a preference, but was amused by the fact each of the instruments seemed to have distinct personalities. He wondered if that was an affectation of the magic animating them, or whether they really did have personalities unto themselves. As he waited he shot a smile over to Belwen and looked over the rest of the class. He might not be terribly interested in the subject matter of this class, but it might yet surprise him and make him a music lover. One never can tell.
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:48 am
Nehna laughed delightedly, clapping her soft hands together. "Very well, we'll hear them all... Now then...in which order..." Nehna got the slightest mischeivous look in her eye as she pondered, tapping a forefinger against her chin. Then, with an imperceptible motion she indicated to the instruments which order she'd like them to perform in.
The Violin sprang to life with a trill and flourish. The clear, throbbing high notes produced by its strings seemed to clear the air and infect the mind with clarity. As violin played its swaying chords and humming notes, its sound stimulated the minds of those who listened, pulling on the heartstrings with such force as to awaken old emotions and draw them back to life. As the music continued, the attention of the students increased, everyone being primed to intellectually grasp the lessons unfolding.
While Violin sang, soft and gentle the Oboe came to harmonize with it. The air in the room got sweeter under the influence of its calm, mellow notes. Many listening found themselves calmed and prepared, breathing deeply, settled and opened. The combinaton of the two produced the air of an intelligent and ready classroom.
And then Violin ended with a glorious scale on an high-note and the Oboe continued, calm and gentle. And then the drum began, a slow steady rhythm fitting in between and with the Oboe's notes to accentuate the melody, to give full flavour and body to the music. As calm as Oboe made its listeners, the Drum made the heart's beat a littlemore fiery, possessed the listeners with that itch to get up and move, that longing to dance and move their bodies, their pulses heating up with energy and passion. But with Drum's encouraging beats, anyone to dance to its compelling invitation would find themselves able, co-ordinated, 'in the groove' as it were.
Here Oboe trailed off, leaving Drum to take the floor. The rhythms and speed of the drum increased, its power and pull becoming nearly irresistible when suddenly, shrill and high Trumpet trilled. The brass came in with a force and brash belonging only to its kind. The drum and the trumpet joined together to make a jazzy, envigorating tune. The drum leant vitality, the trumpet leant strength, power. As the students listened, heart rates rose, some students got out of their seats and danced their little feet to the impromptu concert.
At length the drum played itself out and Trumpet took the final reigning solo and hammed it up really well. finally, after a cascade of sharp, short jazzy notes, the trumpet ended with an announcing fanfare and as it's notes faded away there was silence in the classroom once again. Nehna said nothing, merely raised her eyebrows and turned to the class, as if to say: "Well?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:00 am
Cyphr was affected deeply in turn by each instrument. He felt smarter at the Violin's sounds, calm at the Oboe's, but when that drum started... Oh! Oh! he just couldn't resist its call...
Indeed, Cyphr got up out of his chair, and he started to dance, and did he ever! he shook his chubby lil' booty and he stamped his feet, he wriggled around his desk and clapped his hands. He was lost in the music. And when that trumpet joined in, well! Cyphr jived and shimmied, and stuck out a hand to Cypress to get her to join him in the dance. THIS was what all classes should be like!
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:51 pm
Khamsyn, who didn't really have much interest in the class prior to it's beginning and didn't much care which instrument was heard first, was surprised how deeply he was affected when the violin began to play itself. It was like an unseen cloud that had settled over his mind was banished by the high sounds of the violin's music. His mind felt clear, his thoughts sharper and his opinion on music being changed rapidly. He sat, listening in utter awe.
As the oboe joined in he felt the wave of calm harmony wash over him and steal away any doubt or nervousness. The edges of his mouth turned up in a tranquil smile as he listened and swayed slightly to the two instruments playing their beautiful, peaceful song. He looked over to Belwen and smiled. All around the classroom he saw the faces of contented beings. Even the hardest, most stoic in the bunch were starting to crack and show they were affected profoundly by the dulcet tones as well. Then, the violin faded out and the rhythm of the drums kicked in.
Khamsyn's calm heart began to beat with a newfound passion. The look he gave Belwen then was quite different, almost seductive. His smile shifted from contented peace to mischeavious glee. His foot started tapping to the beat of the drums and oboe's song, and he began to feel the pull to get up and move. He fought it, tried to push it down and was succeeding too. That is until the oboe faded away and the trumpet joined in with the drums. He could not help it anymore and before he knew it he was on his feet beside his desk, dancing without a care in the world. The normally easily embarrassed Phlegm didn't even think about it. His body had taken over and was moving without bothering to consult his mind. Had it bothered, he might not be so free to get up and move, but the memory of a certain sushi party reminded him that he could dance decently well without looking the fool.
By the time the trumpet shined in it's solo and then heralded it's finale, Khamsyn collapsed back into his chair, a little more fatigued than he ever would of thought he'd be in a music class. His opinion on the subject was rapidly being put to the test and now he had to admit that music had a power he could not even have guessed at. But just because those instruments could affect others so profoundly in the hands of a talented musician such as Professora Nehna, did not mean Khamsyn could ever reproduce such affects. But just like he'd been surprised by the recent classroom concert, he might just surprise himself yet.
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Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:46 pm
 Cypress had her head thoughtfully propped up on one hand as all the instruments began to play, eyes shut peacefully -- simply listening. She'd have to get an audio-deck - that much was certain already. All the different kinds of music!
A soft smile came to her face as the oboe joined with the violin, her own throat producing soft, humming harmonies, interweaving with the two instruments and making an impromptu line all her own, for just her to celebrate. It didn't take a single thought - it was just there.
When the drums joined in, Cypress' smile grew a bit stronger, though her humming faded as her mind analyzed the rhythms without a second thought. Suddenly, though, she found a slight tug on her arm as Cyphr was tugging her up to dance with him. Slightly embarrassed, Cypress rose to her feet, until she found that others in the class were dancing as well. She smiled as Cyphr booty-wiggled and foot-stamped and settled for some mix between jazz style dancing and her own little thing.
Still, her mind was racing with possibilities. It was obvious what the music had done to her fellow classmates, and she didn't doubt the magical abilities that could blend with music. But the main question in her mind was . . . Professora, is music sometimes used to -- influence -- other beings? Such as monsters, abberations, Empyreans here she paused with a nervous gulp, with the last option, and the next, Outsiders? There it was, blunt and open, rather Choleric of her, yes, but she almost felt led to the question. The calm and clarity of the violin and oboe could be rather effective in calming a monster, if only enough to be caught. But combined with magic . . . now that would be a wonder in and of itself, would it not? After asking her question, Cypress found her way back to her seat, finding her quill and beginning sketches of each instrument and, next to them, their sound, and their affect on her feelings and moods, and extremes that she had noted in the class around her. This music . . . yes . . . it would be a very interesting class, she could tell already.
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:09 am
She was influenced by the instruments as much as the next student, but she was still, listening to the first two instruments and the strange feeling that corded through her. It was as though she could feel the music specifically within herself, and understand the lesson in that fashion; once the drums joined the fray, Eve, like Cyphr, could not be still.
The Zero leapt out of her seat and danced, not even knowing she could do such a thing but utterly compelled to sway her hips to this beat and glide her arms in a fluid motion to that trill. Goodness, but it was fun! Eve was grinning ear to ear, hips swiveling, feet stepping and sliding, fingers curled as though to grasp the music as it filled the room. What delicious sounds and feelings!
And then the dark-skinned girl was calmly seated as the last note died, feeling bereft of the vibrations in the air. Her bright eyes were positively brimming with excitement despite the loss of inspiration and flare, wanting to know more. Music had hooked the attention-challenged Eve, and she would absorb all she could.
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:38 pm
Belwen rested back some listening to the music as it started to play; a smile coming to her lips as she listened to the violin. The smile widened as the oboe harmonized the sounds were very lovely she rested her head against Khamsyn as she listened the feeling of being relaxed washing over her. Catching Khamsyn's smile Belwen returned it and gave him a wink.
Once the drums kicked in she looked forward again her attention drawn. When Khamsyn got up dancing she looked over chuckling happily watching him with a bright smile. Distracted by watching Khamsyn she didn't get up and join him, but instead clapped along with the music and his own unique movements. Once he dropped back into his seat she leaned and gave him a quick kiss on the the cheek her eyes once again going toward the front of the room as the trumpet began to play.
Once the professor turned to the class, Belwen found herself laughing slightly again and clapping whole heartedly for the performance. "That was amazing," Belwen's voice carried but she wasn't really directing the comment to anyone in particular.Nadyrr sat thoughtfully listening as the violin started a soft smile coming over his lips as he listened. Once the Oboe started he glanced over toward Yalitza remembering her request; the relaxing feeling he got listening to the instruments caused him to rest back as he listened. As the violin tapered off and the more upbeat music started to play Nadyrr found himself tapping his foot along with music. The music was already wide in variety but he was finding he was appreciating all the aspects of it.
When the music started playing to a more jazzy pace and almost asked to be danced to Nadyrr stood up and started dancing. Glancing over to Yalitza he smiled and motioned to her attempting to get the Phelgm to join him.
He found his seat again as the music ended, glancing around the room to see how the others were reacting. There was a power to music that was for sure; a very interesting one.
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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:18 am
Daggart had listened with interest as the Violin and Oboe played their parts, caught up in the swelling notes and rich rythms. It almost felt like some part of his mind had unfolded and settled, encouraged his attention and drew his interest without fail. When the drums started up, the choleric began to bounce his foot to the beat, head swaying and patting his knee. He really enjoyed the percussion and it invigorating tones. Then the trumpet sounded and Daggart leaned forward, amazed by the brassy notes and sharp changes. It was like a call to action that resonated with him as well and he laughed as he noticed Cyphr doing a jig to the music; joined he and the others in his own little accompaniment to the trumpet with claps and stomps and spins and laughter.
When it all faded away, he stood for a moment, clapping before he sank back to his chair and beamed at the professora. Cypress had asked a good question and he was anxious to learn the answer. Was music so very effective on a broad scale?
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Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 1:41 pm
When the music began, Abacus held his breath. This was... amazing! Just look at how the violin moved, just hear the notes it sang! He felt... open. But it wasn't the sort of open akin to the way prey feels when caught out in the middle of the open, or when the piercing gaze of a teacher pins an unlucky student to their seat. This was... an okay, an acceptable sort of feeling, moreso when the oboe joined in. He relaxed muscles he wasn't aware of that he had tensed and sank into his seat, wiping the sweat from his brow. What was I so worried about? He shook his head as the violin's tones faded away, pleased that... well, whatever THAT emotion was disappeared.
The drums were quiet at first. Abacus tilted his head to one side, mentally fitting the soft oboe's lullaby with the drum's steadfast beat together. Abacus began to tap his fingers to the drum's beat, absorbing it as the oboe faded. As the drum picked up, Abacus closed his eyes and simply listened, then opened them again, startled when the trumpet joined in. What! How can it- did it just-- that is LOUD! The journeyman gaped at the brass instrument, then swung his attention to the class. Quickly he grabbed his camera and leaned back in his chair, trying to fit as many as he could into the camera's window before snapping a picture. The synchronization, the timing -- music could do all this? Music, it seemed, was not to be taken lightly.
As the music faded, Abacus took a slow, deep breath. "Whoa," he whispered, looking with wide-eyes to the instruments. He raised his hand after Cypress asked her question, adding, "Does each instrument have a specific effect, or is it dependent on the music? Would a recording of music work just as well, or does playing the instrument create the biggest effect? How long does it take to master one? And -- oh, er, sorry, I think I just got a bit ahead of myself."
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Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 3:16 pm
Nehna joyfully watched the class as the effects of the instruments swept over them. She actually gave a delighted laugh and clapped her hands when a few of the bolder students got up from their seats and danced to the music. When the notes fell away to silence and the students began asking questions, Nehna clicked her fingers and the instruments faded away into nothingness. She turned her attention toth e questions and smiled as she answered gently.
"Yes, Cypress," Nehna said, nodding to the Choleric student. "Music is specifically for influencing living creatures - including Empyreans, Outsiders, plants and Monsters. Even if that effect is simply to bring enjoyment, Music works on living bodies because it is a form of vibration. It causes the bodies to resonate with them." Nehna paused and sobering somewhat she added cautiously. "That said, ti can be used for both good and ill. For instance, it can be used to calm a frightened Bael or heal a mental or physical injury. On the otherhand, it can be used to agitate and break concentration, dangerously raise blood pressure or induce rage. It is a powerful tool not to be trifled with lightly." Nehna smiled kindly, trying to reassure if this warning had concerned anyone. Then she turned her attentions to Abacus and smiled warmly at his enthusiasm. "Yes, each instrument has a specific effect because of the sorts of vibrations it can create. I'll come back to that in a moment, as that's the heart of this semester's lesson." She moved on to his other questions easily. "Recordings of music also work, but as a more subdued level. You still get a bit of the vibration, but you lose a great deal of the raw force, the physical transmition, and the intimacy of the music. Live, the music is accompanies with the passion of the player, and also with the emotions of the crowd listening to the music. In a live scenario you can heighten the effects of the music exponentially." She paused and pondered for a moment. "How long it takes depends on the student. As you felt just now, some of you were most moved by certain intstruments more than others. If you attempt to learn to play one, it is best to pick one of the ones that most resonated with you. You'll have the least struggle in learning those. As for how long, it depends on how quick you are to pick up the music, how much you practise and how strongly it resonates with you. I encourage everyone to borrow and instrument or two and experiment, makes noise with it and see what calls to you best." Nehna gestured to a cabinet at the back of the class, that was in fact a walk-in cabinet that contained technorings of all manner of instruments, from flutes to wazoos, baby grand pianos to organs, trumpets to digeredoos, mandolins to ukeleles, lyres to kotos.
After a moment to allow the students to ponder what sorts of instruments they'd best be able to use, Nehna returned the class' attention to the lesson.
"Now, as Abacus pointed out - each type of instrument has it's own strengths. Considering the sounds you heard of the Viloin, Oboe, Drum and Trumpet as representatives of String, Woodwinds, Percussion and Brass instruments, what observations can you make? What sorts of effects did you notice these instruments having?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:50 pm
As Nehna indicated that the students should choose some instruments to borrow and make some noise with, Khamsyn looked over his shoulder to the closet that contained them. It was a big closet and since most, if not all, the instruments were in technorings, there was a ton to choose from. If the choice of instrument wasn't daunting enough, he was totally convinced he wouldn't even know which end to blow into, what to strum or where to hit to even make the right noises. But if it was a requirement of the class, then he'd take a couple home with him and play around when no one could hear him. He pondered for a moment, recalling the instruments Nehna demonstrated, and though the drums and trumpet seemed to have the most notable affect, he thought maybe he'd select a wind instrument. And maybe a stringed one as well. What, he did not know. Likely he'd just choose something from the category and worry about what it's name was later.
His attention was brought back to the front by the Professora's question to her class. No one else seemed to be piping up right away, so Khamsyn raised his hand catching the Professora's attention before he ventured an answer. "Well, the violin's song seemed to tighten my focus. Distractions seemed to fade away and my attention was honed to a fine point, concentrated." His concentration level had seemed to increase, making him all the more receptive to the following instruments. "And when the oboe came in it brought tranquility with it."
He didn't mention the drums or trumpet, partially to let another student continue and partially because he was still kind of uncomfortable that he got up in class and danced like a fool. Just another in a long line of personal moments he would try to forget. At least he wasn't the only one that danced. That would help.
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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:24 pm
Cypress looked up at the Professora with mild interest. It was rather obvious what the instruments had done to all of them, but what interested Cypress the most was vibrations. The different instruments had to make vibrations in different ways. She looked more closely at the sketches she had drawn.
The violin had two small holes in it, each shaped in a f like manner. That must be why the violin brought focus; it's sound was focused -- the vibrations could only escape through those two holes. Now . . . the oboe brought tranquility . . . why was that? Because the sound came from the bottom of the instrument and worked its way up? Kind of like a relaxing bath? No . . . it wasn't as obvious. Now the trumpet . . . that should be easy. The sound went from tons of small pipes out a brilliant horned opening, able to burst forth with all of its pent up energy, while still being honed in the tubes. The drum . . . how would the vibrations travel with a drum? Instead of a long vibration, they had to be shorter, traveling more in bursts. Cypress hid an involuntary shudder at the possible combination for attacks a drum could hold. This must be why many military-like marches consisted mostly of brass and percussion -- the most direct and strong and powerful of the instruments. Cypress chose to remain silent and let another student answer where Khamsyn had left off -- she was too busy thinking all of her thoughts and wishing she knew what their bodies were made of and why vibrations affected them so. Maybe it was time to see Professor Abrid?
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