Math in Music
The cymbal player counted so many bars,
he could have journeyed all the way to Mars
before he stepped up to the music stand,
grabbed one leather strap with his right hand
and the other with his left. He separated
the plates at just the proper angle, waited
a few more measures, glanced at the baton,
then brought them forcefully together on
the second half note of a 3/2 measure.
The ringing clang gave the conductor pleasure.
Although the vibrant overtones blended in
with the ensemble, the magnificent din
annoyed the violins. They went on playing,
yet somewhere deep inside they all were praying
there wouldn’t be another forte crash.
(Some instrumentalists forever clash.)
They should have praised the man for counting right.
Were he to come in wrong, even a slight
bit early or late — It’s all a matter of math.
If he lost count, he would incur the wrath
of the maestro. Were the fellow to ignore
the beat completely, he’d be out the door!
While the fidgety fiddlers would surely think it swell,
music without meter is unwell.
(Appeared in THEMA.)
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