ABOUT THE AUTHORS
JACKIE MCCUNE grew up in a "show business" family. Her father, a comic dancer, was a "Top Banana" in Burlesque. Her mother and her mother's five brothers were all involved in music, three of them professionally. Over the years Jackie's involvement has included dancing, singing and playing percussion. She and her husband, Ron, who plays guitar, are Christian ministers and music is an important part of their ministry. Jackie was fascinated by the obvious emotional reactions of congregations to music and commented on this to their friend NEIL WALLEN.
Since childhood a love for music has driven NEIL WALLEN to want to understand some of its complexities. As a student at Knapp School of percussion in Chicago, he studied music theory and arranging. After several years experience playing piano and percussion professionally a desire for a new life style led him to become a public school teacher. Neil's work gravitated toward mathematics involving a daily TV program on PBS, co-authoring two mathematic textbooks for a major publisher and teaching in public school all of which has provided the prerequisites for making an analysis of music.
(UPDATE: since this booklet was published, Jackie's husband Ron, and Neil have gone on to be with the Lord)
INTRODUCTION
One of the definitions concerning tension recorded in Webster's Dictionary states that tension is "balance maintained in an artistic work between opposing forces or elements." Since music is an artistic work this definition must apply in some way. What are the elements of Music? What are the opposing forces? How is balance maintained between them? What are the consequences if the forces are not kept in balance?
This document is a report of research conducted to answer these questions.
Since music has always played a major role in Christian worship and is commanded by God in numerous scripture verses, it is obvious that its purpose was more than entertainment. A study provoked by these questions suggests that music produces an emotion altering effect, particularly on the subconscious. Since our emotions play a significant role in determining our actions, a Christian should be aware of how they are created in order to prevent feelings that pilfer his or her joy. Many believers live victorious lives yet lack an effervescent spirit that produces satisfaction and joy.
