Post 3 - F-Minor: Sensing the Extraordinary
June 9, 2021
Music Theory
Every scale is made up of three notes with the tonic being the first note of the scale. This note is both the starting and ending note and is the letter which names the scale. For example, the tonic for both C-major and C-minor is C. This musical detail is essential because it creates a foundation for a coherent order, otherwise music would be in disarray and chaotic. One could also use a lack of scales in music if their expression is more experimental. However, it would likely lack any aesthetic and be displeasing.
F-minor scale tones & geometry sketch (2021)
Beyond the Theory
The tonic of the key is what gives the key its ‘soul’ and unique identity. Each note has its own qualities of colour, shape, emotion, personality, energy flow, etc. With musical scales arise different patterns. All scales contain a specific series of notes, each of which, have unique and specific qualities. All notes grouped together gives the tonic, or the ‘soul’, a personality.
When I observe each scale, the colours of each note link together, despite the colours having no obvious visual similarities. I feel that there is a special elemental intercommunication which exists below the superficial appearance that just works.
F-minor series progression sketch (2021)
F-Minor
Immersion
F-minor is one of my most favourite keys because of its feeling of stability and deep unapologetic presence. It is a tone which holds space and feels very intentional. It is intense, serious, confident, present, active, electric.
Within its vastness, F-minor has an atmospheric feeling quality of limitless space in all directions. When I hear this key, I feel as if I am in a wide open echoing sky above at a very high altitude; the ground, if below, is far below. I feel no fear, but rather ease. This atmospheric feeling at this altitude is a brown colour fading to black at the distant horizons. I occasionally sense areas of clouds and through their crevices, I catch glimpses of light between large cumulonimbus clouds. Also, within this realm are groups of fast moving air currents. Another abstract perception I get from F-minor is a very slow, sizeable clock-wise rotation, perhaps a vortex?
Atmospheric browns with red tones (2021)
Atmospheres
F-minor is one of the three atmospheric keys I have identified: F-minor, D-minor, F#-minor. D-minor is is the first layer which starts at ground level and rises up until about ten to twenty thousand feet. F#-minor lies on top of D-minor and is the transitional thinner layer right below F-minor. F#-minor also has air currents, however, they are more turbulent. It is possible that A-flat major might be another atmospheric key, but it relates more specifically with F-minor. This key when contrasted in a chord progression gives me a more peaceful, heavenly feeling.
-Garrett Porter
F-minor progression: B-flat minor, D-flat, C in series – digital version (2021)