The sensuous plane is the dimension on which people listen to music without pondering about it. While undertaking an activity, one switches on the radio and loses oneself in the soundtrack. The mere auditory attractiveness of the music induces a thoughtless but pleasant state of consciousness. Copland describes the expressive plane as that that tends to avoid discussions about the song’s communicative side.
Further, he says, “All music has an expressive power, some more and some less, but that all music has a certain meaning behind the notes” (Copland, 9). For example, Copland notes that Stravinsky declared his music to be an instrument, a thing with an existence of its own and no other significance beyond its simply musical reality. On the other hand, the sheerly music plane alludes to the pleasant tone and emotional sensation that music elicits. Music exists in regards to the pitches themselves and their modulation. He insinuates, “Music does exist in terms of the notes themselves and of their manipulation” (Copland, 12).
When Copland says, “The ideal listener is both inside and outside the music at the same moment” (Copland, 14), he enumerates that no one has access to simply one dimension; instead, people automatically combine all the three planes. Moreover, when individuals go from inactive to active listening, they engage in all three modes simultaneously.
I listen to all the three planes as outlined by Copland. The significance of hearing on all three planes is critical for comprehending the song one is listening to and, in my case, for aiding the artist’s song’s dissemination to the public. Music should have an impact on the accompanying video images. It should elicit solid feelings and vitality in one’s body. Additionally, depending on the quality and style of music, it can affect my mood or amplify my emotions.
I agree with Copland in his belief that music has an expensive power. The song I listened to was Oceans, Where Feet May Fail by Hillsong United. The piece exhibits a strophic type of musical text. The lyrical topic, which is frequently a whole melody accompanied by a rhythmic complement, is expressed and repeated multiple times with modifications. The mood in the song is sad as the music journeys faithful individuals through the troubles they face while seeking God’s strength.
The song to discuss in the lecture would be Breathe by Michael Smith.