cheryl lynne skinner: Music

• MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband)
• MP3 short clip, lo-fi play (modem)

4. Sapphire

This work is dedicated to my sister “Colette” a prized gem whose birthstone is sapphire. To me, both the sapphire gem and my sister have a mysterious quality. They have a timeless beauty that is somewhat out of this world. In the intro I captured the feeling of timelessness by playing the parts somewhat behind the beat just as though the sounds are chosen randomly. I purposely chose all synthesized sounds except the flute. The music comes together on a sustained major seven chord with the percussion entrance. Another motivation was to have the flute play a beautiful melody. After the climax at the bridge the music diminishes by moving lower and settles back again on the sustained major seven chord then recaps the melody with a direct modulation upward giving the sense that the music will go on and on. The piece ends with the same chord progression pattern as the intro in the new key finishing on a major seven chord.

Web notes:
Many people who want a restful and a peaceful night sleep will put a blue sapphire pendant on before going to bed at night, or wear one during the day to keep a peaceful heart.
In mystical or magical rituals, or the casting of spells, blue sapphires are used to purify and clean the body and mind before starting a ritual.
In ancient days, blue sapphires or aquamarines were rubbed on wounds to stop the bleeding, inflammation or to reduce pain.