Phrygian — extra sound sample, calm — 8-string guitar — May 2022 — 3:59 — as loop on a separate tab
The tonality of the month of June 2022 is Phrygian. Overall it is likely the least familiar of the regular diatonic heptatonalities, though well used in Islamic and Hindu music. The octave of regular diatonic tonalities follows a balanced pattern or matrix. Either two or three consecutive whole steps, a pair and a trio, alternate in separating the two individual half steps of these tonalities from each other. Phrygian corresponds to the white keys on the piano with E as fundamental. Its most distinguishing feature is the presence of both, the minor second and the minor sixth.
The above Phrygian sound sample first dwells for a moment in a reduced form of Phrygian, that is PentaMin / PentaEol or pentatonic minor. More (purely) Phrygian sound samples are available in the Tonalibus catalogue of tonalities under Phrygian. Below is an expanded elaboration of the the above Phrygian sound sample, the piece “Phrygian HU” — a meditative blues:
“Phrygian HU” — multiple 8-string guitar, voice, crotales, tampura — May 2022 — 10:20 — as loop on a separate tab
You may enjoy a sound sample or tonality loop as sound mantra for contemplation or meditation. This can help with upliftment, purification, and focusing. Or it could simply be used as soothing background sound for relaxation and regeneration. If you care to hum, chant, or sing along, you could do so using a spiritually charged syllable like HU or Ōṁ / Aum ॐ, or another mantra syllable that suits you.
Stars sparkling on the crests of gentle waves — May 2022 — Lake Wohlen, Switzerland
This brief May 2022 Tonalibus update touches on the new single “Humpbacks breach the surface” released on May 1. It announces the coming global release of the new album “Tonalibus D & E” on June 11. Further it gives a Fidibus shop update on playlists and on the new tonality of the month log. Finally it concludes with a photo in memory of Kalif Moon, the cat.
Now on June 11, 2022, Tonalibus globally releases its second extensive album. Soon, detailed information about this new album “Tonalibus D & E” will be available. It features twenty-seven recent recordings by Ulrico on various instruments, a few with voice. Original music, mostly contemplative and meditative, at times with a touch of blues. Below is “Blue HU — a freedom adventure”, the most recent piece.
“Blue HU” — PentaNaMix — 7-string guitar, voice, bass bowl, crotales — May 2022 — 7:19 — as loop on a separate tab
The playlist “Tonalibus F — So many colors of reality” got reset to hold new pieces moving forward. Its accumulated entries transferred to “Tonalibus E — Freedom of sound and harmony” because they are part of the new album “Tonalibus D & E”. Plus, there is a new playlist “A symphony of life and love”. It offers a selection of recordings from the corresponding 2014 CD.
“Eternal moment” — fretted vichitra veena — summer 2014 — 3:17 — from CD “A symphony of life and love”
Kalif Moon, the cat who saw himself more as a bear
Bye Kalif Moon, one of two Tonalibus cat assistants — April/May 2022
ReachNaMaj — calm sound sample — April 2022 — 2:52 — as loop on a separate tab
The tonality of the month of May 2022 is ReachNaMaj, a partially anchored Na tonality and Reach heptatonality of the subgroup ReachNa. In India, this tonality or musical mode has the name Purya. W. A. Mathieu refers to it as “one of the most beautiful modes in the world” (Harmonic Experience, p. 227). Further sound samples of this unique tonality are available in the Tonalibus catalogue of tonalities under ReachNaMaj. Plus, “Purya pūjā” — another call for peace (below) builds on this tonality and the above sound sample.
ReachNaMaj — 8-string guitar, gong, crotales, tanpura — April 2022 — 8:35 — as loop on a separate tab
You may enjoy a sound sample or tonality loop as sound mantra for contemplation or meditation. This can help with upliftment, purification, and focusing. Or it could simply be used as soothing background sound for relaxation and regeneration. If you care to hum, chant, or sing along, you could do so using a spiritually charged syllable like HU or Ōṁ / Aum ॐ, or another mantra syllable that suits you.
Nature prevails with a friendly deer against all human odds — April 2022 — Chanhassen, MN
This April 2022 Tonalibus update begins with a thought on (im)perfection. Then it announces the May 1 global release of a new Tonalibus single entitled “Humpbacks breach the surface”. Further, it highlights the completion of playlist Tonalibus E and the recent living room concert in Liebefeld. Finally, this update concludes with the announcement of the blog post comment option and an inspiring quote on harmony.
(Im)Perfection — or what matters
“Abandon the idea of being good and just try!” — Charlie Mackesy
It’s not perfection or the lack thereof that counts, but what flows through, what one brings along and passes on. No expression is perfect as such. Though some are closer than others. What matters are the images coming through. That a story comes alive. That one may realize aspects of harmony, how ever flawed their expressions may be. This is what matters. Ever, there is ample need to improve and strive for more clarity in expression. After all, consciousness and life move forward continually. And every one’s invited to come along. Many fight it. Others crawl along on their bellies through the dust. While some enjoy riding the crest of the wave or flying above.
Upcoming single — Humpbacks breach the surface
On May 1, 2022 this piece will become available as new Tonalibus single by Ulrico (artist) on global music platforms like Spotify, Deezer, YouTube Music, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, etc.
“Humpbacks breach the surface” — a dreamscape (below) was conceived as an antidote to the global churn of these days.
Soon, a new playlist Tonalibus F will start to come about. By now, with 12 pieces and 72 minutes of music, Tonalibus E appears complete after only a few months. It is to be a part of the upcoming double album release Tonalibus D & E in early summer. This includes among other new pieces recorded in Spring 2022 also the piano piece “Wake and ready for a new day” and “Slackline dance” — straight ahead (below).
“Slackline dance” — ReachMin — 8-string guitar, bass, and tanpura — 5:37 — as loop on a separate tab
April 2 living room concert in Bern Liebefeld
Three musicians each presented their talents and contributions to a most receptive audience of almost thirty: Daniela Künzli with gentle protest songs from around the world. Lukas Frutiger with free improvisations including cover songs. Ulrico with anchored harmony in sound, blues, meditation, heart and soul, including “Slackline dance” (above) and “Guggisbärg” (live video excerpt below).
Short 1½ minute video excerpt from “Guggisbärg” at the April 2 living room concert in Bern Liebefeld
Spiritualibus blog and post comments
The Spiritualibus blog has been revised to allow for you to leave comments in response to new blog posts (below each, also below this one). Thus, please feel free to use this new capability. I’d love to hear from you. Some of the comments will become visible to all.
“A shelf of certainty” — April Tonalibus update conclusion
On harmonic purity, the experience of harmony, of tuning into harmonics or primary overtones:
“… it is ultimately a state of resonance — a kind of shelf of certainty — more than it is a sharpening or flattening of pitch that you will come to recognize as the experience of being in tune. It is more a sympathy than a measurement of distance, a quality rather than a quantity. … Blend into the ‘fundamental sound’ almost to the point of disappearing entirely, with no worries about coming back.”
The tonality of the month of April 2022 is ReachMin or Phrygian dominant. As fully anchored Reach or harmonic heptatonality, it combines a PhrygAeolian upper with a regular Reach lower tetrachord. That is the interval of an augmented second from its minor second to its major third. Thus, ReachMin juxtaposes strong but well rounded anchored contrasts. Among its notes, the major third is the most contrasting. The enriching, uplifting, and assertive quality of this pitch arises from being one of the first harmonics of the tonic.
You may enjoy a sound sample or tonality loop as sound mantra for contemplation or meditation. This can help with upliftment, purification, and focusing. Or it could simply be used as soothing background sound for relaxation and regeneration. If you care to hum, chant, or sing along, you could do so using a spiritually charged syllable like HU or Ōṁ / Aum ॐ, or another mantra syllable that suits you.
Attractive cool waters before dusk — March 2022 — view from Erlach harbor, lake Biel/Bienne
