Cages or Signals? :-D

A glance at the dictionary will show you many meanings of the word “bar.” How we think of things matters very much, both in life and in music, and few things are more misunderstood than the simple upright bar-line.

Those people whose playing is dull and lifeless, without the swing and go which is the essence of music, think of bar-lines as the bars of a cage, made to prevent the notes of one bar getting out and fighting those in the next cage. But if you who want to play or sing well, like an intelligent being, think of yourself as an engine driver, and your bar-line as a signal saying, “All clear: strong accent near.” Then full steam ahead, drive your train of musical thought gaily on to the accents, and good rhythm will be yours.