This article continues to explore the subject of Serenity and some of the scientific reasons for surrounding ourselves with the wonders of the natural world.
John Stuart Reid from the Shift Network provided a class on the subject of Sound Therapy. As this subject was close to my area of interest, I decided to pay for the course and learn from John’s knowledge. I’m glad I did because he is providing information that confirms what I have understood for some time now. Also, he presents it in a very scientific way.
One of the recommendations that I presented in my last article was to take the time and enrich your senses to the wonders of the natural world. These are the places and times when you will find rejuvenating energy for your body, mind, and soul.
As I listened to one of John’s modules, he explained that when we sit and listen to a waterfall, creek, or river, we expose ourselves to ultrasound frequencies that are not audible but are present as documented by instrumentation. A walk by the ocean will produce the same effect. He had a meter that recorded the presence of ultrasound frequencies and played a recording of a waterfall, and it lit up. Amazing! At the same time, it did not light up when a voice spoke into it.
John also observed that there are many sources of these ultrasounds in the natural world instead of the artificial environment that most people live within. The sounds of the wind in the trees, the birds chirping, and many other sounds one encounters on a walk in the woods produce these frequencies that are so beneficial.
What is even more amazing about this phenomenon is the biological function that occurs within our nasal passage. When exposed to these ultrasound frequencies, special cells stimulate the production of nitric oxide which is responsible for reducing our blood pressure and slowing our heart rate. Other producers of these ultrasounds are full sound spectrum musical instruments such as the harp! This explains why so many people are positively affected by the music I present on CDs, on YouTube, and at live concerts.
A look at the properties of nitric oxide reveals that the endothelium (inner lining) of blood vessels uses nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, resulting in vasodilation and increasing blood flow. It also results in reducing blood pressure. Interestingly, breathing through the nose produces nitric oxide, but breathing through the mouth does not have the same effect.
He has also developed a Cyma Scope that can display beautiful geometric patterns of different sounds that are sampled or spoken into a microphone.
One of the pieces of information that started me on my whole journey with understanding the healing qualities of the harp and its music was when a friend shared the concept of cymatics. He had shown me an article on geometric designs produced on a metal plate sprinkled with sand that had sound conducted to the plate. Different sounds result in different patterns. As I considered this, it suggested there were material properties to sound.
This inspired me to investigate if the physical letters of the Psalms of David might have clues to connections with musical notes or sound frequencies. I wondered if I could decipher those notes into musical compositions. This understanding has led me to produce the Calming Harp music that I present today at:
John’s research takes this concept well beyond my original understanding. Through the images produced by the Cyma Scope, he demonstrates how structured sound is, and how beautiful it is to be able to “see” sound. For example, he experimented with a dolphin research group in Florida, which demonstrated that the sonar signals a dolphin sends out can be used by the dolphin to produce an image of what the sonar signals are bouncing off. This ability enables it to “see” with sound, even in murky water.
Experiments are underway to find out if the sound from a heart beating could be used to help diagnose any pathologies that might exist. Another area of possibility is the ability to hear cells and determine if they are cancerous or healthy. John even showed a Cyma Gram of a healthy body cell compared to a cancerous cell. This ability leads to the possibility of a surgeon being able to use the Cyma Scope to be able to tell if they were able to excise all of a tumor during an operation.
The medical world is embracing music and sound therapy more and more as studies reveal the abilities of sound and music to address disease. As we come to understand more about the properties of sound that can be applied, additional applications will be developed.
My hat’s off to John and the work that he has been doing over the past few decades. Fascinating discoveries have been made about the benefits of sound frequencies for health, and no doubt there are more to come.
The Frequency of Cleansing – 417 Hz CD is the 4th in a series of 7 that will eventually be available as a set, once I get them all recorded. As I explained in the previous announcement for the Frequency of Fire, each of these CDs will be about 45 minutes long and be recorded in the frequency that corresponds to the piece of Tabernacle furniture that resonates with that frequency. If you want to know more about the relationship of the frequency to the furniture piece, order it for free at the Marketplace page.
I call this the Frequency of Cleansing because it is associated with the Laver which is where the priests would wash before entering the Tabernacle. This cleansing was performed in order to prepare to come into the presence of YHVH – Remember God told Moses to have the people make a sanctuary so that He could dwell among them. The Shekinah presence of God rested on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant.
The music comes out of the chord progressions that appear as I have transcribed each Hebrew letter of the text in Exodus that describes the construction, dimensions, and materials that the Laver is made from.
I think it is important to understand that these Frequencies of the Tabernacle are not just novelties to say we have another tidbit of knowledge to tuck away in our brains. These frequencies are actually imparting life to us because they are bringing us into the presence of our Creator – Sustainer – Redeemer. Without Him we are already dead, even if we’re still walking around. Knowledge is not going to save us. Only relationship with Him – our Abba – is going to bring us into His kingdom. We don’t want to be standing at the door and hear Him say, “I’m sorry; I don’t know you, depart from me.” Only relationship – being in His presence will bring us into the wedding feast. It is my prayer that the music of these frequencies played on the harp will serve to bring you into that place of fellowship with Abba so that you can ascend the mountain of Yahovah with clean hands and a pure heart.
Remember that the main purpose of the Tabernacle was for worship to which is in the Hebrew understanding of the word “Worship” = to come close as if to kiss – a second definition/understanding is the picture of a dog coming to lick its master’s hand. The idea is closeness and intimacy.
It’s true that we don’t have a physical building to call a Tabernacle where we can go for a ceremony, but remember, Paul said, “What, don’t you know that you are the temple of the Holy Ghost?” Worship is within us, not dependent upon a physical structure. I believe that these frequencies assist us in entering into the place of our minds and hearts where we can be prepared to come into the presence of the King of the Universe. This cleansing should help prepare us for that journey into the Heart of God.
Frequently I am asked, “What is a good harp for beginners?” And, “What harp am I playing,” because they like its sound on my CD’s. In response to these questions I want to give you some guidelines and things to look for and take into consideration when buying your own harp.
I do have some favorites that I will tell you about, and also why I like them; and at the same time, I want to give you enough knowledge to choose a harp that will be a good choice even if it is not one of my favorites.
To start with, I currently have two harps. The larger of the two harps is the one I use for recording CDs and for traveling wherever I can drive by car or RV. It has 33 strings and full sharping levers which makes it very versatile and capable of playing with a broad range of other instruments in a wide range of major and minor keys. Since it is larger, and has a large sound box, it is capable of projecting a full resonant sound that carries very well. It is also lightweight, weighing 22 pounds making it easy to transport. It is a kit that comes from Music Makers out of Stillwater, Minnesota. Their website is:
It is my opinion that this is the best harp value for your money. It is a great combination of great sound, reasonable cost, and ease of transport.
The cost of this harp, without levers, is $2700 plus shipping, if I make it for you. I usually recommend not putting levers on at first so the beginning harpist can spend more time learning fingering and gaining confidence before adding the dimension of levers which allows the harpist to play in different keys. The levers can be added on later at a cost of approximately $500.
The other harp I have is a Harpsicle from Rees Harps in Rising Sun, Indiana. Their website is:
The model I have is called the Fullsicle which has a full set of sharping levers; one for each string. Without sharping levers it costs about $400, but with sharping levers, the price goes up to $850 and there is extra cost for shipping.
This is the harp I take with me on international trips. It can be carried on board aircraft and stored in the overhead bin of the airplane so you don’t have to risk checking it with the baggage handlers who will surely find a way to break something. This harp has a very good sound. Listen to its quality here:
I recommend this harp for someone getting started since it has good sound and its construction design is very strong yet it is lightweight and easy to transport. The cost is reasonable and once you have learned on it and graduate to a larger harp, you still have a travel harp. I have visited the Rees manufacturing facility several times and am quite impressed with their design, assembly and philosophy. (Even though we have the same last name we are not related… maybe distant cousins 🙂
There are many harp manufacturers available today. I would stay with those made in the USA or Europe. There are some coming out of Pakistan, China and elsewhere that I have seen that are inferior in construction and don’t have good string tension or sound. If you are looking at a harp with levers, make sure they are smooth in operation and the sound of the string stays consistent when the lever is engaged. Also make sure there is no warping, cracking or separation of the wood and glue joints.
If you want any guidance on a particular harp you are welcome to contact me using the form on the Contact page.
I really want to see more harps and harpists joining the ranks of playing calming harp music for their personal enjoyment and the enrichment of those who hear them. Let’s grow a “Calming Revolution”!
I would like to share part of an article that was shared with me. It speaks about the individual song that is formed within the heart of each individual and finds unique expression through that one. So many times we think that our lives are wasted exercises, yet if we can gain the correct perspective, we can see these experiences as the orchestral parts to be played in our personal symphony. Each one is different and each one is sublime. Read and meditate!
Life’s difficult challenges aren’t interruptions. They’re what we need to compose our unique song.
Through it all he remained our hero, fought and won many battles on behalf of Israel and had his son Solomon build the Temple of Jerusalem. But the depth and heart of David remains most revealed in his poetry-turned-prayers called Psalms.
In the Psalms, King David moves me because of the intensity of his experience of life, because of his honesty, candidness, rawness, and courage to expose his frailties and fears. Because of his humility and yearning to be closer to His maker in the light and in the dark times, He was not embarrassed to be him. He was not shy about his feelings. He exposed himself and then gave it all back to God. Nothing he felt or experienced was wasted. All was used to connect back. All was sanctified through his actions.
I also love that he was a singer. It is written that the highest gate of prophecy is through song, sung with pure intentions.
Each one of us has a unique song that lies deep in our soul. It is the most pure type of music that stems from who we truly are, in all of our splendor and beauty, the one that reveals us completely, imperfections and all.
When we have a difficult challenge in life and experience some suffering, some of us view it as an interruption to life, a blip. But those troubles aren’t distractions – they’re precisely what create us. The pains and the uncomfortable parts of our story help craft our unique personality and character. The moments of distress create the peaks, dips, and special viewpoints we have; they create the flats, the sharps and the octaves of our song. Every experience of anguish is a note that we weave together to make a song that no one else can sing. And when we sing that song back to God through prayer, just as King David did, we fulfill the spiritual purpose for the suffering we were given.
This was part of King David’s greatness and the lesson he teaches to every one of us.
Suffering, pain, and turmoil are not intermission times in our lives; they create our intricacies, depletions, accents, and twists for a reason. When we are honest with our pain and lacks, and allow ourselves to laugh or cry or scream as a vehicle to come closer to our Maker, that’s part of our chorus. That’s part of our song that no one can sing but us. We can transform the darkness into sparks of light. When we turn pain into a vehicle for connection with the Almighty, we invest meaning into the suffering and make it holy. God doesn’t do that; that choice is in our domain.
King David became King David not despite his difficult life, but because of it. Can you imagine if he had a normal, steady, and balanced life full of everything he wanted and no struggles? He would not have become King David. He would not have written the Psalms to open up the Heavenly gates. He would not have become the spiritual hero that we aspire to be.
The world is our classroom. We face the tests that are given to us, to overcome a weakness and write new stanzas to our life’s song. And we can rely on God for His help and guidance. My kids recently lost their father. At the shiva I continuously heard from friends who lost parents at an early age that a hole remained with them for life. But they also gained a special connection to God that none of their friends seemingly felt. A double dose of God’s help and closeness in place of that parent, just as King David writes in his Psalms.
Would my kids have chosen that combination if asked? I don’t think so. But who chooses anything? When we stop fighting against why we have a certain life circumstance and accept the Divine plan, embracing what we do have and are here to do. That’s when we can finally make use of all the beautiful, awkward-like and seemingly off key notes we possess to compose the special song only our soul can sing.
Easier said than done. Trust me, I know. But time is so precious, and so are you.
I have been asked frequently about the other five frequencies that accompany the 528Hz frequency in the total Solfeggio Frequency array. Just last week I was asked by one of my listeners in a comment they made so I promised them I would write a post on that subject to explain in more detail how things come together.
There are six frequencies that have been designated by many as the Solfeggio Frequencies. They are as follows: 396Hz – 417Hz – 528Hz – 639Hz – 741Hz – 852Hz. I will take each one separately to explain in more detail how to work with each one.
Each frequency is the “anchoring” frequency around which a harmonic scale is built. All of the harmonic scales that accompany these frequencies are corresponding to tuning your instrument to the A = 444Hz rather than the 440Hz. You cannot play any music that we would appreciate by just playing the six Solfeggio Frequency together – it would not sound harmonious. You could play something, but it would be very discordant – at least in my opinion.
So lets look at the 396Hz frequency first. The harmonic scale around which you play in this frequency would be tuned as follows: A – Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G This gives you the key of B flat. Your major chords would be Bb – F – and Eb and your minor chords would be C minor – D minor – and G minor. If you were to play the 396Hz frequency as a droning note throughout a piece you were playing with this key, the note would always be in harmony with whatever chords you were playing.
Next comes the 417Hz frequency. The harmonic scale would be tuned as follows: A# – B – C# – D# – E – F# – G#, which would place you in the key of B natural which would give you the major chords of B – E – and F# and the minor chords would be C# minor – D# minor – and G# minor. Once again, the 417Hz frequency droned would harmonize with all the music played in this key.
The next frequency is the main healing frequency in which I record most of my music. It is the 528Hz frequency and it is tuned in to the F major key which is tuned as follows: A – Bb – C – D – E – F – G. An interesting aspect about this frequency is that you can also tune in the Bb to a B natural giving you the C major key and I find that some of the Psalms sound better in C major and some sound better in F major. In F major, you have the major chords of F – Bb – and C and the minor chords of G minor – A minor – and D minor. In the key of C major you have the major chords of C – F – and G and the minor chords of D minor – E minor – and A minor.
The frequency of 639Hz brings us back to the key of B natural with the tuning of : A# – B – C# – D# – E – F# – G#. The chords are also the same as we noted above.
The 741Hz frequency gives us a new key for the harmonic scale. It is the key of A natural. It is tuned as follows: A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G# and it has the major chords of A – E – and D and the minor chords of B minor – C minor – and F minor.
The final frequency of 852Hz brings us back to the harmonic scale tuned as follows: A# – b – C# – D# – E – F# – G#, which brings us back to the key of B natural with the same chords once again as noted above.
I have recorded a CD titled Tabernacle Prayer which has music recorded in each of these frequencies. I recommend that you purchase the book that is suggested to be included with the CD so that you can read for more understanding about where these frequencies come from and how I believe they were designed to impact our lives.
I hope this explanation has shed a little more light on how these frequencies are harmonized with the harmonic scales and chord keys so that you can begin to play with some music of your own creation and experiment with finding how the various frequencies can effect your lives and the lives of others.
Thank you for your continued interest and support – Steve
