-by Jared Adamson-

I’ve always been fascinated by optical illusions. The art of Escher, Zolner illusion, Muller-Lyer Illusion and so many more…including those stupid, frustrating 3D, cross-your-eyes-to-see-it posters from the 90s. I love them all.

And of course, I’m a strong proponent of the idea that there are two sides to every story and we ought to try and understand both sides before responding. Likewise, I understand that for most people, perception is their reality.

My favorite example of this came to mind recently. 5/4 – for a large percentage of the population, this signifies Star Wars Day. May 4 on any given year is a day to binge watch all 8 (soon to be 9) films in either theatrical release order (4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, 7, 3.9), canonical order (1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 7) or machete order (4, 5, 2, 3, 3.9, 6, 7—yes, it skips 1, because, well, if you’ve seen it you know why). We chose this day because “May, the Fourth, be with you” (and my evangelical upbringing responds, “And also with you”, but that’s another story for another day).

But I confess that I didn’t grow up with Star Wars. I didn’t see them until their theatrical re-release, digitally enhanced, while I was in college. Growing up, my parents were uncertain of “the dark side” and opted to raise me with other outstanding films. No regrets.

But I did grow up with piano. I started lessons at age 5 and never really looked back. I earned a degree in piano and have performed internationally and across many genres. And so to me, to bring this post on perspective back around, 5/4 is not Star Wars Day, but Dave Brubeck Day. His recording of “Take Five”, composed by Paul Desmond is the #1 selling jazz single of all time, according to Wikipedia. You’d probably recognize the song, even if you were seemingly unfamiliar with it. The distinctive piano vamp and saxophone melody in a catchy quintuple time signature (5/4 from whence comes it’s name) are almost unmistakable.

What does 5/4 mean to you? I guess it depends upon your perspective.

Jared Adamson 10/10/2017

Jared Adamson is the Minister of Worship and Creative Arts at Centerville Christian Church in Centerville, IN.  Studying voice, composition, organ and improv, he has a Bachelor of Music in Church Music with a double major in Bible and piano from Cincinnati Christian University where he later served as an adjunct professor in the music and worship department.