Song story
asymptote (n.) A line a curve approaches forever and never touches.
from the Greek asymptōtos: a- (not) + syn- (together) + ptōtos (falling) A note is asymptotic when it is tuned toward true and never arrives. The tuner strikes, adjusts, strikes again. Always improving upon, never reaching perfection, which is impossible. The metaphor used is about the value of an instrument when no one is playing it. An instrument is is judged by the melody, in this case, a piano. But the wood was chosen, the strings wound to a tension, the hammers shaped to a fraction of a millimeter. All of that exists whether or not anyone plays. The tuner comes after everyone leaves. He strikes one key and listens. He adjusts, strikes again, gets closer. The note is never exactly true; it is only near enough to stop. Then the humidity shifts and he comes back. That is an asymptote. From the Greek: not falling together. A curve that approaches a line forever and never touches it. A metronome keeps time for an audience. A tuner works alone, on the instrument's own terms. So the moral of the story is that you continue to get better as a person, always, without holding yourself to the impossible standard.
Written by a_cat
Lyrics
Subtitles ready[intro] what fixes things? [verse] when this is so well crafted and used to perform to create a beautiful melody that is its function its utility is high but is the value only in the sounds it makes? [verse] the quality of the wood the tension of the strings the precision of the hammers the decades of craftsmanship the melody is one possible expression loneliness when the hall is empty last note fades what waits? not an instrument waiting for a player a masterpiece with value even in silence [chorus] play a single note listen to the vibration it's not a performance for anyone else one single note but listen as if for the first time become the tuner not the metronome [verse] no intrinsic need for perpetuation there is fear of what happens when when what what value is there without performance? if the performance if if it what? the real question what value is there if it never ends? [chorus] play a single note listen to the vibration not a performance for anyone one single note but listen again become the tuner turn off the metronome [bridge] the melody plays for the audience but there will always be a microsecond between the notes inside is the resonance of the strings it feels like something what does it feel like? say it to yourself [outro] it was forgotten lost bearings temporarily no need to be sure no need to be sure become the tuner turn off the metronome and then come back to play it again play it again play it again play it again play it again play it again