JJ Heller - Scales And Arpeggios Lyrics
Lyrics
Do mi sol do do sol mi do
Every truly cultured music student knows
You must learn your scales and your arpeggios
Finger music ringing from your chest and not your nose
While you sing your scales and your arpeggios
If you're faithful to your daily practicing
You will find your progress is encouraging
Do mi sol me do mi sol me fa la sol, it goes
When you do your scales and your arpeggios
Do mi sol do do sol mi do
Do mi sol do do sol mi do
Though at first it seems as though it doesn't show
Like a tree, ability will bloom and grow
If you're smart you'll learn by heart what every artist knows
You must sing your scales and your arpeggios
Video
JJ Heller - Scales and Arpeggios (Official Audio Video) - Disney's The Aristocats
Meaning & Inspiration
Scheduled for release on April 4, 2025, JJ Heller's rendition of "Scales And Arpeggios," originally a charming and memorable piece from Disney's *The Aristocats*, presents an intriguing canvas for spiritual reflection. While the initial context of the song is a playful yet firm lesson in musical fundamentals, Heller's interpretation, as a revered Christian artist, invites a profound re-evaluation, transforming a simple educational jingle into a powerful allegory for the Christian walk. This cover becomes more than just a musical performance; it is a thoughtful meditation on discipline, growth, and the essential building blocks of faith, echoing timeless biblical truths.
At its core, "Scales And Arpeggios" champions diligent practice and foundational understanding. The lines about learning "do mi sol do do sol mi do" and engaging in "daily practicing" speak directly to the spiritual disciplines every believer is called to cultivate. Just as a musician meticulously hones their craft, Christians are exhorted to train themselves in godliness. The Apostle Paul’s counsel in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 is particularly apt here: "Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." This daily spiritual exercise – be it prayer, Scripture reading, meditation, or service – may often feel repetitive, much like practicing scales, but it is indispensable for developing strength and character. Hebrews 12:11 further reminds us that "for the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Heller's rendition serves as a musical prompt to embrace this consistent, sometimes arduous, spiritual training.
The song's emphasis on "finger music ringing from your chest and not your nose" beautifully translates into the necessity of sincere, heart-centered worship and faith, rather than mere outward show or rote performance. Our spiritual expressions must emanate from a genuine place, deep within our being, echoing the sentiment of Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Jesus himself cautioned against those who "honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me" (Matthew 15:8). True faith, like true music, must resonate from the core of who we are, aligning our actions and words with the deep convictions of our spirit. This principle is vital for a vibrant, authentic relationship with God, where belief is not just intellectual assent but a profound commitment of the heart, as articulated in Romans 10:9-10.
Furthermore, the imagery of ability blooming and growing "like a tree" underscores the patient, often invisible process of spiritual maturity. "Though at first it seems as though it doesn't show," the song assures us that consistent effort yields fruit. This mirrors the biblical promise that those who delight in the law of the Lord are "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither" (Psalm 1:3). Growth in faith is rarely instantaneous; it is an organic, gradual process requiring enduring faith and patience. Galatians 6:9 encourages us with the timeless truth: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." The encouragement that "you will find your progress is encouraging" reminds us that while the journey might be long, God faithfully works within us, and our growth, however subtle, is a testament to His grace and our perseverance.
Finally, the directive to "learn by heart what every artist knows" speaks to the deep internalization of God's truths. It's not enough to intellectually grasp spiritual concepts; we are called to embed them so deeply within us that they become an intrinsic part of our identity and worldview. Deuteronomy 6:6 commands, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts." This echoes Jeremiah 31:33, where God promises to "put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts." JJ Heller's rendition of "Scales And Arpeggios" thus transcends its whimsical origins to become a profound call to spiritual diligence, heartfelt devotion, and patient growth. It is a compelling reminder that the foundational "scales and arpeggios" of our faith are not just rudimentary exercises, but the very keys to unlocking a life of increasing righteousness, echoing the profound wisdom that true mastery, whether musical or spiritual, is built upon consistent, heart-driven practice.