What is the definition of a Virtuoso?

[The_Ryst]

I was wondering today, what is teh exact definition of a virtuoso. I mean, I'm heavily into Progressive Metal music which is oozing with virtuosity (fast playing, intensely hard stuff, requires loads of talent, filled with wankery, hehe) but there are other virtuosos.

FOr example, today I was lisening Rush: Chronicles while mowing the lawn, and Geddy Lee is an absolutely amazing player, but I saw this advertisement/review thing for his bass for "The Virtuoso --- Geddy Lee" Is he really a virtuoso? He creates great lines that fit the song and no doubt blows lots of bassists away, but what defines a virtuoso?

Is virtuoso just a bullsh*t term that's thrown around because from what I've seen it's mostly opinion...I wish there was a standard virtuosity test that'd just clear my mind on this...

So three questions:

How was the term "virtuoso" discovered, used, and applied to musicians (and when?)

What makes a virtuoso?

Who are some virtuosos you can think of, and why are they virtuosos?

-ryst
thanks

[lyle]

Actually if you define it at dictionary.com it does mention a musician...
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=virtuoso

[The_Ryst]

Ummm.....yes it does dude, look at it.


1. A musician with masterly ability, technique, or personal style

I don't htink if someone has style it makes them a virtuoso though...hmmm.

[spectorbass83]

Originally Posted by The_Ryst

Ummm.....yes it does dude, look at it.


1. A musician with masterly ability, technique, or personal style

I don't htink if someone has style it makes them a virtuoso though...hmmm.

Well style is just a part of it. You need the other two - ability and technique. To me a Virtuoso would be a bassist that can apply all kinds of styles and techniques to their playing, and make it look easy- fast finger-style, slap/pluck, stacatto, tapping, harmonics, chords etc etc etc. Someone with a natural talent for bass, something they are born with. We could break down the term even more so, but that is what comes to mind.

Then again, one could argue that Jaco is considered a Virtuoso, yet he did not slap, which would make my previous statement false. I think a lot of it has to do with personal preference.

[Matt Till]

Jaco didn't slap so he's not a virutoso? Ok.


So anyway, I think this term is tossed around too much. I think one must have mastered there instrument completely to earn this term. So I think it should be a rare term.

[spectorbass83]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

Jaco didn't slap so he's not a virutoso? Ok.


So anyway, I think this term is tossed around too much. I think one must have mastered there instrument completely to earn this term. So I think it should be a rare term.

I did not say that. Maybe you should review my last post and then get someone to slap you upside the head. Nowhere did I mention that "jaco didn't slap so he's not a virtusoso". You misunderstood me, obviously.

[DWBass]

I don't think a virtuoso needs to know every style of playing to be one! I think a virtuoso, in my opinion, is a musician who knows his instrument inside and out and can apply his/her playing to any style of music with little effort. I do believe reading is essential to being a virtuoso but many non reading musicians can dispel that requirement at the drop of a hat!

[silent method]

to me a virtuoso is - one who has an indepth understanding of: their instrument, music and how they interact together

[Matt Till]

Then I would have chose a different way of phrasing this:

Originally Posted by spectorbass83

Then again, one could argue that Jaco is considered a Virtuoso, yet he did not slap, which would make my previous statement false.

Your previous statement previous to "yet he did not slap" was "Jaco is considered a virtuoso"... so this comes of as he didn't slap... so he's not a virtuoso.

I had to reread your post and then have someone slap me upside the head for your post to make sense.

Yeah, thanks for being an ass about it, I appreciate it.

[Petary791]

vir·tu·o·so
n. pl. vir·tu·o·sos or vir·tu·o·si (-s)

1. A musician with masterly ability, technique, or personal style.
2. A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.
3. A person with a strong interest in the fine arts, especially in antiquities.
4. Archaic. A very learned person.






Your welcome.

[bassplayer2106]

Originally Posted by DWBass

I don't think a virtuoso needs to know every style of playing to be one! I think a virtuoso, in my opinion, is a musician who knows his instrument inside and out and can apply his/her playing to any style of music with little effort. I do believe reading is essential to being a virtuoso but many non reading musicians can dispel that requirement at the drop of a hat!

Hi - I would consider Jimi Hendrix to be a virtuoso but he couldn't read music - I can but I'm definately not a virtuoso.I think a virtuso is someone with a superb grasp of his/her instrument tremendous playing ability and style.

[spectorbass83]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

Yeah, thanks for being an ass about it, I appreciate it.

Anytime

[Sandman1278]

what is stacatto style playing??

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by bassplayer2106

Hi - I would consider Jimi Hendrix to be a virtuoso but he couldn't read music - I can but I'm definately not a virtuoso.I think a virtuso is someone with a superb grasp of his/her instrument tremendous playing ability and style.

Despite my statement, I agree! I read very little!

[The_Ryst]

So let's start compiling a list of who we think are virtuosos...does this need another thread? Givens:

Billy Sheehan (not just a wanker, although he has the ability)
Jaco Pastorius
Tony Levin
Donald "duck" Dunn
James Jamerson

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Despite my statement, I agree! I read very little!

And think of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles...probably not the best sight readers in the world.

[Brendan]

Well, it is a terrible picture of me, but thanks for asking.

[Wrong Robot]

I would personally define a virtuoso as someone who is just a musical giant in general, not necessarily limited to one instrument. Someone whose musical proclivities transcend the specifics of what instrument they play and how they play it, but more about how much music runs through them. But, just playing a bunch of instruments doesn't necessarily make one a virtuoso, it wouldn't be like "oh I've learned to play X,Y,Z" it'd be more like "Music is so strongly rooted in my system that X,Y,Z are more or less irrelevant"

[Matt Till]

Originally Posted by Petary791

vir·tu·o·so
n. pl. vir·tu·o·sos or vir·tu·o·si (-s)

1. A musician with masterly ability, technique, or personal style.
2. A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.
3. A person with a strong interest in the fine arts, especially in antiquities.
4. Archaic. A very learned person.
5. Matt Till






Your welcome.

I'm as surprised as you are.

[spectorbass83]

Originally Posted by Sandman1278

what is stacatto style playing??

Staccato (correction of spelling from my last post) refers to playing quick, short notes. Example - Staccato Octaves. Rob DeLeo of STP is one bassist who uses this style in his playing.