What is the definition of a Virtuoso?

[Tash]

To me a virtuoso is someone who completely transcends the boundries of their instrument. Its a term that gets thrown out a lot and I think its overused. There are a lot of violinists that can play 200 bpm scales and arpegios, there's only 1 Paganini.

There are a fair number of bassists now who can play fast intricate fretless lines, but none of them are Jaco. There are lots of bassists who can do ripping two part tapping solos, but they still aren't Vic.

Understand?

[Futurebass]

I always thought that virtuoso meant someone who could play anything from the standard repertoire on their instrument. It's problematic because when the term originated there was a limited repertoire in classical music that could be conquered and then you might be considered a virtuoso. In the modern world that's not possible because we are aware of so much music that it's ridiculous to assume anyone could master it all. Nor would that be desirable because only a pedantic wanker would want to or be able to play every style of bass or any other instrument.

On the other hand I don't think virtuoso means "player who can display a lot of technique" either. Because so many of us play original material and write our own parts. It's easy to play elaborate stuff when you are the one coming up with the parts. Playing simple written music is a bigger challenge than playing technically advanced improvisations.

I don't think there is a good definition of virtuoso. Probably best to avoid that term. "Good player" "interesting player" "advanced player' and so on are descriptive without attributing something unprovable.

[Al Caldwell]

I think a virtuoso is a word that is used as a compliment. I don't know anyone who calls themself a virtuoso. And if I did I would laugh at them.
Just play your ass off! Al

[fenderx55]

this may have been said, but after about 40 mins, virtuosity is boring. i cite Dream theater; their old stuff, while incredible, gets boring after a while. i actually dosed off during their 3hour concert. Victor wooten puts on a great show, but even then, it's entertaining for about an hour, but after that the bar is raised so freakin high that anything else is horrible by comparison (i refer of course to the ongoing Mark Hoppus argument in Bassists). Oh, but the new DT album is pretty good, they finally put aside chops for the sake of the songs.

[Jay Terrien]

I agree with Al, just play your ass off and let people enjoy your musical abilities!!

I heard that Al Caldwell is a virtuoso dancer. Will he be replacing Evander Holyfield for next season's "Dancing With The Stars"?: http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancing/

Perhaps the primary reasons the word "virtuoso" is so overused centers around the "mainstream" music press being extremely ill-informed and ignorant about 1.) Music 2.) Technique 3.) Chicks 4.) Advanced Compositional Ideas 5.) Musical Taste etc.

Gasp!!! Shock!!! Horror!!! Lol......

Lastly, there is not a lot of solo electric bass literature to my knowledge, that is being drilled to students at any level. Why? Well, there are not a lot of composers specifically interested in electric bass pieces, writing little black dots on white paper and publishing these works for future soloists to play. But hopefully, this landscape will change once Caldwell's "Hillbilly Sonata For 11-String Bass (and Pan Flute)" makes it to the market. I'll be the first one to buy it!

Crazy Jay (Exotic Dancer/Turd Virtuoso)

Originally Posted by Al Caldwell

I think a virtuoso is a word that is used as a compliment. I don't know anyone who calls themself a virtuoso. And if I did I would laugh at them.
Just play your ass off! Al

[NJL]

Originally Posted by Al Caldwell

I think a virtuoso is a word that is used as a compliment. I don't know anyone who calls themself a virtuoso. And if I did I would laugh at them.
Just play your ass off! Al

+1

[Aaron Saunders]

Al Caldwell: Hub Hubbard calls himself a virtuoso.

That said, I'd say someone becomes a virtuoso when their music surprasses their instrument. I don't mean a "complete mastery" of their instrument, because that's inherently wrong (see the word "complete") but rather, where the instrument simply becomes a conduit for their voice. Playing what you hear. Now THAT is virtuosity to me.

[Al Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Aaron Saunders

Al Caldwell: Hub Hubbard calls himself a virtuoso.

That said, I'd say someone becomes a virtuoso when their music surprasses their instrument. I don't mean a "complete mastery" of their instrument, because that's inherently wrong (see the word "complete") but rather, where the instrument simply becomes a conduit for their voice. Playing what you hear. Now THAT is virtuosity to me.

What if what you hear is based on a limited musical vocabulary. If words and music are simular ,then who could say what they hear in their mind.
If we speak with tonality,then when does the conversation become masterful. This is a great topic but that word is so over-rated. I've been playing for 35 years and I can play anything that I hear in my mind. My biggest problem is that I need to hear some new ****! I'm still practicing!
Al

[Aaron Saunders]

Originally Posted by Al Caldwell

What if what you hear is based on a limited musical vocabulary. If words and music are simular ,then who could say what they hear in their mind.

All too true. I'll add on the assumed achivements of superb technique, a strong sense of originality, a well of creativity, etc. etc. -- you know. A virtuoso!

PS: You'll still be practicing until the day you die...as will the rest of us!

"I think the height of arrogance is thinking that you've completed something, especially an intellectual pursuit -- I know all there is to know. The persons I trust least are the foremost foremost." - Buster Williams