Musical Tastes... Schooled vs. Unschooled

zachoff · #1 07-01-2011, 01:06 PM

Just wondering if my hunch is true...

I have this feeling the more schooled you are in music, the less you enjoy simple music and the less schooled you are in music the less you enjoy complicated music. True or not?

I know in my case I'm not at all schooled in music & I don't really enjoy complicated music like prog or classical or jazz... Just doesn't generally float my boat.

BigOldHarry · #2 07-01-2011, 01:11 PM

I think that there is a curve at work; New students who are freshly exposed to involved music get very enthusiastic about odd/complex/challenging music. Over time they mellow out and realize that there is good in all types.

Being educated about a subject or skill is never, EVER a bad thing. There is no such thing as too much information.

**VincentSalizeri** · #3 07-01-2011, 01:18 PM

+1 to Harry.

I'd say at a certain point in education, one would be able to decide whether or not a piece should be simpler or more complex. Some kinds of songs are better simple, some songs benefit from complexity.

scottbass · #4 07-01-2011, 01:26 PM

I have acquired much "musical schooling" and (thankfully) it has in no way lessened my appreciation for "Get Off of My Cloud"!

DWBass · #5 07-01-2011, 01:30 PM

I am schooled but I love simple melodic music. Motown! 70's Funk/Soul & R&B. Simple Pop/Rock. Simple Latin & Jazz. Technical music does nothing for me.

BigOldHarry · #6 07-01-2011, 01:30 PM

I will say this: When I was very young and didn't know squat about music, I liked "dumber" music than I do now; There is plenty of simple music I really dig - but it has to be *good* simple music (John Hiatt leaps to mind) as opposed to bone-head simple music (A certain genre that shall go unnamed comes to mind that features the sounds like *chunka chunka chunka* and *schwEEEEeeeeel hoodely hoodely hoodely* ).

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

I am schooled but I love simple melodic music. Motown! 70's Funk/Soul & R&B. Simple Pop/Rock. Simple Latin & Jazz. Technical music does nothing for me.

There ain't NOTHIN' simple about that old Motown stuff... it's just *right*!

klaus486 · #7 07-01-2011, 01:36 PM

While I know some self-taught theory and know all the notes on the neck I consider myself unschooled. That said I love Jazz/Fusion and classical as much as I love metal. I also really dig Indian and music from the MId East just as much.

tekdiver500ft · #8 07-01-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

I am schooled but I love simple melodic music. Motown! 70's Funk/Soul & R&B. Simple Pop/Rock. Simple Latin & Jazz. Technical music does nothing for me.

Me, too. I'm a huge fan of James Jamerson and Carol Kaye. I majored in vocal jazz performance, minored in music ed. I adore simple music, especially when it isn't. Again, the above examples come to mind, as does KISS. There ain't nothing simple about this stuff, but it sure feels like it. Great grooves...

Gaius46 · #9 07-01-2011, 01:43 PM

Aside from some lessons as a kid I'm completely unschooled. I like everything from 3 chord Ramones style rock to bebop to polyphonic solo guitar to symphonies.

citynorth · #10 07-01-2011, 01:58 PM

I believe what you're saying is true to an extent. I play in a fast sort of punk/pop punk band and the guitarist and I are both "schooled" and listen to music that would be considered complicated. The three other members are "unschooled" musicians, and all listen to only the style of music we play (mostly simple.) Although, they tend to come up with some good songs that are fun to play, that's why we are in the band. And although we play simple music, i enjoy it even though i am a "schooled" musician. But when I try to get a little jazz jam going at practice the other three are lost. The drummer can't figure out a jazz beat for the life of him, the guitarist has no idea what or where to play, and the singer goes to get a beer. It's annoying, and I have had this experience with every single musician i've played with that is "unschooled." They think they are good because they can play their favorite bands (simple) songs, so see no need to drastically improve. The more complicated or difficult music you play, the more influenced you are to become a better musician. Unfortunately I haven't seen an improvement in their playing for the last year i've been in the band, it's like they hit a peak once they were "good enough".
Back to your point, I believe that the majority of people who are schooled musicians are more open to any genre and know that any type of music can be good if it's played well. Although, I truly feel that based on my experience that unschooled musicians are not as open to other genres, or more complicated music.

Marial · #11 07-01-2011, 02:11 PM

Hard to say. I'm self-taught and can only haltingly sight-read (used to read very well as a kid when taking piano but lost the ability from disuse) (I've gotten by with a set of pretty good ears). I love listening to anything from Secret Chiefs 3 to the Circle Jerks to Mingus to Boris to Merle Haggard to Neko Case to Los Lobos to weird stuff from world music labels and classical. I listen to a bit everything, but I definitely DO NOT LIKE fusion or prog (though I do loves me some King Crimson).

What's the definition again of complicated vs simple music?

fdeck · #12 07-01-2011, 04:39 PM

Schooled and complicated.

If I'm just playing at home, I enjoy challenging myself with difficult pieces. I also enjoy the excitement of playing challenging material on the bandstand.

Lots of people enjoy listening to complicated music. Classical is as popular as ever.

Pilgrim · #13 07-01-2011, 06:16 PM

I've played in orchestras, big bands and now in a surf band. I consider myself at least moderately schooled in terms of musical structure and practice.

I like great classical music, and I love 60's and 70's rock and surf.

I know very little about popular music that has been recorded over the past 20 years - most of it has not interested me at all, and sounds formulaic and trite. Rap isn't even music as far as I'm concerned. If I want to listen to something, it will probably be oldies.