musicians appreciating music

[one]

Do you think, being a musician make us appreciate music more? or do you think non musicians realise the talent, commitment and understand the beauty of it, to it's fullest?


personally i think musicians do appreciate music more as we actually listen to the music, whereas others just seem to hear it, and not understand it.

[Baryonyx]

I think we absolutely appreciate it more. I have friends who find it hard to imagine having music running in their brains constantly. Getting into music was the best thing I've ever done.

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by one

personally i think musicians do appreciate music more as we actually listen to the music, whereas others just seem to hear it, and not understand it.

+1

i feel that i can appreciate a very technical passage or a soft passage with a lot of space or a cool effect or riff, etc. Music really is a thing of beauty and after studying it, playing it, and listening to it, i enjoy it more and more.

[rjny36]

I agree that it makes you appreciate truly good music a lot more. Unfortunately, I've since found that it's harder for me to be impressed by, or interested in, some music. But when you do find music that you really enjoy, it's all the better.

[ElMon]

Along the lines of this topic, I've run into a lot of musicians who have very narrow tastes in music, particularly jazz musicians. Now, in full disclosure, I play many Jazz gigs, and have nothing against someone who wants to dedicate themselves to one genre, in fact I respect that kind of singular focus, but alot of these types can be quite snobbish. When I tell some of the Jazbo's I roll with that I play live hip-hop, they usually turn their noses up. Of course, this might be due to the fact that Bass is much more in demand in all genres, and therefore we are generally more likely to be playing multiple genres, as opposed to a trumpet player. On the opposite side of that coin, I once had a punk drummer tell me "Jazz is just BAD".

Another thing I've noticed about musicians is that they tend to listen to the overall music from the perspective of their own instrument FIRST. I know I've been guilty of this at times. If the bass doesn't grab me, sometimes I can't help but ignore what might be great lyrics or a cool guitar part. I think that average people have more of a holistic approach to listening, one that I try to cultivate in myself.

[rjny36]

Originally Posted by ElMon

I think that average people have more of a holistic approach to listening, one that I try to cultivate in myself.

I agree completely. Overeducated ears can hinder your appreciation of a piece of music, when it takes your focus away from the total composition. Sometimes it's best to not think like a musician, and just enjoy some good ol' fashioned "recreational listening."

There are things I like and dislike about pretty much every style of music that I've ever heard. To use your examples: I like the technicality and proficiency of jazz, but there are times when it's too harsh and dissonant on my ear. I like the beats and rhythms found in modern r&b and hip-hop, but sometimes not the singing. ... Every style of music has merit and value.

[Poop-Loops]

It's like that with everything. Do I appreciate a good curler? Sure, I bet it's hard to have aim like that. But I doubt I appreciate it nearly as much as a practitioner of the game (please don't call it a sport...).

[ElMon]

There are things I like and dislike about pretty much every style of music that I've ever heard. To use your examples: I like the technicality and proficiency of jazz, but there are times when it's too harsh and dissonant on my ear. I like the beats and rhythms found in modern r&b and hip-hop, but sometimes not the singing. ... Every style of music has merit and value.

Sounds like you need to start a fusion band!

[SuperDuck]

Originally Posted by ElMon

Along the lines of this topic, I've run into a lot of musicians who have very narrow tastes in music, particularly jazz musicians. Now, in full disclosure, I play many Jazz gigs, and have nothing against someone who wants to dedicate themselves to one genre, in fact I respect that kind of singular focus, but alot of these types can be quite snobbish. When I tell some of the Jazbo's I roll with that I play live hip-hop, they usually turn their noses up. Of course, this might be due to the fact that Bass is much more in demand in all genres, and therefore we are generally more likely to be playing multiple genres, as opposed to a trumpet player. On the opposite side of that coin, I once had a punk drummer tell me "Jazz is just BAD".

I've always kind of seen jazz as music for musicians. Non-musicians can appreciate it, but to me jazz is played as much to the other people you're playing with at the time as much as it is for the people listening. (I've also met a lot of jazz snobs, too!)

[ElMon]

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

I've always kind of seen jazz as music for musicians. Non-musicians can appreciate it, but to me jazz is played as much to the other people you're playing with at the time as much as it is for the people listening. (I've also met a lot of jazz snobs, too!)

I totally agree. Maybe thats why so many audiences like to talk over the band on jazz gigs. I used to bring my EH Bass Synthesizer for my solos, just to make people shut the F#$k up for a second or two!!! Great fun. I will say that they're are a small percentage of audience members (usually older) who appreciate a good ballad.

[ElMon]

On a side note SuperDuck, I love your avitar. Chrono Trigger=best RPG ever!!!

[SuperDuck]

Originally Posted by ElMon

On a side note SuperDuck, I love your avitar. Chrono Trigger=best RPG ever!!!

Word up.

[Dash Rantic]

Picking up the bass definitely made me appriciate music a lot more. I never really "got it" until I started playing

-Dash

[Mark Wilson]

Being bassists are by far one of the, if not THE most important role in a band.
The drums hold the rhythm
The guitar holds the melody
But the bass brings those two together. We're the bridge between the non-intelligent!

So yea. We definitely appreciate it more than non-musicians.

[philzbass]

Originally Posted by one

Do you think, being a musician make us appreciate music more? or do you think non musicians realise the talent, commitment and understand the beauty of it, to it's fullest?


personally i think musicians do appreciate music more as we actually listen to the music, whereas others just seem to hear it, and not understand it.

I think being a musician *SHOULD* make you appreciate music more and often it does. But it also sometimes makes people more stuck up, ya know, "That band sucks because they don't have a guitar player who plays the fastestestest solos that have ever been played before on a guitar....... using his teeth." I've always thought that a REAL musician (and there is a difference between being a guitar PLAYER or whatever , and a musician) should be able to listen to ANY style of music, and any song for that matter, and find something positive. I can listen to anything and find pros and cons, allthough I'll admit I've had my fair share of "stuck up moments." Times that I thought I was SOOOO much better than whatever band was playing in whatever bar, on whatever night. It actully makes me sick to think that I could even be so narrow minded. (It's the booze)

All n' all, I think musicians do genrally understand music more than your average person but that's kind of a given. You play music, so your understanding is going to be better, but when you say "appreciate music" I think of all kinds of music, and musicians are bias alot of times, because they only appreciate the music they like or the music that challenges them. Thats not true appreciation, someone brought up jazz and I think jazz is intellectual music because artists seem to be the only ones who can get that. But to appreciate music, your talking about a huge field with a million different styles, you have to have intelligence (not just the playing abillity) to truely appreciate it.

[philzbass]

Sorry about the rammbling, this topic just hits a nerve. I hate running into people who play music and have no appreciation for anything other than what they're into. That's just being close minded. I like jazz and symphonys but I also like Green Day and The Misfits.

[bigfatbass]

Music moves some people in ways it will never move others. Strangely enough, I don't think that has anything to do with whether or not one is a musician.

I've known a whole of lot of clock-punching dud musicians (you know who you are! That's why you bought the PA), and a whole lot of fans moved to tears by a performance.

[baba]

My brother in law came up with this nugget of wisdom this summer while I was spinning music:

"Do you ever notice that musicians have the worst taste in music?"

[Baryonyx]

I hope you showed him what-for after that remark!

[Jazzin']

I think musicians are too analytical of music. We should all step back and listen to music the way non-musicians hear it.