I Can't Play Piano

[Tom Bomb]

It was the jazz got Mitch,

​

 

[definenredefine]

Maybe it's a regional thing.

Like steamed hams?

 

[friskinator]

It has always seemed to me that most of being a jazz aficionado is debating what is or isn't jazz with other jazz fans. Kind of like the punk rock die-hards, which are just as annoying. I don't want to work that hard to enjoy anything.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Poll needs more options.
Obviously I voted for the first choice, as that's the correct answer, but I think several of the others may be valid concerns too.

Also, I'm with you.
I know, as a musician, I'm supposed to appreciate the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Jaco and all them cats, but I've tried and failed.
Gimme the beat, boys...

And I'm with you as well. We're supposed to appreciate all these folks, but don't. To clarify, I admire anyone's talents and jazz as a music form is beyond me, no doubt about it. But no way I'm listening to, as @two fingers described it prior to donning his fire suit, gobble-de-gook.

 

[WG Plum]

It depends on the gobble-de-gook. Some I like, some I don't like.

As it's been said, there are two kinds of music - good music, and bad music.

 

[J_Bass]

It has always seemed to me that most of being a jazz aficionado is debating what is or isn't jazz with other jazz fans. Kind of like the punk rock die-hards, which are just as annoying. I don't want to work that hard to enjoy anything.

As a "Jazz aficionado" since my teen years, when I discovered and falled in love with the genre, I never had that discussion with other Jazz fans.

The only times I talked about that, was in situations like this thread, with jazz haters.

 

[two fingers]

As a "Jazz aficionado" since my teen years, when I discovered and falled in love with the genre, I never had that discussion with other Jazz fans.

The only times I talked about that, was in situations like this thread, with jazz haters.

To be fair, most of us have not claimed to be jazz "haters".

 

[PillO]

Dude gets me.

By the way, the part about jazz musicians laughing at inside musical jokes is so true. Some dude will hit some random "bwap" on stage and they'll all be falling out laughing and the audience is left to assume somebody farted on stage or something.

And then everyone laughs...

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

To be fair, most of us have not claimed to be jazz "haters".

*raises his hand*

While "hate" is a strong word, I've never understood it. Jazz leaves me scratching my head wondering: "What is all the fuss about?"

 

[turf3]

*raises his hand*

While "hate" is a strong word, I've never understood it. Jazz leaves me scratching my head wondering: "What is all the fuss about?"

And I ask again, WHICH "jazz" leaves you scratching your head?

Is it this



or this



or this



Or this



or this



or this



or this



?????

And how would those recordings leave you scratching your head and this doesn't?



or this



or this



????

 

[friskinator]

And I ask again, WHICH "jazz" leaves you scratching your head?

Is it this



or this



or this



Or this



or this



or this



or this



?????

And how would those recordings leave you scratching your head and this doesn't?



or this



or this



????

I also don't get the appeal of the Allman Bros. Just not my thing.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

I was with you until Nutella. I have no use for anyone who doesn't like to stir Nutella and extra crunchy peanut butter together and dip apple slices into it.

People eat Nutella in other ways than by the spoonful straight out of the jar?

 

[Frank Tuesday]

...And, so far, nobody has disrespected anyone who performs and/or prefers the more "out there" versions.

I kind of think you did in your original post.

...The solos in particular sound like musical gobbledygook to me. They sound like a contest to see who can squeeze in the most wrong notes and awful timing into one solo.

 

[WG Plum]

I kind of think you did in your original post.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

Jazz has an image problem. Read the comments, and so many commenters seem to think that Jazz is inherently an academic experience more than an emotional experience. That it is "high brow" art that is not meant for normies. The problem with this way of thinking is that it informs your experience. Your preconceived ideas will color your experience.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

... And check out this footage from the Ed Sullivan Show featuring Rahsaan Roland Kirk leading a murderer's row of genius, including Charles Mingus, Roy Haynes and Archie Shepp!

The story behind how they got on Ed Sullivan is pretty great.

'Open that door or I'll blow it down!' The jazz legends who caused TV mayhem

 

[two fingers]

I kind of think you did in your original post.

And within a couple of sentences I also said that "I respect that they are some of the most educated musicians on the planet".

The statement regarding solos is how I HEAR THEM. It never was about the performances or musicians themselves. I never saod they're stupid or wrong. I simply said that "I DON'T GET IT" and that jazz is just not pleasing to MY ears.

I would rather have my eyes poked out with a solder iron than to watch soccer. But I admire the athletic ability it requires to play the sport.

I would rather lie in a fire ant pile than listen to anyone recite poetry. But I understand it takes two sets of rare skills....one to write it and one to perform it.

I would rather argue with you (right up there with the ant pile ) than watch two world renowned philosophers debate whether or not a tree makes a sound if no one is there to hear it. But that doesn't mean I think either of them are stupid. (By the way, of course it makes a sound. Duh. Don't be an idiot.)

The point? I respect a TON of work/talent I don't enjoy.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

As a "Jazz aficionado" since my teen years, when I discovered and falled in love with the genre, I never had that discussion with other Jazz fans.

The only times I talked about that, was in situations like this thread, with jazz haters.

Yes, and instead of arguing about "what isn't jazz", we try to talk about how expansive jazz is. Yes, that is jazz, and so is this. The narrow definition of "What is Jazz?" comes not from jazz lovers, but from jazz "haters" (and Wynton Marsalis).

 

[two fingers]

Jazz has an image problem. Read the comments, and so many commenters seem to think that Jazz is inherently an academic experience more than an emotional experience. That it is "high brow" art that is not meant for normies. The problem with this way of thinking is that it informs your experience. Your preconceived ideas will color your experience.

I never said that either. I simply said that I don't enjoy much of it. Yoko Ono yelled at things. She was clearly expressing herself both artistically and emotionally. I didn't enjoy that either. And there's nothing over my head about Yoko yelling or jazz. Intellectually, I understand the musical conversation. But I prefer music that simply "sounds good" to ME. That's all.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

And within a couple of sentences I also said that "I respect that they are some of the most educated musicians on the planet".

Everything you cook tasted like literal dog poop, but I respect that you're one of the best chefs on the planet. I've seen a three year old put together a more convincing argument, but I respect that you're one of the most educated journalists on the planet.

Sorry, it just doesn't work that way. You can't insult someone and then expect to cancel it out just by saying "I respect that ..." You could have just said, "It isn't for me", "it doesn't move me" or any other number of things. This isn't directed only at you, but this just isn't respectful discourse. What purpose does "...a contest to see who can squeeze in the most wrong notes and awful timing into one solo" have other than to insult the players? If you truly respected them, you could have just said, "I respect the players, and the talent and work they put into it, but it isn't something I enjoy." That is actually showing respect. Insulting someone and then saying you respect them isn't actually showing respect.

Your soccer and poetry examples are very different. You just effectively said, "I don't like it" and left it there, without any insults.