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Music isn't a competition.

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#83
KevInDaBassment said:
Kinda feels like the connotation for "competition" is different for some of the posters here...

Some members are equating "competition" to any measure of success or progress in the industry, as in to get ahead you are "competing". Sure, there is definitely those who "make it" and those who don't, it's not always based on raw talent or abilities, most of us can agree on that.

Other folks are seeing this on a purely artistic level, as in they're talking about certain people deciding (objectively) what is "good" and "not good" music. The OP cited competition shows or Battle of the Bands as the context for their point of view.

It's kind of the same, but sort of not. I can see both sides of the fence though....it's pretty easy to stand on morals when failure isn't at stake. Like it's much easier to go on a diet when you don't have to worry about where your next meal is coming from. Maybe the letter wasn't the best example of the concept being discussed. Either way, I'm not a fan of the Idol show format or trying to "rank" songs or artists. If paying the bills was on the line though, I can't say I'd be consistently standing on my artistic integrity lol
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Thank you. Two different flavors of competition. I think the whole “rank the best” thing has gotten out of hand. I mean, there’s even a word for it now: “Listicle”
 
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#84
I'm kinda seeing a comparison of apples to oranges in the comments.
In one sense, when one creates music in the purest form, just for the sake of creativity, what is the competition? Who are you competing with?
In another sense, when is out trying to land gigs, auditions, getting into schools,
you are competing in business with music being the product that you are trying to sell.
 
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#85
stretch80 said:
The thing is, making good music (in a band) is cooperative, not competitive, and IMHO, musicians and bands (and especially bass players) can often do better by working on the collaboration and support rather than the competition. Where helping people out and supporting them means they give you a call for a new session or band or gig...

But we each are driven in our own ways. We talk about the "killer instinct" in sports, but music can be different.
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Well, the cooperation part is sorta baked in: A group of musicians working together to do things they can’t as individuals.
 
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#88
two fingers said:
It's incredibly easy for someone at retirement age with a net worth in the millions to have such standards.

Meanwhile, ask those nominated for best new artist if music is a competition. Ask those young hungry songwriters in Nashville if music is a competition. Ask guitar players about ti graduate with a (mostly useless) degree from prestigious music schools if music is a competition. Ask any studio musicians in music towns who aren't at the level of Sklar or Rhodes if music is a competition.

@BAG are you trying to make a living playing/writing music? Or do you have a career outside of music and do this for the fun and passion of it? If the former, and you're not already successful at it, you may want to start treating it as a competition.
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That letter was from almost 30 years ago. He wasn't retirement age then.

Award shows are worthless circle jerks. Popularity contests on par with High School class president. Utterly meaningless outside of the clique who participates in it.
 
#89
For many, especially with auditions to music schools, it can feel like it, and it's understandable it must be done. I really consider myself fortunate that I can enjoy the chillness of bass guitar and also chill community of double bassist. I think it's great that music is a hobby of my and at the same time I can get involved with projects and community bands. The moment I stopped worrying about to be the best on time or to be ready for stuff soon, it may playing bass better and truly show me it's a long life journey. Thanks for the share it's nice to see this!
 
#90
... if indeed she was, I would still not harness her to this tumbrel - this bloody cart of severed heads and glittering prizes ...
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Man, if awards shows were like that, I'd watch!

Seriously, though, I can fondly remember being a young(ish) (17) musician and entering Battles of the Bands so that we could afford new equipment. So, I can't get completely down on all competition or I'd be a hypocrite.
 
#94
socialleper said:
That letter was from almost 30 years ago. He wasn't retirement age then.

Award shows are worthless circle jerks. Popularity contests on par with High School class president. Utterly meaningless outside of the clique who participates in it.
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.....and the MILLIONS and MILLIONS of people who watched the MTV awards back then..... or the MILLIONS of people who still watch the Grammy Awards or Golden Globes or Oscars today? You mean other than them, right?

;)
 
#97
i merely stated that you are being, again, in general, naïve thinking you don't compete over these things.

the human race has been competing for resources, power, attention/status since the dawn of time. it doesn't go away because of the power of music or your culture. it just is
 
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#99
jvanoort said:
Indeed it is only my opinion. Nowhere do I state it is anything more than that.
And with all my travel experience many are more well-traveled than I am and, indeed, many from the U.S.

But for good measure: Only one-third of Americans have a valid US passport | YouGov



You seem to read a lot in my post that I never wrote.
Where do I crap on the U.S? I simply experienced a cultural difference, one that many before me have too!
Please point out where I judge the US for being different?
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I thought you were leaving, but I commend you for staying.

1) Guess what? I've been to about 25 countries and I DON'T have a valid U.S. passport. I let it expire and need to renew it. Careful what you infer from statistics. Moreover, there are countries U.S. citizens can go to that don't require a passport. Well, at least one (Canada), unless that has changed.

2) I am not reading into your post. You should step back and objectively judge how your attitude comes across on the page. You are not the only one who falls into this trap, but some of the things you claim to have never written really do come across clearly.

3) You did not "simply" express a "cultural difference." You made the argument that since Americans are not well traveled, they do not recognize this difference. That's different than just trying to say there is a cultural difference. You also seem to base this on an assessment of Europe vs. the U.S., since the only countries outside of those places you referenced (Japan and S. Korea) are, you state, actually more competitive. I am merely positing that perhaps your view is then Euro-centric. It seems a valid premise to me. P.S. I would argue that despite your protestations, competition is alive and well in Europe.

4) Sometimes it isn't that everyone else is somehow ignoring the "nuances" of your argument, sometimes they aren't being fully expressed. Dialog and even argumentation is a beautiful thing, so let's not let our emotions take the promise of understanding and communication away. Sometimes it takes work.
 
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