• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New Beck

#41
xray said:
I sort of agree with the utterly absurd side. As musicians we strive for the opportunity to "play" in front of people, to be heard by as many as possible, for someone without the desire to play an instrument to want to listen to our music.

Beck may be a little self-righteous with this effort. I know he's not as popular these days and when he was popular album sales were a little better since the social media hadn't gone viral and the one song download wasn't available but I'm afraid this tactic may end up backfiring. Seriously, who's going to buy a book of sheet music to download into their iPhone or iPod when you can't listen to it. Sorry I just don't get it, isn't the purpose of creating and recording music so your fan base can enjoy it by listening to it.

I know the hard core musician/artist here must be saying, wow, cool this dude is totally rad man, can you believe the creativity behind this....we'll see how Billboard receives it.
Click to expand...

the same people who buy $3 bottled water, $5 dollar coffees and $500 devices that allow themselves to be completely engulfed with technology...
the average consumer would buy it if enough social media buzz propagated it in a certain light.

i think it is an amazing idea.
not sure how it would play out.
it seems to me that it would benefit musicians the most; they would learn to read music for one; more people might learn to record at home.
it may inspire fans of an artist to possibly learn to play an instrument for the sole reason of becoming a part of the creative process of their beloved artist.

record companies would suffer i guess...:crying:
it could also be a very short lived gimmicky -type idea with a small window of huge profit; i dunno...
not sure how it would play out though but what an interesting concept.
 
#42
I honestly believe all of the people calling this project absurd are not caught up in how refreshing it is for musicians to be experimental with the idea of being musicians; everything else in the industry seems formulaic in comparison. Beck has never particularly seemed to care about record sales and I don't think this will phaze him one bit.

MetroBass, shame on you for your "pathetic and unoriginal" statement.

What seems desperate or common? If Beck/JMJ were pathetic they would release a jangly "indie pop" album that could be played on every commercial, featuring Nicki Minaj/every other actor who makes a living being "guest artists". What makes Beck albums so great is the way he goes against the grain without being contrary just to be contrary. He stands out and shouts his music in whatever genre/medium he cares for.

Whether one thinks that this is a good idea or not, this is easily one of the more brave projects.
 
#43
MetroBass said:
Just a sign Becks getting old. So pathetic and unoriginal. Jeeze mom, just think about the air play on this one. Hey Becks having a concert online ticket sales for the sheet-music. Wonder if it will sell out, naw, just make me a copy Or better yet scan it and upload it to a blog.

Here's one of the cuts from the new album. Www.sheetmusicdirect.com

Hey did you hear the new beck song. No. Neither did I.
Click to expand...
Way more people will hear this new Beck album, even on sheet music, than will hear your album. I guess I'd be upset if sheet music sells better than my stuff, too.
 
#44
MetroBass said:
Just a sign Becks getting old. So pathetic and unoriginal. Jeeze mom, just think about the air play on this one.
Click to expand...

I amazes me that some musicians can be so closed minded. For an artform that's part of a 'creative' industry, people sure are set in their ways. "Pathetic" - well, you're entitled to your opinion; "unoriginal" - simply untrue, the concept is the antithesis of the passive, unthinking consumption of music we've become used to.

I personally think it's an excellent idea. It might start a movement, it might not, either way it's interesting and challenging. Here's hoping for some transcriptions of JMJ's bass work (vintage hollowbodies not included!).
 
#45
I don't see this as being significantly different from publishing sheet music for jazz bands, big bands, concert bands, military bands, dance bands, etc., which has been common practice for decades. And I see nothing questionable or nefarious in it.

What I do find unique is the difference in the discourse that surrounds the distribution of new songs as printed sheet music in different segments of the music industry.

100 years ago, families and individuals routinely consumed new songs in the form of sheet music for piano; back then, pianos were fairly common in American homes, and knowing how to read sheet music was an expected skill for a well-rounded individual. The decline of "traditional/legitimate" musical skills throughout American culture, concurrent with the removal of music and arts programs in the public schools, has been painful and saddening to witness.

I hope Beck's experiment succeeds. With respect to the public's consumption of recorded music, a project of this kind will defer public performance and distribution of recordings, but the eventual outcome will be more fruitful and diverse than a single recording; what's wrong with delayed gratification?
 
#46
jmjbassplayer said:
Very interesting what a project that was very much a labor of love inspires people to say. A wide spectrum of opinion.

Pathetic and unoriginal? Seems a little hyperbolic.

Nevertheless, enjoying this thread and all its richness of different viewpoints.

JMJ
Click to expand...

To that, I say this: "Haters gonna hate".


But, what about the potential upside? I think it would be fantastic if this Beck release kicks off a national dialogue on the state of music education in schools, and the diminished ability of young people to read music. Getting people talking more seriously about the value of music education would be a great side effect of this release.
 
#49
Sounds like you guys are seeing most of the (potential) positive repercussions of this. There will be no single, no video. This project has nothing to do with the typical protocol of releasing an album. It's just something fun and different, and I'd also suggest artistic as well. The packaging and accompanying text will make it a nice item, IMHO.

Different strokes for different folks. And divergent opinions are an important spice of life.

And speaking for myself, this doesn't in any way, shape, or form, substitute for a Beck album.

Best,
Justin
 
#50
JimmyM said:
Way more people will hear this new Beck album, even on sheet music, than will hear your album. I guess I'd be upset if sheet music sells better than my stuff, too.
Click to expand...

Maybe so...but that's not the point and to the others pathetic is not that bad of a word. Look it up.

Composers/artists have been printing their songs in music notation on paper for eons. I'm sorry but I personally do not think there's anything genius or cutting edge about what Beck is doing. I can go to my local music store and get Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon in a book (notation form). Same for many, many artist.

I think Beck's fan base would be much happier with a CD or option to download a real song complete with lyrics and instruments. I guess as far as ROI goes it could be a hit. I’m sure printing costs are a lot less expensive than the costs of production, the studio, engineering, mixing, pressing, distribution, etc.
 
#51
Wow, you've put way too much thought into it. It's obviously something he's doing for his hardcore fans as a collector's item of sorts. And considering all the reports of Beck hitting the studio lately, I think there likely is an actual album recorded. How would they have something to transcribe if they didn't record it? But even if they didn't, who cares? If you don't want to buy it, don't buy it. Sheesh...worry about important stuff and don't be such a bringdown.
 
#53
MetroBass said:
Composers/artists have been printing their songs in music notation on paper for eons. I'm sorry but I personally do not think there's anything genius or cutting edge about what Beck is doing.

I think Beck's fan base would be much happier with a CD or option to download a real song complete with lyrics and instruments..
Click to expand...
I agree with the first bit-when people call this "revolutionary" I just don't get it. However, I don't think that makes it any less cool. It's not like he's the first person to release sheet music. But I still think this is a really interesting idea and I support it.

As for what the fans want...Who cares?
He has released a bunch of albums in the past, he's probably going to release mor albums in the future. So he wanted to do something interesting and unique (for today's times anyway) with his new stuff. Why is that a bad idea?
God forbid an artist does something they think is a good idea!
 
#56
Great , another anti-literacy campaign thread hi-jack.

I like the idea of releasing the sheet music first and later for the rest.
Angry punks are gonna be angry punks, and of course for all the wrong reasons.

If you couldn't HEAR Beck's nod to music traditions on PREVIOUS recordings then
................
................

Step right up and witness " The pro-active listening sock !!"

That's right folks , all the way from our lower slobovian test labs , the ALL NEW
pro-active listening sock , improve your listening skills by 300 % !!!!

Simply shove the sock into your mouth and you can instantly hear better!!!!!

It's Amazing !!!!!!!



Order now while supplies last , all socks built to spec at our slobovian penitentiary and pre-loved, all sales final
 
#57
JimmyM said:
Wow, you've put way too much thought into it. It's obviously something he's doing for his hardcore fans as a collector's item of sorts. And considering all the reports of Beck hitting the studio lately, I think there likely is an actual album recorded. How would they have something to transcribe if they didn't record it? But even if they didn't, who cares? If you don't want to buy it, don't buy it. Sheesh...worry about important stuff and don't be such a bringdown.
Click to expand...

+ 1 on this one

Why make a big deal about it - nobody forces you to buy it - personaly i think its a great f... you to fast consumerism - these will be songs to dwell on for the few who wants to put some effort into them. But at the end of the day it is just music - not a reason for fighting.
 
#58
I still think this is absolute genius. Yes, a throwback to the late 1800's, but it does a few things:

1. Beck gets paid everytime.
2. Since the protections on copyrights on published material like this are rock solid, if he wants to enforce someone scanning it and sharing it the cops and lawyers have clear direction and power.
3. Invites all the early versions and interpretations which not only add to the hype but also may influence a Beck performance.
4. Its pure genius.
5. Number 4.
 
#59
Jazzdogg said:
100 years ago, families and individuals routinely consumed new songs in the form of sheet music for piano; back then, pianos were fairly common in American homes, and knowing how to read sheet music was an expected skill for a well-rounded individual. The decline of "traditional/legitimate" musical skills throughout American culture, concurrent with the removal of music and arts programs in the public schools, has been painful and saddening to witness.
QUOTE]

This was my first thought. Beck is taking us back to pre-radio, when just about the only way to hear the pop songs was to get the sheet music and play it at home on the piano after dinner with your family.

Beck is taking us back to 1912. :)
Click to expand...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back