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Double Bass The "Right" to play Classical Music

G

Gigel

Mar 14, 2009
21
0
35
Romania, Bucharest
#1
An idea has been rolling through my head these past few days and I wanted to ask the good people of TBDB of their opinion on this matter. Especially since many on here are from the classical world and highly trained.

My question would be as basically a self-taught player at least up until now (though i have took some small lessons with a teacher and thinking of finding a way for some more and I do practice daily from Simandl and also I learn as much as I can from every possible source, still basically self-taught, no formal training) is it right to strive and try to play classical music? From a metaphysical kind of view I mean.

I very much like it but the problem is I'm not sure I have the "right" to play it.
What I mean to say is, historically music has been traditionally passed down from one great player to another (much like any art) and so I see it as a veritable "right" to play music in general because of the lineage and heritage involved. But how would the composers view this or the notion itself, is it right for me to brake the chain and just start off probably poorly and play this music?

Bottom line would the great composers prefer for me to enjoy playing their music poorly (probably), just for the sake of their music being played, or should it be played by a select elitely trained few who have the skill to give it justice?
 
#2
Speaking mostly of chamber music, as it's the easiest example, music wouldn't get off the ground if it were not for amateurs. many famous pieces of music, the trout quintet or the rossini duo as shining examples, wouldn't exist were it not for amateurs who had some cash and paid a composer to do their job.

can music become something otherworldly in the hands of a group of skilled professionals? Of course. Was much of it written for small group of rich amateur dudes who wanted something to do on a friday night with a nice Lager or Pilsner in hand? you bet. In terms of chamber music, if you want to know more, pick up the Cambridge Companion to the String Quartet. There's a history section in it, and while bass players don't factor in specifically here, there's a lot we can learn.

I think we need to bring the whole chamber music and beer thing back!

eerbrev
 
#3
No, of course not.

They would be happy to see someone even playing their music hundreds of years after their death, let alone playing it well. Play it to the best of your degree and do the music its due justice; which is just as well as you can play it. Nobody can ask for more.
 
#4
I'm not trained, I don't make 6 figures a year with my instrument, but I really don't believe any individual or group has any inherent rights to any particular style or piece of music. Whether self taught or holding a doctorate degree does not change a thing as far as I'm concerned. Is it wrong to produce a full orchestra version of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" or "Dark Side of the Moon"? How about a guitar version of "Toccata and Fugue"?

If it "speaks to you", "moves you", "touches you", or you just plain like it or think it would be fun to play, play it. Whether its Twinkle Twinkle... or 1812... just give it your best and you can do no wrong!
 
#11
Justice? Most of those cats have been dead for centuries. They don't give a ****, nor does anyone else if you **** up one of their pieces....Who Cares! Most of us here are all self taught and get off on making as much noise as possible as long as it fits the song. Don't read something into music that is not there. Music is for your enjoyment plane and simple. I **** everything I play up, but I still dig the **** out of it! My neighbors hate me, my wife tells me to turn it down, but I hammer away at it daily. Screw those Classical ass holes and their stupid compositions. If you want to play them, go for it. If someone tells you otherwise, beat them over the head with your bass.
 
#12
edburns said:
Justice? Most of those cats have been dead for centuries. They don't give a ****, nor does anyone else if you **** up one of their pieces....Who Cares! Most of us here are all self taught and get off on making as much noise as possible as long as it fits the song. Don't read something into music that is not there. Music is for your enjoyment plane and simple. I **** everything I play up, but I still dig the **** out of it! My neighbors hate me, my wife tells me to turn it down, but I hammer away at it daily. Screw those Classical ass holes and their stupid compositions. If you want to play them, go for it. If someone tells you otherwise, beat them over the head with your bass.
Click to expand...

WOW :eek: ! I feel better about ME now.

edburns said:
If someone tells you otherwise, beat them over the head with your bass.
Click to expand...

Please don't do that. If you become that angry please just send your bass to me and I will make sure the offending party is delivered the proper message without injury to the instrument.

Legal disclaimer - I do not promote violence. No basses were harmed in the drafting of this message. :cool:
 
#14
I guess I'll just keep playing until I hit a point where I feel I can do the music justice even if I do kind of torture it along the way, I guess it's for a greater good.

It helped reading your opinions on the matter, if there are any others keep them coming and thank you to all.
 
#16
I totally feel the insecurity myself. There is such beautiful music out there, so easy to hear and experience. There's not a day I pick up my bass where I wonder why I'm trying to get in the way of it with my rumblings.

But how better to say thank you to all that great music and the players who sacrificed to make it so great than to do only that?

I don't know, really.
 

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