The Importance of Technical Skill

Paedantic Basterd · 10-03-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fritter

I don't think it's that silly a question. Personally, I like a lot of music that exhibits attitude and catchy songwriting but little technical skill (so I think this is awesome). Also, some people don't care about good songwriting and creativity and end up listening to bull**** like Buckethead.

Hm. I mean, I lean towards songwriting ability myself, but I'm not terribly interested in something that requires no skill whatsoever. I suppose everyone's idea of "balance" will be different for everyone, so it's still an applicable opinion.

fritter · 10-03-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seltzer

That's a pretty good description of Coltrane's style. The way I see it, he simply has a lot to say (so to speak) and nothing to prove, whereas Petrucci still seems to be on his endless shredquest to bore everyone to death. Bit of a pity since I actually like some of his riffs on Train of Thought.

I'm not exactly into jazz, but virtuosity seems more of a good thing in jazz than it is in rock. Since jazz doesn't have much inherent force or power in its music compared to rock, dazzling skill seems like a good way to improve the effect the music has. Whereas in metal it's just showing off and weighs the music down.

Dayvan Cowboy · 10-03-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fritter

I'm not exactly into jazz, but virtuosity seems more of a good thing in jazz than it is in rock. Since jazz doesn't have much inherent force or power in its music compared to rock, dazzling skill seems like a good way to improve the effect the music has. Whereas in metal it's just showing off and weighs the music down.

so many things wrong here.

Queen Boo · 10-03-2010, 01:39 PM

A journalist once said about the Cows that they definitely knew how to play their insturments, they just refused to tune them. This applies to almost all of my favorite music.....

fritter · 10-03-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayvan Cowboy

so many things wrong here.

Okay, if I'm wrong then show me jazz that's exciting, and complex progressive metal that doesn't show off to the point of getting dull.

Jedey · 10-03-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fritter

Okay, if I'm wrong then show me jazz that's exciting and complex progressive metal that doesn't show off to the point of getting dull.

Here's some exciting Jazz for you. John Coltrane ~ "Chasin' The Trane"

fritter · 10-03-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedey

Here's some exciting Jazz for you. John Coltrane ~ "Chasin' The Trane"

The first part was sort of exciting 7:49-7:53. The second part was sort of exciting 2:43-2:46 and 3:50-3:55 and moments that sounded like those ones. I guess his improvisation is impressive and this song is more exciting than anything on Kind of Blue, which is the only jazz record I've listened to. Well not so much listened to as heard as background music, since I didn't find anything about it striking or memorable. After listening to "Chasin' the Trane," I can remember 2:43-2:46 and 3:50-3:55 from part 2 clearly in my mind, but that's it. For me, an exciting song is captivating for most of that song, and also organized, because then I can get into the feel of the song more easily. Basically I like songs to have some pop appeal. But I understand how the improvisation and unpredictability found in a lot of jazz makes it exciting for some people.

mr dave · 10-03-2010, 02:54 PM

you can't have one without the other.

just like you need to learn the rules before you can break the rules - you need to learn technical chops before you can forget them.

anyone who tries to tell you different has either never actually picked up an instrument or sounds like a combination of every single sample they've ever managed to get their hands on and absolutely nothing of their own voice.

as for the current 'find me jazz that's exciting, and metal that isn't boring' crap, stop whining about being covered in crap if you refuse to stop crawling. they aren't styles meant to be spoonfed to passive listeners. either you step up and find what strikes your soul or you get the hell out of the way.

Dayvan Cowboy · 10-03-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

as for the current 'find me jazz that's exciting, and metal that isn't boring' crap, stop whining about being covered in crap if you refuse to stop crawling. they aren't styles meant to be spoonfed to passive listeners. either you step up and find what strikes your soul or you get the hell out of the way.

the best part is, fritter's the guy that told me that I listen to too much bizarre hipster crap.

**Janszoon** · 10-03-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fritter

The first part was sort of exciting 7:49-7:53. The second part was sort of exciting 2:43-2:46 and 3:50-3:55 and moments that sounded like those ones. I guess his improvisation is impressive and this song is more exciting than anything on Kind of Blue, which is the only jazz record I've listened to. Well not so much listened to as heard as background music, since I didn't find anything about it striking or memorable. After listening to "Chasin' the Trane," I can remember 2:43-2:46 and 3:50-3:55 from part 2 clearly in my mind, but that's it. For me, an exciting song is captivating for most of that song, and also organized, because then I can get into the feel of the song more easily. Basically I like songs to have some pop appeal. But I understand how the improvisation and unpredictability found in a lot of jazz makes it exciting for some people.

If you've only ever listened to one jazz album in your life how can you possibly make sweeping statements about the entire, broad, generations-spanning genre?

10-03-2010, 01:39 PM	#24 (permalink)
Queen Boo From beyooond the graaave Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The state that proudly brought you Disco Duck Posts: 1,513	A journalist once said about the Cows that they definitely knew how to play their insturments, they just refused to tune them. This applies to almost all of my favorite music.....