Can you be a music lover if you don't play an instrument?

VeggieLover · 08-13-2009, 04:56 PM

As I was reading the conversation up til now, I've noticed a descrepancy between the ideas of "Music as emotion/expression" and "Music as a technical science". The truth is, music is both. It is such an integral part of human society because it manages to combine these two very different parts of us. The truely great artists of history have succeeded in producing something that can be loved and appreciated at the basic human levels by utalizing their talented ears and their technical abilities. It is impossible to separate these two aspects and still have music.

Take for instance, the stars. Most of us, if we take the time, feel a sense of awe when gazing into the night sky. For one thing, they're pretty, and for another thing there are just so many! But if someone takes the time to learn about the stars, the fact that there are ____ number of stars all burning massivly large amounts of gases ______ lightyears away at ______ temperatures, the way the ancient greeks used the stars to tell stories...all of that can produce one of the two effects:
A: by reducing it to a mechanical school project we loose the passion, we assume that we know all there is to know and in that assumption all wonder is lost
OR
B: By learning a little bit we become aware of the vast knowledge that humans cannot possibly access in a lifetime. We therefore increase our wonder and increase our respect for our fellow "scientists," their theories and ideas, by listening to them, we can learn what we otherwise couldn't in our own time

The same happens with music. As a musician, it is possible to achieve a more acute and learned appreciation, and therefore love, of music. If we allow ourselves to realize our relative niavety, we can continue to learn and love at an increased level. By understanding the technicalities our fellow musicians deal in, we can appreciate their emotional and labourous contributions to the more subjective side of music rather than simply listening to something "pretty".

got it?

cavanherk · 08-14-2009, 09:14 AM

When I learned sax, it didn't effect my music appreciation. When I learned Piano, it didn't help either. When I learned guitar, I became very intrigued in all forms of american music and began to dive into various genres, all of course guitar influenced.

It certainly helped me get into various artists in a level I otherwise would not have, and my appreciation has grown from those genres to include non-guitar-influenced music.

Depends on which instrument you really take to as to which avenue you might truly appreciate.

Definitely guided me into music I absolutely adore, so I would say playing an instrument helps build a particular respect for music that may not otherwise be experienced by one who has not picked up an instrument.

mr dave · 08-14-2009, 10:15 PM

but wouldn't that just mean that you were succeeding at what you were attempting which negates the original output and transforms it into being 'good' again? hahaha

GuitarBizarre · 08-17-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

but wouldn't that just mean that you were succeeding at what you were attempting which negates the original output and transforms it into being 'good' again? hahaha

No, because it sucks!

Harmonicologist · 09-05-2009, 10:47 AM

Sure. Didn't we all start out as music lovers before we picked up an instrument?

BrianRClover · 09-06-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrar

confession time, I'm 18 and i still have yet to seriously learn to play an instrument. growing up, my brother played guitar and in my quest to be absolutely nothing like him, i (regretfully) didnt

i've just been thinking how shallow (for lack of a better word) that must make my appreciation of music, never experiencing the time and effort and blood and sweat involved in producing a song

are people who dont play even worthy of listening?

Absolutely man! People who do not play make the best fans! I'm a musician of 10 years and trust me- All though it's fun and I wouldn't trade it for the world, all it does to you is make you listen to everything from a technical standpointe. Before I played, I could listen to just about anything and enjoy it, now my taste are so limited I have to wait months for albums to drop from the 10 bands I actually like.

Having said that, music is freeing and incredibly fun... while being incredibly frustrating... the indie scene which I reside in is much more fun than the mainstream scene which I've also had a small part in... either way, being a musician is all about the amount of passion you have to do so... just keep in mind, whether you're touring the country or jamming in your basement it will change your life as far as music goes.

charlieomar · 09-06-2009, 10:39 AM

You absolutely can be a music lover without knowing how to be a musician. I was. However, after learning to play guitar, my love for music only deepened. :] Also my taste in music did not begin to draw limits - it only expanded.

storymilo · 09-06-2009, 07:17 PM

I find that playing an instrument can make you appreciate some musicians more, but others less. Overall I think its fine not to learn one, but never too late to try....

jtwilliams · 09-06-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storymilo

I find that playing an instrument can make you appreciate some musicians more, but others less. Overall I think its fine not to learn one, but never too late to try....

I agree with this 100%!

I was a big music fan before I picked up the Bass. Now that I have started learning I have a deepening understanding of music. It just enriches it. But anyone can love music!

OceanAndSilence · 09-09-2009, 01:04 PM

can you love reading books without having written one?

i think it's already been explained in this thread, but loving music through reception and walking down the path of musicianship are two very different things. both offer their own perceptions and gratifications. personally i feel a necessity to play music. it's a never-ending journey (until you die, luls) with no correct answer. that's the best part. in a world where everyone attempts to define a right or wrong, you'll never really know which is which. using music to figure this out is therapeutic. that's my take. to play and not to play is to love music in differing ways.

08-13-2009, 04:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
VeggieLover Music?! Lets boogie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: CO Posts: 215	As I was reading the conversation up til now, I've noticed a descrepancy between the ideas of "Music as emotion/expression" and "Music as a technical science". The truth is, music is both. It is such an integral part of human society because it manages to combine these two very different parts of us. The truely great artists of history have succeeded in producing something that can be loved and appreciated at the basic human levels by utalizing their talented ears and their technical abilities. It is impossible to separate these two aspects and still have music. Take for instance, the stars. Most of us, if we take the time, feel a sense of awe when gazing into the night sky. For one thing, they're pretty, and for another thing there are just so many! But if someone takes the time to learn about the stars, the fact that there are ____ number of stars all burning massivly large amounts of gases ______ lightyears away at ______ temperatures, the way the ancient greeks used the stars to tell stories...all of that can produce one of the two effects: A: by reducing it to a mechanical school project we loose the passion, we assume that we know all there is to know and in that assumption all wonder is lost OR B: By learning a little bit we become aware of the vast knowledge that humans cannot possibly access in a lifetime. We therefore increase our wonder and increase our respect for our fellow "scientists," their theories and ideas, by listening to them, we can learn what we otherwise couldn't in our own time The same happens with music. As a musician, it is possible to achieve a more acute and learned appreciation, and therefore love, of music. If we allow ourselves to realize our relative niavety, we can continue to learn and love at an increased level. By understanding the technicalities our fellow musicians deal in, we can appreciate their emotional and labourous contributions to the more subjective side of music rather than simply listening to something "pretty". got it? __________________ "Not remotely! Because iocaine comes from Australia, as everyone knows. And Australia is entirely peopled with criminals. And criminals are used to having people not trust them as you are not trusted by me, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you."

09-06-2009, 10:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
charlieomar Groupie Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 32	You absolutely can be a music lover without knowing how to be a musician. I was. However, after learning to play guitar, my love for music only deepened. :] Also my taste in music did not begin to draw limits - it only expanded. __________________ Last.fm

08-14-2009, 09:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
cavanherk barefoot troubadour Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 143	When I learned sax, it didn't effect my music appreciation. When I learned Piano, it didn't help either. When I learned guitar, I became very intrigued in all forms of american music and began to dive into various genres, all of course guitar influenced. It certainly helped me get into various artists in a level I otherwise would not have, and my appreciation has grown from those genres to include non-guitar-influenced music. Depends on which instrument you really take to as to which avenue you might truly appreciate. Definitely guided me into music I absolutely adore, so I would say playing an instrument helps build a particular respect for music that may not otherwise be experienced by one who has not picked up an instrument.

09-05-2009, 10:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
Harmonicologist Groupie Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Posts: 1	Sure. Didn't we all start out as music lovers before we picked up an instrument?

09-06-2009, 07:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
storymilo Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,845	I find that playing an instrument can make you appreciate some musicians more, but others less. Overall I think its fine not to learn one, but never too late to try....

09-09-2009, 01:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
OceanAndSilence i write and play stuff Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 239	can you love reading books without having written one? i think it's already been explained in this thread, but loving music through reception and walking down the path of musicianship are two very different things. both offer their own perceptions and gratifications. personally i feel a necessity to play music. it's a never-ending journey (until you die, luls) with no correct answer. that's the best part. in a world where everyone attempts to define a right or wrong, you'll never really know which is which. using music to figure this out is therapeutic. that's my take. to play and not to play is to love music in differing ways.