Something to think about:
"Nothing is more difficult than to speak about music."writes 19th century French composer Camille Saint-Saens. "The attempt is very arduous for musicians themselves, and nearly impossible for others." Indeed, writing about music itself is highly difficult, and even this column, though we have discussed many aspects of music, the majority of them have been about abstract matters, and not actually about music itself.
After all, what is music? One definition is "The organization of sound into metered time." Well, that's not bad, but it's very vague. Does that mean that anyone who can organize sound into metered time can write music? According to that definition. I would have to say yes, but yet, there are those who say that some music, such as rap, shouldn't be considered music, mainly because there is no real melody, and most of the rhythm isn't made by an instrument.
My personal opinion is that that isn't really fair. Edgar Varese' wrote a type of music called "Music Concrete" which is basically taking recorded sound (not necessarily music) and manipulating the sounds. Isn't that what rap does? Not only that, many of the new rap artists are coming up with their own tracks, instead of paying the hefty fees that come with sampling other people's music.
So, we have this basic definition of music to work with, but does this help us to be able to talk about it? No, not really. Music, in a way, is like the air that the soundwaves of music travel on, it is invisible, and intangible, yet we know that somehow it is there.
As I've said before, only the artist can truly judge their work, because only they (hopefully) know what they wanted to express. Only they can judge the effectiveness of their piece (at least, until we all become telepathic, and empathic.)
I have no grudge against music critics, they are those who attempt to bridge the gap between the listener and the performer, but one who writes about music that isn't their own must understand that their view is only one of many, and not the be-all, end-all of everything. Music criticism is not the gospel of those that seek to find something tangible about music. Music belongs to those who perform it, and to those who hear it. It is up to them, and them alone to decide what the effect of a song, or a piece means to them. Since no one is exactly like someone else you will never get the same exact reaction.
Enjoy music for what it is.
Pax perem musicum.
Ok y'all...this is your chance, tell it like it is...you have a band you're just dying to tell everyone about? (if it's your own, that's ok too). You just heard an album by someone new, or someone dead that's driving you bonkers every hour that you play it? Tell us!! We want to know!! This is a place to share good stuff that you think others might just enjoy. No negative reviews, please...we don't do that here. You think someone sucks? Tell them to their face, and see how well everyone takes constructive criticism...Oh..by the way...tell us when and where a band/solo artist/ensemble is performing, or where we can find the album/single/soundbyte, some of us just might want to check it out. Also, if anyone has music they want to share via the Net, send it here...we'll give it a listen...but we make no promises..
I want to send in my ideas to the Music Clinic!
I want to send you my Music Reviews! I know that all responses will be considered, and those selected for the article will be duly credited to the author.