Music Appreciation with "Understanding" Music?

giannifive · 10-19-2005, 04:48 PM

I just had a discussion with a friend of mine about how people can appreciate music if they don't have music training. What sparked this discussion is the idea of these "high-class" types who pay lots of money to see performances (you know, at the types of venues where they serve champagne), but can't play a single musical instrument. Personally, I've found that music theory and ear training have made me listen to music more critically, and appreciate it much more. My friend argues that there are several respected music critics who don't know how to play a musical instrument. So is it just the knowledge snob in me that has influenced my point of view? Anyone else agree with me? Or with my friend?

Vince · 10-19-2005, 04:57 PM

I don't make movies, but I have my own opinions on what makes a good film.

Remember, art is subjective. "Good" is an opinion.

but Nirvana still sucks.

Drew · 10-19-2005, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertdweller

I don't make movies, but I have my own opinions on what makes a good film.

but Nirvana still sucks.

Likewise, I don't make movies, but I have my own opinions on how I could make a damned good one.

Oh, and Vince?

Digital Black · 10-19-2005, 05:03 PM

You must also keep in mind- there is no better substitute than experience.

There are lot of guys i've met that know a lot about cars, but couldn't fix or build them..

Ken · 10-19-2005, 05:23 PM

Interesting thread. I agree with your friend.

I don't think you need to know music theory or play an instrument to be able to appreciate it or be an expert on it, for that matter.

For most, music is about feelings, not notes, scales and tones. Most of us have feelings (I've met a few who seemed to have none). If one is "moved" by a piece of music, then they can appreciate it.

Think of all the people who are "moved" by a bottle of beer, but have never made any...

giannifive · 10-19-2005, 05:41 PM

Yeah, I see your guys' points. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of "If I were rich and had lots of money to blow on music I'd much rather take lessons and learn how to do it myself than pay for some snooty performance." Of course if I actually were in that financial situation my tune would probably change...

Can you tell I grew up relatively poor?

Couple that with the fact that I'm a DIY'er by nature and you'll see where I'm coming from.

That and I'm a little bit nuts

giannifive · 10-19-2005, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

Oh, and Vince?

Umm, yeah, it seems to me we need a ": vince-drew :" smilie. Here are my two contributions:

jaydik · 10-19-2005, 07:12 PM

I believe that both of you could be right. One with a vast musical understanding can hear a piece of music and say, "Wow, what great use of the Lydian mode." And appreciate that song. One with no musical understanding can say, "Hey, that song made me feel good inside." Even though he has no reason why, he gets that feeling. In knowing why you get that feeling, I think it may be possible to lessen your appreciation, mayb not the right word, but it may lessen the wonder you get from not knowing.

Leon · 10-19-2005, 07:47 PM

hmm... a person with no musical training can certainly appreciate music, but i think that musicians are able to appreciate music on another level.

a_daft_punk · 10-22-2005, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydik

I believe that both of you could be right. One with a vast musical understanding can hear a piece of music and say, "Wow, what great use of the Lydian mode." And appreciate that song. One with no musical understanding can say, "Hey, that song made me feel good inside." Even though he has no reason why, he gets that feeling. In knowing why you get that feeling, I think it may be possible to lessen your appreciation, mayb not the right word, but it may lessen the wonder you get from not knowing.

Yea I agree with this

Joe

10-19-2005, 04:48 PM	#1
giannifive Occasional Poster Join Date: May 2005 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 1,066 Real Name: John Main Seven: RG7621 w/ Blazes Rig: Vox AD15VT Thanked: 10 $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$	Music Appreciation with "Understanding" Music? I just had a discussion with a friend of mine about how people can appreciate music if they don't have music training. What sparked this discussion is the idea of these "high-class" types who pay lots of money to see performances (you know, at the types of venues where they serve champagne), but can't play a single musical instrument. Personally, I've found that music theory and ear training have made me listen to music more critically, and appreciate it much more. My friend argues that there are several respected music critics who don't know how to play a musical instrument. So is it just the knowledge snob in me that has influenced my point of view? Anyone else agree with me? Or with my friend?

10-19-2005, 04:57 PM	#2
Vince Vince is X!!! • Super Moderator • Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 5,611 Real Name: Vince Main Seven: Ibanez Rig: Rocktron / Mesa Thanked: 112	I don't make movies, but I have my own opinions on what makes a good film. Remember, art is subjective. "Good" is an opinion. but Nirvana still sucks. THE ASYLUM VINCELUPONE.COM

10-19-2005, 05:03 PM	#4
Digital Black Divinitus Infallibilis • Super Moderator • Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cleveland , Ohio Posts: 5,321 Real Name: Lord Andrew Main Seven: 2005 Ibanez RG1527BLK Rig: Rocktron + rack gear Thanked: 20	You must also keep in mind- there is no better substitute than experience. There are lot of guys i've met that know a lot about cars, but couldn't fix or build them.. Born of Fire//--\\ Consumed by it Divinitus Infallibilis

10-19-2005, 07:47 PM	#9
Leon {##[====:::. • Super Moderator • Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Ohio Crew Posts: 11,750 Main Seven: RG7620 of Doom Rig: Mesa / Sovtek Thanked: 78	hmm... a person with no musical training can certainly appreciate music, but i think that musicians are able to appreciate music on another level. I have a radical idea. The door swings both ways, we could reverse the particle flow through the gate. We'll cross the streams.

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10-19-2005, 05:23 PM	#5
Ken Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 2,345 Thanked: 25	Interesting thread. I agree with your friend. I don't think you need to know music theory or play an instrument to be able to appreciate it or be an expert on it, for that matter. For most, music is about feelings, not notes, scales and tones. Most of us have feelings (I've met a few who seemed to have none). If one is "moved" by a piece of music, then they can appreciate it. Think of all the people who are "moved" by a bottle of beer, but have never made any...

10-19-2005, 05:41 PM	#6
giannifive Occasional Poster Join Date: May 2005 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 1,066 Real Name: John Main Seven: RG7621 w/ Blazes Rig: Vox AD15VT Thanked: 10 $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$	Yeah, I see your guys' points. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of "If I were rich and had lots of money to blow on music I'd much rather take lessons and learn how to do it myself than pay for some snooty performance." Of course if I actually were in that financial situation my tune would probably change... Can you tell I grew up relatively poor? Couple that with the fact that I'm a DIY'er by nature and you'll see where I'm coming from. That and I'm a little bit nuts

10-19-2005, 07:12 PM	#8
jaydik ss.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Paramus Posts: 27 Main Seven: Ibanez RG1527 Thanked: 0	I believe that both of you could be right. One with a vast musical understanding can hear a piece of music and say, "Wow, what great use of the Lydian mode." And appreciate that song. One with no musical understanding can say, "Hey, that song made me feel good inside." Even though he has no reason why, he gets that feeling. In knowing why you get that feeling, I think it may be possible to lessen your appreciation, mayb not the right word, but it may lessen the wonder you get from not knowing.

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