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W Scott · 12-09-2006, 02:52 AM

No, Michael, that's not what we are talking about here. This is not about putting down 'be as good as you can be'. This is not even a slam on 'technique' or 'talent'. What is at issue here, is that we have exalted technique or put technique on such an altar that in the process, musicianship is often lost. Musicianship is one of those things that's almost impossible to define where as technique can be pinned down pretty well. Musicianship is something that 'you know it when you hear it', and it isn't about a flawless performance, it is about heart-soul-and emotion. Young musicians anymore, due to the polished level of studio recordings, have developed this strait-jacket mentality that says 'there's only one way to do this right'. So, when somebody comes along and plays it with heart and soul, but the count is slightly off or the sound is too bright----they get slammed for that. We should instead, celebrate the individuality that they bring. There are so few trumpet players these days to whom I can listen and immedietly say 'that's...(fill in the blank)'.

My daughter was doing some homework the other day and it involved listening to some of the old jazz tunes played by the folks that made them famous. Without even looking, I could tell her 'that's Cootie, that's Bunny Berigan, that's Pops'. There's not many today that I can do that with as they all have the same polished, technical perfection---which is good, but the individuality is lost.

Bill

12-09-2006, 02:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
W Scott Piano User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Carson City, NV. Posts: 490	Re: What have we wrought? No, Michael, that's not what we are talking about here. This is not about putting down 'be as good as you can be'. This is not even a slam on 'technique' or 'talent'. What is at issue here, is that we have exalted technique or put technique on such an altar that in the process, musicianship is often lost. Musicianship is one of those things that's almost impossible to define where as technique can be pinned down pretty well. Musicianship is something that 'you know it when you hear it', and it isn't about a flawless performance, it is about heart-soul-and emotion. Young musicians anymore, due to the polished level of studio recordings, have developed this strait-jacket mentality that says 'there's only one way to do this right'. So, when somebody comes along and plays it with heart and soul, but the count is slightly off or the sound is too bright----they get slammed for that. We should instead, celebrate the individuality that they bring. There are so few trumpet players these days to whom I can listen and immedietly say 'that's...(fill in the blank)'. My daughter was doing some homework the other day and it involved listening to some of the old jazz tunes played by the folks that made them famous. Without even looking, I could tell her 'that's Cootie, that's Bunny Berigan, that's Pops'. There's not many today that I can do that with as they all have the same polished, technical perfection---which is good, but the individuality is lost. Bill __________________ Gabriel is NOT a woodwind player!