Re: Delusional Musicians
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:37 pm
I find the art in how a musician pushes himself. I have had more enjoyment from a cover band playing a scorpions song and the vocals are just out of reach of his range. I find myself rooting for him. Saying "yea he nailed that one" or "oh, good try. that was close but just a little squeaky." Compared to watching the originals do a flawless job of "phoning it in" I remember 1 time actually bored by the scorps listening to what could have been the album and then the last 3 or 4 songs saw them nod to each other and it was suddenly a different band. I could hear their interest. Their curiosity of playing with the song and thinking about it. You can't blame them. they're getting old and eventually even stunt cock could become "just a job". For me its a mix of enough talent plus the energy they multipy it with.Houblues wrote: ↑Thu Aug 06, 2020 11:41 am I think what you are getting at is the difference between an accomplished artist and an imitating or aspiring artist. The accomplished artist does what he does because it does come from inspiration (to the degree it comes TO him, as opposed to THROUGH him, which might be the better description for a real artist).
The imitator/aspire-er will always be copying to some extent until they are fully realized in their own capabilities. This level of performer faces the challenges of trying to reach beyond his current grasp, and also suffering the criticism from being in that territory. The person playing "over his head " may be doing it from inspiration, because he thinks it will entertain, or perhaps because he mistakenly thinks it is expected. But in any case he is criticized because someone else has done it previously, and better. The first guy to do it did it against a background of no standard or expectation, so he got an automatic pass.
In some ways it is analogous to the person who plays music for the wrong reasons, such as just to attract women. They may have no talent to begin with. I remember guys from my teen years who I was convinced should just give it up. But they persisted and I found over time that some of them became truly good musicians. I have to admire the result regardless of my impressions of their motives.
In short - To eventually have good musicians we must first put up with less than good ones.
P.S.
But it is also a matter of Point of View. I'm speaking from a mostly Sociological point of view. But the discussion is taking place on a musicians forum. As such, it seems fair to ask the question "As musicians, do we want to be That Guy?"
As to personal preferences, I too have an aversion to inauthenticity and antics. Exhibit 1 - Hall and Oates '80's stage show, with distracting prancing. But they did evolve...