BS: 'What do you listen to'?

Subject: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: BlueJay
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 05:30 AM

I know this is the same question Beudangles asked in his recent thread. I nearly posted this on that thread, but I feared it would get lost, being thirty repies later. I think this deserves a new thread.

We recently had Stephen Bennett play a concert at my daughter's house. He also did a guitar workshop in the afternoon, before dinner. You have to understand, this guy is an amazing acoustic guitarist. I've seen better guitarists, and I've seen better humorists, but I've never seen ANYBODY combine the two skills the way Stephen Bennett did in our small venue of like 50 people. This guy is absolutely one of the best figerstyle, (and flat-picking) guitarists out there. To have him play in our town of <1000 people was a treat for the entire town,

Back to the subject. During his guitar workshop, someone asked, "What music do you listen to"?

Stephen thought, then replied, "I don't listen to anything, much, except in the car. People give me all kinds of CD's as I travel, and I try to listen to them when I'm driving. When I'm at home, I don't listen to anything."

"I figure if I have time to listen to music, then that's time I could be playing myself".

His guitar playing really shows it. Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 06:46 AM

I lsiten to a huge variation from Beatles, Clapton, Hendrix, Iron Moaiden, metallica,to, Show of hands, Capercaillie, Dubliners, Sharon Shannon,The Byrds, Dylan,Joni Mitchel, Last night's fun, Dervish, loads of Irish. The list would be too long to write out. It depends what mood I'm in.Jansch, Renbourn, Waterston carthy and tons of mixed folk cd's.

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: BlueJay
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 06:56 AM

Eric, you miss my point, which is really Stephen Bennett's point: If you have time to listen to record albums, your time would be better spent practicing yourself. Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 07:07 AM

No, I didn't miss the point. I have to spend about 20 hours a week on my PC preparing, planning and record keeping for school.So while my pc is running I always have music as well. The other time listening is when I'm in the car going back and forward to work or being dad's taxi. Luckily my kids like the music. I have quite a lot of time for listening because I'm doing other things, am in school from 08.00 to about 17.30 every day except weekends, but little time for practice (which I really need) The only time I can take for myself is a Wednesday night when I play in a session.If i could get the practice time-I'd love it. Undisturbed time for playing and learning, but my life is very busy. I do agree better to practice than listen to others, but when time is a premium I have only a tiny amount. i do however try and pick up bits etc when I'm listening.

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: Cluin
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 02:46 PM

BlueJay, I definitely missed your point. Why did you start this thread?

You ask "What do you listen to" and then take a potshot at the first person that responds, saying that the point was that he shouldn't be listening to anything, but spend his time playing. All because of what I suspect was a fairly glib reply by another perfomer you saw.

What kind of snotty musician doesn't listen to music?

Just wondering...

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 03:19 PM

As musicians, we all draw from the well of all the music that we've listened to and assimilated. You want me to board over the well?

No Way, Blue Jay (Way)

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: Deckman
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 03:43 PM

Actually, I listen to my wife!

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: BlueJay
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 03:28 AM

Didn't mean to piss anybody off, or suggest listening to music isn't worthwhile. In retrospect, I think Stephen Bennets remark may illustrate the difference between amateurs like myself, and touring musicians who really have to practice and have very tight schedules.I personally think television is a much greater impediment to playing music than listening to music.

Cluin- The reason I started this thread is I thought Bennett's remark very interesting, as opposed to the question of "What do you like to listen to". You are right, I erred in implying that players in general should play rather than listen. But Erik's first response sounded like an answer to "what do you listen to", which is way different than the purpose of this thread.

If you'll re-read my first post, you will see that Stephen Bennett listens to music when he can, mainly while driving. He is not a "snotty" player, or why would he have taken time to come to our tiny town? He's obviously listened to a lot more music than I have, because he can play damn near anything from Duke Ellington to show tunes to folk and rock. His own songs are his best, especially "Life's too Short to be in a Bad Mood".

Also in retrospect, I really doubt that I've ever seen a better guitar player live. Sorry for the misunderstanding. BlueJay

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: songs2play
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 04:21 AM

"If Stephen Bennett don't listen to my stuff why should I listen to his"

This may be the wrong attitude but, I listen to all sorts of music, and find great enjoyment in the listening.
I appreciate that practice makes perfect, but ?

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 02:13 PM

Well then you titled the thread wrong, BlueJay. That was misleading.

I did in fact read your initial post several times before I posted. But listening to the music "in the car" isn't really listening IMO; it's just putting on "background music". I still suspect it was a fairly glib little answer he probably trots out whenever he's asked that. A question like "What do you listen to?" needs a lot of time and concentration to answer well and it still wouldn't be complete.

And there is some merit in it (to a point) I'll agree. There are lots of distractions to keep us from honing/indulging in our musical craft: television, reading, eating, sleeping, making love... but listening to music probably brings us closer to playing it better than most other ways to waste time. ;)

But different strokes for different FOLKs, anyway... I heard Garnet Rogers say that he does all his writing and playing "on the road" and he almost never plays when he's at home. And he is a big fan of other musicians' work and an avid listener. He's a talented professional too.

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: Sam L
Date: 25 Feb 03 - 02:26 PM

I think sometimes people don't do their work at home. A museum preparator will show you his own painting, under the tire iron in the trunk of his car, and the picture's on his wall will all be crooked. A psychologist's kids are often messed up.

It wouldn't surprise me that a touring pro musician might sometimes listen to a narrower range of stuff than an amateur music fan, and be embarrassed to answer the question. Most serious people have to pursue a vein, seriously, rather than lightly look in all directions. Knowing limits is the better part of growing up.

   I don't spend enough to listen to a lot of music, but enthusiastic young people will give you all sorts of things, if you're around them.

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: toadfrog
Date: 25 Feb 03 - 02:44 PM

Where does this assumption come from, that all members of Mudcat are, or should professional musicians? I thought, when I came on board, that it was a group of people who cared about folk music, and as advertized, that mostly meant traditional stuff. I often have the impression it is more a group of gig-players interested primarily in exchanging tips on how to get gigs, handle audiences, use equipment, promote their CD's and the like. (And argue about politics. And celebrate one anothers' birthdays.) And one sometimes has the impression that persons who are not professionals or professional wannabes can't get no respect around here. This thread, suggesting that time spent listening to music is wasted time, is the most extreme example of that point of view I have yet seen.

I spend quite a lot of time listening to traditional recordings and bluegrass. When I hear something I like, I sometimes learn to sing it, for friends, not professionally. Is that wrong wrong? Did I come to the wrong place?

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: JennyO
Date: 25 Feb 03 - 09:48 PM

No, Toadfrog, you didn't. I get a lot of ideas about what to sing from listening to all sorts of music, and I like to listen just for relaxation. Not that I'm a big performer or anything - even less now since my singing partner stopped wanting to sing with me. I do like to sing in sessions and I do the occasional drumming and chanting workshop at festivals. I also run a folk club.

I do know people who have the attitude that listening to other's music is a waste of time, but fortunately there are not many of them. We have people in our local scene who do not perform at all, who are involved in running clubs or are regular audience members, and we value them all. I'm sure there are many mudcatters who are just here because of their love of music and connecting with like-minded people - that's why I'm here - so just relax and enjoy the chat!

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: pict
Date: 25 Feb 03 - 10:18 PM

I think that listening to as many different types of music that you can has equal importance with theory and actual time spent perfecting the mechanics of playing an instrument.The more you hear the more ideas you have on how to make your own music more interesting whether composing or interpreting.I think that many musicians aim at virtuosity to such an extent that they confuse virtuosity with good musicianship.In my opinion virtuosity should serve musical ideas and to ignore the amazing variety of musical ideas that are out there in order to become merely a fluent operator of a musical instrument seems a bit pointless to me.

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: John P
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 08:38 AM

I have come to treasure a silent home. I play in two-and-a-half bands, and I work for a company that builds and sells musical instruments. When I'm home and not practicing I enjoy the silence. I listen to music in the car, but, as was noted previously, that is background. My focus is not on the music. About the only time I really listen is at the gym. So half-an-hour to an hour, four or five days a week.

In answer to the question posed in the thread title:
Malicorne
Genesis
Kornog
Martin Carthy
The Beatles
Garmarna
John Renbourn Band
Gentle Giant
Tool
Steeleye Span
John Peekstok
Vasen
Lais
Jethro Tull
Muzsikas
The City Waites
Hedningarna
Anna and the Particles
William Pint and Felicia Dale
Lauryn Shapter
Martin Hayes
Janis Joplin
Telynor
Led Zeppelin
Tania Opland and Mike Freeman
Kadril
Llan de Cubel
Kolinda
Sebo
Atrium Musicae de Madrid
Anders Norudde
Sandra Wong
Frifot
Pennour Skoulm
Fernhill
Nic Jones
Aan StivellOlav Johansson
John Roberts and Tony Barrand
Studio der Fruhen Musik
Gwerz

To name a few . . .

John Peekstok

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: JohnnyBeezer
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 08:54 AM

Right, YOU TWO! Blue Jay and Eric
Knock it off. We've all had a drink and this could get out of hand!
Does anybody believe that by not listening to other people's music you are doing your own playing/singing a disservice?
McCartney was an avid listener to Little Richard and the late great Buddy Holly.
Didn't seem to do him any harm and you can definitely hear the influences including the falsettos that the Beatles were feted for!
Keep listening.
Johnny N

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: GUEST,Geordie
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 09:34 AM

I will listen to anything......once. If I like it I keep listening, if I don't I chalk it up to experience. I must say that I have a hard time with Modern country, shania and all that but I do try. My favourites are folk and opera..but I have loads of stuff in my collection other than those. I think everyone here at mudcat is a music lover and I have learned a lot here and heard of music and musicians that otherwise I would not have noticed.

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: greg stephens
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 10:23 AM

Well a comment was made earlier that professional touring musicians have to practise a lot. I have no doubt that there are professionals who practise a lot, but it is certainly not a universal custom. I expect I ought to, but I dont. And in the many bands I've played in, getting anybody to have a rehearsal took at least a year's planning.

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 11:06 AM

Don't confuse music with musack, and there is a difference.

My 10 cents, when I was still in the play-for-people phase I did listen to some fairly obscure stuff, but it was always to find some interesting fresh themes to mix into our performance.

Do folkies like free music is like 'Do Dogs like free sausages?

I listen to radio mostly while I am doing other things, sometimes Jazz, sometimes Classical, rarely Country - since there are few today that can sing, often good Folk if there is any, lots Blues here, so I listen to that.

Being a Playa! If you either got taught and or played since you were a
little kid, then performing on stage is limited to your will and interests. No problemo. If you began on your 80th birhday, know only two chords on Guitar and do not have a singing Voice - ie a Garrison Keilor in the making - my advice, get a day job.

That is cruel but kind advice, since bar a church audience nobody would be impressed and some might even want to shoot you.

Subject: RE: BS: 'What do you listen to'?
From: Firecat
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 04:10 PM

Well, in my personal CD player at the moment is Busted's album, and in my stereo system in my room is a compliation CD of songs from the musicals.