Over Analysis

Subject: RE: Over Analysis
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 May 08 - 08:41 PM

I don't do introductions when we're doing a special event at a cocktail party or a commercial boat show. No one is listening to anything there except as background music.

However, if there is an audience that is listening to the songs, I do make an effort to tell them where the song came from, either before or after singing it. It's part of the song, and I'd like to pass on what I've learned about it. That doesn't mean a 30-minute lecture, however, and while that is an exaggeration some song introductions seem to take that long!

There is a problem with over analysis, I've found, which is the more one learns about a song, the more variants one discovers, and ultimately it becomes a judgment call on what to do with all the information. Some Mudcat threads are classic examples of unresolved origin of song. It almost enough to inspire one to be a singer-songwriter, but then there are all those "influences."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Over Analysis
From: Mr Red
Date: 10 May 08 - 10:30 AM

Once musicians reache a certain expertise, it is inevitable that many move to greater challenges. For those who are not professional there is not much mileage in honing the music, some will and I see some very skilled performers who can't take too many gigs because of the day job. However some folks are studious and seek to delve deeper into roots, history, technique, doyens etc.. So they start talking with like minds. If you listen-in you are in danger of being bored. If that is verbal you walk off. If it is on a forum like this you can still let your fingers do the walking. Over-analysis can damage the skill and the cause, but only in the wrong hands. It can enhance and enlighten. Different strokes for different folks.

But I know nothing of this - as a drummer who never practises!

Ducks and runs for cover..........

Subject: RE: Over Analysis
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 May 08 - 11:37 AM

the trouble with analysis, is that it tends to be either some expert with a a sackful of axes to grind, or one's own myopic vision based on your stomping up and down one's own familiar stomping ground.

The dismaying and indeed stimulating thing is when some old folksinger just says something and it opens up a whole aspect to the music that you hadn't considered.

Subject: RE: Over Analysis
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 May 08 - 08:10 AM

Ah - Sturgeon's rule - was ever apt.

Theodore Sturgeon, Science Fiction writer - he say:

"nine tenths of everything is crud."

quibble with the percentage but not the sentiment.

Subject: RE: Over Analysis
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 May 08 - 01:16 PM

Nine tenths isn't a percentage it's a fraction.

That's the trouble with the literate, they tend to be innumerate.

Best wishes

Les