http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/DATABASES/AWP/awp-notes_on.shtml
Some Beatle songs key signatures are due to recording speed, and some are due to tunings or capoes.
I don't totally agree with this dude.
Thanks Chris,
The notes presented remind why I gave up on musical theory at age 15 and developed my "ear" exclusively. The language used to present theory tends to exclude rather than include those who have not been classically trained.
I believe that music should be appreciated by the ear and only dissected by the brain if you are planning to duplicate it. Furthermore, it should only be presented to others if it is done in an intelligent and communicative fashion that is easy to comprehend.
Before anyone rushes to criticize my view, remember that for any form of communication to be effective, it must be understood. If you wish someone to retain the information you present one must communicate, communicate and communicate some more.
The notes presented remind why I gave up on musical theory at age 15 and developed my "ear" exclusively. The language used to present theory tends to exclude rather than include those who have not been classically trained.
I believe that music should be appreciated by the ear and only dissected by the brain if you are planning to duplicate it. Furthermore, it should only be presented to others if it is done in an intelligent and communicative fashion that is easy to comprehend.
Before anyone rushes to criticize my view, remember that for any form of communication to be effective, it must be understood. If you wish someone to retain the information you present one must communicate, communicate and communicate some more.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
But music theory provides a set of rules that are consistent and easily understandable (with a little bit of study). If everyone develops their own methodology, such as what we see when we try to use tablature or chord charts, then communication is much more difficult since we have to learn a new set of rules with every chart we read.
Music theory and music theory knowledgeable musicians are essential to retaining and communicating the art of music into the future.
And it is truly brain expanding, too.
Music theory and music theory knowledgeable musicians are essential to retaining and communicating the art of music into the future.
And it is truly brain expanding, too.
Listen to that sustain!
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jingle_jangle
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I think Alan addressed exactly why these analyses intrigue and involve me--they are mind-expanding!
There are a lot of memories being dredged up here from my college music theory days, and I am motivated enough to be nodding my head and looking up term after term. About the only thing I remember off the top of my noggin is "hemidemisemiquaver".
This is a massive and successfully-completed undertaking. Although I find myself referring to it repeatedly, I doubt I will be quoting it. THAT would get me labelled a BORE.
Unless one is in the position of "teacher", (and even here I'd say that teachers of primary grades and university have it best!) people do not want to sit still to have their minds expanded...
Yours, Dane.
There are a lot of memories being dredged up here from my college music theory days, and I am motivated enough to be nodding my head and looking up term after term. About the only thing I remember off the top of my noggin is "hemidemisemiquaver".
This is a massive and successfully-completed undertaking. Although I find myself referring to it repeatedly, I doubt I will be quoting it. THAT would get me labelled a BORE.
Unless one is in the position of "teacher", (and even here I'd say that teachers of primary grades and university have it best!) people do not want to sit still to have their minds expanded...
Yours, Dane.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
The point I was attempting to make can probably be best illustrated by commenting on the language developed exclusively for the computer industry. It also tends to exclude those who are not immersed in that industry or those who feel that technology is outstripping their ability to cope or keep up.
Music theory should not be a chore to comprehend. The notes presented on the Beatles compositions could have been written in a teaching mode rather than from the perspective of a practitioner. That way more people would understand what he is saying.
Having said what I said, I did find the writers notes to very detailed and interesting.
Music theory should not be a chore to comprehend. The notes presented on the Beatles compositions could have been written in a teaching mode rather than from the perspective of a practitioner. That way more people would understand what he is saying.
Having said what I said, I did find the writers notes to very detailed and interesting.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
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jingle_jangle
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Brian, not meaning to be adversary, but please differentiate between these two modes of writing. To me, terms is terms and you can't get away from their use without dumbing down the presentation.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
Paul,
I don't particularly regard your question as adversarial at all.
Without getting into any specifics, it is my view that when one preaches to an audience of the converted you tend to use terms they all understand. When one preaches to the unconverted you tend to use a more persuasive and illustrative or figurative style.
Writing styles can be modified to reflect this same approach. A great teacher IMO illustrates his/her points with analogy, examples and a glossary of terms used in his lesson. You are a fine example of a great teacher. Again IMO. You employ the sort of teaching style I am talking about when you write about the work you do on instruments.
I found the writers style limiting in that regard. That's all. The converted will always defend the faith.
I don't particularly regard your question as adversarial at all.
Without getting into any specifics, it is my view that when one preaches to an audience of the converted you tend to use terms they all understand. When one preaches to the unconverted you tend to use a more persuasive and illustrative or figurative style.
Writing styles can be modified to reflect this same approach. A great teacher IMO illustrates his/her points with analogy, examples and a glossary of terms used in his lesson. You are a fine example of a great teacher. Again IMO. You employ the sort of teaching style I am talking about when you write about the work you do on instruments.
I found the writers style limiting in that regard. That's all. The converted will always defend the faith.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
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jingle_jangle
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OK, I guess we could sum it up as "dry", then, eh?
Plenty of "dry" in the technical writing field, as I'm sure you know.
And thanks for the compliments.
Plenty of "dry" in the technical writing field, as I'm sure you know.
And thanks for the compliments.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
Dry as a desert gulch before a mid summer rain.
With respect to the compliment, you are welcome Paul.
With respect to the compliment, you are welcome Paul.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
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cowboy_joe
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I discovered the "Notes On" series a few months ago, and I really enjoy. I'm not much more than an amateur at that kind of thing, but I have learned quite a bit from his analysis of things--some of his humor is a bit different, and I don't always agree with his judgements of some of the songs, but his theory stuff seems right on.