Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

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.

Very cool info and analysis, thanks Chris.

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.

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.

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's lots of trivia hidden in Alan's notes. You don't have to be theory heavy to get something from them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dry as a desert gulch before a mid summer rain.

With respect to the compliment, you are welcome Paul.

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.