04-24-2013, 04:17 PM
I want us to think on the dichotomies we have today regarding music- specifically the dichotomies of art vs. popular music; noise and music; sound and silence...
what makes certain music "art" music or "popular" music?
What do you consider "noise", and what do you consider to be "musical"?
Can ambient silence be just as much music as sound is? (With this question I have John Cage's 4'33'' in mind, a work in which a player sits down at a piano, or their particular instrument and makes no sound at all!)
Personally, I do believe that silence is just as much a part of music as sound is. With the right attitude, the sounds that occur all around us can be appreciated and noticed when otherwise they would be taken for granted. It's the Music of the Spheres, the idea that the universe is constantly creating frequencies and music, forever.
Why is there a divide between "art music" and "popular music"? Why is it not just MUSIC? Is it the education one gets in the music field? Is it the fact that most of the composers of the standard workd are dead? Is it that most people claim that art music is boring to them? Is it the money? Is there a place for both, and is that place only found in film?
Apologies if this makes little to no sense. I wrote this mostly in stream of consciousness. If I need to explain any of this further, please express it because I want to hear thoughts about these things from other people who are not music students!
what makes certain music "art" music or "popular" music?
What do you consider "noise", and what do you consider to be "musical"?
Can ambient silence be just as much music as sound is? (With this question I have John Cage's 4'33'' in mind, a work in which a player sits down at a piano, or their particular instrument and makes no sound at all!)
Personally, I do believe that silence is just as much a part of music as sound is. With the right attitude, the sounds that occur all around us can be appreciated and noticed when otherwise they would be taken for granted. It's the Music of the Spheres, the idea that the universe is constantly creating frequencies and music, forever.
Why is there a divide between "art music" and "popular music"? Why is it not just MUSIC? Is it the education one gets in the music field? Is it the fact that most of the composers of the standard workd are dead? Is it that most people claim that art music is boring to them? Is it the money? Is there a place for both, and is that place only found in film?
Apologies if this makes little to no sense. I wrote this mostly in stream of consciousness. If I need to explain any of this further, please express it because I want to hear thoughts about these things from other people who are not music students!
"Let the music be your master. Will you heed the master's call?"