Dumbing Down

[Pedro]

Watched BBC4 last night and about three hours of TOTPs from 60s and marvelled at the obvious skills of the musicians of that generation many of the same calibre are present on this site. Are those skills still with the musicians nowadays with tabs and Youtube where you can learn virtually anything in minutes.
Instant access? A bit like my own industry where the modern deck officer knows how to read a GPS but has no real understanding of Navigation. Sextant? What's that.

[dave robinson]

Watched BBC4 last night and about three hours of TOTPs from 60s and marvelled at the obvious skills of the musicians of that generation many of the same calibre are present on this site. Are those skills still with the musicians nowadays with tabs and Youtube where you can learn virtually anything in minutes.
Instant access? A bit like my own industry where the modern deck officer knows how to read a GPS but has no real understanding of Navigation. Sextant? What's that.

In a word - NO !

To explain, all the fast track aids in the world will never allow anyone to acquire 'soul' and 'feeling' into their music - that is something that comes with dedication, practice and experience playing live amongst good musicians. Sadly I see many people who use the 'fastrack' methods and 99% their performances are sterile, wooden and clockwork. I tire of all the people demanding it all on a plate, who expect success because they buy all the 'right' gear - it doesn't happen, there's a little thing called 'talent' involved. Very much in the same way that experience and training make a good navigator or whatever else the job may be at sea, for example what if the GPS breaks down?

[Apache1]

With the exception of Tab, as I can't read music I did hear that Hank could not read Music, with all the stuff Hank has done I find it hard to believe,
but there may be some truth in that fact.
There wasn't the technology in the 60s and you had to hoof it which gave way to some incredible guitar licks, which supports everything that Dave said previously.
I do believe that nothing but nothing can beat the experience of being in volved in "Live" music. Also playing in front of an audience somehow makes you
give it that little bit extra.
Some of us had the pleasure to experience the 60s personally - as the first british True Rock n Roll song said (Just don't know what's going to replace it)
John

[Pedro]

In a word - NO !

for example what if the GPS breaks down? :idea:
[/quote]

Dave,

The most contentious question in the Marine world today.

[Steve Parish]

Some of us 'youngsters' (is 29 still classed as a youngster?!) still abide by the old rules and learn from the masters! (drummer wise, Bennett, Meehan, Ginger Baker, Joe Morello, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa etc...) Not brainwashed by fame and fortune... but more interested in becoming as good musically as we can get. I think that's why in the world of 'actual reality' some of us become increasingly happy and content as we progress musically, rather than playing solely to improve our bank balances with pound signs in our eyes with no heart and soul. My philosophy is that there is no point doing it unless you enjoy it... a way of thinking clearly lost on many of my generation. The 'I want it all and I want it now' attitude truly makes me irate... and it is promoted for all to see in the media. Give me the likes of The Shads, Cream and such like any day of the week! I may have drifted off subject somewhat... Here endeth my slightly hungover lesson!

[kipper]

i dont see how you can acuss tabs of dumbing down they are a form of reading music like any other so cant agree there. i agree with dave about the soul in music there is a lack of it about today. to many performers just want to be celebritys and dont really get any feeling into the music. but tabs rule. peter

[roger bayliss]

I agree with some of these sentiments and you can write things down to say how it goes but artisitc interpretation and indiviual touches are what makes it yours or someone elses. A typical example is how some folk play the same tune but some stand out better on the same tune musically and folks understand this and it is also why some artists record a song and it does not compare to the best versions etc. So the written word might be one thing but these is always a little something else where certain players are concerned even though they might be playing the same notes as the others. Tab must be right for guitar though as it tells the reader where the notes should be played on the fretboard and we all know there are several ways of playing the same set of notes !

[Pedro]

i dont see how you can acuss tabs of dumbing down they are a form of reading music like any other so cant agree there. i agree with dave about the soul in music there is a lack of it about today. to many performers just want to be celebritys and dont really get any feeling into the music. but tabs rule. peter

I can't profess to have the experience you men have and as I have said before I was active 61 through 64 when I 'got a job' and went to sea. However, I cannot see how soul, and expression can be attained if you use tabs. What is wrong with your ear!

[des mcneill]

As a humble bass player I can read a little music,but at my own speed. If I am required to play a new tune at short notice(happens all the time) and I can find music or tab I will use that as a short cut,but do not consider myself to be really "playing" the tune untill I have left the script behind. It is only then that I can start to feel the tune and the phrasing,timing and expression developes,- yes! believe it or not bass players can Feel ! An issue with tab is that there is no timing,you need to already know the timing of the tune,- like reading a letter without punctuation. Having said that,all bass tabs will be gratefully received.

Des.

[kipper]

i dont see how you can acuss tabs of dumbing down they are a form of reading music like any other so cant agree there. i agree with dave about the soul in music there is a lack of it about today. to many performers just want to be celebritys and dont really get any feeling into the music. but tabs rule. peter

I can't profess to have the experience you men have and as I have said before I was active 61 through 64 when I 'got a job' and went to sea. However, I cannot see how soul, and expression can be attained if you use tabs. What is wrong with your ear!

we have been though this before if you have the gift to play by ear good on you... i do not. i am not talented enogh, i know that. i play at home for my own pleasure what should i do give up playing the guitar. maybe you will tell me i dont work hard as you to learn by ear. i would say not true. if you dont need tabs dont use them but dont tell me i cant play with feeling because i use tabs, thats just daft and dont knock them because you are clever enogh to play by ear, just enjoy what god gave you a good ear. tabs are fine and not second class music as you seem to make out. yes you guessed it your remarks have offended me. and maybe others in a simlar position. peter