people who RECKON they are musicians...?

Question

Ive been learning the piano (classical) since I was 5yrs old..and i grew up playing Bach, Mozart..
But, I have some friends (MAINLY guitarists) (not in the school) who play in a rock band, and the way that THey learn songs is pretty much, listening to CD's of the ORIGINAL band and COPYING..meaning they CANT read music at all but usually write down the chord names. So it would look something like this

F Bb F
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound..(music2u?)

THey call themselves musical but cannot even tell me what a key signature is...or what a treble clef is! I think that the above is such a cheap 'easier' path to creating 'music'.
Us musicians can interpret scores and create art (result of human creativity not imitating a CD)
I, who grew up learning music the 'proper' way entailing full chord theory, cant help but feel superior
BTW, these bands might sound half good if they understood the concept of CHORD INVERSIONS

Plz comment

Hrm...im not sure what you call those final high school exams before university in other countries....

BUt i read in the papers..

The ministry of education is thinking of changing the current exam syllabus and course so that students who are UNABLE to read music notation can also sit the exam. This means all theory, composition, aural perception will be taken out! THe whole purpose of this absurd change is to allow more students the oppurtunity to study music.

For or Against?

(i personally think there should be two separate classes, people can who and cant read music..so two separate exams..)

Answer 1

I have to agree with you...I can play several instruments including the guitar, which is my instrument of choice. I can and do play everything...occasionally I write my own compositions...for one of those things you call "a band". I was trained to play early in life by two of my uncles who are both professional composers. I have since earned a Masters degree from Peabody conservatory in Maryland for musical theory. My point is that your friends will NEVER know the art of making music...they can only mimic the shadows of greatness...like Plato's allegory of the people in the cave. Not everyone should know how to truly experience the art of playing...it is as absurd as saying everyone should be a doctor. Your friends are just impotent and are too ashamed to admit it. They play instruments like toys...we use tools in craft.

Answer 2

You are right, most people who play instruments are not musicians for that very reason. Lots of famous pop bands don't have a single musician in them. Is it a big deal? Probably not. There are lots of folks out there that are just like you.

Answer 3

If I play music on my guitar for my own enjoyment but have never had formal training. Does that mean I'm not a musician? I have a good ear and can sit down, hear a song once and play it back to you. So I know my way around music. I can't read music. But I still consider myself a musician. I'm not a trained or professional musician. But I enjoy playing just as much as you do. To be honest, music is magical to me. I noodle around and come up with something cool. I'm sure you would know why those paticular notes or chords sound good because of your musical theory training, But to me it's just magic.
Rock on!

Answer 4

The title "musician" simply means you can play/write music. It really doesn't matter if you are classically trained or not. However, proper training helps. I am a semi-retired musician. I played in bands for nearly 20 years in Los Angeles both in studio and live and I have only 2 years piano . I was a vocalist and play drums, guitar, and bass as well...all self taught. Music comes from the heart as much as it does the mind.

Answer 5

I don't see how you have many friends with your condescending attitude. Why are you jealous? If you're not, it sounds like it. Everyone doesn't use tablature. Some people have a gift where they can just hear the notes and don't ever need to have formal training. That's not a bad thing, it's a blessing.

And there are many innovators in music who didn't not have the schooling that you have, but have nonetheless made significant contributions to the music industry.

Answer 6

You dont need to be classically trained to be a musician!

Music is there for everyone to enjoy and express themselves.

(are you just a tad p*ssed off over the hours and hours of learning ,music theory etc?)

Answer 7

Even if i can understand your point of view i still find it very restrictive and a bit insulting when you say you learnt the "proper" way and that you feel superior !
For me a musician is either someone who composes music or plays music. You can be a very poor composer but a fantastic interpreter.....Who would be the best musician according to you ?
OK and if the bass note is different than the root note you have an inversion...AND ????? Do you think that the person who listens is always sensible to techniques....certainly not !! Music is an art and as such should give place to feelings and not only cold technique.
Saying that I also learnt the classic way (and not the "proper way") but believe me more names of fantastic interpreters will stay in our memories.......

Answer 8

well you have to be a pretty good musician to be able to learn a song just by listening to it. yeah sure its good to know everything you know, but you dont need to be a music expert to be a good musician. musics about passion not intelligence.

Answer 9

Music is about expression, it makes you feel good. Not everyone needs to understand how it works to appreciate it.

Answer 10

Personal progress in music is important, and the best way to do that is by physically playing many many times wth others in ensembles and in front of an audience. I've given up on my non-real musician friends that waste my time, but I still teach beginners all that I can. But I hope you'll agree that being a 'real' musician means that we incorporate into our musical diet aural aspects and theoretical aspects as well. This means we don't look down upon those who rely soly on their ear and 'copy' music not knowing any other way. I like you grew up on Bach and Mozart etc, graduated with BA in music ed and can tell you its best to incorporate all aspects of playing and learning music. They are weak at the theory part of things but they are very capable of making great music, and yes I agree how much better they might be if they could use to everyones benefit how chord inversions work, but in the end that will not be beneficial to shove it down their throats. Just make the best of what you are given, and teach here a little there a little and reap the fruits of your labors in showing those less fortunate than you imparting of your wisdom and knowledge and you will gain from it. The only person we can change is ourselves, so are you saying that you need a little more play by ear mentality? because you are too good for them. That is what I need so I work on it as much as I can. That is my adulterated comment.