Why do so many musicians lack emotion these days? Why aren't people striving for their own individual sounds?

Question

I am a jazz musician studying in London. What is it with the majority of people who can run licks in all keys on their instruments? so what?! its a lick? its not individuality! so many musicians aren't striving for their own sound. I know language is important....but why aren't musicians adapting the language for their own style of playing....i think people are forgetting the meaning of music..... what do you all think?

Answer 1

We live in the age of perfection and samples. If a note isn't perfect, it is gently tweaked up or down by a digital effects processor. If the spatial ambiance isn't perfect, then a recorded sample of a room or a hall is impressed into the performance to give it just the amount of atmosphere it needs. Unfortunately, music isn't all about perfection. Sometimes it's the imperfections, the tiny defects, that make a performance memorable.

The other factor that you have to consider is that the average performer can't afford to be original. A recorded performance has to sell a certain number of units or the performer doesn't get to play with the toys anymore. Most musicians don't even make money on an album anymore, and almost no Jazz musicians do. Labels carry Jazz musicians for prestige, to add credibility to the label, or they sometimes put out recordings of live performances to cut costs. The poor musicians have to go out and tour to make the dollars that they used to make in the studio. More and more of the pie goes to the producers, directors, sound engineers, but especially to the distributors and retailers. This is especially evident when performers get a smaller royalty for a digital download, when there is little to no overhead after the product is made.

People aren't forgetting the meaning of music. They still go out and hear real music, and they are beginning to buy that music at the site because more and more people are fed up with product. What you are mostly referring to is product, not music. If you want to hear music, you have to go to a concert, and buy the self produced album that sits on the table, usually for about the same price as the product. The difference is that when you unwrap it, you will usually find music inside. Try it. while you are at it, listen to some indie or alt music. Check out http://www.soundclick.com while you are at it. I share my primitive offerings on there and spend a little time each day listening to the other folks who do the same. Stop grieving over product and get back to the music. You'll be lots happier.

Answer 2

I was in a punk band a while back; and you're right there IS a lack of individuality and emotion in music, and I was surprised to find that it was also the case in punk. Every other band we played with was trying to be Green Day or Blink-182! I think too many performers are just concentrating too hard on cashing in on whatever trend's hot at the moment, (like "emo" and pop- punk), and that's true in all forms of music, unfortunately. I've also found just the opposite is true: guys trying too hard to be "political and social and profound", that in addition to losing their own sense of individuality, their music suffers.

Answer 3

I think it might be because of written music. People practice with written music all the time, but rarely do anything to it except what it says on the page. For instance, if it says 'fp' on the sheet, then someone will forte-piano. But what if I want to forte-piano the note even if it's not written in the music? Well, that would be some sort of individuality, no? Just something to think about.