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Electronic, is it music?

Thaspian	Date: January 26, 2004 @ 12:00 PM I think it is, yet I know many who argue that it's just repetetive garbage made by a computer. What's your spin on it?
Acumen	Date: January 26, 2004 @ 12:09 PM for those who question me being a real musician, i eat their babies
cryo-e	Date: January 26, 2004 @ 12:12 PM each unto his/her own. i think that people that come out with sweeping statements like that probably haven't heard much electronic music other than the they play on radio 1.
figfarmer	Date: January 26, 2004 @ 12:13 PM Huh? You gotta be a little more specific than "electronic". All music is to some extent electronic these days whether the band uses an electronic guitar pedal, has an electronic heyboard, or just records using electronic equipment. The only music that isn't electronic to some extent is live music performed on acoustic instruments.
ebarbarella	Date: January 26, 2004 @ 12:16 PM music : anything that has this components in harmony combine with good taste to finally electronic music its music
Svensta	Date: January 26, 2004 @ 1:19 PM The world is full of people trying to force their viewpoints on everyone as fact. It is whatever you imagine it to be. We all create our own realms. In mine, it most definitely IS music.
mawcs	Date: January 26, 2004 @ 1:28 PM m-w.com: Main Entry: mu·sic Pronunciation: 'myü-zik Function: noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English musik, from Old French musique, from Latin musica, from Greek mousikE any art presided over by the Muses, especially music, from feminine of mousikos of the Muses, from Mousa Muse 1 a : the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity b : vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony 2 a : an agreeable sound : EUPHONY b : musical quality Therefore, it is music. Now, whether it is good, creative or ingenious is another discussion." id="82787">from m-w.com: Main Entry: mu·sic Pronunciation: 'myü-zik Function: noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English musik, from Old French musique, from Latin musica, from Greek mousikE any art presided over by the Muses, especially music, from feminine of mousikos of the Muses, from Mousa Muse 1 a : the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity b : vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony 2 a : an agreeable sound : EUPHONY b : musical quality Therefore, it is music. Now, whether it is good, creative or ingenious is another discussion.
Thaspian	Date: January 27, 2004 @ 1:05 PM
Woof	Date: January 28, 2004 @ 3:49 AM Somebody once commented: "Music is anything that I want to hear". By the same token, then, noise is anything that I don't want to hear. Haven't found a better description than that.
dilvie	Date: January 28, 2004 @ 2:37 PM There is uninspired music in every genre, including electronic music. I really love the sounds that can only be produced using electronic equipment. I like the culture that has evolved around electronic music. I like continuous dj sets that combine the works of many different musicians into a cohesive set that allows the dj to express himself, and gives an artist a chance to share his music on the dancefloor. The electronic music culture is something special that can't be found in other music genres -- at least, not in the same sense, but the same thing can be said of the jazz scene, or the jam rock scene. The music itself can be very expressive and beautiful, and some of the better artists on dmusic.com are a testament to that fact. I personally try to infuse a bit of soul into my own work. I'm not certain that I always succeed, but I certainly have a lot of fun doing it, and I'm usually pretty happy with the results. I also play acoustic instruments, including piano, upright bass, and classical guitar. I have a deep love for piano and bass, and there's nothing better than a guitar when I'm in the mood to strum, but I have the same kind of love for electronic music, and I don't think I could ever give it up. - Eric
CrescentShadow	Date: January 28, 2004 @ 2:39 PM Electronic can be more complex music than any other genre. Theres so many melodies and layers of sound going on, and awkward and cool rhythms with the drums... its all very complex and creative.
Acumen	Date: January 28, 2004 @ 3:41 PM i posted a rant awhile ago that has something to do with this, but the option to search for old threads don't exist yet... hopefully it will exist... luckily i still have it on file. i think i posted this around october or november... so here it is again: Every now and then, it seems like I have to fight for my own dignity. Certain people think I am not a real musician just because I use software to create the sounds and compositions that form the final product. This really confuses me a big deal... I can see where they can get this idea... but ultimately they are way off base with that one, as far as I see it. The reason why they get these views is because of what they think of when they think of electronic music. They think of repetitive dance music, the same loop over and over again. The same bass, the same single liners over and over again, the looping siren like noises. They don't like it. So they automatically downsize any type of what is ultimately under the global village of electronic music. But what they don't realize that electronic music is an actual artform, whether they think so or not. They don't take in consideration ambient, experimental, trip hop, or anything that isn't what is dance music. Whenever I am discussing various issues that circulate around music, I like to make a comparison to other artforms. So, I am going to start off with a comparison to digital artwork. More and more visual artists are using software to aid them in the process, whether it would be a few touchups in Adobe Photoshop, or rendering a full landscape in Lightweave. I'm not a visual artist... I work with graphics... but I am no artist, and I don't really know if there is any argument that using software in visual arts isn't authentic... I highly doubt that... I mean... look at the work of Alessandro Bavari and not call it real art just because he uses software. And ultimately music is an artform, so why is there this big issue over realness, authenticity, legibility, and "soul?" And what over? Instruments! How come a PC can't be an instrument? I have a really good friend who thinks music should come from the guitar... now... I don't know if what he said was as oneway as he intended to be... but what happened to the piano, or brass, or percussion? He says guitar... because he's a guitarist. It's his passion. He has said to me that if it comes from a computer it's not real music... ok. Fine then. I notice you like to use distortion. What if I were to say that distortion makes guitar playing easy for any amateur and doesn't really impress me at all? Some people do say that... and that is when he gets on the defense. He has to defend himself and show how using distortion can be used in the name of art... well, he doesn't have to. He can go on not giving a shit, not caring if those people listen to him or not... but perhaps he wants people to listen to what he does and when he convinces them they give him a chance. And ultimately... isn't that what you want people to do... listen? So every now and then I will have to deal with the skeptical in order for them to give me a chance. Sometimes, it works and they give me a shot. Sometimes, I sortof convince them, but they come up with another reason to not listen, like lack of lyrics or it's too slow... you know... the ones with no attention span. And sometimes... they just won't listen at all... then I don't really bother anymore. People forget the idea that music is an artform... and they forget the idea that music shouldn't be limited to guitar, bass, and drum. If I had a cello, I would use it. If I had a violin, I would use it. If I had everyone in an orchestra as friends, I'll ask them to help me. Some people have all of these resources, and don't use them for a number of reasons. They either have an unwillingness to experiment, satisfied with a familiar format, or a phobia of becoming obscure. If I had tons of resources, I'd sure as hell would use them... but unfortunately... I don't. I don't have a cello. I don't have orchestra friends. I have a guitar, but I need a new soundcard in order to record decently. So I work with what I have now, and looking around for possible collaborations with people who have these resources that I don't have (I envy them). And something else I would like to address... Protools is becoming... no I shouldn't say becoming... Protools is a popular alternative to renting out time in the studio... which can be ultimately expensive for a struggling band. Now, what they would do in a studio can be done in their basement. Bedroom recordings are becoming better and better because of computers... I will listen to Hayden's "Skyscraper National Park" and can't believe it was recorded in his bedroom. Some people... even some who embrace technology's place in music... have said that those without any talent can have the computer sound better than what they actually are... which I will respond to with a question... "Can't a studio do that as well?" Using a studio to help Britney Spears give the illusion of her singing talent is no better than using a computer to help Cher hit the high notes. So... no... I won't be throwing my computer out the window in search of creating "authentic" art. It is an instrument. It creates a sound. Knock on your desk. It makes a sound... I assumes it makes a sound. Sure, that sound may mean nothing to you. Banging on sticks may mean nothing to you, but for some tribes... it means a hell of a lot. So don't exclude anything just because it means nothing to you at the time. Music is fun.
Acumen	Date: January 28, 2004 @ 3:42 PM "look at the work of Alessandro Bavari and not call it real art just because he uses software" i meant "she"
shadeofblue	Date: January 28, 2004 @ 3:47 PM i think even tapping a wooden spoon on your lap is music so..
furiousBall	Date: January 28, 2004 @ 3:49 PM on my lap or your lap? my lap has horrible accoustics
remolade	Date: February 8, 2004 @ 1:01 AM I like the mix of acoustic and electronic.
TameasDust	Date: February 8, 2004 @ 2:12 AM nice Acumen
ronnie71	Date: February 8, 2004 @ 2:35 AM also electronic artist seem to have a better ear for everything in general when it comes to music. one reasons i didnt care for electronic music before coming to DMusic is vocals.. even in rock music i typically dont like music without singing or vocals. BUT since coming to DMusic i really come to appreciate and love so much electronic music..very cool.. also wanted to dabble in it myself
fold	Date: February 8, 2004 @ 7:49 AM One dogs is another dogs dinner ...euwww sorry about the analogy there. To me music has always been such a personal thing, it's always been about what it means to the individual. In the case of the songs I right it's about how close the stuff I come up with represents the ideas and expresses what is going on in my head. In the case of other peoples music it's a question how a song stirs something in me which relates to what I'm hearing. How that song was made is really immaterial it's what the song means that's important whether that is a chord progression I like, or a lyric that hits home or whatever. Can someone who produces their music using technology be called a musician? Well I guess that's up to individual interpretation. I produce all my own material using keyboards, sequencers etc and occasional guitars but I wouldn't call myself a musician but I would call myself a songwriter. The way I see it is the end result of my musical "constructions" are just as much songs to me personally as those put together by real bands playing live and interacting. It's the expression that is important not the medium you choose to express yourself IMHO.
NeverMorning	Date: February 9, 2004 @ 6:42 PM If a melody make you feel good IT'S MUSIC... Sequenced or played... who cares?
Dexter	Date: February 9, 2004 @ 7:11 PM Just because you don't like something that doesn't mean it's not music. The amount of people who I hear say - for example - "I don't like rock. It's just noise not music" - get my goat. If there was no noise involved you could hardly call it music. I usually reach for the off switch on my radio everytime I hear Oasis. But I can recognise that they write well crafted songs as I know all the words to Wonderwall. I just happen to not like them. In the words of the classic tv theme "It takes Different Strokes..." As long as what you listen to is pleasing to your ear you can call it music and in my opinion it does not make one iota of difference how it came in to being. Therefore electronic is music and I'm off to listen to Tangerine Dream.
Veracohr	Date: February 9, 2004 @ 7:52 PM Most people have very set conceptions of what music should entail. And as you said, Thaspian, one complaint often made of electronic music is that it is 'repetetive'. What they fail to realize is that we like that. Personally, I think of it as a modern equivalent to shamanic drumming. Shamanic drumming is steady and repetetive, because that's what cues the mind to shift to a different consciousness. And I think people who like repetetive electronic music enjoy a similar effect. It's no coincidence the most repetetive style of electronic music was named 'trance'. And the other thing you mentioned, that it is "made by a computer" is just a misconception of how people create electronic music. If they see someone who uses a m ouse to place notes just so, they don't think of that as 'playing', therefore they don't think of it as 'music'. A lot of people who have spent large portions of their lives learning instruments and becoming proficient at them react badly to the notion that someone can create music without being able to play an instrument. They get defensive and insult the music. And if they think it's garbage, it's just because they don't like the style. I remember a very similar thread a while ago, in which Acumen posted the essay he just posted in this one. And I think I also wrote pretty much the exact same thing in that one that I just now wrote.
nottporn96	Date: February 10, 2004 @ 11:40 AM blah blah blah goes here , stop reading and get back to your reason or fruity loops or what ever u make noise on. Dont Read Just Listen

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