I know what you are saying when you mention the Beatles as a “typical rock band” during the 1960s because of how they influenced a youthful following. I believe it appears that way since they started playing cover tunes in the very early days of their careers plus because of the overall sound they were aiming for. I do feel that their management was the strong force behind that decision in order for them to get the Beatles noticed and have them sell more records. In reality they weren’t “typical” at all (in a true sense) because they were British, plus the music overseas at that time were bands imitating a country style, actually called Skiffle. Check out John Lennon’s first band “The Quarrymen”, it is quite interesting and where the roots of the Beatles actually derived from. I hope you enjoy finding out about them and here are a few links if you have time to read them:
I also found it interesting that on the Beatles’ song “I Feel Fine”, record back in 1964, the first note heard in the first measure, George Harrison is creating feedback. This was the first time feedback was used in popular music and happened well before Jimmy Hendrix experimented with feedback. You can listen to the song on this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Feel_Fine
As you stated, “Revolver was a game changer”, and I agree with you when you make that statement. Finally, the Beatles are working and recording the way the initially intended. Once they were known in American, the Beatles became the artist they set out to be when they all first met as a group. Your last sentence posted on your Blog is strong when you wrote,
“Still to this day, decades later, especially as an electronic artist and producer, you can learn much in how they approached their songs not only mixing but actual creation and sound design.”
After reading your statement, I thought, “All You Need Is Ears” by author Jeremy Hornsby, is a good source for a recording engineer to read. Sir George Martin, was truly the 5th Beatle, helping the group become who they really wanted to become musically. Thanks for sharing your Blog about the Beatles.
Your commentary on Robert Moog is appreciated because it helps us all remember how the style of electronic music truly came about. I feel people like this man are why we as musicians, composers, teachers, and producers are able to continue to make the industry thrive the way it has for the past 5 decades. In my opinion, the sound of electronic music as an art form should be explored further and never be limited to traditional sounding instrumentation. We can all thank the innovative discovery of people like Moog who came along and helped change how we think and create. There are countless bands that have used and are still using his invention to shape their music sound and you have made that clear when you stated,
“A lot of people today don’t realize what this man brought to the masses. He brought electronic music to the masses and changed the way we hear music.”
I also feel that, Moog's influence toward music making is something I will always consider when I create compositions that use the synthesizer as an instrument. Also, beyond a band using the Moog’s technology to create and write songs’, it is amazing how this specific sound was used and is still being used in the film industry. Moog’s synthesizer helped create a specific atmosphere to match the imagery on the screen. Whether using this type of technology for recording tunes, or for use in films, the artistic statement is truly one that deserves to be achieved in history as it has.
First of all thank you for taking the time to comment on both of my posts. I am very happy to hear that you are going to do further research on Andreas Vollenweider; he is definitely interesting plus a good listen especially if you need a change. I appreciate your ability to play multiple musical instruments and respect your enthusiasm concerning your goals as a learning professional in the music industry. I wish you much success with everything you learn at Full Sail University and beyond.
I listened to your Pod Cast on the band Queen and Freddie Mercury, and sensed the passion you have for the band in addition to what they did contribute to the music industry. They were different, yet still cleverly intriguing by combining genres and not being afraid to experiment with their sound and musical style. I know when I first listen to Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time, which happened to be quite a while ago, and thinking that the song sounded like a rock opera. I had no problem excepting there sound being a lover of show tunes, opera, theatrical sound tracks with screaming guitars and loud drums not to forget the amazing vocals and vocal harmonies.
I agree with you concerning the influence this group had on other bands who came after them, and find that they are still impacting younger learners of music. It makes me smile when an 11 year old request that I teach them a tune from one of Queens albums, especially when the song is “A Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, “We Will Rock You”, “Killer Queen”, or “We Are The Champions”, to name a few. I usually teach the whole collection at that point. Yes, Queen is still influencing the younger generation; therefore, as producers we need to incorporate the bands technique and sound that will sculpt new and relevant records. It was very nice listening to your Pod Cast. Thank you for recording it.
Thank you for reading my post. I guess in the old days of recording and sadly enough, the rules were different to some degree as people in the industry were one track minded sticking to a set of made up rules they thought were correct. As artists and producers today we should have learned from past mistakes; however, young artist are still being exploited and hopefully we will change and learn from bad decision from the past. Artists are human beings who create their expression and shouldn’t be used as tools just for avarice or selfish gain by other who work with them.
Thank you for the compliment on the post concerning electronic music. I think the problem with people lies in their lack of knowing about the history behind any concept plus they don’t really care where the idea originated from as long as it is accepted. Also, some individuals may need to feel connected to a concept or style that they believe is new and for their group only and wish to not associate with any other way of thinking because they want exclusivity. I think being unoriginal is worst though then a lack of knowing which is ignorance. Once we accept other ways people want to express themselves, we probably learn to be more creative in new and exciting ways. I also believe that there is “nothing new under the sun”, just a different way to display its’ newness.
Love the clean look of your blog. This will help establish you as an artist/producer and help grow a fan base with people who share your influences. Keep posting as new ideas arise.
Thank you for all the positive feedback during the past month while being part of your class. I really enjoyed learning from you and doing the assignments. I found myself explaining to my own students the importance of studying the history behind the music and where a specific genre derived from. I will try to continue posting for the benefit of the music community and hope to learn more about the history of all music forms. Please feel free to educate me further if you have time to comment. I wish you a fun and great new section for your next history class. Happy Teaching!
Hello George,
ReplyDeleteI know what you are saying when you mention the Beatles as a “typical rock band” during the 1960s because of how they influenced a youthful following. I believe it appears that way since they started playing cover tunes in the very early days of their careers plus because of the overall sound they were aiming for. I do feel that their management was the strong force behind that decision in order for them to get the Beatles noticed and have them sell more records. In reality they weren’t “typical” at all (in a true sense) because they were British, plus the music overseas at that time were bands imitating a country style, actually called Skiffle. Check out John Lennon’s first band “The Quarrymen”, it is quite interesting and where the roots of the Beatles actually derived from. I hope you enjoy finding out about them and here are a few links if you have time to read them:
http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=the+beatles+and+skiffle+music
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skiffle_music
http://www.essortment.com/paul-george-john-ringo-beatles-64142.html
I also found it interesting that on the Beatles’ song “I Feel Fine”, record back in 1964, the first note heard in the first measure, George Harrison is creating feedback. This was the first time feedback was used in popular music and happened well before Jimmy Hendrix experimented with feedback. You can listen to the song on this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Feel_Fine
As you stated, “Revolver was a game changer”, and I agree with you when you make that statement. Finally, the Beatles are working and recording the way the initially intended. Once they were known in American, the Beatles became the artist they set out to be when they all first met as a group. Your last sentence posted on your Blog is strong when you wrote,
“Still to this day, decades later, especially as an electronic artist and producer, you can learn much in how they approached their songs not only mixing but actual creation and sound design.”
After reading your statement, I thought, “All You Need Is Ears” by author Jeremy Hornsby, is a good source for a recording engineer to read. Sir George Martin, was truly the 5th Beatle, helping the group become who they really wanted to become musically. Thanks for sharing your Blog about the Beatles.
Hello Bryson,
ReplyDeleteYour commentary on Robert Moog is appreciated because it helps us all remember how the style of electronic music truly came about. I feel people like this man are why we as musicians, composers, teachers, and producers are able to continue to make the industry thrive the way it has for the past 5 decades. In my opinion, the sound of electronic music as an art form should be explored further and never be limited to traditional sounding instrumentation. We can all thank the innovative discovery of people like Moog who came along and helped change how we think and create. There are countless bands that have used and are still using his invention to shape their music sound and you have made that clear when you stated,
“A lot of people today don’t realize what this man brought to the masses. He brought electronic music to the masses and changed the way we hear music.”
I also feel that, Moog's influence toward music making is something I will always consider when I create compositions that use the synthesizer as an instrument. Also, beyond a band using the Moog’s technology to create and write songs’, it is amazing how this specific sound was used and is still being used in the film industry. Moog’s synthesizer helped create a specific atmosphere to match the imagery on the screen. Whether using this type of technology for recording tunes, or for use in films, the artistic statement is truly one that deserves to be achieved in history as it has.
Hello Nicholas,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all thank you for taking the time to comment on both of my posts. I am very happy to hear that you are going to do further research on Andreas Vollenweider; he is definitely interesting plus a good listen especially if you need a change. I appreciate your ability to play multiple musical instruments and respect your enthusiasm concerning your goals as a learning professional in the music industry. I wish you much success with everything you learn at Full Sail University and beyond.
I listened to your Pod Cast on the band Queen and Freddie Mercury, and sensed the passion you have for the band in addition to what they did contribute to the music industry. They were different, yet still cleverly intriguing by combining genres and not being afraid to experiment with their sound and musical style. I know when I first listen to Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time, which happened to be quite a while ago, and thinking that the song sounded like a rock opera. I had no problem excepting there sound being a lover of show tunes, opera, theatrical sound tracks with screaming guitars and loud drums not to forget the amazing vocals and vocal harmonies.
I agree with you concerning the influence this group had on other bands who came after them, and find that they are still impacting younger learners of music. It makes me smile when an 11 year old request that I teach them a tune from one of Queens albums, especially when the song is “A Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, “We Will Rock You”, “Killer Queen”, or “We Are The Champions”, to name a few. I usually teach the whole collection at that point. Yes, Queen is still influencing the younger generation; therefore, as producers we need to incorporate the bands technique and sound that will sculpt new and relevant records. It was very nice listening to your Pod Cast. Thank you for recording it.
Hello Eric,
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading my post. I guess in the old days of recording and sadly enough, the rules were different to some degree as people in the industry were one track minded sticking to a set of made up rules they thought were correct. As artists and producers today we should have learned from past mistakes; however, young artist are still being exploited and hopefully we will change and learn from bad decision from the past. Artists are human beings who create their expression and shouldn’t be used as tools just for avarice or selfish gain by other who work with them.
Hello Bryson,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the compliment on the post concerning electronic music. I think the problem with people lies in their lack of knowing about the history behind any concept plus they don’t really care where the idea originated from as long as it is accepted. Also, some individuals may need to feel connected to a concept or style that they believe is new and for their group only and wish to not associate with any other way of thinking because they want exclusivity. I think being unoriginal is worst though then a lack of knowing which is ignorance. Once we accept other ways people want to express themselves, we probably learn to be more creative in new and exciting ways. I also believe that there is “nothing new under the sun”, just a different way to display its’ newness.
Love the clean look of your blog. This will help establish you as an artist/producer and help grow a fan base with people who share your influences. Keep posting as new ideas arise.
ReplyDeleteHello Paul,
DeleteThank you for all the positive feedback during the past month while being part of your class. I really enjoyed learning from you and doing the assignments. I found myself explaining to my own students the importance of studying the history behind the music and where a specific genre derived from. I will try to continue posting for the benefit of the music community and hope to learn more about the history of all music forms. Please feel free to educate me further if you have time to comment. I wish you a fun and great new section for your next history class. Happy Teaching!