MLT Club Member Bud Jackson
MLT Club MemberForum Replies Created
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Jacki,
Yes, I borrowed your phrase because I like it! I’m surprised i got it right, because I didn’t check my typing on that afterwards! I guess i saw enough times to remember it!
— Bud
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Jung,
That was a very intelligent, thorough & inciteful reply, thank you! I’ve seen that video before that you just sent, but I’d kind of spot-checked thru different parts of it. This time I watched over 1/2 of it, & I like his incites & info here. I feel the same, that Music, (& civilization,) has taken a downward turn, & it’s going to take some maneuvering to get it back — if possible!
I’ll get back to you later, as I have a bunch of stuff to do, & I’m leaving right now.
Take care! — Bud
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Jacki,
What you say makes a lot of sense! I’ll get back to you later, as I have to leave now & do a bunch of things. Have a great MLTBUZZLUVGROOVIFIED DAY! — Bud
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Hi Daryl,
Thanks for responding, & I will get back to you later. I have to leave right now & do a bunch of errands & chores.
Have a great day! — Bud
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Daryl,
My last response was supposed to be to you. I agree with your statement that some pop stars seem to be more into “image” than “substance.” But then there are groups like ABBA, who on the surface seem to be more about looks & image, but then when you listen without looking, & find out more about them, they really had a lot to offer the listener. Their later stuff was among their best! (Some may not agree, but their music has stood the test of time! — Bud
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Jacki,
You have a very weird, 60’s kinda Psychedelic way of saying things. You could have been in Mona & Lisa’s “Once Upon a Time” video, dressed up in some fancy tie-dyed Hippie Clothes! (And I mean that as a complement!) — Bud
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Jung,
The video that Michael Noland did here has some very interesting points! I listened to most of it and will finish tomorrow. Thanks for your help today on hitting “Reply” to find my lost work! I found it, and then spent WAAAYY too long finishing it, but I still got my guitar practice in. Now tomorrow I’ve got to get more serious about getting a lot more done. TOO much rest is for the wicked (ha-ha,) so I’d better get back on track!
Have a nice end to your year! — Bud
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Jung,
(OK, I’m putting off practice too long, and need to get to it!) For me, I like to listen for the THREE MAIN ELEMENTS in Music. If these elements aren’t interesting to listen to right away, I won’t listen for very long. What are they? See if you can name them first before I list them.
To me, it doesn’t matter if Music is New, Old or Very old, as long as it’s good! I love Jazz, but I don’t have to like every Jazz tune or artist. The same goes for Rock, or any other genre of Music.
If the Melody isn’t interesting, there’s not much that I’ll find to enjoy in a song. If the Rhythm & Harmonies aren’t pleasing, or are just too simplistic, then I just won’t waste my time listening. That said, sometimes Simplicity & Repetition can be beautiful; but not always!
Other elements are the Quality of Tone or overall Sound. The Style, Phrasing, Artistry and/or Soul of the instrumentalist or singer that projects these things really makes it or breaks it for me. Also important are the quality of the Interaction between the Musicians/Singers, along with the range of Dynamics, (loud, medium or soft,) the Flexibility of Sound, & Technical Ability. The construction or (Form) of the Song & Improvisational ability in the Storytelling of the piece can bring Music to life. Also, what’s the Overall Affect or Feeling that the song or piece has on the listener? (Everyone may have a different take on this.)
Other important ingredients: Balance, overall Blend & Intonation. And not just individual people being in tune, but EVERYONE being In-Tune together. And being In-Time & Rhythmically together! Then there’s Correct Notes, though everyone at times can make a note mistake. But you can’t be Rhythmically off! Everyone’s Phrasing has to match! Musicians/Singers are really Multi-Tasking all the time, which necessitates a great deal of practice, patience, self-control, teamwork, dedication, ability & coordination, plus intelligence in split second musical decisions!
Also, great Musicians/Singers project their Own Personalities, Humanity, Beauty & Sense of Humor, or even Happiness, Sadness or Tragedy into everything that they do! Most Musicians first copy others, & then learn to create their Own Personal Styles!
Just because Music is new doesn’t automatically mean that it’s great. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean that it’s bad! I can see that many listeners today just don’t have much knowledge of various Musical Styles down through history! If they DID, they wouldn’t be fooled by much of today’s extremely BORING Music, which often emphasizes violence, vulgarity, sex, extreme macho images etc, with a corresponding lack of Musical Integrity.
I don’t want to put down Taylor S, though she’s not my style preference. She does have a big following, & I like her political views. Now I DO like Lady Gaga! At first, I was underwhelmed by her own material, but when I heard her do some Jazz Swing, & sing with Tony Bennett, Wow! She really knows that style & has a great voice, & she’s honest & funny too! (And weird also, but then who ISN’T?)
I try not to put down Rap, because it’s an important form of Music, & I don’t want to turn off some of my students. But for me, I’d rather hear melody. There are a few Rap things I like, but only if there’s some interesting music to go with it! Now if it’s a Drum Solo, or African Drum group with no melody, that’s fine! I really enjoy that stuff! But Drum Ensembles often add Marimbas too!
Also, most Musicians don’t write their own Music, although they still serve a very useful purpose, even if just for their own enjoyment! And Composers & Band Leaders need lots of Musicians to play their creations!
I know that with better Music Education, more people will enjoy much more variety in Musical Styles, than say just one style. And that’s healthy for the Art of Music & the overall Peace & Happiness in the World!
I know that the MLT–4 all listen to a variety of Music, & it shows in the diverse styles that they play, so GOOD ON THEM!! And they show their Command of all the Musical Elements that I mentioned above. That’s one reason why I like them SO MUCH!
— Bud
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I agree, and also there is ABBA. If you just look at them superficially, they appear to be a Glam– type Disco group in weird clothes, with a couple of barbie dolls up front for appeal. But if you listen to the depth, quality & variety of interesting music they put out, & find out about their complicated real lives, then you start to realize how good they really were! And THEY were highly influenced by the Beatles, but they sure did things their own way, creating their own style! True, they did have a few overly loud songs, not up to the quality of their best work. But their voices & interesting arrangements have held their appeal over the last over 50 years!
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Johnnypee,
I’ll be “in a van, down by the river!” — Bud
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Well said Daryl! — Bud
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Hey Jung, here’s a QUESTION:
This has happened to me a few times before, & it’s aggravating! I just started typing a long response to the “Best of the Best” discussion. I tapped something by mistake & all my work was highlighted. I clicked to get rid of the highlighted words, & I LOST EVEYTHING! I tried finding it to no avail. I was able to get it back the last time, but I have no idea what I did to get it back.
Any ideas? No rush! Thanks for listening! — Bud
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Hi Roger,
Thanks for answering back! You’re S.E. of Portland Oregon, right? My daughter went to Linfield College in Oregon. It’s a nice area, with all the horses & wineries! I’ve heard that bright lights can help with depression. I use a bright light at night when I’m practicing or open the shades during the day.
Do you, or did you play the French Horn? On the MLT site I read where someone thought it was a French Horn solo on the Beatles “Penny Lane.” But it was instead a Piccolo Trumpet. Not many people know about that I suppose. In case you’re interested, here’s a video interview with David Mason, the London symphonic trumpeter who was asked to record the Piccolo Trumpet solo for “Penny Lane.”
David Mason Penny Lane Trumpeter (youtube.com)
I do think that the French Horn is and awesome instrument too!
Have a nice, relaxing New Year! — Bud Jackson
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Jung,
I used to go to the Pike Place Market more, but rarely now. The last two times this year were to get presents for Mona & Lisa! I’m sure I’ve seen that keyboard player you mentioned. Musicians need a permit to work there. I used to play in a club in the market with a Jazz Band years ago, but we play other places now.
My wife was a volunteer there & led school tours in the Market! She & I & our daughter (who is Mona & Lisa’s age,) used to help turn on the Christmas lights there after Thanksgiving! It was fun, we got to go on top of the buildings, & had a table of treats afterwards!
Btw, Seattle only gets 38 inches of rain per year, because we’re protected by the Olympic Mountains, about 40 miles west of Seattle. However on the western, Pacific Ocean side, they get 150 + inches of rain per year! I think your area gets somewhat less protection because of the Strait of Juan de Fuca?
OK, thanks for answering me! Dats all fer now boss! — Bud
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Thanks Jung,
You have a lot more good answers to our dilemma here for how to NOT be so depressed. Very good! It basically comes down to keeping yourself busy, to forget your cares! As much as I dislike the rain sometimes, without it we wouldn’t be so green here! (And now the sun just came out!)
The stark contrasts between dry & rainy are very apparent on Oahu in Hawaii. The Leeward, sunny side where Honolulu is located is drier & a little warmer than the Windward side. When you go through the tunnel in the mountain from Honolulu to the wet Winward side, it’s immediately apparent how green everything is! But in Hawaii the rain is warm, & only lasts for 10 to 20 minutes on average. Then the sun comes out! And of course, here in the NW, it’s much colder this time of year. But yesterday it was 56 F. That’s better than most places, but in Kaneohe, HI today it’s 78 F, & rainy, going back up to 80 F. in a few days.
I DO get depressed, but I stay busy, & Mona & Lisa definitely help me feel a lot better too! I’m looking forward to seeing them & their new Music in the New Year! Take care Jung, & HAPPY NEW YEAR! — Bud
