is music defined by playing it live ?

ubw newbie Joined: Sep 22, 2005 Posts: 5

Here's the thing, I love making music. it's that outlet i always come back to but what i've found ( maybe i'm just oblivious) is that the music i do is decent, but since it's only me,and the music there's no credibility. I don't have any high aspirations of making this a global event, but i would like to share the music with people. So, is music defined by playing it live?

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 6:54 pm

music, in my opinion atleast, is defined by what each individual makes of it. everybody has their own definitions of what music, or good music atleast, is... and although playing music live will enable you to get the views of others on your music, what should realy define your music is what you think of it.

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 2:48 pm

I think that some music is improved by playing it live, there are some bands who et no justice on record but shine in the live arena.

Then there are some bands who shine on record, but are incapable of recreating something recorded in the live arena.

What really annoys me about some bands is, for example later years pink floyd, they end up bringing along all sorts of backing musicians etc just to recreate something live.

I have the Pink Floyd Pulse video from their last tour, and while I liked it originally, watching 12 people on stage (yes 12) pretending to be Pink Floyd is a bit of a con, especially when in their 70`s heyday, they toured right up to the wall tour as a basic core unit of original members. Why were they capable of playing live as a band in the 70`s, but suddenly 10 years later not so?
Even on the recent Live8 reunion they had hidden extras behind a curtain at the back filling in the gaps. (A second guitarist, a second keyboard player, someone else filling in on bass, I mean what the f**k?)

The stones were the same, on a live video gig i saw of them there were a whole crew of musicians on stage at one point, although they did make up for it with their small accoustic session in the middle which showed that they can still play)

I have recently seen Muse in concert (Well it was last year actually) and they were only better live than on record, like Rush they manage to combine three musicians together to make a devastating huge live sound. Rush too, how the hell do three guys manage to make the most incredible huge live sound?

As I always say, it is the arena that makes the choice, music will either sound good or bad in a live setting, its what you like that counts.

I chased an impossible dream for a while when playing live, I wanted to create not a posturing gig, but an event that everyone in the band and everyone listening would feel a part of. Ive never been a showoff on stage (I dont see the point, its the music that should be showing off, not the performers) but I did want to be able to create some kind of atmosphere through music that would move people emotionally. Unfortunately, playing to a few dozen drunks in a pub just doesnt mke it for me, so I quit. But I do still write and record, and to be honest, the stuff I do, i could never se myself teaching it to a band or even playing it live, to me I perform on record.

Personal chice is a powerful thing to the individual. Do what feels right, and you can never be wrong (as long as its not murder that feels right!)

Very Happy

ubw newbie Joined: Sep 28, 2005 Posts: 5

I am a computer-based musician. I sit at my PC & write music into Cubase. I've released two Classical/New Age CDs & one Instrumental Rock CD. I am getting rerady to release my 2nd Instrumental Rock CD.
A lot of people put down the music as soon as they find out its made with MIDI.

Bottom line: If a song moves you (in any way), then its good stuff. Don't let anyone tell you its less real just because of the way its made, or because you don't play out.

I was in a band (long time ago). I loved playing out. But at this stage in my life, I am not willing to put up with everything that comes with playing out.

David

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 4:03 pm

credibility ehh, . . . if you like it, if you created it, if your sweat and blood are in it, if you enjoy it and hopefully can share that joy then of course it's credible, it may not be credible to some self important pompous ass, but who cares . .just do it . . . .BUT as far as making a decent living at it, I'm stumped??
There's also a big difference between playing or creating music than being a performer . .you need to get out and play a lot to be a credible performer by honing your skills, but that's different from making music.
my 2 cents

i think Pink Floyd was over when Roger Waters left, although in 1977 on their animals tour they had Snowy White on guitar with the band. I never saw them prior to that.

Peace,
Erick

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 4:16 pm

Youre right about snowy white.

You probably already have, but if you havent and youre a floyd fan Erick, check out the live in Pompei film. Its awesome seeing echoes played live with just the four of them. They really could do it back then.

Making a living from music is not easy, I used to play covers around the local area in one of the bands i was in, it was good for a bit of extra pocket money, but I could never have lived off it. I couldnt even have filled the gas tank with what we earned.

But on good nights when we were good and there were some good nights when people had a good time, the feeling you get is awesome watching people enjoying themselves and knowing that you are contributing to that is brilliant. Its worth more than money.

My last official gig, and the one I decided to quit on ended with a guy at the Bar calling us IRA supporters for playing a U2 song, and then some other guy got up and starting punching hell out of some poor guy dancing in front of us with his wife. The gig just fell apart after that, the magic was gone, and I have never really felt the urge to go back there yet.

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 6:39 am

thanks Dagon, . . Live in Pompie, I'll try and get it this weekend . .I was a huge Floyd fan.

That sucks what happened at that last gig of yours ! I could see that bumming out the whole expierience . . . . totally sucks
The last band I was in last year we played at Toads place in New Haven Ct. . . USA, it's in the Yale university campus area and almost everyone played there at one time, our best gig was with Blue Oyster Cult in front of a packed house (800+ people) that was great and it went over well, we did 75% originals. . .we played there many times, but it's always only a 45 minute set . . . . I liked playing clubs when you do 2 or 3 sets, it takes me 45 minutes to warm up usually, but . .no we never made much money, a few beers , a meal and maybe gas (in the car) lol. we're only an hour and a half outside NYC. . . so one would think the possiblity exists to make a living but finding people who are committed to the same direction and willing to suffer for a bit is tuff at my age. . . maybe places like this site will someday help artist to survive as artists??? . . but when it goes well playing live it is a great rush, hear ya on that!
Peace,
Erick .............................

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:42 am

are apples defined by eating them

ubw newbie Joined: Sep 22, 2005 Posts: 14

Nice one, unproject..

Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:04 am

profoundly true

but there's nothing like a good apple pie . . . . .

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 3:42 am

mmm, pies...

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 8:11 am

I don't think Live in Pompeii has been officially released on DVD, you'll have to get a bootleg transfer like i got. look on ebay or amazon it should be there - with Delicate Sound Of Thunder and Pulse (but pulse its being released officially Dec 5th - 2 disc edition, can't wait...)

And Dagon - that last gig you did sucks man, but i don't think that should lead you to quit playing live. There are going to be fuckheads out there wherever you go, and those few shouldn't deny the many the enjoyment you could bring them with your music live.
The magic may have been gone that night - but there's always another.
Just my thought though, i wasn't there to see it, it may have been more intense than you mentioned.
-Steve.

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:27 am

Hey Seneki . . .the DVD is out, it's called the directors cut and it has the original film "Live in Pompei" and a bunch of other things, like interviews and the directors cut and so on. . . It's really good.

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:19 am

Sweet i didn't know that. I'll have to acquire it post haste... as soon as i can come accross some mulah.
Cheers Erick!

-Seneki

Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:17 pm

I see it as a two stage thing - there's your time with a tune - writing it - getting it together, working it, singing it. And then there's playing stuff to strangers or Jamming it with your band. Some stuff makes the jump, some stuff doesn't - neithers better or worse - just relevant to different bits of you. As to the simnple act of performing it in front of someone else - well I reckon it's a different thing again - the song does get to breath a little and you do get to see how other people react to it in real time Embarassed

But ultimately you got to bring a "live" song to a gig or it falls flat - it doesn't do anymore than let you know what works or doesn't - for other people.

is music defined by playing it live ?

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