Why mainstream music is so awful

[Tormod]

I love mainstream music, but what I perceive of as mainstream is probably not what "mainstream" people listen to. Now that probably made a lot of sense...

[Drip Curl Magic]

I've also wondered why complex structure tickles my fancy when it comes to music.

In all actuality, it's not really anything "better". More well thought out, maybe.

Just different.

[orbsycli]

Originally Posted by Drip Curl Magic

I've also wondered why complex structure tickles my fancy when it comes to music.

In all actuality, it's not really anything "better". More well thought out, maybe.

Just different.

No way! There are so many aspects of music that need to be considered.
Now, "better" is your opinion. Mine too.

The difference is Intent.
The difference is Dynamics.

Take a melody. A simple melody.
Everyone in the world will play that melody differently.
What matters is HOW, and WHY they are playing it.
Who they are playing it with.
What room they are playing in, with what instruments and where
and what are we playing and in what time
and where will we slow down the tempo, and where
will silence happen?
How hard will I pluck this string and how far will I bend it and should I detune my E down to a D after hitting this string and slap?

Music, especially improvising music, seems to speed up conscious actvity.
When I am playing an instrument, like a guitar, so many thoughts are processed but they aren't slowed down or focused on.
The brain itself seems to take the wheel, and I do
what should be done.
I balance the dynamics, I focus on vibrating my intent
which is Love
through my space which is the universe.

I think about every possibility in every moment it feels like god
the way it comes out.

From every practice, from every song, from every exercise,
my individual existence radiates what I believe to be the best thing I possibly could.

When I feel like I suck, i get pissed off, and retreat to further my knowledge

to further my understanding

to further my freedom

and this is what music is to me.

This beautiful, infinite pool of human potential that represents the universe and the psyche within.

[orbsycli]

Originally Posted by pgrmdave

Even hip-hop/rap has lost ground, the boy bands have died out...Who would you define as a pop star today?

You think hip hop has lost ground? Man it seems to me like it's the most popular form of music around.
Everyone just sits around and listens to their dumb stories about dumb drugs and girls and getting drunk dumb and it's so animalistic and unprogressive.

Everyone(whichisnteveryonebutALOTofpeopleOK?) likes it though 'cause it's "funny" and it has a beat. It's always changing, and it's "cool". Ahem, the songs on the radio are always changing. The beats usually stay the same.

I don't mind it. I think it's retarded, but at least some people dance to it.
Even though they dance as bad as the music they are dancing to.

Psh. Life is the best. (ABSURDATTACK!)

[pgrmdave]

FOXNews.com - Sales of Rap Albums Take Stunning Nosedive - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment

Rap has lost sales, and (as soon as I can find it I'll post the link) so has hip-hop.

[WuffenCuckoo]

Now do you understand what I was getting at?

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by WuffenCuckoo

Now do you understand what I was getting at?

What are you talking about?

[pgrmdave]

I believe he's referring to his post here:
http://hypography.com/forums/waterco...tml#post163390

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by Tormod

I love mainstream music, but what I perceive of as mainstream is probably not what "mainstream" people listen to. Now that probably made a lot of sense...

Uh huh...


I don't like the pop music from the girls off the production line - Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, even our own Delta Goodrem. Their music is bland and they all sound the same. But I've also noticed that new bands these days sound like bands from past decades. Nobody is coming up with something original. Bands back in the day had their unique sounds - The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd to name a few.

I was talking about the poor quality of music with my husband the other day and I mentioned that it must be so easy to get a record deal. He responded that over the years there have always been tons of people out there trying to make it in the music industry, but we have only really been aware of the most successful musicians because communication is not what it is today. We're more exposed to all the music out there so we get to hear more of the awful stuff.

[pgrmdave]

Nobody does something completely original, especially when starting out. All bands have their influences. I liked the Rolling Stones but had only heard their big popular stuff. I bought some of their records (3 for $1 at a thrift store!) and much to my surprize, they sounded like an old blues band. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that all music was so much better then based only on the best stuff. Or that all music was original because you only remember those sounds.

EDIT: That's not to say that there aren't originators, but that everybody is influenced by those before them. And with the invention of the electric guitar and synthesizers, there was a lot of innovating because there was no precedent. Some of the most original music today is electronica for the same reason - there is simply more you can do with it.