Classical Music: Why don't you listen?

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Tencntraze

Senior member
Aug 7, 2006
570
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I too am a huge Phish fan, as well as a fan of improv in general, including jazz. Classical can have a different appeal, though I don't think that I could sit and listen to several different interpretations of a piece the same way that I can listen to different jams on a Phish tune. Like I think I mentioned on a previous post, it depends on what your musical background is, if any, and how you can relate to the music you're listening to.
 

OCNewbie

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2000
7,596
25
81
Classical music that I've heard seems to be confined to just a few emotions. There is the happy, frolicky kinda classical music that is lovely to listen to when you're in the mood for that. There is the sad, melodramatic music that is also beautiful to listen to for that sort of mood. And there is everything in between. But, I can't recall hearing any angst-filled or Limp Bizkit "Break Stuff" kinda classical music. Sometimes I just like angry music that you can kinda vent along with.

I love classical music, but I find it only suits certain moods and other music I prefer at other times.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
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I listen to a lot of classical music, usually when I'm doing homework or flying on a plane. Different music for different moods and tasks.
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
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Originally posted by: OCNewbie
Classical music that I've heard seems to be confined to just a few emotions. There is the happy, frolicky kinda classical music that is lovely to listen to when you're in the mood for that. There is the sad, melodramatic music that is also beautiful to listen to for that sort of mood. And there is everything in between. But, I can't recall hearing any angst-filled or Limp Bizkit "Break Stuff" kinda classical music. Sometimes I just like angry music that you can kinda vent along with.

I love classical music, but I find it only suits certain moods and other music I prefer at other times.

Listen to Mozart's 25th Symphony, first movement.

I don't listen to angry music really, but I do listen to groups like Delerium. Bit of an odd combination perhaps.
 

OCNewbie

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2000
7,596
25
81
I think I'm a weird one.... when I was like 5 years old, maybe younger, I got my first 2 records (we had a record player back then), one was a record by Pavarotti and the other was from Prince's Purple Rain soundtrack heh =P I still listen to almost everything from Celine Dion, to Disturbed/Metallica, Country, Classical, etc. I listen to Rap/Dance/etc. the least though, as I guess that has the least emotion to it? Maybe that's the reason I don't care for it much. Most of the rap music I listen to (like Ludacris, I like him) I listen to because I think it's funny, or just sounds kinda cool, but I can't take it seriously when they present themselves as being so tough, etc.

I'll have to look up that Mozart piece, I'm not familiar with what you're referring to by it's title, but perhaps I've heard it before.
 

AZReDWiNG

Member
Jan 11, 2006
60
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I enjoy my classical -- but also the rock and other stuff. Ska/punk do it for me as well as Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

Personally, I prefer piano music to anything else instrumental, but that's only because I've played classical piano for 8 years or so. That's not to say that I won't listen to Beethoven's 5th or anything, but I just enjoy hearing the piano more than anything else. The complex simplicity of the piano-forte continues to mystify me.

Also, Nobeu Uematsu (the genius behind the FF series' music) is my current favorite composer, both to listen to and play. Perhaps that makes me unsophisticated in front of the "classic gurus" here but hell, above all music should be for enjoyment.
 

thoro86

Banned
Jun 8, 2006
692
0
0
I learned how to play classical guitar for 3 years before I started to play pop, rock, and jazz... I like to listen to them, but I don't like to play em...hard tp read the notes :p
 

Brutuskend

Lifer
Apr 2, 2001
26,558
4
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Classical music is, well GREAT!

Like most people I didn't care all that much for it as a youngster, but thank god I grew up. :)
 

txrandom

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2004
3,773
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71
I don't listen to hardly an classical, but I bet I would if I downloaded some. I really like Adagio for Strings. My favorite classical piece.
 

bluemax

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2000
7,182
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I find it odd that people equate "instrumental" with "classical" - and to those people that means anything without words.

I enjoy music for the MUSIC, and don't often listen to the lyrics at all - no matter the genre. The heavy rock stuff is just often just grating with no appeal whatsoever - nothing but grinding and screaming with no musical talent required, having left the effect of a cheese grater to the brain.

Unlike any other format, instrumental can cover everything from sleepytime to pounding adrenaline - and you can tell the skill of the composer and players. Wtih it you can evoke ANY emotion and tell a story using sound, rather than mere words.

There's just more substance, but it's not "immediate gratification" like much of the simple "bubblegum" which is more popular by the public at large.


I think it's also part of personality types. The active doers oftten don't have the patience to feel for the substance of a composition, only the immediate effect of happy-dance-time. The number of "thinker" personality types is far less common, and probably the most appreciative of the the bunch. The "feelers" often will as well, but not as much.
 

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
Despite the way you wrapped up your disdain in a pretty package Bluemax, your post is yet another in a long line of "I like classical music, rock is just a bunch of noise that doesn't require talent to play or intelligence to listen to, and I'm better than the rest of you" posts.

So many things wrong, so little time.

If you enjoy the music and don't listen to the lyrics, then it's you that can't handle complex musical compositions. Lyrics are as much a part of the music as the instrumentals are, ignoring them means your tiny little mind can't handle anything but the pretty sounds. From there you slip into complete asburdity. How can instrumental music do things which lyrical music cannot? An additional instrument, the human voice, can only add to music. Just because some musicians use the human voice incorrectly (in your opinion) in their music does mean that addition is any less valuable. Any instrument can be abused. Had Braham thrown a trumpet solo into the middle of his lullaby it would have been a different song. That doesn't mean we should ignore all music containing trumpets. In addition, how is lyrical music "mere words." It's not mere words, it's words sung to music. Mere words is a poem or a story, we're talking about music. Stay with the conversation.

In addition, just because some music not played by a full symphony orchestra does not mean it's "bubblegum." Complex music written in a vast array of styles and moods can be written using any instrument or combination of instruments.

Finally, your attempt to label certain groups "thinkers", "doers" or "feelers" is a steaming pile of condescending dung. Little more needs to be said about that.
 

thoro86

Banned
Jun 8, 2006
692
0
0
Originally posted by: bluemax
I find it odd that people equate "instrumental" with "classical" - and to those people that means anything without words.

I enjoy music for the MUSIC, and don't often listen to the lyrics at all - no matter the genre. The heavy rock stuff is just often just grating with no appeal whatsoever - nothing but grinding and screaming with no musical talent required, having left the effect of a cheese grater to the brain.

Unlike any other format, instrumental can cover everything from sleepytime to pounding adrenaline - and you can tell the skill of the composer and players. Wtih it you can evoke ANY emotion and tell a story using sound, rather than mere words.

There's just more substance, but it's not "immediate gratification" like much of the simple "bubblegum" which is more popular by the public at large.


I think it's also part of personality types. The active doers oftten don't have the patience to feel for the substance of a composition, only the immediate effect of happy-dance-time. The number of "thinker" personality types is far less common, and probably the most appreciative of the the bunch. The "feelers" often will as well, but not as much.

I agree, but it doesn't work for all genre though. For example: hip hop, the strength is in the lyrics, unless if u just want to enjoy the beats and the rhythmwhile dancing.
 

bluemax

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2000
7,182
0
0
Originally posted by: BoberFett
Despite the way you wrapped up your disdain in a pretty package Bluemax, your post is yet another in a long line of "I like classical music, rock is just a bunch of noise that doesn't require talent to play or intelligence to listen to, and I'm better than the rest of you" posts.

So many things wrong, so little time.

If you enjoy the music and don't listen to the lyrics, then it's you that can't handle complex musical compositions. Lyrics are as much a part of the music as the instrumentals are, ignoring them means your tiny little mind can't handle anything but the pretty sounds. From there you slip into complete asburdity. How can instrumental music do things which lyrical music cannot? An additional instrument, the human voice, can only add to music. Just because some musicians use the human voice incorrectly (in your opinion) in their music does mean that addition is any less valuable. Any instrument can be abused. Had Braham thrown a trumpet solo into the middle of his lullaby it would have been a different song. That doesn't mean we should ignore all music containing trumpets. In addition, how is lyrical music "mere words." It's not mere words, it's words sung to music. Mere words is a poem or a story, we're talking about music. Stay with the conversation.

In addition, just because some music not played by a full symphony orchestra does not mean it's "bubblegum." Complex music written in a vast array of styles and moods can be written using any instrument or combination of instruments.

Finally, your attempt to label certain groups "thinkers", "doers" or "feelers" is a steaming pile of condescending dung. Little more needs to be said about that.

Actually I'm right, and it's a proven fact about the four major personality groups.
And I'm both a musician and composer. I'm more interested in the music than words.

I never condescended, but you sure got sore.....hmmm....
I never insulted, but you sure did.... hmmmm.....

Perhaps I should have mentioned there's some great classic tunes out there, gool ol' rock n' roll that's still great stuff. So I'll sign off to the tune of "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" while you fume away about how awful I am. ;)
 

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
Originally posted by: bluemax
Actually I'm right, and it's a proven fact about the four major personality groups.
That's funny, last I heard there was very little information on the human brain and how it works that wasn't very subjective. Apparently those four personality groups are indisputable fact. The psychological community should be grateful that you've solved the mysteries of the human mind. :roll:
And I'm both a musician and composer. I'm more interested in the music than words.
That makes no sense. Words are music. Do you also leave out the string family completely? Or maybe you ignore percussion?

I never condescended, but you sure got sore.....hmmm....
I never insulted, but you sure did.... hmmmm.....
Get off your high horse, anybody who reads this thread can see that your post was just more thinly veiled snobbery.

Perhaps I should have mentioned there's some great classic tunes out there, gool ol' rock n' roll that's still great stuff. So I'll sign off to the tune of "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" while you fume away about how awful I am. ;)
The only thing fuming around here is the dung you dropped in this thread and your superiority complex.
 

Dualist

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2005
2,395
0
86
Classical music to me is great and that I like listening to it, it helps me to relax and take my mind off other things. :cool:
 

bluemax

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2000
7,182
0
0
Originally posted by: BoberFett
The psychological community should be grateful that you've solved the mysteries of the human mind. :roll:
That makes no sense. Words are music. Do you also leave out the string family completely? Or maybe you ignore percussion?
Get off your high horse, anybody who reads this thread can see that your post was just more thinly veiled snobbery.
The only thing fuming around here is the dung you dropped in this thread and your superiority complex.

No, I'll leave the superiority complexes, snobbery, insults and barbarism entirely up to you. You handle it well.
 

johnjbruin

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2001
4,401
1
0
I think that for me - I use music as an escape. Something that I don't have to think about.

Classical music is too complex for me - I don't even understand the differences that are blatantly obvious to people like the OP. Music is something that soothes the brain for me - not something that hyper-activates the brain. Classical makes me think about the music in itself - which is just too much at times since there is always something else to think about.

In more nerdy terms - I can listen to some other genres on a low priority thread in my head that dont take up too much time from the CPU. Classical on the other hand is a low priority thread also - but it hogs up too much CPU for other threads to be as productive as they can be.

Don't know if that made sense - but I think that is the reason I dont listen to classical.
 

mattpegher

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2006
2,203
0
71
Am currently listening to classical at sky.fm. Truthfully I enjoy most music. I mostly like modern rock, such as chevelle or braking benjamin, but classical and celtic fall a close second. Occasionally some classic rock or 1970's oldies for a change. I find a few hip/hop, R&B and pop tunes appealing but more on an individual song basis. Occasionally its a new or unique technique that works for me like the baby and the rattle in that Aliya song. When I do let the MP3 player go random the office gets a bit confused. Oddly the only thing I can't get into is jazz, seems a bit pretensious to me.

Most of the time its the mood I am in. The words when there definitely are important and sometimes I can't listen if I don't like the message even if I like the tune. Occasionally a voice is simply another instrument such as in opera. Also I might like part of a tune but find the rest annoying, System of a Down does this all the time.

I guess you could say I am a bit of a music addict.
 

mattpegher

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2006
2,203
0
71
Anyone else remember Emerson Lake and Palmer's rendition of Mussorski's Pictures at an Exhibition. A bit long-hair for most but I love the cross-over.
 

bluemax

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2000
7,182
0
0
I love all types of music except the screaming death-metal "waaaAAAAAAAAAAscreamingdeathandmayem!!juggajiggywugga!"
So, no bat-biting for me.

That's about the only stuff I can say I really, really don't like - despite the fact some of the musicians actually do have talent.



Note, this is not a reversal of what I said earlier.... a clarification and rephrasing I wasn't allowed to present because someone's stereotypes misinterpreted.
 

mattpegher

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2006
2,203
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Bluemax, do you know of any other internet radiostations that play classical. Some of them I can't seem to access through shoutcast/winamp due to some firewall settings at work, which I don't have access to.