How does everyone feel about sampling?

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:06 pm

How about we say "natural" talent? Some people believe it is God-given... others might say it's "natural" or they were "born with it." Either way, I agree that theological debates are OT, but that's sort of a common expression ("God-given") and it doesn't need to spark debate.

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:09 pm

oh... never mind...

blue · Post by **blue** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:21 pm

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:There is real irony in this. News programs such as Countdown••¦

Talk about irony. I'm not so sure I would classify Countdown as a news program. As much as I like Keith Olbermann, I think he's just another participant in the growing trend of loud, opinionated pundits masquerading as newsmen. His show is gimmicky and smug and appeals to a base, not unlike O'Reilly and Dobbs. Unlike the other two, I agree with most of Olbermann's takes on current events. He's funny and articulate. But news? How about we called it news-based?

Sorry for the OT.

radicalsaintz · Post by **radicalsaintz** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:36 pm

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:oh... never mind...

Besides, He/She/It whatever you think....
He's not my God. It's not like I had first dibbs on him. I just rather be safe than sorry. Juuuuust in case their is a place called heaven, What do I have to loose? I'd rather be there than the opposite. I'll be dead anyway. Please don't reply that's just my take on it.

Rad...

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:44 pm

radicalsaintz wrote:
MIDI Life Crisis wrote:oh... never mind...
Besides, He/She/It whatever you think....
He's not my God. It's not like I had first dibbs on him. I just rather be safe than sorry. Juuuuust in case their is a place called heaven, What do I have to loose? I'd rather be there than the opposite. I'll be dead anyway. Please don't reply that's just my take on it.

Rad...

But I hear the bands are better in the basement, the drinks are stronger and the women are looser. I'd even bet the music is better. Of course, that is objective

Never did care much for sunlight ... Maybe I'll move to Seattle. Next best thing.

Back OT

radicalsaintz · Post by **radicalsaintz** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:52 pm

And probably no original music. All samples and remixes, you know he is known as the great imitator.

OT, Rad...

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:55 pm

radicalsaintz wrote:And probably no original music. All samples and remixes, you know he is known as the great imitator.

OT, Rad...

ARE YOU KIDDING? He only does buyouts. I mean, he has your soul, so getting you to write new music every day is a no brainer for him. Now why is it we NEVER refer to the Devil as HER! (Except in real life, of course - when she is wearing a blue dress).

radicalsaintz · Post by **radicalsaintz** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:59 pm

I could of sworn that dress was red...

radicalsaintz · Post by **radicalsaintz** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:11 pm

Ever hear of a comp. called Hidden Beach? They assemble groups of artist and have them remake classic Hip Hop and Rap songs in a Contemporary Jazz/Fusion style. It's off the chain. Patrice Rushen, George Duke, TaTa Vega, Gerald Albright, Noel Pointer, and a slew of other great musicians. If I was gonna sample this is the only way I would. Check it out in the I-Tunes store."Hidden Beach Recordings".

rad

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:41 pm

radicalsaintz wrote:I could of sworn that dress was red...

You're thinking of Roxanne. And I don't think she has to put on that dress tonight.

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:49 pm

.

The main problem with ammateurs and music enthusiasts is that, by having these "magical tools" readily at their disposal, they kind of loose touch with reality in terms of what it REALLY takes to CREATE and compose music.

An example: The other day my girlfriend's niece came up to me with his mobile, proudly showing me what he had just COMPOSED. Apparently he could somehow put a few loops together, and came up with these riff. But he could not understand the difference between actually composing something and just put together a few pieces of pre-produced material. He was determined to call himself a composer. He was not willing to grasp the concept that just because he could put together a few loops didn't make him a composer. It makes him a good puzzle maker, at best.

And he is not the only one claiming instant music tallent by being able to do this. The other day some friend of a friend asked me why it took me so long to compose orchestral music. He kept saying that he came up with this great orchestral compositions using only garage band in a few minutes...

These people lose perspective. They are welcomo to use the tools, experminet, etc., but I find it a little insulting that they call themselves "composers". Just because I can cut a few takes in iMovie doens't make me a movie director. These ammateurs think they are in the same league as true-professional composers. They lost perspective and think we all are a bunch of retards because they can accomplish the same thing we do, but without the need to attend college/university for years, without years of hard studying/practice, etc.

It's sad...

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:03 pm

FMiguelez wrote:.

The main problem with ammateurs and music enthusiasts is that, by having these "magical tools" readily at their disposal, they kind of loose touch with reality in terms of what it REALLY takes to CREATE and compose music.

Keep in mind, we ALL start out as amateurs. Well, except for maybe Mozart and Mendelssohn. There is nothing inherently wrong with being inexperienced and no amount of training and practice can increase your level of creativity. What it can do is allow you to maximize your return on the creativity you do have.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. People aspire to all sorts of things and call themselves by the trade name. This person fancies themselves a writer, the next a painter, and one... a composer. But I'll tell you something, my friend. Until I started calling myself a composer, I wasn't one. And it angered some when I started to do so when I was still just a songwriter. It was, in fact, my music theory teacher in high school (as I recall) who referred to the students as composers - even if we only composed one piece.

And frankly (and in contrast to what I've written in this thread) the tools you use aren't going to make a difference if your output is to YOUR liking.

But what IS objectionable is lifting another person's work and then taking credit as if you've thought it up by copying it. Modern dancers have been doing this for years and it has annoyed the crap out of me. It also bugs the •••• out of me when filmmakers do it, but at least they are paying a licensing fee for the privilege.

These garageband composers are, at best, arrangers - or more accurately - selectors.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:15 pm

FMiguelez wrote:Just because I can cut a few takes in iMovie doens't make me a movie director. These ammateurs think they are in the same league as true-professional composers. They lost perspective and think we all are a bunch of retards because they can accomplish the same thing we do, but without the need to attend college/university for years, without years of hard studying/practice, etc...

Well, of course. And they're wrong. And you know it, and I know it, and the people that hire people that do what you do know it as well. Their self-delusion doesn't threaten people with real skill, because your creations will always be better.

BTW, I don' t know that years of college theory is always required for some to become "true-professional" composers in all cases, although it is the only way to work quickly. I think Danny Elfman is a true-professional composer, although I had heard that he didn't really read music and composed largely by ear, although I remember reading that Steve Bartek (?) his guitarist from Boingo helped him with doing charts and notation. Granted, he did have his "Boingo" career to help open doors for him. Seems like former pop/rock stars get certain leeway granted to them. It strikes me the same as how it's easier for former athletes to become sportscasters and TV sports commentators when they "retire" from pro sports and the ripe old age of 35, than it is for actual journalism or telecommunications majors. Heck, as they get close to retirement, most athletes who can speak well are already jockeying for television personality jobs when they get out. Beats real work.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:18 pm

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:...no amount of training and practice can increase your level of creativity. What it can do is allow you to maximize your return on the creativity you do have.

Michael... this is a GEM! Deserves to be printed out and hung on a wall and I may just do that. This really, really is a great maxim.

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:25 pm

James Steele wrote:
MIDI Life Crisis wrote:...no amount of training and practice can increase your level of creativity. What it can do is allow you to maximize your return on the creativity you do have.
Michael... this is a GEM! Deserves to be printed out and hung on a wall and I may just do that. This really, really is a great maxim.

It's ©

That'll be 25 cents a copy please