1975. Fanfare for Common Man is why I decided to become a french horn player. I am 60 now. The French Horn is long behind me. The venture into classical music and jazz taught me to appreciate music beyond what was popular on the radio. The 70's and 80s took me into the world of jazz fusion, bands like Weather Report, King Crimson and Return to Forever, took me on a musical journey and taught me how to experience music and become more than just a passive listener. The 90's introduced me to Tool. The uniqueness of Tool is everything I love about music. 30 years later songs like Third Eye, Rosetta Stoned or the Holy Trinity still impact me on many different levels. I want to experience music that goes beyond the senses, goes beyond thought, and takes you on a sonic journey to where you need to go.
That's an interesting way of "classifying" music... and I do it all the time. I got my "dull jobs" playlist (new age, soundscape and such) for paying bills and doing taxes and admin work. My "action" playlist (Upbeat rock, metal, funk) for doing chores around the house and a "sit down" playlist (Nightwish, Tool, Zappa, etc) where I take the time to listen to every little details in the music, enjoying the complexity of the piece and the skills of the musician. Just as you described. BTW, funny that the 2 piece you suggested from Copeland were both covered by Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Keep it up, mate,. Love your reactions, musing and point of view !
I'm an ELP fan, of course I know Aaron Copeland! 😉(Also I've seen my son's orchestra playing _Fanfare_ _for_ _the_ _Common_ _Man_ live in Leeds Arena, very much a proud dad moment.) I definitely have three ways of listening to music, similar to what you describe: (1) When I first listen to something, I'm very much in the mode of just feeling it. What does it do to me? Am I sad? Elated? Do I feel like dancing? Each time I'll notice a little more, but usually it takes half a dozen relistens before I even start paying attention to lyrics, at which point I have a new dimension to think about. (2) Once I've got that far, I might start thinking about the mechanics of how it's written/performed, but I have no musical theory training so it's very limited; no "ah yes, this part is in D minor and using locrian mode" or whatever. I would like to learn more; maybe when I retire. However, I'll often drop back into the first mode again. (3) If something is very familiar (and also instrumental, or else it has to be "in my bones" familiar) I might put it on as background while I work. Sometimes moments still grab my attention: 11 minutes 22 seconds into Nightwish's _All_ _the_ _Works_ _of_ _Nature_ _Which_ _Adorn_ _the_ _World,_ I'm always pulled out of what I'm doing. There is also music that is designed to be used this way, for instance Brian Eno's ambient work _(Neroli_ and _Thursday_ _Afternoon_ are particular favourites), and I don't have to be so familiar with that type of music. Much of what's called ambient, though, doesn't count in my book, particularly if it's got a drumbeat. I used to review TV & audio drama on my blog, and I would do something similar. I would watch/hear each episode at least twice: first just to get my "gut" reaction (which I'd briefly write up afterwards), second time thinking about cinematography/soundscapes/etc (pausing and making notes), and a third time with commentary if it had any. Only then would I properly write my review.
That sounds like a great way to analyze a work... having that gut reaction is something we all experience. It takes multiple listening to go back and really tear things apart. And that’s really where the deeper appreciation for the music comes in. Thanks!
Thank you for an interesting and thought-provoking topic. Strange as it may seem, the two songs, or rather compositions, were familiar to me, but then again I am as old as dirt and I’m bound to run into things written by a famous composer or two. Thanks for this. I’ll keep watching.
That music that you just played, Fanfare of the Common Man and the ballet piece. My father is a huge music fan and he passed his love for music onto me. However, when I was 14 I rebelled against his taste of music and never looked back. My taste of music is a lot rawer than his. I don't mean in loudness (mind you, it can get loud) but more with an emotional urgency. It can go from Jeff Buckley, Mark Lanegan, The Afghan Whigs, Radiohead to Killing Joke, Paradise Lost or even Charles Mingus, Nina Simone or Muddy Waters, etc. My dad has always been a huge fan of James Last. I remember every piece of music that you just played from my childhood. I've just never heard it played like this.
I appreciate your channel because of your obvious musical knowledge and the joy you demonstrate listening to a piece of music. I’m not a musician just a lover of all genres. I have always loved both of those pieces you played. I was born in 1950 and remember fondly listening with my mother to big band music and Sinatra, then Rock got my attention and I was bitten, but I am not a rock snob, if a piece of music is well composed and performed I’m in for the ride no matter what genre? Great channel!
Thanks so much! Greatly appreciated. I don’t know about you, but if I hear songs now that my parents used to listen to that drove me crazy back then, it gives me a nice feeling of nostalgia, familiarity, and oddly enough, security.
I learned about AC through my obsession with Leonard Bernstein. Great music. Loved the planes concept. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work. Subbed
Loved this. While I might dabble in the 3rd plane, I listen almost exclusively in the 1st & 2nd, depending of course on who/what I’m listening to… I think we all have our own versions of your “dishwasher jazz”. 😂
I love this topic, there's not much of it out there, and it's a really interesting perspective, for me it get's harder to listen to music staying away from the musician/technical point of view, I have to make an effort to stay in the first 2 planes but once I get there it's just great. Cool video!
I used to play trumpet. I loved playing that. It wasn't hard but it had to be perfect. There was the ELP version that I still listen to. Fanfare - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-c2zurZig4L8.html Hoedown - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XGOjOwJO2C4.html
I have no concept of music theory or any musical ability. So I would say in my 64 years, I have never been above the sensual level. If my ears like it that's all I need.
Excellent video, Erol. I have Copland's book (two copies for some reason) and you've inspired me to read it again. Copland's 3rd Symphony is on my top five list of symphonies, all-time. And considering there are symphonies out there by such luminaries as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky, that's saying something.
Mostly in the first plane for sure. I wish I was more musically gifted so I could get to the third plane. I watch videos on theory for songs/bands I’m into every once in a while hoping to absorb some knowledge, but 99% of it goes over my head. Maybe in an another life I could come back as a composer. Thanks for the video as always!
I don't think it's that. I think it's that he's looking into the philosophy -- or science, one might say -- of how people appreciate art and listen to music. The book Erol references as being central to this video was written by one of the most important persons in all of 20th century music, Aaron Copland.
