Music Is a Miracle
I've gotten around to reading the comments on my article regarding the video games Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and I also took a cue from my colleague Mr. McKagan and checked out some of the chatter around the Web.
Like I said in my last article about these games, they're a good thing. According to Network World, "many of these music gamers reported that the gaming experience had a positive outcome, such as creating music discovery or triggering a digital-music or CD purchase."
But, what struck me in the reader comments was how many made comparisons to the technical ability of playing and instrument and the game controller. Indeed, it's hand eye coordination. But what about the muse? I didn't see any comments on conjuring the magic that is music. Technical skill is important but you really don't need proficiency to capture a listener's imagination.
First of all, what is music? Why do we respond to certain tones and rhythms? It's a miracle we humans enjoy. When I play my favorite songs, and turn up the stereo, I wonder what my dog hears? I'm afraid it's only a bunch of thumps, howls and crashes.
On the other hand, I get moved by a good groove. And a great guitar solo or bass line doesn't have to be technically proficient. Listen to Ace Freehly on the Kiss tune Strange Ways. Ace dialed in an insane sound that's more about sustaining and bending the note.
Flipper just re-released their first three records. (I write the liner notes for Generic.) I wonder if any tracks will be available for games? How would Ted Falconi's guitar playing translate to the game format? Perhaps instead of single notes cascading the screen, there would be these amorphous pulses that the player would lock in with. Ted is the Jimi Hendrix of rhythm guitar. His style is an atonal barrage, but there's a method to his madness. I'm fortunate enough to have had the chance to play with him, and I've observed his technique very closely. It may come across as a wash, but there's a subtlety that's worth listening too. (The new Flipper record comes out in May, by the way, with yours truly on bass. Jack Endino recorded it, and as you can expect, the guitar is out front.)
It's alchemy. Conjuring compelling music is like turning lead to gold. And this is no accidental analogy either. Most gifted musicians usually spring up from nowhere. History shows how their talent gets recognized by the music establishment and the greenhorn musician winds up signing a crummy record contract.
The music industry is only bottling magic and somebody needs to produce the golden egg.
Now there's games, and it only makes sense because music has always advanced with technology. Les Paul invented the modern electric guitar and that in turn gave us the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and others.
In Electronica, the computer is the tool to make sounds that compel us. I love the sounds of Muslimgauze, Crystal Method, Chemical Brothers, Bjork and others who use a mouse and keyboard instead of a guitar fretboard.
Some kind of spark compelled the artist and that feeling/magic is transmitted to the listener. It's a pun but, it's true: you can't put your finger on it!
Krist Novoselic's column runs every Tuesday on the Daily Weekly.
21 comment(s)
Alice Patterson says:
Electronic has advanced, but I prefer the real thing. Speaking of music, I'm sure you're somewhat aware of the Memorial Committee that is trying to fund a building project for kids, that live in Aberdeen, to have a place to express themselves. On April 10th, at Motor, on 1st ave. in Seattle, a group called Nevermind is playing to raise money for this project. I thought it would be shocking, if you were to just show up. The band would shit their pants. It would be for them, and by no means, would you be attaching yourself to the cause. I'm from Ohio and have known them for a few years. They are great guys. There is no comparison, but they are good. If you could forward this to Kris, along with my email address, I would deeply appreciate it.
Thank You,
Alice Patterson
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 10 2009 @ 12:03AM
asd says:
nice story.
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 10 2009 @ 12:24AM
lefty frizzell says:
what exactly is the golden egg?
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 10 2009 @ 1:29AM
AAdam Coleman says:
The goose lays the golden egg. Don't eat the goose.
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 10 2009 @ 8:26AM
Tim France says:
thanks for writing this column, i enjoy reading this each week and feeling connected to one of my heroes
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 10 2009 @ 10:37AM
Kat says:
True stuff, Krist. Music is an amazing thing. Music is such a great part of humanity. Recently my MP3 player broke and now I can't listen to my music in the morning as I help my mom. I notice a great change.
I'll have to look into some of Flippers stuff!
Thanks for the blogs! I'm, really enjoying them!
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 10 2009 @ 1:26PM
Charlie says:
Hey Krist, great post.
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 10 2009 @ 2:27PM
evan says:
nicely put krist. guitar hero has its advantages for guitar players to do practice exercise on a vibrant screen instead of looking at a dull set of notes or tabs in a book. The music industry is totally ran by talent today. its both a pro and a con because what musician wouldnt love to have sole ownership over their craft? but since the music industry is in shambles musicians have to promote theirselves until they get an A&R person to do it. its total d.i.y but with computers
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 10 2009 @ 5:30PM
The Virgin Mary says:
Thank you for reminding myself and everyone that technical perfection isn't needed to move someone's heart, in music or in any other art.
I'm a busy lady, but if I had time to play a music game or actually learn to play a real instrument, I'd choose an instrument.
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 10 2009 @ 7:49PM
Dan says:
Great Article Krist. I really truly agree with what you are saying. Also, I intend on buying the Flipper CD's.
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 10 2009 @ 10:50PM
massive tuna transfer says:
in a box of mrs.grass soup mix, hiding.
Posted On: Thursday, Feb. 12 2009 @ 5:47AM
massive tuna transfer says:
in a box of mrs.grass soup mix, hiding, i egged the goose and than ate his leg...
Posted On: Thursday, Feb. 12 2009 @ 5:48AM
Jame says:
I 'hear' you brother. Where does the music come from? With regards to my own songs and recordings, they were originally written while I was living in a van with limited amounts of food, a journal or two, and my guitar. Waking up in new regions of the Pacific Northwest and stumbling around the woods, small towns. and meeting fellow van-livers is where my music comes from.../\--;.ss - technical slayings
Posted On: Thursday, Feb. 12 2009 @ 3:04PM
Paul Noviello says:
Yes, Krist, music is a miracle we humans enjoy... and it's made by great artists like you, Kurt, Ted, Loose, Buzz, and all the people we know. That's because we need a Flipper tour this year... passing through South America, by the way!! I live in Brazil and we are humans too! I was lucky enough to see Nirvana live in São Paulo during 1993. I was a kid, but that was a special moment for me and for everyone that were in that stadium that night, for sure. Of course we brazilians have other special moments like Melvins/Mudhoney during 2008 (too bad Flipper didn't show up)... but I am still dreaming of see Flipper live around here... with our great bass player, Krist Novie, of course!! Think about it, man!! (by the way, I am happy to know the new Flipper album will be avaiable next May!!) Thanks, Krist!
Posted On: Friday, Feb. 13 2009 @ 8:42AM
janie says:
what are your thoughts on the movement through portland,in the late 70s earlie 80s rock on wipers
Posted On: Wednesday, Feb. 18 2009 @ 9:36AM
Jordan says:
guitar hero is fun but i enjoy making my own songs because it actually makes me happy for those 4 or 5 minutes but after that life is just disappointing music hope to meet you in person one day
Posted On: Wednesday, Feb. 18 2009 @ 3:11PM
Jordan says:
guitar hero is fun but i enjoy making my own songs because it actually makes me happy for those 4 or 5 minutes but after that life is just disappointing music is my life. hope to meet you in person one day
Posted On: Wednesday, Feb. 18 2009 @ 3:11PM
Simon Cowles says:
'When I play my favorite songs, and turn up the stereo, I wonder what my dog hears? I'm afraid it's only a bunch of thumps, howls and crashes.'
God knows what it hears when it hears - Rape Me -
I would shudder to think about it.
Anyways, hello Krist! I do agree with your statements here,
'Most gifted musicians usually spring up from nowhere.'
I smiled at this, this is like Jesus saying that everybody can be holy.
Lets hope it's true. Have a good day, man.
Posted On: Wednesday, Mar. 4 2009 @ 8:47PM
Nelson says:
I'm glad you are doing blogs, i've been listening to Nirvana it seems forever, in fact. it's one of the few bands i still listen to from back then. ok on to the guitar hero/rock band thing. i'm not gonna lie, i have guitar hero 2, and rockband 1 and 2. really fun games, specifically when you have a 'full band' playing. as far as the instruments themselves go, for most part it's nothing like the real thing. the strumming is slightly right, but it's off alittle. the drums are pretty close from what i can tell. i play guitar and my brother plays drums, he actually learned how to play maps from the yeah yeah yeahs cause of it, i didn't say learned how to play the drums but learned the song. he played on the real thing...weirdly enough i actually know part of how to play the beginning, we started playing it. haha. well anyways. i agree with what you say here. i've actually heard some bands i would have never heard otherwise, not as far as the game itself but the DLC thats on there. by the way i just bought incesticide the other day, lol...it's my 3rd freakin' copy. i keep buying it and losing it. ty for the years of great music, helped me out. ok laterz
Posted On: Monday, Mar. 9 2009 @ 6:39AM
Anya says:
Point taken.
However, what happened to the days where instead of sitting inside all day playing rock band, to music that is not even sung by the original musicians (ok, most of them) , and instead going out and starting a band? I love the fact these kind of games can bring back classic bands and kids these days seem to hear less and less of, but I miss the garage band feel. The feeling of music coming out of amplifiers, for better for for worse. Instead of muted while they mime a video game tune. :/
I agree, that magic lies in playing the music. Performing the music. But I cant help but feel a sad form of nostalgia for the days when we plugged in our guitars and played them terribly through our tiny peavey amps, hoping to match the sound of the latest CD we bought.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 2 2009 @ 6:01AM
Mike from sydney says:
'The Classical Mystery Tour' was at the sydney opera house last week. slightly embarrassingly, i cried at how good those goddam beatles melodies were !
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 29 2009 @ 9:32PM