Why Learning Music History is as Important as the Music Itself
Summary
TLDRIn this insightful video, Roseanne emphasizes the importance of understanding the social and historical context of music when aspiring to emulate the styles of legendary artists like Miles Davis and John Coltrane. She encourages musicians to delve into the lineage of their influences, recognizing that originality is often rooted in the rich tapestry of predecessors. By exploring the background of songs and the times in which they were created, artists can develop a deeper respect for the music, enhancing their own expression and humanity in their craft.
Takeaways
- πΌ Embrace Musical Modes: The speaker encourages learning to play modal music like Miles Davis and John Coltrane, emphasizing the importance of understanding musical modes.
- π€ Inner Dilemma: Roseanne experiences an inner conflict between teaching modal music and considering the social context of the music.
- π Music History Matters: The importance of studying music history, including European and African-American music history, is highlighted to understand the context of the music.
- π Originality in Context: The script suggests that even when creating original music, one is influenced by a lineage of artists and music history.
- π£ Historical Influence: Understanding the historical and social conditions that allowed musicians to express themselves can deepen one's appreciation for their work.
- πΆ Music as Expression: Music is presented as a form of human expression, reflecting the humanity and viewpoints of the artists.
- π Music and Emotion: Songs like 'Strange Fruit' by Billie Holiday convey deep emotions such as despair and the struggle for dignity.
- π΅ Beyond the Music: The speaker advises to look beyond the notes and chords to understand the background of songs and artists for a richer perspective.
- π Music's Role in Society: Music, including love songs, carries political and social connotations that reflect the artists' experiences and beliefs.
- π Dig Deeper: The script encourages 'historical rummaging' to discover the conditions that shaped the music and the artists' expressions.
- π‘ Greater Sense of Purpose: By understanding the background of music and artists, one gains a deeper respect and a greater sense of purpose in their own musical creations.
Q & A
What dilemma did Roseanne face when a student wanted to learn modal music like Miles Davis and John Coltrane?
-Roseanne faced an inner dilemma between teaching the student to play modal music by getting away from the tonal center and advising the student to understand the social context and history of the artists and music they were inspired by.
What does Roseanne suggest is important for a musician to understand about the music they play?
-Roseanne suggests that it is important for musicians to understand the social context, the times, and the history of the music and artists they are inspired by to gain a deeper respect and perspective.
Why does Roseanne believe that understanding the history of music is important for a musician's creativity?
-Roseanne believes that understanding the history of music can augment a musician's creativity by providing a deeper understanding of the conditions and influences that shaped the music and the artists.
What does Roseanne mean by 'even when you think you're being original, you are in a long lineage of people who've come before you'?
-Roseanne means that even when a musician believes they are creating something entirely new, they are actually building upon the work and influence of countless artists and creators who came before them.
What is the significance of the phrase 'Marvin Gaye say it loud I'm black and I'm proud' in the context of the script?
-The phrase signifies the importance of recognizing the political and social messages in music, and how these messages can reflect the artist's experiences and the times they lived in.
How does Roseanne connect the idea of expressing love in music to the broader concept of human expression?
-Roseanne connects the idea of expressing love in music to human expression by stating that the viewpoint to the music we make is a reflection of our humanity, making it one of the most beautiful gifts of human expression.
What does Roseanne suggest is the role of music in reflecting an artist's viewpoint on life?
-Roseanne suggests that music serves as a medium for artists to express their viewpoints on life, whether it's political, social, or about love and hope.
Why does Roseanne encourage musicians to 'do a little historical rummaging and digging'?
-Roseanne encourages this to help musicians find out the conditions that allowed musicians and artists to express themselves, thereby gaining a greater sense of purpose and understanding of their own humanity when making music.
What does Roseanne imply about the relationship between a musician's personal beliefs and the music they create?
-Roseanne implies that a musician's personal beliefs are intrinsic to the music they create, as these beliefs shape the depth, substance, and viewpoint of their musical expression.
How does the script suggest that understanding the background of songs or artists can impact a musician's own music-making?
-The script suggests that understanding the background can give musicians a deeper respect, a new perspective, and a greater sense of purpose in their own music-making.
Outlines
π΅ The Dilemma of Musical Influence
Roseanne introduces the concept of learning modal music, referencing the desire of a student to emulate the styles of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. She experiences an internal conflict between teaching the technical aspects of modal playing and emphasizing the importance of understanding the social and historical context in which these artists created their music. Roseanne suggests that to truly grasp the essence of an artist's work, one must delve into the lineage of influence and the conditions that allowed for such expression, thereby enriching one's own musical creation with a deeper sense of humanity and purpose.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Modal
π‘Tonal Center
π‘Miles Davis
π‘John Coltrane
π‘European Music History
π‘African-American Music History
π‘Social Context
π‘Lineage
π‘Historical Rummaging
π‘Humanity
π‘Marvin Gaye
π‘James Brown
π‘Billie Holiday
Highlights
Roseanne faces an inner dilemma when a student wants to learn modal jazz like Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
A music teacher advises getting away from the tonal center and playing over certain modes.
Roseanne's music history background urges her to emphasize the social context and times of the artists.
Studying history can augment a musician's creative process by understanding the lineage of influence.
Originality in music is part of a long lineage of people who have influenced us.
Encourages exploring the history of artists and genres to gain a deeper understanding and respect.
Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Billie Holiday are mentioned as examples of artists with a strong social and political message.
Understanding the depth, substance, and struggles of artists can enrich one's own music-making.
Even love songs carry a viewpoint and reflect the artist's humanity.
Studying the background of songs and artists provides a new perspective and sense of purpose.
Music-making is an expression of our humanity and a beautiful gift of art.
Beyond the technical aspects, the times and conditions that allowed musicians to express themselves are crucial.
A deeper respect for music and artists is gained by understanding their historical and social context.
The importance of finding dignity in an undignified situation through music is highlighted.
Music is a reflection of the artist's attempt to find hope and express their inner struggles.
A call to action for musicians to dig deeper into the history and social context of the music they create or appreciate.
Transcripts
I'm Roseanne and this is 60 radical
seconds
[Music]
I had a student come to me once who
wanted to learn how to play modal he
said I want to play like Miles Davis and
John Coltrane and play that sound in
that moment I paused because I felt a
little inner dilemma going on with me
there was a music teacher of me who said
ok show him that he has to get away from
the tonal Center not really play over
the chord but play over certain modes
then there was a person in me who comes
out of Oakland and studied music history
which meant European music history
african-american music history
I wanted to tell this young man it would
serve you to look into the social
context and the times that those artists
who played that sound who played that
music were in taking a look at a little
bit of history is going to augment
everything you're trying to create
because you have to realize that even
when you think you're being original you
are in a long line a long lineage of
people who've come before you who have
influenced you what we create today
didn't just happen out of nothing if you
love an artist if you love a genre of
music if it's a kind of music that you
didn't grow up around the experience do
a little historical rummaging and
digging find out what created conditions
where those musicians and artists could
express themselves what's going on
Marvin Gaye say it loud I'm black and
I'm proud
James Brown Billie Holiday strange fruit
you will begin to see and hear and
the depth and the substance the despair
the inner struggles they may have or
maybe it's the hope the attempt to find
dignity in an undignified situation and
though some of you may say you just
named off songs that have a political
connotation if you're only writing love
songs somewhere inside you you believe
in love and that is a viewpoint to the
music we make which is the art we make
is one of the most beautiful gifts of
human expression in other words it's our
humanity if you take some time to find
out the background of these songs or the
background of these artists the times
they were living in beyond the notes and
the chords and the rhythms of the songs
you will gain a deeper respect a whole
new world of perspective a greater sense
of purpose of your own humanity when
you're making music
[Music]
you
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