“You don’t need to turn your preferences into indictments or your indifference into insecurity. And you definitely don’t need to apologize for your own ears.” I love this, thank you. Also the Marcus Aurelius quote, “You always own the option of having no opinion.”
Thanks for this, Sam. This is a conversation with a lot of subtleties to open up! ... Being able to say "this is not for me", but without hate or judgement (or fear, as you articulate so well) takes time and parsing out. For myself, I've observed that I actually enjoy more types of music than I used to -- but more so on an "appreciative" level. Like It may not hit me on a visceral level of, "oh man, this is my s**t", but I respect and hear more (now with more seasoned ears) clearly the craft and intent of the music. But still, it's more or less music that's "not for me", at least on a heavy, visceral emotional connection level. Interesting though, that THAT kind of music doesn't come around for me as much as it used to... In regards to that young Wayne hater -- it's unfortunate the language he used to express his tastes. I think he would not have been put on blast so hard if he used less hateful, more subtle language as to why Wayne wasn't his bag. I think it's very useful for one's development to drill down into WHY something isn't your cup of tea with nuance instead of knee jerk reactions. Sorry for my word-y comment, your stuff is worth talking about!
I agree. I remember that he sort of had a chip on his shoulder that made it feel like he thought Wayne was just lucky and not skilled, or didn’t care enough about tradition. He could have expressed it without the bitterness.
While teaching for decades I realized that students as well as most people have expectations when hearing something new to them. If the expectations are not met a rejection occurs. The reaction is rejection. Like dissonance isn’t excepted- Alban Berg is horror music. This also happens when meeting new people or hearing the way they speak - a southern accent = stupid or whatever. This comes from lack of life experience. Can be a handicap. Remember when folks from different parts of the country had distinctive accents? Also played with an “accent”.
Thank goodness for people having different tastes - or else who would play smooth jazz? I used to be convinced that smooth jazz players only did what they did for money, that was, until I worked with one and became friends with him. I was so surprised to find out that he truly thought what he was creating was "awesome" and considered himself very lucky for being able to make a very comfortable living playing music he loves.
I have also met many jazz musician colleagues who had zero appreciation for downtown music (free, improvised etc.) and truly looked down on some of the best in this field.
I know I do have tastes. But I sometimes wonder if I know what my true love is.... Maybe I like too many things, and that can be a problem. Any advice, Sam?
Yes, you bring up an important point, which is how tribal music scenes can be. At the end of the day, musicians are just following their creative instincts. And if you're lucky, sometimes those instincts lead to a nice payday. But as far as having too many things you like, I’ve found that one doesn’t really need to decide which ones to pursue. Life often makes that decision for you. As you live and navigate your way through it, it continues its ongoing weeding out process.
Even when you play something that's so-called "cutting edge," it too is not immune to cliched musical presumptions. The tribe can be your muse or your mishap.
Are you implying that maybe someday, my "payday" will come? Wouldn't that be nice? But even if that day never came, I guess I can still let the world decide what works for me. That definitely takes the pressure away from me.
Some people are very intentional and know what they want to pursue at a young age. Growing up, nobody ever asked me what I wanted, so I never figured it out for myself. But I never imagined I would still be at this stage (this age) and still be unsure of what I want.
From where I sit, your paydays are better than most, Kenny G being the exception. And as far as being unsure of what you want, sometimes we conflate uncertainty with the reality that our musical tastes are constantly evolving. Your situation seems to sit comfortably inside the latter.
Thanks Sam. Light shined on tricky facts we may try to hide from, uncomfortable truths…the toughest kind being that we have to be who we are, whether the public gets it or not, no matter what
We must be who we be! Oh, and I've been reading Subway Drama. Some wild stuff in there. My subway commutes don't seem to be half as interesting as yours!
Oh man! Subway drama was raw total improv and a middle finger to grammar to boot lol, but the stories are all true. I’ve got a Philly bus story to add with better writing chops. Thanks, I’ve got your book on a stand in my shed, headed that way soon
The grammar reminds me of Louis Armstrong. Have you read In His Own Words? His use of grammar is like a jazz musician taking liberties with a Cole Porter tune.
Totally! I look to him and Rex Stewart as my trumpet writer mentors. Pops New Orleans stories from his early days are peak as they say now, movie level
I had a lyric once: “Those who status seek are those who get to speak.” Maybe not all sought out that status, but the results still ring true. I’m ok with keeping my aesthetic opinions mostly to myself at this point.
I like what you’re laying out here, Sam. And I did feel badly for that tenor player, even if I didn’t share his opinion.
“You don’t need to turn your preferences into indictments or your indifference into insecurity. And you definitely don’t need to apologize for your own ears.” I love this, thank you. Also the Marcus Aurelius quote, “You always own the option of having no opinion.”
Love the Marcus Aurelius quote!
Thanks for this, Sam. This is a conversation with a lot of subtleties to open up! ... Being able to say "this is not for me", but without hate or judgement (or fear, as you articulate so well) takes time and parsing out. For myself, I've observed that I actually enjoy more types of music than I used to -- but more so on an "appreciative" level. Like It may not hit me on a visceral level of, "oh man, this is my s**t", but I respect and hear more (now with more seasoned ears) clearly the craft and intent of the music. But still, it's more or less music that's "not for me", at least on a heavy, visceral emotional connection level. Interesting though, that THAT kind of music doesn't come around for me as much as it used to... In regards to that young Wayne hater -- it's unfortunate the language he used to express his tastes. I think he would not have been put on blast so hard if he used less hateful, more subtle language as to why Wayne wasn't his bag. I think it's very useful for one's development to drill down into WHY something isn't your cup of tea with nuance instead of knee jerk reactions. Sorry for my word-y comment, your stuff is worth talking about!
I agree. I remember that he sort of had a chip on his shoulder that made it feel like he thought Wayne was just lucky and not skilled, or didn’t care enough about tradition. He could have expressed it without the bitterness.
While teaching for decades I realized that students as well as most people have expectations when hearing something new to them. If the expectations are not met a rejection occurs. The reaction is rejection. Like dissonance isn’t excepted- Alban Berg is horror music. This also happens when meeting new people or hearing the way they speak - a southern accent = stupid or whatever. This comes from lack of life experience. Can be a handicap. Remember when folks from different parts of the country had distinctive accents? Also played with an “accent”.
Newsome does it again-- simple words, perfectly arranged, on a complex idea, for our edification. A public service. Thanks Sam!
Thanks, Vinnie. it's nice that there's a platform to share ideas with deep thinkers like yourself.
Thank goodness for people having different tastes - or else who would play smooth jazz? I used to be convinced that smooth jazz players only did what they did for money, that was, until I worked with one and became friends with him. I was so surprised to find out that he truly thought what he was creating was "awesome" and considered himself very lucky for being able to make a very comfortable living playing music he loves.
I have also met many jazz musician colleagues who had zero appreciation for downtown music (free, improvised etc.) and truly looked down on some of the best in this field.
I know I do have tastes. But I sometimes wonder if I know what my true love is.... Maybe I like too many things, and that can be a problem. Any advice, Sam?
Yes, you bring up an important point, which is how tribal music scenes can be. At the end of the day, musicians are just following their creative instincts. And if you're lucky, sometimes those instincts lead to a nice payday. But as far as having too many things you like, I’ve found that one doesn’t really need to decide which ones to pursue. Life often makes that decision for you. As you live and navigate your way through it, it continues its ongoing weeding out process.
And often, your creativity is richer and more authentic when you free it from the constraints of the tribe.
Even when you play something that's so-called "cutting edge," it too is not immune to cliched musical presumptions. The tribe can be your muse or your mishap.
Are you implying that maybe someday, my "payday" will come? Wouldn't that be nice? But even if that day never came, I guess I can still let the world decide what works for me. That definitely takes the pressure away from me.
Some people are very intentional and know what they want to pursue at a young age. Growing up, nobody ever asked me what I wanted, so I never figured it out for myself. But I never imagined I would still be at this stage (this age) and still be unsure of what I want.
From where I sit, your paydays are better than most, Kenny G being the exception. And as far as being unsure of what you want, sometimes we conflate uncertainty with the reality that our musical tastes are constantly evolving. Your situation seems to sit comfortably inside the latter.
Thanks Sam. Light shined on tricky facts we may try to hide from, uncomfortable truths…the toughest kind being that we have to be who we are, whether the public gets it or not, no matter what
We must be who we be! Oh, and I've been reading Subway Drama. Some wild stuff in there. My subway commutes don't seem to be half as interesting as yours!
Oh man! Subway drama was raw total improv and a middle finger to grammar to boot lol, but the stories are all true. I’ve got a Philly bus story to add with better writing chops. Thanks, I’ve got your book on a stand in my shed, headed that way soon
The grammar reminds me of Louis Armstrong. Have you read In His Own Words? His use of grammar is like a jazz musician taking liberties with a Cole Porter tune.
Totally! I look to him and Rex Stewart as my trumpet writer mentors. Pops New Orleans stories from his early days are peak as they say now, movie level
I had a lyric once: “Those who status seek are those who get to speak.” Maybe not all sought out that status, but the results still ring true. I’m ok with keeping my aesthetic opinions mostly to myself at this point.
I like what you’re laying out here, Sam. And I did feel badly for that tenor player, even if I didn’t share his opinion.
Yeah, I'm sure the saxophonist was not expecting to walk into that firestorm. And great lyric, too!
Yes, I agree keeping ones aesthetic judgement close to the vest is best. I've found that ones work does all the speaking that needs to be done.