That Jordan Rudess advert - caption contest ?

[kingtubby]

[MaliceX]

To those that find the "wankery" annoying:

Too bad, cause I find hearing terrible lyrics with an overused chord progression, a repetitive beat with "nice sounds" (ie: The "singer" orgasming) annoying.

Sure, the "wankery" may be for the intention of showing off, but face it. If it sounds good, that's good enough for me. As a song? Can be done, when done right. In fact, without these creative outbursts of complexity, music would be no better than being bound to classical bullshit rules that say "NO PERFEKT FIDFTHTSZ EVAR!1!1111" or "complex melody is forbidden." (16th Century Roman Catholics)

In music, I find different, creative ideas that could convey a story of their own. But I see people would rather listen to overused chord progressions and some sellout singer whining some shitty lyrics that sound like a suicide note.

(Best example yet: with the exception of "Seasons of Love", the majority of songs in the theatrical play/movie, RENT)

I say, if you want to make GOOD music, make sure it's not just YOUR f**king lyrics. 10% creativity in that IMHO.

[ouroboros]

Well I know nothing about the man nor his music. Both may be outstanding and genuine, and I imagine he's talented. But the is silly. here's what came to my mind:


perhaps too obvious,

[headquest]

As an occasional fan of some 'wankery', I would like to take this time to ask: why does it irritate people so much?

In my case, it's mostly for the same reason that I can't get into most remixes, most top 40, or most dance music. So often, it ends up being all icing and no cake. Or for another food analogy, spices add far more to a meal when they are part of a larger recipe and not eaten right out of the jar.

When a musician focuses the composition only on showing off their playing abilities, it usually comes at the expense of the actual song writing. They are no longer trying to put the emphasis on taking the listener on a journey, telling them a story, or given them any real experience. Instead their focus becomes "Look at me! Look at me!" The end result often turns out to be a string of fast notes and technique with progressions that are either painfully dull, or that sound as if they were only chosen for their difficulty, rather than for any reasons of creative expression.

For some of us, this is kind of like the difference between hearing someone tell a really good story about something cool they experienced, and just hearing someone list off all the reasons they think they are cool...and are insisting that you think so too.

While I have been a fan of some players over the years, it wasn't just their technique that grabbed my ear. Instead it was a combination of how they used that technique to create something of substance in the song, and an amazement of their ability. But I get bored very quickly when the music becomes only a vehicle to showcase their techniques. This is why, even during my younger woodshedding days, I never got into listening to too many "player" cds or jam bands.

Brilliant post, and that pretty sums it up for me too. Obviously I am inspired when I hear good playing, but for the most part that has to do with musicality more than speed in my opinion. I want a musician to *move* me, not just impress me. When I was (a lot) younger, impressing me was enough, but now I need a lot more than that to grab my interest - music needs to have real substance as Ugo so eloquently put it.

As a classical player, I guess that a reference point for me is Liszt. He played as a virtuoso and most of his piano music reflects that. It was written for showing off during his tours around Europe (and for impressing the ladies). *SOME* of his music is truly superb, and shows him to be one of the most inteligent composers of the Romantic Era. Unfortunately, a lot of his music falls well short of what he was capable of as a composer, and is pure wankery. So i consider that a loss. It also explains why the music of Chopin is so much more popular and well known - Chopin was also a virtuoso but as a composer he seems to have had a far more rigorous shit-filter.

[duncanparsons]

..he seems to have had a far more rigorous shit-filter.

That would be a good VST if there were ever another Developer Challenge

[robogone]

..he seems to have had a far more rigorous shit-filter.

That would be a good VST if there were ever another Developer Challenge

That might make all of my tracks completely silent though...

[oddbod]

Chopin was also a virtuoso but as a composer he seems to have had a far more rigorous shit-filter.

Funny, I've never heard that mentioned on BBC Radio 3

[waiting man]

"Madame, you have suffered an emotional shock. I will notify a rape crisis center."

[waiting man]

..as well as..

[headquest]

Chopin was also a virtuoso but as a composer he seems to have had a far more rigorous shit-filter.

Funny, I've never heard that mentioned on BBC Radio 3

[Paulie Phonick]

mate, his picture on myspace is even more inspiring!

"Jordan Rudess hears The Voice from Above at the least expected moment"

or

"Jordan Rudess marvels at the unspoken beauty of the world outside show business"

[emdot_ambient]

"Sorry, didn't hear you, I was cleaning the toilet with my chin merkin."

[ThunderDrums]

Ok, it needs to be asked: Explain keyboard wankery for me.

[robogone]

Ok, it needs to be asked: Explain keyboard wankery for me.

Two words - Rick Wakeman

[Meffy]

Showing off. Flamboyance above and beyond the call of duty. Excessive self-absorption.

Unless it's a musician I happen to like, in which case they exhibit virtuosity.