Forgive me, I must vent a bit.
So, last night one of the best collegiate big bands in the country played at my old college. And when I say one of the best college big bands, I mean the best college big band. No, I mean one of the best big bands in general. But I digest.
I couldn't make the concert, I had a rehearsal I couldn't get out of. But I did make the after party, knowing a couple of the guys in the band. After good times at a couple local bars, we went to get some La Vic and I wandered off to the hotel with them to hang out and eat.
We hung out at the hotel for a few hours and I listened to them chat. Everything they talked about was so... negative. I guess I really don't miss the collegiate way of thinking when it comes to music and the arts. Don't get me wrong, these were great folks and had some really intelligent things to say, but it seemed like when they talked about performances, everything was focused on the negative side of things. Mistakes made, entrances missed and the like. It was a constant blame game. Who was at fault for missing this entrance, who was to blame for someone being slow, or late...
Hell, the drummer actually said that the ENTIRE band was rushing at one point except him. In a live show. Granted, he was the drummer, but still. Its live. As in with audience. Tempo is a liquid, dynamic thing. Its SUPPOSED to wander. Quite frankly, if it doesnt, and its strict the entire time, it gets boring. Plus, if every single other person is playing together at a tempo different from you, it might just be you that needs to adjust.
I don't know, maybe I was drunk (maybe?) and my perception was off, but I guess I expected something better from a group at this category. Or at least different. Then again, they're college players. Being out of that genre for several years now I think I'm noticing the differences between college folks and freelance and pro players. Like the tempo issue. Everyone is rushing. Except the drummer. In a real world setting, with freelance or pro players, the drummer would be able to be a bit more elastic and adjust to that shift. Sure, if it was in a rehearsal, he could address it and fix it. Thats what rehearsals are for. But the live monster is different. Would he be playing at the "correct" tempo? No, but who cares. It's live. That's why live is awesome. (Which will be yet another rant coming up)
And that is what I am noticing more and more about the difference between college and pro players. It's a necessary difference in the development of younger players, but it still annoys me a bit because it can be avoided. Basically, college players and students in general are so caught up in perfection, and seeking out the reasons for any sort of lack of perfection, that they have lost sight of what they are doing in the first place. Making music. Creating art.
There was no "fun" in the conversation at the hotel last night. And in those 3.5 hours, I didn't hear a SINGLE compliment to anyone. Not one. Just negative complaint after negative complaint.
Very interesting.
Rant over.
Thank you.
So, last night one of the best collegiate big bands in the country played at my old college. And when I say one of the best college big bands, I mean the best college big band. No, I mean one of the best big bands in general. But I digest.
I couldn't make the concert, I had a rehearsal I couldn't get out of. But I did make the after party, knowing a couple of the guys in the band. After good times at a couple local bars, we went to get some La Vic and I wandered off to the hotel with them to hang out and eat.
We hung out at the hotel for a few hours and I listened to them chat. Everything they talked about was so... negative. I guess I really don't miss the collegiate way of thinking when it comes to music and the arts. Don't get me wrong, these were great folks and had some really intelligent things to say, but it seemed like when they talked about performances, everything was focused on the negative side of things. Mistakes made, entrances missed and the like. It was a constant blame game. Who was at fault for missing this entrance, who was to blame for someone being slow, or late...
Hell, the drummer actually said that the ENTIRE band was rushing at one point except him. In a live show. Granted, he was the drummer, but still. Its live. As in with audience. Tempo is a liquid, dynamic thing. Its SUPPOSED to wander. Quite frankly, if it doesnt, and its strict the entire time, it gets boring. Plus, if every single other person is playing together at a tempo different from you, it might just be you that needs to adjust.
I don't know, maybe I was drunk (maybe?) and my perception was off, but I guess I expected something better from a group at this category. Or at least different. Then again, they're college players. Being out of that genre for several years now I think I'm noticing the differences between college folks and freelance and pro players. Like the tempo issue. Everyone is rushing. Except the drummer. In a real world setting, with freelance or pro players, the drummer would be able to be a bit more elastic and adjust to that shift. Sure, if it was in a rehearsal, he could address it and fix it. Thats what rehearsals are for. But the live monster is different. Would he be playing at the "correct" tempo? No, but who cares. It's live. That's why live is awesome. (Which will be yet another rant coming up)
And that is what I am noticing more and more about the difference between college and pro players. It's a necessary difference in the development of younger players, but it still annoys me a bit because it can be avoided. Basically, college players and students in general are so caught up in perfection, and seeking out the reasons for any sort of lack of perfection, that they have lost sight of what they are doing in the first place. Making music. Creating art.
There was no "fun" in the conversation at the hotel last night. And in those 3.5 hours, I didn't hear a SINGLE compliment to anyone. Not one. Just negative complaint after negative complaint.
Very interesting.
Rant over.
Thank you.