Music OR Lyrics?

[Philosophyking87]

I don't think music and lyrics in a merged form is any greater than music by itself. Have you listened to classical music? Jazz? I mean, history has shown that music is more than able to hold it's own as far as artistic expression is concerned.
It greatly depends on what the composer/artist want to express wether a melody in the form of a human voice is needed or not.. and when it's used, the melody, the contour of the line and how it flows through the harmony, the intrinsic vocal quality (speaking for myself), not the lyrics is what's important.
Also, I am not too found of an artist supplying meaning to a music piece in form of lyrics, as I prefer to derive meaning from the piece by itself.. but again, that is just my viewpoint..
I am not arguing though that poetry and music can't be merged to a beautiful co-existing artistic expression, only that music is perfectly able to stand by itself if it is composed without poetry/lyrics in mind.

Hey, dude. I saw your post about music theory. Awesome shit. I've studied some music theory, although I've never really understood modes all that well. At any rate, I was thinking the same thing lately. I was thinking of my response to this thread earlier in the day and I realized I'm probably more concerned about music, although I really dig pop music (which combines music and lyrics in a very particular fashion).

Anyway, yeah, I really enjoy classical music, although I've never really gotten into jazz. I always read that INTPs supposedly enjoy classical and jazz; I've just never heard the stuff. I'd probably enjoy it (as I'm very experimental, I've been wanting to hear more music). Do you have any jazz suggestions? Also, I love blues music (Robert Johnson, B.B. King, Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Hendrix, even Randy Rhoads [my favorite guitarist] used the blues scale). I've also been playing guitar for about 10 years (on and off). I'm pretty good. I once knew most of Randy Rhoads' solos. What kind of music are you into and do you play guitar?

Anyway, I really do understand your point, man: music is definitely able to stand on its own without lyrical content, in my opinion. It can hold a depth of emotion and meaning without any words at all, for sure. Although, I just tend to appreciate popular music as well. But what about people who feel that lyrical content is more important? I don't really think they are wrong; it's just their preference for poetry, I suppose. I really prefer music to lyrics, but enjoy the merging of them both much.

Looking forward to your response. I'm a huge musical person/fan. I try to compose my own music every now and then. Perhaps you can give me some tips on theory/songwriting/composing. I'd love to learn anything I can get my hands on!

 

[Philosophyking87]

I like good poetry.
I like good music. (With or without vocals)

Good Poetry (lyrics) + Good Music = Happytime

Aye!

 

[kantor1003]

Anyway, yeah, I really enjoy classical music, although I've never really gotten into jazz. I always read that INTPs supposedly enjoy classical and jazz; I've just never heard the stuff. I'd probably enjoy it (as I'm very experimental, I've been wanting to hear more music). Do you have any jazz suggestions? Also, I love blues music (Robert Johnson, B.B. King, Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Hendrix, even Randy Rhoads [my favorite guitarist] used the blues scale). I've also been playing guitar for about 10 years (on and off). I'm pretty good. I once knew most of Randy Rhoads' solos. What kind of music are you into and do you play guitar?

Regarding jazz I'm a big fan of john coltrane as far as more "traddy" jazz is concerned,
but seeing your background/taste I would definitely check out Scott Henderson. He is really a blues player (guitarist), but he has an extensive vocabulary and did some really neat fusion stuff with a band called "tribal tech" in the 80s. I am not much of a blues fan, unfortunately, but I still enjoy scott simply because his lines are pure awesomeness. He was a guy that started out strictly playing blues then started sniffing into jazz territory, which I think made him sound more interesting than many blues purists.. anyways, check him out if you haven't already.
Heard anything from pat metheny (jazz legend)? If not, check him out too as well. I think the tune "have you heard" is what really got me into him.
What kinda jazz are you looking for? Personally, I love more modern, and I am especially found of what started happening in the 70-80s with guys like chick corea, herbie hancock, michael brecker, mike stern, allan holdsworth and pat metheny.

Regarding what music I am into.. hard to say these days as it seems I can enjoy so many different things across the spectrum.. but I guess I am, at heart, a metal/fusion/jazz guy.
I play guitar. Have been playing for probably 10 years soon as well, not that it matters too much

It can hold a depth of emotion and meaning without any words at all, for sure. Although, I just tend to appreciate popular music as well. But what about people who feel that lyrical content is more important? I don't really think they are wrong; it's just their preference for poetry, I suppose. I really prefer music to lyrics, but enjoy the merging of them both much.

Looking forward to your response. I'm a huge musical person/fan. I try to compose my own music every now and then. Perhaps you can give me some tips on theory/songwriting/composing. I'd love to learn anything I can get my hands on!

"It can hold a depth of emotion and meaning without any words at all" and that's really the beauty with music imo

Tips on theory/songwriting/composing, that is a huge topic. Maybe if you ask some more specific questions? regarding composing, it is hard to give any tips without taking a theoretical approach.. oh, and btw. I am not really a great composer, obviously, but who knows, I always strive to improve as well.

 

[Philosophyking87]

Regarding jazz I'm a big fan of john coltrane as far as more "traddy" jazz is concerned,
but seeing your background/taste I would definitely check out Scott Henderson. He is really a blues player (guitarist), but he has an extensive vocabulary and did some really neat fusion stuff with a band called "tribal tech" in the 80s. I am not much of a blues fan, unfortunately, but I still enjoy scott simply because his lines are pure awesomeness. He was a guy that started out strictly playing blues then started sniffing into jazz territory, which I think made him sound more interesting than many blues purists.. anyways, check him out if you haven't already.
Heard anything from pat metheny (jazz legend)? If not, check him out too as well. I think the tune "have you heard" is what really got me into him.
What kinda jazz are you looking for? Personally, I love more modern, and I am especially found of what started happening in the 70-80s with guys like chick corea, herbie hancock, michael brecker, mike stern, allan holdsworth and pat metheny.

Regarding what music I am into.. hard to say these days as it seems I can enjoy so many different things across the spectrum.. but I guess I am, at heart, a metal/fusion/jazz guy.
I play guitar. Have been playing for probably 10 years soon as well, not that it matters too much

"It can hold a depth of emotion and meaning without any words at all" and that's really the beauty with music imo

Tips on theory/songwriting/composing, that is a huge topic. Maybe if you ask some more specific questions? regarding composing, it is hard to give any tips without taking a theoretical approach.. oh, and btw. I am not really a great composer, obviously, but who knows, I always strive to improve as well.

1. I'll check those jazz guys out.
2. Gratz on 10 years of guitar!
3. You don't have to be a great composer to teach others what you know. Hell, I'm not even that great, but I'd teach someone the little knowledge I do have if they asked me. Thus, anything you know on music theory (as you seem to know more than myself) would be helpful. Perhaps I'll create a thread soon and try to get some tips. =p

 

[EditorOne]

Didn't anybody in here ever see Eddie and the Cruisers?

"Words and music, man. They need each other."

 

[jycegrcia]

Actually lyrics are very important to me but I am generally attracted to a song based on the music and how it sounds. Then if I like the song, I take a closer look at the lyrics. Sometimes the lyrics seems to be meaningful and are deep and moving, but other than that they are quite simple.

 

[Melkor]

Music, definitely

Some of my favourites lack lyrics entirely.

That, and I'm the sort to ignore the words entirely, and form my own 'stories' from the rhythm.

 

[da_ben_dan24]

my initial response is to the music, and then as i begin to listen to the song over and over again, the lyrics sink in, and eventually i'll associate some sort of emotion with it too. the more i like the song, the more meaningful/thoughtful the emotion

 

[nexion]

I like music based on the instrumentation, but I respect a band based on the lyrics.

 

[PapyrusAirplanes]

Music. But good lyrics are what turns a song from a good friendship into a romance. If you catch my drift.

 

[nexion]

Music. But good lyrics are what turns a song from a good friendship into a romance. If you catch my drift.

Yes.

 

[Luminates]

When dealing with music in general, I try to maintain a high level in both the lyrics as well as the music. If a song or band can't maintain both, then I go for music first, as that is what I hear most of the time and is what I enjoy most, especially since most of my music is straight instrumental and contains no lyrics. The lyrics are very important, but only on certain types and genres.