On Fri, 9 Sep 1994 ccastge@prism.gatech.edu wrote:
quoted 10 lines This whole "ambient" thing is getting to be really annoying. "Just take a> > This whole "ambient" thing is getting to be really annoying. "Just take a
> > load of synths, tape down a few keys making weird pulsing noises and leave
> > the room for 75 minutes while the DAT runs." Bingo, instant album. Seti is
> > particularly guilty of this. The textures change, true enough, through the
> > course of the album, and every once in a while a beat pops up, but overall
> > it sounds empty, like two guys messing around without a clear concept or
>
> I've found this to be quite true... that's why I shy away from anything
> lavbelled 'ambient' nowadays, unless I've at least seen mention of it on
> this list (or uk-dance).
I think, and wish there could be clear distinction to the marketers of
'ambient' music. Where real ambient ends, and ambient house picks up.
At lweast to me there is a huge difference between the two, at least in
concept . Also, this type of 'leave the room full of synths just play
loops' can be VERY effective, even at the most minimal state eg: steve
roach. I think just like anything, there are going to be those that like
this music and some that don't. The more experimental, and the more an
artist strays from conventional song structures, the less people that
will accept it.
The problem the way i see it is that 'ambient' music has a huge potential
for marketing. If you ever go into a doctors office and hear that damned
'light-music-station' playing, well that could very well be replaced by
ambient music. Maybe not to such an extreme, but I think the potential
is there. And this stuff is still underground, and still experimental,
and has so much potential from an artistic standpoint and marketing
standpoint.
-
I'm not familiar with the group that you mentioned 'seti?' but has anyone
here listened to the new autocreation? I flipped through it, and was
very unimpressed, but it's that very 'loopy' music that you just have to
sit to and absorb(over and over). not like a 2:30 popsong that you can
tell if it's good within 30 seconds of listening to.
quoted 20 lines I hope you all don't mind me taking a brief bit of space to ramble...>
> I hope you all don't mind me taking a brief bit of space to ramble...
>
> I basically sit down, try to make some interesting sounds on my keyboard,
> and then come back later and see if I can fit them in somewhere.
>
> I do know how to read music, and know basic chord structures, but I don't
> think that knowing how to make technically correct music gives anyone an
> advantage, only experience does that. I'm basically just trying to
> experience as much music as I can, and whenever I come up with a nice
> sounding tune that I think people will like, I'll let them hear it.
>
> What do the music makers among us out there do? Do you take every minute at
> the keys seriously, and try your damndest to get something to sound
> perfect, or do you dabble around a bit, and when it sounds 'right', call it
> a tune?
>
> I'd be interested to hear how other people approach making music... of
> course, if this is completely off topic, please let me know.
>
First off, I think I have a very musical backround, routed in traditional
theory. There's alot i don't know, however. But I think because of
this, I have to fight to create 'dance/techno/ambient' music because it's
so unmusical innature. What seems to emerge from this is very melodic
music, with solid harmonies. though again, i have to fight to make sure
they do not become the prominent element in the song, as that's not the
point of this kind of music.
It seems to me, the right type of sound will inspire some loop, or some
musical line. I will then improvise on top of that loop, and more and
more to the loop, untill the original idea is gone. but usually, there
is some link back to the begining thought. I think also the sequencer
has a lot to do with what your music sounds like. oh- one other thing,
the drums come last. i think the percussion is very secondary, no matter
how detailed it is. I know this goes against some people's beliefs
totally, but i'm just expressing my opinion, and this will answer a lot
about my musical tastes and feelings.
But I doo agree 100% that it's only experience that builds a creative
mind, rather than education. You can teach someone everything there is
to know about theory, but although their music might be 'perfect', it
might be heartless and in the end, a failure.
quoted 7 lines -->
> --
> ccastge@prism.gatech.edu | All of us get lost in the darkness,
> a.k.a., Guy Elden Jr. | Dreamers learn to steer by the stars...
> Neil Peart ---->| All of us do time in the gutter,
> of RUSH | Dreamers turn to look at the cars...
>
Gil Yaker
cyberpun@wam.umd.edu
Chief Engineer, WMUC Radio
AM 650 kHz / FM 88.1 MHz college park, md