Klarinet Archive - Posting 001292.txt from 1998/07

From: "Mary Sotnik" <marys@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Classical Music and Young People
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 16:02:11 -0400

Craig wrote:

>I didn't say I didn't like rap, in fact I appreciate some of it because it
is an
>art form in some respects. What bothers me is some of the content such as
>swearing and what not. What kind of example does this set for our society
of we
>allow those types of words into the main stream of music? Right now they
are
>only in that genre, but if people don't take a stand aganist music like
that
>they will find their way onto the radio and into more mainstream works.

I don't know how much you can take a stand against swearing, though I don't
think it's that bad. Some people say it betrays a lack of imagination, which
might be true, but I suppose it depends on how you're used to expressing
yourself.

>I agree 100% with you here. We need to encourage appreciation for
classical
>music, but you can't do that by forcing someone to like it. Also, I think
that
>people will grow out of rap because as they grow older those words won't
>describe their feelings as much.

I agree with you there too - which is why I don't think there's necessarily
any point telling people not to swear. People do it when they're inclined to
do it, and will stop doing it when they're not inclined to do it. You don't
necessarily have to *stop* them doing it 'cos they'll stop themselves when
they feel like it. (If you do try to stop them, they may just get really
annoyed and do it all the more anyway, to annoy you back.) On the other
hand, it's good to show people that they might be able (even better able?)
to express themselves in other ways. I don't think kids should be just
allowed to do *whatever* they like under the banner of self-expression, but
swearing doesn't strike me as something really awful that should be stopped;
I think it's another safety valve really, but 'that's just my opinion'!

>The thing that really bothers me about that word is that it is SO
unneccesary to
>use. For instance, whenever they portray military guys on a sub or flying
>planes they have them cussing up a storm. That isn't like it is in real
life.
>It really upsets my dad to see that because he was in the military and
knows
>that is not true to life.

It's sad that it upsets him and I think I can imagine why. I don't think
I've ever really thought about how the military express themselves, but I
expect you're right about films misrepresenting them. I don't think films
can be exactly like real life, though (I don't think music can be, either?
Not sure about all this), though the good ones do reflect it in some way.
It's a bit like the debate on musical authenticity & audience pleasing
etc. - some people get upset by inaccuracies, but people also do what's
practical (which for films is often making loads of cash by packing in big
stars & action, etc.).

> So by using words, specifically "that" word, they
>become more acceptable in everyday society and that is something we must
>prevent.

I don't think you can or have to, as I've said, and I think they always were
widespread (not that my memory goes back very far either), but I take your
point.

>Of course, that gets into questions that really aren't germane to the
>clarinet or even music so I will end my comments on them at this point.

Me too, but do respond privately or on list if you like.

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