Klarinet Archive - Posting 000473.txt from 2001/07

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] Another musician honoured!
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2001 10:32:35 -0400

At 10:19 AM 07/17/2001 +0100, you wrote:
>The term "sex ,drugs and rock`n`roll" is all too familiar, and has indeed
>become an acceptable part of our lives, as long as it`s not in our own
>back yard.

Someone mentioned Charlie Parker - and look at his history regarding
substance abuse. There are plenty of other "non-rock" musicians who abuse
sex and drugs............

I would agree though that socially, rock-n-roll (and some of the later
forms of popular music) tends to encompass more behavior that leads towards
substance abuse.

>We`ve had the rock`n`roll; that has moved on and in my opinion deteriorated.

LOL - well, my dad used to say that to me too - especially when I used to
listen to Jethro Tull's "Songs from the Wood" album. I said that to my
oldest son the other day as he was expressing his enjoyment of "Wheezer"
and their latest album - which I didn't like BTW. But, unlike my father,
Phil and I discussed why I found the music problematic -
compositionally. Not to mention, they sang badly out of tune! When Phil
was able to get past the emotive response he had to the background and
special effects and lyrics, he was able to hear how badly these guys
actually sang - it opened his eyes up a bit. But is rock n roll "worse"
now than in my generation - and in the generation immediately
proceeding? I don't think so. By definition, anything out of the
mainstream is labeled differently - new age, heavy metal, etc. etc. Roch n
Roll has evolved - and I don't like the approach to singing - breathy,
heavy voices - lyrics that deal with abstract and non-tangible things - and
background accompaniment that relies heavily on the mix. But - it will
change again - and sooner or later - there will be other groups/bands that
delight young and old alike. Is it so different with "serious" music and
composers?

>The pop industry is not at present policed in any way, but we allow that
>industry to serve up all it can to our young children. It is only <after>
>our kids, and ourselves have heard all the muck that we then decide to
>kick up a fuss. The film industry <is> policed. The censorship board looks
>at every single film before it is released.

I personally am not a fan of censorship in music - although the pop
industry presently IS policed. I'm sure you have seen ratings on CDs as
well as labels describing inappropriate lyrics. And I have yet to find a
joint, hypodermic needle, or condom in any CD found on a rack at Best Buy.

Parents have the sole responsibility to teach right and wrong - as well as
to educate their kids as to what can negatively influence them. Then -
simply not letting them do things until they are old enough to make their
own decisions is important. It may be unpopular, but it is wise.

Perhaps I have strayed a bit from your initial point........but it is
somewhat related, don't you think?

>One might think that my ideas and hopes are pie in the sky and futile, but
>it <is> possible to turn the tide of thought at least, as a first step
>towards making real acceptable music again, and with real musicians and
>good singers. The music business "Barons" have ruled for far too long.
>They have, and are creating mega unacceptable trash which we, as
>"musicians" copy instrumentally, when we write out this stuff for our
>pupils to digest in the name of trendy music lessons.

Hmmmmmmm............I don't see things as negatively as you do in this
regard.

Best wishes,
Roger Garrett

Roger Garrett
Clarinet Professor
Director, Symphonic Winds
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Music
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
Phone: (309) 556-3268
Fax: (309) 556-3121

"A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes
another's."
Jean Paul Richter (1763-1825)

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