Old message # 8400
one of the best things about art is that it defies accurate descriptions and definitions.
however, i would say that the artist feels obliged to produce his art regardless of the opinion of others, whereas the entertainer is aware and caters for the requirements of the audience. for example, van gogh - widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of all time, never sold a painting in his lifetime. however, despite the fact that they weren't selling, he didn't feel obliged to change his style to something more commercial. also, when beethoven wrote his later string quartets they were quite heavily criticised. beethoven replied to one critic - 'they are not for you, they are for the future'. so if i was forced to make a distinction - i would say that the artist is only interested in his art to the exclusion of all other factors.
this doesn't mean that entertainers can't be artists as well - just because something is popular doesn't mean that it can't be art. there have been many great performers over the years who were both entertainers and artists - some obvious examples from early jazz would be people like fats waller and louis armstrong. often 'entertainer' is used as a derogatory term but this should not be the case.
of course, my definition is a particularly modern one. to pick holes in my own argument - what about someone like bach who only ever wrote music to satisfy the needs of an employer? i don't think anyone would say that bach is not an artist.
however, i do think that there is more involved in art than simply provoking emotion. if i stand on stage and call the audience a bunch of motherf**kers that will undoubtedly provoke an emotion but i wouldn't say that was artistic.
the visual arts established long ago that art is whatever you say it is and i think the same is true of music. i guess what i am saying is that it all comes down to the perception of the audience - if you think it's art then how can you possibly be wrong?
There are no comments, leave a comment.
Jazz Piano Notebook Series
Volume 1 of this educational jazz piano book contains 15 jazz piano exercises, tricks, and other interesting jazz piano techniques, voicings, grooves, and ideas Scot Ranney enjoys playing.
"Latinesque"
Volume 2 has 14 jazz piano exercises and tricks of the trade, and quite a bit of it is Calypso jazz piano related material, including some Monty Alexander and Michel Camilo style grooves. Jazz piano education is through the ears, but books like this can help.
Volume 3 contains 12 jazz piano exercises and explorations by the acclaimed jazz piano educator, pianist, author, and recording artist Tim Richards.
Tim wrote the well known "Exploring Jazz Piano" and "Improvising Blues Piano" books and has several others to his name.
Volume 4 is by Jeff Brent, a jazz pianist, composer, teacher, and author of "Modalogy" and other acclaimed jazz theory and education books. In this book Jeff shares detailed analysis of transcriptions of live performances. He covers everything from the shape of the songs to the tricks and licks he uses in improvised lines to the ideas behind his lush chord voicings.
Most Recent Discussions
Articles
Piano for Adoption Scam
Aprender Jazz en Piano
BEWARE: FREE BABY GRAND PIANO SCAM
Oh Tannenbaum for Jazz Piano
Volume 5 of the "Jazz Piano Notebook Series" is Available!
LearnJazzPiano.com File Downloads News
more...
Top Sheetmusic Picks
Jazzy Christmas Arrangements
Cocktail Piano
Best Songs Ever, 6th Edition
Christmas Medley
Moana Songbook
Late Night Jazz Piano
Jazz piano education is cool.
Rock on. Follow your passion.
Sign In
LearnJazzPiano.com Copyright © 1995-2024 by Scot Ranney • website software and design by scot's scripts
LearnJazzPiano.com is For Sale - Serious Inquiries Only