Actually I agree with the above poster, I am a virtuoso except my instrument is the DAW.  I know how to play my instrument, in that I can be a whole band or even a orchestra.

Here is my latetest example http://soundcloud.com/aaudiomystiks/thekillingsong and I think some proof I am a virtuoso, the skill that went into making this track is quite exceptional.  I have had to be composer, muso, engineer, producer, mastering engineer and promoter (he,he) and this does not take into account the technical knowledge it has taken in building my instrument, that is the getting the computer, the interface and the DAW run as one.

The Digital Musican has emereged (I was howled down in the X1 forum when I suggested a new muso had emerged) this hopefully will be part of my RHD.  What is a digital musician or this is the question I will be asking, you see some people get an electronic composer and digital musican mixed up.  The difference and this is suggested in a book by Andrew Hugil (The Digital Musician) is the digital musican has to have some knowledge of theory and to play a "real" instrument were as the electronic composer aranges sound (loops, beats ect,ect) in such a way that that the fundamentals are not needed.

Peace Ben

Just because someone can play lots of technical notes, does not mean that person is a true musician.  Virtuosity for its own sake tends to often lack heart, and seems to speak an egotistical, "I can play this, but you can't." 

In the classical world I tend to think of the virtuoso works of Paganini.  In a more popular/folk area I am thinking of one CD that I have in particular, where the main musician plays every fast fiddle tune at 120 mph: great technically, but the CD doesn't really have a single note of music on it.

Now, if virtuosity can serve within a piece of music that is being created, that is another matter entirely.  The key is serving within, rather than showing off without.

kc2...

Note that I usually speak in "classical" terms not "pop" terms.

But, you are right that I may have misread something into the thread that was not intended.

Within the classical world "solo" usually equates to very technical, demanding, and difficult solo concertos/sonatas/and the like.

BTW, responding to others with a little more grace might be helpful, rather than assuming someone does not understand what a term means.

noldar12


I should add that over the years I have heard far too much "music" of many genres, where the players are just flaunting their abilities, and saying nothing.  Having those types of solos removed is a good thing.

I would note that true "virtuosity" by definition must include compelling musical interpretation.  Of course, rapid notes may or may not be involved.  The slow middle movements of various concertos come to mind.

I agree completely, example of such pointless flaunting is today's jazz. (with some exception)
They seem to practice scales and sh$t on stage instead of playing. I'm talking here about solos  
which are a integral part of the song like it was the case in 70ties.
Great examples are Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta love, Fire Ball and many more.
 I miss songs like that:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQmmM_qwG4k&ob=av3n

ampfixer

BenMMusTech


Actually I agree with the above poster, I am a virtuoso except my instrument is the DAW.  I know how to play my instrument, in that I can be a whole band or even a orchestra.

Here is my latetest example http://soundcloud.com/aaudiomystiks/thekillingsong and I think some proof I am a virtuoso, the skill that went into making this track is quite exceptional.  I have had to be composer, muso, engineer, producer, mastering engineer and promoter (he,he) and this does not take into account the technical knowledge it has taken in building my instrument, that is the getting the computer, the interface and the DAW run as one.

The Digital Musican has emereged (I was howled down in the X1 forum when I suggested a new muso had emerged) this hopefully will be part of my RHD.  What is a digital musician or this is the question I will be asking, you see some people get an electronic composer and digital musican mixed up.  The difference and this is suggested in a book by Andrew Hugil (The Digital Musician) is the digital musican has to have some knowledge of theory and to play a "real" instrument were as the electronic composer aranges sound (loops, beats ect,ect) in such a way that that the fundamentals are not needed.

Peace Ben

You scare me dude. Seriously. .

How?? Why?? I'm just a man who believes in himself!!!
 
Peace Ben

zungle


 Even if your not into metal you should be able to appreciate the musicianship and song writing skills.

you've got to be kidding...

Kalle Rantaaho

kc2ine


Have you noticed that todays rock music sucks? no solos whatsoever and if there is any 
a kid in the kindergarten could play it. Is it because people don't want to practice anymore?
thinking that technology will do everything for them like sequencers, loops etc because life is too short
and all that bulls$it so why waste it on practicing few hours ea day? 
In seventies all was different, do you remember solos of Jimmy Page, Keith Emerson, David Gilmour, Ritchie Blackmore
and many more? damn music is going down ....

I fully disagree. There's never been more kids playing their fingers off trying be as good as XXX XXXXX. The instruments and good teachers have never been easier to get.
The ones who use technology to find shortcuts are a totally new breed of artists or "artists", they did not exist 20-30 years ago, because the technology either did not exist or was so expensive.
 
Don't listen to the Top 20. The music you refer to is not popular at the moment, isn't it painfully obvious? The music is there, just go and find it.
There' are more good instrumentalist than ever.

+100

BenMMusTech

       
To surmise a virtuoso is not necassry someone who has great musical ability but can be a person who utilises what talent they have and exploits it so as to transform and become a virtuoso.
 
Peace Ben 

kc2ine


from wiki to bring some here to the earth:

A virtuoso (from Italian virtuoso, Late Latin virtuosus, Latin virtus meaning: skill, manliness, excellence) is an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability in the fine arts, at singing or playing a musical instrument.[1] 


"...a virtuoso was, originally, a highly accomplished musician, but by the nineteenth century the term had become restricted to performers, both vocal and instrumental, whose technical accomplishments were so pronounced as to dazzle the public."


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtuoso

Ok a bit too anal, the great thing about the English language is it's adaptability, here is the full definition and if you look at the FOUR different meanings, what I have said is covered by the four different definitions.  Finally as an academic we are encouraged not to use wiki for obvious reasons, I am trying hard not to use it, it is difficult.
 
a person who has special knowledge or skill in a field.
2. a person who excels in musical technique or execution.

3. a person who has a cultivated appreciation of artistic excellence, as a connoisseur or collector of objects of art, antiques, etc.

4. Obsolete . a person who has special interest or knowledge in the arts and sciences; scientist; scholar.

 
I think I am referring to the third and the forth one.
 
Peace Ben

BenMMusTech

zungle

Kalle Rantaaho

kc2ine


Have you noticed that todays rock music sucks? no solos whatsoever and if there is any 
a kid in the kindergarten could play it. Is it because people don't want to practice anymore?
thinking that technology will do everything for them like sequencers, loops etc because life is too short
and all that bulls$it so why waste it on practicing few hours ea day? 
In seventies all was different, do you remember solos of Jimmy Page, Keith Emerson, David Gilmour, Ritchie Blackmore
and many more? damn music is going down ....

I fully disagree. There's never been more kids playing their fingers off trying be as good as XXX XXXXX. The instruments and good teachers have never been easier to get.
The ones who use technology to find shortcuts are a totally new breed of artists or "artists", they did not exist 20-30 years ago, because the technology either did not exist or was so expensive.

Don't listen to the Top 20. The music you refer to is not popular at the moment, isn't it painfully obvious? The music is there, just go and find it.
There' are more good instrumentalist than ever.

+100

Actually this is what I was saying, arise The Digital Musician, for which I am a fully paid up member.  Here you go again http://soundcloud.com/aaudiomystiks/thekillingsong here is my evidence.
 
You guys need to read the book "The Digital Musician" by Andrew Hugil, also some have brought up different types of virtuoso, a virtuoso could be somebody who plays musical notes at a pace that we consider him or her a virtuoso and there are a couple that I could name off the top of my head: Robert Fripp and Nigal Kennady, these two virtuoso's play beautiful music with soul (because someone mentioned that a virtuoso was just a machine and could not emote).
 
Another virtuoso could be someone who uses the studio in a way that the studio becomes an instrument and this is what I am suggesting.
 
We get to caught up in the technical jargon.
 
To surmise a virtuoso is not necassry someone who has great musical ability but can be a person who utilises what talent they have and exploits it so as to transform and become a virtuoso.
 
Peace Ben 

Actually you missed the most important part. A virtuoso is given that name by others....you don't assume that title on your own and flaunt it on a public forum. It not only makes you sound like you're stuck on yourself, it makes for a pretty pathetic read when you post "I am a virtuoso except my instrument is the DAW".
 
Think about that statement Ben. That means you know everything there is to know about your DAW as well as delivering the musical virtuoso goods perfectly in song. That to ME, means "you are a master". Just because you can record a bunch of instruments doesn't make you a virtuoso. You need to make the instruments sound good.
 
Just so you don't think I'm picking on you and because you decided to flaunt your knowledge as well as your song 2 times in this forum....
 
With all due respect, I'd say you have quite a few more years to go before you're considered a virtuoso. If you'd like to know the opinion of someone who lives music in all areas 24/7 that also makes a living from it, here's my take. You're drums are out of time, your vocals are out of key and inaudible at times, your drum velocities are all at 127 and sound like a robot playing a drum machine and your mix is something an amateur using Sonar for the first time could muster up within their first week playing with Sonar. You have no sense of mixing, panning or placement, nor have you learned to use a compressor or EQ properly because your instruments were all over the place. Sorry, I'm just being honest and since you used your song as "your proof" I have to show where I felt "your proof" is flawed, Sir. Way too flawed to be considered a "virtuoso".
 
Now, you could say the same thing in regards to my music and bash me into the ground. You'd be more than correct if you fired back in that respect. I'd totally accept whatever negativity you would throw at me and expect you to lash out at me in retaliation. But please keep in mind, I'm not the one saying I'm a virtuoso. I know I'm flawed.....I know there are things I suck at and I will never claim to know I know everything about a DAW or an instrument no matter how long I work on it.
 
I work hard and try my best to learn something new each day or help a person with something and I've cried out for help on this forum and other forums many times. On a daily basis I physically play drums, guitar, piano, bass, sing and create music and people from all over the world call on me for the stuff I'm capable of doing over here. The day I let that all go to my head and call myself a virtuoso is the day I need to drink a 55 gallon drum of stfu because a virtuoso is not something I'll ever consider myself in this lifetime. If others decide to think of me in that regard, that is on them...it's not up to me to claim that title for myself. Especially if it's not true for me, which it is NOT.
 
As I said, I can physically play numerous instruments without the need for a sequencer. That doesn't make me better than you or anyone else that can't play the instruments I can and that surely doesn't make me a virtuoso. Recording into a DAW is easy...making the stuff sound good as well as creating a good song is another animal altogether.
 
My apologies for chiming in here in this manner, but I've been seeing you pat yourself on the back in several posts on here to where it's really getting pretty gross to read bro. If you feel in your mind that you are a virtuoso...that's all well and good, but it might be a good idea to stop plastering your heart felt emotions as well as your bachelor credentials all over the forum. It makes you sound like you have a huge ego and is an absolute drag to read.
 
Sorry to also say this, but for what it's worth, if you're a prime example of what a virtuoso with a bachelors degree is supposed to sound like and your song is supposed to justify that....I'm glad I never attended school. I know, a bit harsh, but it's true and how I feel. You challenged me and others with your comments....which was probably your ploy to get me/others to listen to your tune. It worked, so you're a virtuoso in that department. :)
 
But, when you post stuff like that bragging about yourself and your music and I listen to it after the hype you share about yourself, the first thing that comes to my mind is "it's your lie, tell it how ya wanna...but how about keeping it to yourself?" Belief in ones self is important. I believe in myself also. So much so if you asked me if I thought I was good, I'd tell you "yes, I think I'm pretty decent at what I do." I'd not answer "I'm a virtouso!" One shows belief, the other shows ego. There is a difference. If anything, you should be asking for help on these forums so that one day you can achieve the title of virtuoso if you want it that badly. :)
 
-Danny

in that case Bapu is virtuoissimo, since he can play Am and post at a rate unequalled in forum history...lol, enuff guys, hey^^? just to get back on-topic, my earlier post was relating to (rock) music in the mainstream, as the examples in the OP were then charting acts; of course they are plenty of bands sticking in solos and technical stuff in the less-travelled musical byways. and, FWIW, i think in musical terms, a virtuoso is someone with excellent technical skill, hopefully also with musical ability, so kurt cobain, for example, whilst an excellent songwriter and somewhat cultural icon, is NOT a virtuoso...that's IMHO, of course.

BenMMusTech


actually danny i have a masters which is higher than a bachelor and the track in question is flawed, i just took what ihad and glued it together.

i never said that track was perfect in fact i didn't want it too be perfect the exercise with this track was to take a peice of music that was flawed and make it work.  

this has been achieved, look a lot of people dont have ego's and thats fine but its also alright to have an ego.

if we take the  definition in the dictionary of virtuoso i can apply it to myself, sound is all in the listeners petspective.

i perhaps put up the wrong track to emphsize my point but as you pointed out i perhaps am getting better a getting people to listen to my tracks.

peace ben

there is tons


TONS

of virtuoso rock playing out there.


i guess you live in cave, or just don't seriously look that hard.



there if very little virtuoso playing on commercial music, tho.

not my favorite genre these days, anyways.

jamesg1213


My learned friend Mr Batsbrew might agree that you could start with this guy ;

Guthrie Govan

Yeah...but can he run a DAW?   

good stuff here as well


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ULMksbkgPU