I think that it’s important to make the distinction that there are performers, entertainers, musicians and artists. I would argue that a person can only be considered an artist after the century following his or her death. History isn’t the most accurate indicator of talent; however, history has a way of exposing material that is worthy of contemplation.
I find the idea of people regarding and disregarding certain genres of music to be fascinating. A person can see that the world is filled with many cultures and ethnicities, and the person can organize this world in his or her mind based upon these differences; however, there is truly only one single culture that exists. The only culture that exists is “human” culture and it is merely expressed in different ways upon different land masses across Earth. Similarly, there is no such thing as American, French, Ecuadorian, Egyptian, Kenyan, Chinese, Thai, etc. people - there are only “humans”. These ideas relate to your topic because music is also different shades of a single color. Is the wild abandon of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar playing any less poetic than concertos of Vivaldi? The only thing that remains constant in the history of “art” is the inner desire of an individual to express themself in a fundamentally unique way.
Though an unpopular stance, there is such a thing as good art and bad art. The nature of time creates the impetus for life to evolve. Evolution is not only biological. It is something that happens within professions as well, and it is usually related to the current state of technology. The architecture of the Babylonian empire is much different than the architecture of the Byzantine empire or the Roman. Evolution within a trade does not necessarily guarantee that things will evolve for the better.
What makes for adult music? I would say that anybody who is interested in the essence of music chooses to listen to musicians or groups who have developed a craftsmanship that is unique, melodic, rhythmically interesting and or technically skilled. Technique, not be mistaken with virtuosity a.k.a showing off, is not necessary, but its development does allow a musician to express themself in novel ways. Repetitiveness, in a musician’s work or in someone’s music taste, usually indicates stunted emotional development.
Choose your art wisely, because it does affect your life. It changes your brain chemistry, and your brain chemistry will influence your decisions. Your decisions will sow the seeds of your life’s fate.
|