re: Can you call yourself a music fan if

You're still a music fan. You're just a fan of shitty music.

There's always a hierarchy. People who listen to 1950s, 60s, 70s or around then seem to think they have superior taste in music to a person who only listens to music produced in the last ten years. I think the broader the musical time range you know well, the bigger a fan you are. So I guess my answer is if you listen to any sort of music and enjoy it, you are a music fan.

IMO, the best place to find truly great music is to go through church hymnals because in them, you have time tested classics that are more than just classical pieces. Classical meets popular in them, because in order for those songs to have remained in use for so long requires something special. Very few songs from the 20th century will be known in two centuries. One of those, I'm predicting now, will be the tune Edelweiss with a variety of lyrics set to it.

It's hard for me to consider current pop music "music," so I think it does take more knowledge, respect and taste in various kinds of music in order to be considered a music connoisseur. However, I think "fan" can be applied to almost anyone.

I liken it to this: if I never try various kinds of food but only try junk food. I can still consider myself a fan of food. But I only know about this one kind of food...which is really shitty food. So I'm not a connoisseur. In the food world, there seems to be a sort of consensus on what "good" food is and what "junk" food is. Same with music.

I think those of us who dig deeper and sample all kinds of music end up liking somewhat similar music. This shouldn't come as a surprise, because we have found the best after sampling it all. I'm not making sense but I know what I'm saying.

There are corporate music brainwashed fans, then real music fans.

My favorite song is Bohemian Rhapsody, I've sold 4 pop songs to Disney this year. I follow trends like a mofo, because its a great outlet and second income, also allows me to make records that appeal to me. Currently working on an comtemporary traditional Irish album, a 90's Letters to Cleo/Veruca Salt album, and a solo artist with a Snow Patrol/Keane style. I have a country smash in the hands of a very well known artist's management. I've also co produced a track for a hip hop album.

That said, there are styles of music that I absolutely find nothing good about that others love. I'm sure others feel the same about mine.

I call both music fans. You can call me whatever you want.

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I liken it to this: if I never try various kinds of food but only try junk food. I can still consider myself a fan of food. But I only know about this one kind of food...which is really shitty food. So I'm not a connoisseur. In the food world, there seems to be a sort of consensus on what "good" food is and what "junk" food is. Same with music.

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Great analogy. Sure, they are fans, they just aren't aural gourmands, to quote CBGB's sign.

Though I will make a distinction between music fans and fans of popu culture or celebrity. I don't care about celebrity at all, and that is a huge appeal in a lot of pop acts. People are fans of this, but it has little to do with the music, honestly.

My only thing is I would think a true music fan would eventually venture further than just top 40 radio. There is absolutely nothing wrong with liking it but wouldn't a person who truly loves music dig deeper?

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No instruments



Has no bearing on the definition of music.

A computer can be just as powerful of an instrument as a guitar.

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True. Grinnin in your face by Son House is a cappella with off beat tapping, yet that song gets me every time.