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Music: Subjective or Objective?
Posted on 7/19/12 at 12:35 pm
Posted on 7/19/12 at 12:35 pm
Can music be judged objectively? Can someone actually say "This genre is better than that one"? Sure, someone can break down formats and say how complex the piece is, but there are many times where the simplest songs have the largest impact. What may be garbage to you might be top notch for someone else. Or is it all subjective? "I think blues is the best genre because I feel something when I hear it". Is it all just based on opinion, or can someone actually make an argument for why they feel their music of choice is better?
It's definitely more subjective, but I believe the other side can be debated.
Can you make a case for it being objective? Or is it just subjective?
It's definitely more subjective, but I believe the other side can be debated.
Can you make a case for it being objective? Or is it just subjective?
This post was edited on 7/19/12 at 1:28 pm
8
Posted on 7/19/12 at 12:42 pm to CocoLoco
All art is subjective. You can be objective about a piece's (technical) complexity (as you said), but it's impossible to breakdown emotions/thoughts and judge them objectively.
This post was edited on 7/19/12 at 12:51 pm
Posted on 7/19/12 at 12:49 pm to LSUTigerfaninHtown
Trying to force your opinion on someone else will never work, it's definitely subjective.
Posted on 7/19/12 at 1:06 pm to CocoLoco
The one person that told me it was objective, and that he studied in in some music class, liked really shitty music so.....
Posted on 7/19/12 at 1:08 pm to CocoLoco
quote:
Subjective
Posted on 7/19/12 at 1:11 pm to Flair Chops
Not only is it subjective, but it changes in quality based on the listener himself. Certain songs are great at certain times, and bad at others -- the only thing that changes is the listener, not the song. I find that fascinating, how the receiver matters.
Posted on 7/19/12 at 1:18 pm to Baloo
yep. Music is
1. Emotional
2. Cerebral
in that order.
Subjective is the only objective answer.
1. Emotional
2. Cerebral
in that order.
Subjective is the only objective answer.
Posted on 7/19/12 at 1:25 pm to CocoLoco
Musical technique and skill are objective.
Musical listenability is subjective.
Musical listenability is subjective.
Posted on 7/19/12 at 1:25 pm to Baloo
quote:I can't listen to rock in the early morning. That's why I love the Bridge on Sirius.
Certain songs are great at certain times, and bad at others --
Posted on 7/19/12 at 1:43 pm to CocoLoco
"All music is a vestige of barbarism" -- Nero Wolfe
Posted on 7/19/12 at 1:52 pm to TK421
quote:
Musical technique and skill are objective.
Musical listenability is subjective.
can't really say it any better than this
Posted on 7/19/12 at 3:19 pm to Baloo
quote:
Not only is it subjective, but it changes in quality based on the listener himself. Certain songs are great at certain times, and bad at others -- the only thing that changes is the listener, not the song. I find that fascinating, how the receiver matters.
Posted on 7/19/12 at 3:30 pm to CocoLoco
I think a lot of people get caught up in trying to make what is subjective, objective. Who's the best ______ (insert instrument) or the greatest whatever of all time, etc. Music was not made to be categorized in a hierarchy of what or who is best, or which scene is the "coolest."
It is made so that you can listen. Whatever connection you may or may not make to the music is completely subjective. If everyone would just stop there I think we'd all be a little better off.
It is made so that you can listen. Whatever connection you may or may not make to the music is completely subjective. If everyone would just stop there I think we'd all be a little better off.
Posted on 7/19/12 at 3:36 pm to ezride25
When it comes to musically skill, I'd say neither. Musical skill is situational.
How do you compare an asian pianist that can play any written piece of music to a jazz pianist that can only play by ear? Is one or the other more musically talented than the other?
They are just different and can only be judged by putting them into different situations. The asian can't play with a jazz quartet and the jazz pianist can't site-read a Bach piece. Regardless, they are great musicians in their own aspects.
How do you compare an asian pianist that can play any written piece of music to a jazz pianist that can only play by ear? Is one or the other more musically talented than the other?
They are just different and can only be judged by putting them into different situations. The asian can't play with a jazz quartet and the jazz pianist can't site-read a Bach piece. Regardless, they are great musicians in their own aspects.
This post was edited on 7/19/12 at 3:38 pm
Posted on 7/19/12 at 3:53 pm to ezride25
Well said, sir.
Just felt that this is an interesting topic, and could be fun to discuss.
There's a lot of music I can't stand, but the beauty of it is that I have a right to hate it. It's my opinion. I can feel that people like John Mayer for example is one of the best of my generation, and I'm not wrong for it, it's my opinion. But the guy telling me he is an awful artists isn't wrong either, that is his opinion. We have so many threads on here asking to list your favorites on certain topics. Favorite guitarist.. you'll see many put someone like SRV, then you might see some post Mark Knopfler, or someone put Jack White. There's really no wrong answer in it. Sure we can debate who is technically better in certain aspects, whose riffs are more difficult to play, etc., but who's "best" will always be subjective. I get more feeling out of a blues guitarist like B.B. King playing a few notes, and making sure I hear it. Another could be in heaven listening to Steve Vai doing sweeps up and down the neck.
Just felt that this is an interesting topic, and could be fun to discuss.
There's a lot of music I can't stand, but the beauty of it is that I have a right to hate it. It's my opinion. I can feel that people like John Mayer for example is one of the best of my generation, and I'm not wrong for it, it's my opinion. But the guy telling me he is an awful artists isn't wrong either, that is his opinion. We have so many threads on here asking to list your favorites on certain topics. Favorite guitarist.. you'll see many put someone like SRV, then you might see some post Mark Knopfler, or someone put Jack White. There's really no wrong answer in it. Sure we can debate who is technically better in certain aspects, whose riffs are more difficult to play, etc., but who's "best" will always be subjective. I get more feeling out of a blues guitarist like B.B. King playing a few notes, and making sure I hear it. Another could be in heaven listening to Steve Vai doing sweeps up and down the neck.
Posted on 7/19/12 at 4:03 pm to CocoLoco
quote:
Musicologist Jean-Jacques Nattiez summarizes the relativist, post-modern viewpoint: "The border between music and noise is always culturally defined—which implies that, even within a single society, this border does not always pass through the same place; in short, there is rarely a consensus ... By all accounts there is no single and intercultural universal concept defining what music might be."[4]
Posted on 7/19/12 at 4:20 pm to LSUTigerfaninHtown
quote:
All art is subjective.
Absolutely
Posted on 7/19/12 at 4:42 pm to CocoLoco
It is mostly subjective IMO, but there are many undeniable truths (e.g. Dylan is the greatest songwriter of all-time).
Posted on 7/19/12 at 4:51 pm to Baloo
quote:very good point.
Not only is it subjective, but it changes in quality based on the listener himself. Certain songs are great at certain times, and bad at others -- the only thing that changes is the listener, not the song. I find that fascinating, how the receiver matters.
Posted on 7/19/12 at 4:56 pm to CocoLoco
The stuff played on Hits 1, is objectively bad. (sorry honey)
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