I should really not attempt to write this early in the morning, because I'm sure at some point my entire train of thought will become hopelessly lost. But, I am going to anyway.
I've discovered that I can plug my iPod into my amp right next to my theremin...
Now, I don't really have any intention of playing professionally someday - I think that playing in coffee shops might be fun at some point, but for now, I am playing this thing purely for my own enjoyment. If I was very good, that might be selfish, but at this point, it's really for the good of mankind.
I play the piano, with a decent amount of success, mostly by ear. For some reason, I never picked up on accompanying another player, or accompanying the radio (or what-have-you). It was all very much "I want to learn how to play this, and play it on my own."
I find that with the theremin, it's very much the opposite. And perhaps it's because I am just starting out and therefore not terribly good at it - I.E. the question of confidence - having a backup band to do most of the work.
Or perhaps... and this is what I FEEL instead of THINK...
Musicians that I have loved for years, music that has had a truly profound effect on me - Jean-Michel Jarre, Mike Oldfield, The Beatles, John Williams, Nick Drake, Philip Glass, etc... all of this which I have listened to ad infinitum, over and over again, which has remained unchanged, the same experience, the same song, I can finally add to it. Something subtle, something unusual, that most people will never think to add. And it will never be the same once - it will always sound a little different, never permanent, always a unique (and sometimes comically off-key) expression.
So, speaking from a PURELY emotional point of view (which is nearly always my point of view, as technique tires me), would you rather play alone, or play with accompaniment - whether it be a living breathing human being, or your radio?
If you enjoy the company, what music is your favorite to play with? What gets your gears going? What gets you riled up? What inspires you?
If not, elaborate! Does it impede your creativity? Cause you to be off-key?
Do you find that you feel the same way with playing other instruments as well?
I've discovered that I can plug my iPod into my amp right next to my theremin...
Now, I don't really have any intention of playing professionally someday - I think that playing in coffee shops might be fun at some point, but for now, I am playing this thing purely for my own enjoyment. If I was very good, that might be selfish, but at this point, it's really for the good of mankind.
I play the piano, with a decent amount of success, mostly by ear. For some reason, I never picked up on accompanying another player, or accompanying the radio (or what-have-you). It was all very much "I want to learn how to play this, and play it on my own."
I find that with the theremin, it's very much the opposite. And perhaps it's because I am just starting out and therefore not terribly good at it - I.E. the question of confidence - having a backup band to do most of the work.
Or perhaps... and this is what I FEEL instead of THINK...
Musicians that I have loved for years, music that has had a truly profound effect on me - Jean-Michel Jarre, Mike Oldfield, The Beatles, John Williams, Nick Drake, Philip Glass, etc... all of this which I have listened to ad infinitum, over and over again, which has remained unchanged, the same experience, the same song, I can finally add to it. Something subtle, something unusual, that most people will never think to add. And it will never be the same once - it will always sound a little different, never permanent, always a unique (and sometimes comically off-key) expression.
So, speaking from a PURELY emotional point of view (which is nearly always my point of view, as technique tires me), would you rather play alone, or play with accompaniment - whether it be a living breathing human being, or your radio?
If you enjoy the company, what music is your favorite to play with? What gets your gears going? What gets you riled up? What inspires you?
If not, elaborate! Does it impede your creativity? Cause you to be off-key?
Do you find that you feel the same way with playing other instruments as well?