3 ms·

That's an interesting theory, but it ain't the way I learned music history. When the music store in my home town was closing out 78 records, my dad went in and

That's an interesting theory, but it ain't the way I learned music history. When the music store in my home town was closing out 78 records, my dad went in and bought a big stack, a couple of hundred 78s with mostly classical music on 'em. At closeout prices. As a little kid I was allowed to play those records any time I wanted to. And I listened a lot. Listening to that early music helped me, right away, to pick out what was good pop music on the radio, and what was bad. Cuz, I mean, the music on those records had stood the test of time for two centuries. Happy father's day, pop. Thanks for the memories.

simonask 8y ago
Just a nitpick: Classical music from 200 years ago is definitely not "early music" by any cultural tradition. Western music 200 years ago was a highly developed art form, and this is even more true for other classical traditions that exist today, such as Chinese classical music and Indian classical music. 200 years ago, the symphonic form was already highly developed, which most would argue is the most advanced form of Western classical music. I don't think music from this period necessarily gives you any pointers for gauging the quality of modern pop music, but it might influence your tastes in a positive way. Just keep in mind that very advanced music is still being written, and it mostly doesn't sound anything like what was written 200 years ago.
WhompingWindows 8y ago
How did you determine what is "good" and what is "bad" in pop music? Seems to me like there's a lot of personal preference in music and absolute morality has little to do with the question. You might find the writer Adorno interesting, he takes very very strong stances on Classical musicians and is not shy about calling their work bad or good or some much more eloquent phrasing.

3 ms·

That's an interesting theory, but it ain't the way I learned music history. When the music store in my home town was closing out 78 records, my dad went in and

by 8bitsrule 8y ago

simonask 8y ago
Just a nitpick: Classical music from 200 years ago is definitely not "early music" by any cultural tradition. Western music 200 years ago was a highly developed art form, and this is even more true for other classical traditions that exist today, such as Chinese classical music and Indian classical music. 200 years ago, the symphonic form was already highly developed, which most would argue is the most advanced form of Western classical music. I don't think music from this period necessarily gives you any pointers for gauging the quality of modern pop music, but it might influence your tastes in a positive way. Just keep in mind that very advanced music is still being written, and it mostly doesn't sound anything like what was written 200 years ago.
WhompingWindows 8y ago
How did you determine what is "good" and what is "bad" in pop music? Seems to me like there's a lot of personal preference in music and absolute morality has little to do with the question. You might find the writer Adorno interesting, he takes very very strong stances on Classical musicians and is not shy about calling their work bad or good or some much more eloquent phrasing.