Great advice from a different discipline

[mazz]

I've recently become interested in photography (like I need one more thing to do! ) and someone turned me on to Ken Rockwell's site. I can relate to his way of thinking about how to get started and how to think about the art of the discipline instead of thinking that the gear will improve the art.

I put this in this section of the forum because it supports my assertion that "It's not the gear, it's the ear". I am an avowed gear head, but I also know full well that no amount of gear will make up for a crappy composition.

http://kenrockwell.com/tech/music-lesson.htm

Enjoy!

Mazz

[andygabrys]

nice one Mazz!

thanks for posting!

[Casey H]

I've recently become interested in photography (like I need one more thing to do! ) and someone turned me on to Ken Rockwell's site. I can relate to his way of thinking about how to get started and how to think about the art of the discipline instead of thinking that the gear will improve the art.

I put this in this section of the forum because it supports my assertion that "It's not the gear, it's the ear". I am an avowed gear head, but I also know full well that no amount of gear will make up for a crappy composition.

http://kenrockwell.com/tech/music-lesson.htm

Enjoy!

Mazz

Winston learned that you were taking up photography and is demanding a new contract. His agent will be in touch!

Casey

[cardell]

Thanks Mazz!

Stuart

[sguiles]

Great article!

"...drop the textbooks, open my eyes and start taking pictures."

Replace "taking pictures" with "writing songs" or "arranging composition" or "riding a horse".

[delagarzamusic]

Good read. i also like photography

[stevepurdie]

Hi Mazz,

indeed it is a great philosophy to have. Best way to ride a bike ? get on the bloody thing and pedal !!

Love it !!

Stevo

[RonKujawa]

Such a great point. Thankfully, I think this philosophy has finally taken root in myself over the last few years, because I see others around me more than ever that rarely finish a project, song, CD, business, book, blog, etc. Planning that stuff and researching can be valuable, but actually doing something, ANYTHING, is way more important. Thanks for the reminder.

Ron

[Russell Landwehr]

I sent that link to my sister who is an amateur photographer.

As far as gears and ears and the art of what we do, I agree that the "song" doesn't require gear to be good. However, without the gear, a "broadcast quality" recording cannot be made. Without the gear a pop song doesn't sound like a pop song. The days of a guitar/vocal demo sung into a boombox are long gone.

That being said, if the songwriting craft and the artistic touch on the instrument aren't there, no amount of gear can make a turd sound pretty.

Russell