Would you rather...

[zircon]

Frankly, I would pick the first option. Smash hits = BIG income. This translates to more free time for me. I would use the free time to write the music *I* really wanted to write. Who cares if it's not successful? I'm already making the big money, so now I can make music for music's sake! Of course, ideally, the music you want to write IS the money that makes the income. But writing 'generic' stuff to pay the bills, well, nothing wrong with that, and it would certainly solve a lot of my problems

[jbeck]

That is true..

[soulwire]

Quote:I don't think the people who write what you may consider "the most generic, safe songs" feel that that's what they're doing. Haha..well, this was meant to be something similar to a Zobmondo question, it's gotten sidetracked. It has nothing to do with anyone else (or how they feel they are writing) but yourself, so what you feel is generic and safe is determined by your own relative musical abilities, desires, and definitions. So let's not drag in too much into this question, we are not comparing ourselves to the music industry, nor are we attacking other songwriters in their musical choices. it's more like *poof* genie pops out of a bottle and gives you two choices. So the question basically poses this: on one side, you aren't writing to your full capacity (which again is up to you how you want to interpret this) but it connects with the masses and on the other you are writing what you would consider your master work but it isn't well received by most. The music industry (outside of the fans), other songwriters, etc. etc. have no bearing on this question so when we start moving away from what we feel we are as musicians, then we've moved away from this simple question.

[matto]

Hmm...interesting. Is that a question that has relevance to most people? Just asking...not trying to say it doesn't.Cause to me...I just write what I like. It just so happens that I like a huge variety of music and most of what I like to write happens to have some sort of commercial application.I never think...woe me, I must now lower myself from the rarefied atmosphere of my truly groundbreaking musical genius, down to the pitiful level of "hit songwriting" or "generic background music", so that I may pay the bills... I'm serious though...for me personally there's no correlation (negative or positive) between writing up to my full potential and commercial success or lack thereof. In other words...I have no reason to assume "the masses" wouldn't like "my masterwork"... .Guess I'm just lucky or something...

[davewalton]

This is the tale of two "Dave's". The younger Dave, a somewhat brash, closed-minded individual (yeah, I know... "so how's that different from now?"... very funny ) would have voted EMPHATICALLY for option #2 (the "innovative" thing). Had I been offered the opportunity to do something like play keyboards for Pat Benetar or somebody like that, I wouldn't have done it. Would have considered it "degrading" compared to playing music like my music idols at that time who where probably Mahavishnu (Jan Hammer) and Weather Report (Joe Zawinul). So instead of doing either one, I played nothing but cover music in a wide variety of bands that did no original material. Like THAT was really something to brag about. The more seasoned, more mature, mellower Dave (yeah, I know... "Who are you talking about?"... very funny ) says that writing ANY original music is what brings true satisfaction if one has an open mind. Being good at what you're trying to do at the moment is what counts. So if I set out to do a soft, simple piano piece, I really try to make it the best "soft, simple piano piece" I can. Same with more aggressive styles and compositions.Anyway, it's esoteric because the way the question is phrased it makes it sound like "hits" are things anyone can do, but "innovative" music is something only a few can do. Truth is, each side is very good at what they do, really very few can do either one, and each side doesn't do very well when they try to do the other music. Ever listen to an "innovative" group try to do "popular" music? It stinks every time. Dave (the more seasoned, more mature... never mind )

[mazz]

Amen to Dave (both Daves).My goal is to write music that touches both head and heart, sometimes more of one or the other depending on the gig (and the listener).I'll leave the judgement on whether the music was innovative or just generic up to future generations. If they even have the technology to play what will surely be our antiquated CDs, DVDs, WAV files, etc.I'll do the best I can in this moment. Blessings,John

[andreh]

Great answers! A good read.I think I relate most to Matto's response so far. The hypothetical lines that are being drawn are almost impossible to imagine for me since music can be simple yet emotionally stirring (or boring), complex but cold (or intriguing), or anything in between whatever extremes you might posit.Fortunately, from a commercial vs. artistic standpoint these a) or b) responses don't have to be made in real life. If I had to choose one, however, I'd go with commercialism because I like money/food/shelter/diapers (for my baby girl, not for me )...but I also think it's possible to walk a fine line between what the public will accept and what they haven't heard before. That's the balance I strive for.Andre

[sgs4u]

late nite musings:What comes out of your speakers is rarely an exact replica of the initial intention I had. We all balance predictability with innovation. Everyone's place on the bell curve of art vs commercialism matters to the whole of music. Bubblegum and thought provoking can co-exist, even in the same song. steve

[prez]

Quote:Frankly, I would pick the first option. Smash hits = BIG income. This translates to more free time for me. I would use the free time to write the music *I* really wanted to write. Who cares if it's not successful? I'm already making the big money, so now I can make music for music's sake! Of course, ideally, the music you want to write IS the money that makes the income. But writing 'generic' stuff to pay the bills, well, nothing wrong with that, and it would certainly solve a lot of my problems Ding ding ding ding!!! We have a winner!!!

[prez]

Quote:Hmm...interesting. Is that a question that has relevance to most people? Just asking...not trying to say it doesn't.Cause to me...I just write what I like. It just so happens that I like a huge variety of music and most of what I like to write happens to have some sort of commercial application.I never think...woe me, I must now lower myself from the rarefied atmosphere of my truly groundbreaking musical genius, down to the pitiful level of "hit songwriting" or "generic background music", so that I may pay the bills... I'm serious though...for me personally there's no correlation (negative or positive) between writing up to my full potential and commercial success or lack thereof. In other words...I have no reason to assume "the masses" wouldn't like "my masterwork"... .Guess I'm just lucky or something... Ding ding ding ding!!! We have another winner.