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From: Mike Curtis
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 12:21:50 -0800 (PST)
Subject: RE: What is good? (And a some questions for the gigging pros)

On Fri, 16 Jan 1998, Welter, Ted wrote:

>I think that Mike uses the word "good" to mean "technically competent
>within whatever genre" and that is where the confusion arises. The word
>"good" strongly connotes an absolute and positive value judgment more
>than it means "doing what the artist set out to do." These kinds of
>value judgments are necessarily personal, even perverse. I think BBB is
>saying that to him, Kenny G. is "bad music," (and I concur). Bad music
>played competently.

Exactly.

I don't think anyone would argue that Kenny G is technically competent.
And I don't mean to argue with BBB that what Kenny G plays is in any way
what I would consider "valid jazz", either. To me, what he plays is "pop"
more than jazz. It doesn't bother me personally that they call it "jazz".
The fact is, though, that it's really not jazz at all.

BTW, the IronMaiden can't stand Kenny G, nor his brother Golly.

>...which segues to the obligatory harp content: I tried out for a
>little startup blues combo last night, got the job if I want it, but
>they want to do some kinda fakey blues (in addition to covering lots of
>stuff that I'd like to work on), and they want to do some Popper
>tunes. They aren't bad musicians (not great either-hard to judge as the
>drummer was recovering from foot surgery). So, should I begin by
>copping off of "Four," or just finding my own lines within the chord
>progressions? And if copping is the way to go (at least to start), is
>Winslow's book useful? I'm an ear player working on reading ability; tab
>hasn't been much help for me in the past.
>
>Time to give that slowmo software a spin, I suppose. I need a few good
>workouts on holes 7-10 anyway.

If you're a good fast high note player, go for your own style and licks.
Otherwise, try copping Poppers stuff, then eventually work your way into
your own style.



-- IronMan Mike Curtis
My CD "Doin' It All Myself" available in Tower, Blockbuster, Camelot, PX