[mod.music.gaffa] Guitars, drums, and Throwing Muses

Love-Hounds-request@EDDIE.MIT.EDU.UUCP (12/23/86)

Really-From: nessus (Doug Alan)

Hey, Kyle, now THAT's the spirit!

> From: kyle@CS.UCLA.EDU

> OK, I have a question for you, which is a more versitile instrument?

>	a) a guitar
>	b) a drum

What kind of guitar and what kind of drum?  For the typical cases, a
guitar is a more versatile instrument, in that you can use a guitar as
a drum, but not vice versa.  However, for most purposes, a drum is
much more suitable as a drum than a guitar is, so this doesn't mean we
should get rid of drums!

> The answer in my opinion is very dependent on what one values in an
> instrument and one's personal cultural experiences.

No, it isn't.  A guitar is capable of making a wider range of sounds
than a drum is.

> Are you going to tell me that the only valid way to evaluate these
> instruments/voices is relative to Classical European culture?  Take
> a few moments to consider before you answer.

> Now, think about Kate VS. Elvis.

Well, this is a pretty strange analogy, since Elvis C's music is much
more closely secured to western music than Kate's is.

> My point is that they are entirely different instruments and such
> direct comparisons do not prove anything.  In addition, I would say
> that you have been taught to think of a violin as a "better"
> instrument than a "banjo".  AN insturment (or voice) should NOT be
> judged only in relation to its application to Classical Music.

Well, *I'd* never say a violin is a *better* instrument than a banjo
for all purposes.  But it *is* a more versatile instrument.  i.e. If
stranded on a desert island and I could only have one instrument, I'd
take a voilin, because with a violin I could make a wider range of
sounds.

>>> Andy, I'll have to agree with you here.  One should not listen to
>>> her music with expectations, but rather with reservations.

>> And why's that Kyle?

> Because I find her voice quite annoying at times!

That's your hangup.

> From: wicinski <wicinski@nrl-css.arpa>

> ya know what - I heard that throwing muses demo tape awhile ago ,
> and liked it to no end.  but i heard the album yesterday and i
> really hated it.  real bad.  too bad.

Well, Wicinski, this is conclusive proof of your continuing
degeneration.  Throwing Muses album is only slightly different than
their demo tape.  A while back you had good taste, and now it's gone,
gone, gone...

			|>oug