dlurk

I'm looking for interesting personal stories, books, essays, letters, 

interviews, and all other media concerning the subject of music-making 

and responsibility. All suggestions and feedback will be appreciated.

Specifically, I am curious how composers - especially those working with 

wordless music - deal with any feelings of responsibility to "do good in 

the world," especially if there is doubt that music in itself makes the 

I am considering graduate study in electro-acoustic music, but before I 

spend two years with my favorite subject I have to resolve this nagging 

drive to make my work good and worthwhile. My current work is socially 

beneficial, past work has been environmentally useful... How do I 

appease my inner critic? How do I justify music in the harsh light of 

physical necessity? How can I express this dilemma more clearly?

I am searching for a way to bring my love and my conscience together.

I'm looking for interesting personal stories, books, essays, letters, 
interviews, and all other media concerning the subject of music-making 
and responsibility.  All suggestions and feedback will be appreciated.

Specifically, I am curious how composers - especially those working with 
wordless music - deal with any feelings of responsibility to "do good in 
the world," especially if there is doubt that music in itself makes the 
world a better place.

I am considering graduate study in electro-acoustic music, but before I 
spend two years with my favorite subject I have to resolve this nagging 
drive to make my work good and worthwhile.  My current work is socially 
beneficial, past work has been environmentally useful... How do I 
appease my inner critic?  How do I justify music in the harsh light of 
physical necessity?  How can I express this dilemma more clearly?

ot-music-and-responsibility

Yikes. You really hit one of my 'hot buttons', especially in today's 

happy world. I wrote this as a Guest Editorial for KEYBOARD magazine back 

http://music.columbia.edu/~brad/writing/papes/Artistic_Responsibility.html

and there are quite a few others in a similar vein stashed here:

http://music.columbia.edu/~brad/writing/index.html#COMMENTARY

http://music.columbia.edu/~brad/software/downloads/My_Music_Book.html)

also has a fair amount of commentary about music/life/world, but being an 

integrated music-text work it's about a 400 Mbyte download.

Good luck. I read through these older writings and it seems more that I 

was mainly attempting to justify my existence (as it seems you also are), 

but perhaps the fact of your existence in your particular manner is what 

> I'm looking for interesting personal stories, books, essays, letters, 

> interviews, and all other media concerning the subject of music-making and 

> responsibility. All suggestions and feedback will be appreciated.

> Specifically, I am curious how composers - especially those working with 

> wordless music - deal with any feelings of responsibility to "do good in the 

> world," especially if there is doubt that music in itself makes the world a 

> I am considering graduate study in electro-acoustic music, but before I spend 

> two years with my favorite subject I have to resolve this nagging drive to 

> make my work good and worthwhile. My current work is socially beneficial, 

> past work has been environmentally useful... How do I appease my inner 

> critic? How do I justify music in the harsh light of physical necessity? 

> How can I express this dilemma more clearly?

> I am searching for a way to bring my love and my conscience together.

Yikes.  You really hit one of my 'hot buttons', especially in today's 
happy world.  I wrote this as a Guest Editorial for KEYBOARD magazine back 
in 1989:

    http://music.columbia.edu/~brad/writing/papes/Artistic_Responsibility.html

    http://music.columbia.edu/~brad/writing/index.html#COMMENTARY

"My Music Book"
(http://music.columbia.edu/~brad/software/downloads/My_Music_Book.html)
also has a fair amount of commentary about music/life/world, but being an 
integrated music-text work it's about a 400 Mbyte download.

Good luck.  I read through these older writings and it seems more that I 
was mainly attempting to justify my existence (as it seems you also are), 
but perhaps the fact of your existence in your particular manner is what 
really counts.

>
> I'm looking for interesting personal stories, books, essays, letters, 
> interviews, and all other media concerning the subject of music-making and 
> responsibility.  All suggestions and feedback will be appreciated.
>
> Specifically, I am curious how composers - especially those working with 
> wordless music - deal with any feelings of responsibility to "do good in the 
> world," especially if there is doubt that music in itself makes the world a 
> better place.
>
> I am considering graduate study in electro-acoustic music, but before I spend 
> two years with my favorite subject I have to resolve this nagging drive to 
> make my work good and worthwhile.  My current work is socially beneficial, 
> past work has been environmentally useful... How do I appease my inner 
> critic?  How do I justify music in the harsh light of physical necessity? 
> How can I express this dilemma more clearly?
>
> I am searching for a way to bring my love and my conscience together.
>
> Many thanks for any feedback,
>
> -Jon
>


> am searching for a way to bring my love and my conscience together.

The following contains generalizations which don't apply to all 

musicians. I wish I could write more succinctly

Someone once said to me, "music is the only language where more than 

one person can speak at the same time." I'll add that nearly 

everyone 'speaks' it. So, in a way music is probably the closest 

How do comics make the world better? I think there is something to be 

said for a subculture of people who munge their surroundings, 

themselves, and their beliefs and reflect it back into their 

surroundings, themselves, and what ever else they might believe in. 

Also, People work an awful lot. Many times they work toward 

honorable goals. Sometimes its to protect our freedom. sometimes 

its for a more secure future. For their families survival. for others 

to have an easier life. But many people also forget to partake in 

freedom, what they will do when they are secure.

What they do is play music. I'm playing it, and if it looks fun, you 

As for more "out there" music, I think the more we break away 

culturally, the more we can cross cultures and do it in a deep and 

meaningful way. I misheard a lyric the other day which inspired me. 

"such a strange note, it could bring back piece to the earth"

The following contains generalizations which don't apply to all  
musicians.  I wish I could write more succinctly

Someone once said to me, "music is the only language where more than  
one person can speak at the same time."  I'll add that nearly  
everyone 'speaks' it.    So, in a way music is probably the closest  
thing we have to peace.

How do comics make the world better? I think there is something to be  
said for a subculture of people who munge their surroundings,  
themselves, and their beliefs and reflect it back into their  
surroundings, themselves, and what ever else they might believe in.   
It's a cleansing act and its contagious.

Also, People work an awful lot.  Many times they work toward  
honorable goals.   Sometimes its to protect our freedom. sometimes  
its for a more secure future. For their families survival. for others  
to have an easier life.  But many people also forget to partake in  
freedom, what they will do when they are secure.

What they do is play music.  I'm playing it, and if it looks fun, you  
can come sit next to me and play along!

As for more "out there" music, I think the more we break away  
culturally, the more we can cross cultures and do it in a deep and  
meaningful way.  I misheard a lyric the other day which inspired me.   
"such a strange note, it could bring back piece to the earth"

thats what I can come up with for now.
-matt


Reporters often ask me if there is any practical application to the 

technology I create. My answer is "Yes. Making art."

At 7:34 PM -0400 9/24/06, matthew aidekman wrote:

>The following contains generalizations which don't apply to all 

>musicians. I wish I could write more succinctly

>Someone once said to me, "music is the only language where more than 

>one person can speak at the same time." I'll add that nearly 

>everyone 'speaks' it. So, in a way music is probably the closest 

>How do comics make the world better? I think there is something to 

>be said for a subculture of people who munge their surroundings, 

>themselves, and their beliefs and reflect it back into their 

>surroundings, themselves, and what ever else they might believe in. 

>It's a cleansing act and its contagious.

>Also, People work an awful lot. Many times they work toward 

>honorable goals. Sometimes its to protect our freedom. sometimes 

>its for a more secure future. For their families survival. for 

>others to have an easier life. But many people also forget to 

>partake in freedom, what they will do when they are secure.

>What they do is play music. I'm playing it, and if it looks fun, 

>you can come sit next to me and play along!

>As for more "out there" music, I think the more we break away 

>culturally, the more we can cross cultures and do it in a deep and 

>meaningful way. I misheard a lyric the other day which inspired 

>"such a strange note, it could bring back piece to the earth"

Reporters often ask me if there is any practical application to the 
technology I create. My answer is "Yes. Making art."

At 7:34 PM -0400 9/24/06, matthew aidekman wrote:
>The following contains generalizations which don't apply to all 
>musicians.  I wish I could write more succinctly
>
>Someone once said to me, "music is the only language where more than 
>one person can speak at the same time."  I'll add that nearly 
>everyone 'speaks' it.    So, in a way music is probably the closest 
>thing we have to peace.
>
>How do comics make the world better? I think there is something to 
>be said for a subculture of people who munge their surroundings, 
>themselves, and their beliefs and reflect it back into their 
>surroundings, themselves, and what ever else they might believe in.  
>It's a cleansing act and its contagious.
>
>
>
>Also, People work an awful lot.  Many times they work toward 
>honorable goals.   Sometimes its to protect our freedom. sometimes 
>its for a more secure future. For their families survival. for 
>others to have an easier life.  But many people also forget to 
>partake in freedom, what they will do when they are secure.
>
>What they do is play music.  I'm playing it, and if it looks fun, 
>you can come sit next to me and play along!
>
>
>
>As for more "out there" music, I think the more we break away 
>culturally, the more we can cross cultures and do it in a deep and 
>meaningful way.  I misheard a lyric the other day which inspired 
>me.  
>"such a strange note, it could bring back piece to the earth"
>
>thats what I can come up with for now.
>-matt


Sometimes people tell me that they don't understand why use a computer to

compose. I always answer..."That is correct."

On 9/25/06 12:58 AM, "Eric Singer" wrote:

> Reporters often ask me if there is any practical application to the

> technology I create. My answer is "Yes. Making art."

Sometimes people tell me that they don't understand why use a computer to
compose.  I always answer..."That is correct."

On 9/25/06 12:58 AM, "Eric Singer"  wrote:

> Reporters often ask me if there is any practical application to the
> technology I create. My answer is "Yes. Making art."
>
> Eric

Cheers
Gary Lee Nelson
Oberlin College
www.timara.oberlin.edu/GaryLeeNelson

I have recently been asking myself similar questions. I am not sure I ascribe (or comply) with all that follows, but here are some thoughts on the subject.

The notion that each of us has a "purpose" may be of comfort to you if you can accept it. Certainly it can feel as if we are being selfish by doing the things we love to do, because part of us feels we don't deserve it, or that the world doesn't need another musician. But, an individual living out the full potential of what they were "meant" to be is precisely what the world does need. A vocation may appear small in the grand scheme of things, but perhaps our ability to measure grandness is faulty.

Maybe your new pursuit is not an abandonment, let alone a betrayal, of you formal "nobler" occupations. Perhaps you will return someday to a job that more apparently benefits society or the earth. Or, better yet, perhaps you will discover a vocation that benefits from all your skills.

I'd like to thank everyone who responded to my post, both on- and 

off-list. Your thoughts are meaningful and helpful (even "revenge"). 

Unfortunately I have a lot of business to do this week - the coming 

weekend will probably offer you a hideously verbose reply.

Again, I really appreciate all the different perspectives on this topic; 

the variety was exactly what I was looking for, though I didn't realize it.

I'd like to thank everyone who responded to my post, both on- and 
off-list.  Your thoughts are meaningful and helpful (even "revenge"). 
Unfortunately I have a lot of business to do this week - the coming 
weekend will probably offer you a hideously verbose reply.

Again, I really appreciate all the different perspectives on this topic; 
the variety was exactly what I was looking for, though I didn't realize it.

After a marathon of day-job work and application preparation, I respond. 

Thanks to everyone that replied to the original thread. All of your 

thoughts were appreciated, including those that dismissed my doubt out 

> Good luck. I read through these older writings and it seems more that I 

> was mainly attempting to justify my existence (as it seems you also 

My existence justifies itself with my capability to do good, but my

existence is not necessarily me, nor meaningful. I have to use that 

capability for something. Are there better kinds of good, and how much 

It may help to understand that I currently live in a tiny (pop.

fishing village in Alaska where survival is relatively sure but not much 

else is certain. I am surrounded by immediacy and many people here do 

not have the option or habit of thinking the way I do. That is part of 

Ah, philosophy. Take a hike. There's a reason I didn't just coast into 

grad school on the momentum of my undergrad degree... in philosophy 

I know that to satisfy myself, I will have to keep trying to do things I

think are good. I will also have to accomplish something occasionally

to convince myself that the way I'm trying is, if not the best way, at

> but perhaps the fact of your existence in your particular manner 

This falls into the "teaching by example" category for me. It is murky 

and unconvincing to the practitioner, even if it is arguably the best 

Music has affected my life deeply. I surround myself with other people 

who feel the same way. Because of my intimacy with music, it's 

difficult for me to imagine what meaning it has to others. It's also 

difficult for me to imagine the effect of music on people who are not 

intentionally involved in creating sound. I am half-serious when I 

wonder how significant music can possibly be to someone who does not 

have a physical relationship to it, someone to whom music is merely ear 

candy and not sustenance mixed with an aural opiate.

I have decided to apply to a few schools; I am using their application 

processes to stimulate my subconscious decision-making.

Again, my thanks to everyone that replied previously (and anyone who 

After a marathon of day-job work and application preparation, I respond. 
  Thanks to everyone that replied to the original thread.  All of your 
thoughts were appreciated, including those that dismissed my doubt out 
of hand.  It's all useful.

Some time ago, Bradford Garton wrote:
> Good luck.  I read through these older writings and it seems more that I 
> was mainly attempting to justify my existence (as it seems you also 
> are),

My existence justifies itself with my capability to do good, but my
existence is not necessarily me, nor meaningful.  I have to use that 
capability for something.  Are there better kinds of good, and how much 
good is enough?

It may help to understand that I currently live in a tiny (pop.
fishing village in Alaska where survival is relatively sure but not much 
else is certain.  I am surrounded by immediacy and many people here do 
not have the option or habit of thinking the way I do.  That is part of 
why I live here now.

Ah, philosophy.  Take a hike.  There's a reason I didn't just coast into 
grad school on the momentum of my undergrad degree... in philosophy 
(music and cs on the side).

I know that to satisfy myself, I will have to keep trying to do things I
think are good.  I will also have to accomplish something occasionally
to convince myself that the way I'm trying is, if not the best way, at
least a passable way.

> but perhaps the fact of your existence in your particular manner 
> is what really counts.

This falls into the "teaching by example" category for me.  It is murky 
and unconvincing to the practitioner, even if it is arguably the best 
method.

Music has affected my life deeply.  I surround myself with other people 
who feel the same way.  Because of my intimacy with music, it's 
difficult for me to imagine what meaning it has to others.  It's also 
difficult for me to imagine the effect of music on people who are not 
intentionally involved in creating sound.  I am half-serious when I 
wonder how significant music can possibly be to someone who does not 
have a physical relationship to it, someone to whom music is merely ear 
candy and not sustenance mixed with an aural opiate.

I have decided to apply to a few schools; I am using their application 
processes to stimulate my subconscious decision-making.

Again, my thanks to everyone that replied previously (and anyone who 
might reply now).

On Nov 21, 2006, at 5:59 PM, dlurk wrote:

> Music has affected my life deeply. I surround myself with other 

> people who feel the same way. Because of my intimacy with music, 

> it's difficult for me to imagine what meaning it has to others. 

> It's also difficult for me to imagine the effect of music on people 

> who are not intentionally involved in creating sound. I am half- 

> serious when I wonder how significant music can possibly be to 

> someone who does not have a physical relationship to it, someone to 

> whom music is merely ear candy and not sustenance mixed with an 

The practitioner has no greater claim to understanding than the 

attentive listener. I have zero ability at violin, yet can be moved 

by it. For an approachable yet thorough analysis of musical meaning 

I would highly recommend "Emotion and Meaning in Music" by Leonard 

>
> Music has affected my life deeply.  I surround myself with other  
> people who feel the same way.  Because of my intimacy with music,  
> it's difficult for me to imagine what meaning it has to others.   
> It's also difficult for me to imagine the effect of music on people  
> who are not intentionally involved in creating sound.  I am half- 
> serious when I wonder how significant music can possibly be to  
> someone who does not have a physical relationship to it, someone to  
> whom music is merely ear candy and not sustenance mixed with an  
> aural opiate.

The practitioner has no greater claim to understanding than the  
attentive listener.  I have zero ability at violin, yet can be moved  
by it.  For an approachable yet thorough analysis of musical meaning  
I would highly recommend "Emotion and Meaning in Music" by Leonard  
Meyer.

I havent followed the thread, but that reasoning only a seasoned 

painter can really appreciate the lines of (insert any painter) or 

only an avid video gamer my combos in street fighter 3 3rd strike 

(sic). Music certainly moves me, more so than many other things. I 

have too have zero musical skill (or as close to none as possible).

And P.S., I cant imagine anyone who doesnt have a physical 

relationship to music. Vibrations and all. Sorry to be overly 

literal, but sometimes the best cure for too much thinking is to stop 

On Nov 21, 2006, at 9:26 PM, Randy Jones wrote:

> On Nov 21, 2006, at 5:59 PM, dlurk wrote:

>> Music has affected my life deeply. I surround myself with other 

>> people who feel the same way. Because of my intimacy with music, 

>> it's difficult for me to imagine what meaning it has to others. 

>> It's also difficult for me to imagine the effect of music on 

>> people who are not intentionally involved in creating sound. I am 

>> half-serious when I wonder how significant music can possibly be 

>> to someone who does not have a physical relationship to it, 

>> someone to whom music is merely ear candy and not sustenance mixed 

> The practitioner has no greater claim to understanding than the 

> attentive listener. I have zero ability at violin, yet can be 

> moved by it. For an approachable yet thorough analysis of musical 

> meaning I would highly recommend "Emotion and Meaning in Music" by 

I havent followed the thread, but that reasoning only a seasoned  
painter can really appreciate the lines of (insert any painter) or  
only an avid video gamer my combos in street fighter 3 3rd strike  
(sic). Music certainly moves me, more so than many other things. I  
have too have zero musical skill (or as close to none as possible).

[OT] music and responsibility