Hey guys, I have come to realise that, for me, the term "songs" is not always an accurate description for certain musical creations. Thus I have adopted this concept...
"Songs" feature vocals. Not just the odd brief vocal sample, but whole phrases. Take the classic Trance track "Cafe del Mar" - no vocals. To me, it just does not feel right calling it a "song". Where as something by Cascada would be considered a song.
"Tracks" are non-vocal music. They may feature the occasional vocal samples, but otherwise it is just music. Drums, bass, guitars, synthesisers, samples, etc. Cafe del Mar is a track.
"Pieces" is a term I use to refer to music that is beatless; features no drums; rhythmless (for instance, you would not feel the automatic desire to toe-tap); time(signature)less; may incorporate vocals (sung less traditionally, and used more as an instrument, so no lyrics as such). Generally speaking this could be considered Ambient music. NOT Chillout music, like the kind featured on albums like this...
(http://a367.yahoofs.com/shopping/3067984/simg_t_of03583o9k0d.jpg)
...because that does have rhythm, time and beats/drums. And it grabs your attention. But I am talking about the kind of Ambient music that Brian Eno pioneered. Music that is not designed to grab your attention, instead, sits in the background, so some of the time you forget it's there, and yet you are still affected by the calm it creates. Something like the music on Brian Eno's "Ambient 1: Music For Airports"...
(http://www.gerritrietveldacademie.nl/designblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/brianeno-ambient1.jpg)
Finally, "Non-Music" is a term I would use to describe music that, in fact, features very little ACTUAL music at all. It would mostly be just nature sounds (birds, jungles, water, wave crashes, waterfalls, crickets, other animals, atmospheres and environments, of which M2k has quit a selection of) and other sound effects. Music that is not music. :)
What do you guys think?
Rikki
I share this same concept, I usually call music instrumentals with no one singing to them, tracks. But every once in a while refer to them as 'songs', because I think that term is more familiar to people when it comes to music.
I love this topic so far...anything that mentions Eno is a winner in my book.
I don't create songs so much as vibes or feels. I treat songwriting as a painting.
Which is why I think we should develop our own ideas instead of looking to others, or books. Like I have :)
Ah but the only clear definition is the one in your head ;)
Except when you are playing Scrabble - apparently my own definitions "break the rules" ::) :P
And I prefer the term Simplarity to simplicity ;)
Quote from: BlondeJustice on September 24, 2009, 03:42:03 PM
'Simplarity'...I like that!
Simplicity and Clarity. i.e the name of my EP @ gimmesound.com/Rikki :P
Quote from: rikki-inside on September 24, 2009, 12:25:58 PM
Which is why I think we should develop our own ideas instead of looking to others, or books. Like I have :)
rik u are cool and that statement explains a lot of what i have done and part of why i have been outcasted in the past-my failure to conform to what ppl say i should do and think-i do listen to others but i form my own opinions based on my own life experience.keep being an independent(imo lol)to me having ur own unique view is what makes all of this worth it-the ability to create yer own world with it's own unique perspective.yer definition of music makes perfect sense to me casper
Woot :) @ Casper
Listening to others is one thing. Buying in to everything they say and becoming their clone is another.
We can listen and respect and understand another's, but we can only ever live our own.
It is hard to be an individual when others really challenge you to just conform. But you are right, being yourself is what makes this life worth living.
Quote from: rikki-inside on September 24, 2009, 05:08:12 PM
Woot :) @ Casper
Listening to others is one thing. Buying in to everything they say and becoming their clone is another.
We can listen and respect and understand another's, but we can only ever live our own.
It is hard to be an individual when others really challenge you to just conform. But you are right, being yourself is what makes this life worth living.
thats brilliant imo m8 cheers casper