“Classical music is boring; it just does not excite me,” exclaims one person. “Isn’t classical music just made by boring dead white guys?” asks another. “Have you ever heard classical? It’s just the same old thing over and over again,” complains another.
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I decided to focus in on some of the common complaints I hear people share when they say why they do not like classical music: it is absolutely boring, written by a bunch of old dead white guys, confusing, too church-related, not cool enough to listen to, does not appeal to their emotions, is only for weddings, is not creative, and has no variety.
Through this blog, I hope to make classical music less intimidating to people and help them to be able to appreciate it for its uniqueness.
It's funny - although I haven't specifically listened to classical music in years I would definitely say I like it a lot. Most people don't realize that they actually hear it quite a bit in movies. A lot of it is pretty intense too. I think the best remedy for somebody not appreciating classical music is for them to go to a live concert. Live concerts are where its at! It blows my mind how good so many musicians are.
ReplyDeleteAnnaLee, I'm interested to see how you present classical music. And I hope you post some really sweet sound clips.
I'm really excited to see where this blog goes. I grew up listening to classical music, and I really love it! I also find it interesting that others do not like classical music, but hopefully you can help them feel otherwise!
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I LOVE classical music. I was in a university band last winter, and now am in a string orchestra. One thing I like about Provo is, that there are lots of good classical concerts every now and then. If you can introduce them to us as well, that will be great, too.
ReplyDeleteHi AnnaLee! You bring up a question I have also asked myself. I work at Classical 89, and while I have never hated classical music, I have come to really appreciate how beautiful it is.
ReplyDeleteI really feel that almost all genres of music have pieces that are beautiful, and I enjoy many different musical styles. I even play electric guitar and sing in a rock band. But I would have to say that classical music has the ability to calm me down and set my thoughts in proper order... it just leaves me with a good feeling.
Now for a little plug: if you want to increase your understanding of classical music, Listen on-line at www.classical89.org or at 89.1 / 89.5 FM on the radio!
I think the shift in interest over the last hundreds of years also has something to do with the several steps of evolution popular music has endured from then to now. Even the descendants of the blues are far removed from their roots:
ReplyDeleteDelta Blues->Classic Blues->Boogie Woogie->Urban Blues->Electric Blues->Rhythm and Blues (Motown)->Rock and Roll (thanks to Elvis singing the predominantly African American genre).
That was just 50 years of evolution, and these days people have a hard time listening to Elvis 60 years after that.
Gary,
ReplyDeleteIt's so true that classical music pops up in movies everywhere, and people don't really notice it. I would like to see what people would say if you took out all of the classical music from movies, it would definitely take out some of the thrill factor!
Ariele,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, I do hope I can help others like classical music more!
Dohyop,
ReplyDeleteI will definitaly try to find out when the local concerts are and let everyone know.
polysonic,
ReplyDeleteI've been listening to that station for years and love all the selections they play, thanks for mentioning it!
Araingee,
ReplyDeleteI love looking at how music has evolved. Thanks for putting the evolution of rock on there, I hadn't seen it written out so well before.