Hello Everyone!
I'm stopping by after the suggestion of our dear friend Kay Ross!
Is there a difference when working with instrumentalists versus vocalists?
Yes! First of all, Vocalists need to be accompanied and supported, which adds a new challenge when you have to fit music to a tempo that would serve both singes and motion without compromising quality.
Philosophically, there is also the fact that when you put lyrics to music you limit the meaning/significance of the music to it's words, while pure instrumental music leaves space for the listener to create it's own individual perception of the music base in his cultural Background.
What are your thoughts guys?
You can follow-up my post that Kay commented here:
https://www.stage32.com/lounge/introduce_yourself/Hi-Guys-36
Thank you so much Kay!
Ooo, that's a really good point, Alan Anibal! I knew about the accompanist, but I didn't consider the philosophy behind vocals - that makes sense! In a way, I think that's why I love Hanz Zimmer's work. So many of the vocals don't seem like lyrics, just vocals as another instrument. What do y'all think?
Thanks for starting the conversation, sir!
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For production/performance purposes, I have always treated vocalists as if they were instrumentalists. I look to put all my performers whenever possible into their best range and I try to get them to their 'sweet spots' when they are trying to 'emphasize'/shine in their solos. I also make the assumption for all my soloists, that my music (especially pop and jazz and even orchestral/classical) is a starting off point. I do not subscribe to the philosophy that only I know the best way for the music to be performed. Occasionally I will highly suggest certain tempos or ask the performers to stick to the notes on paper, but from my experience, when my performers 'interpret' my works, the outcomes often 'exceed' my expectations. The best 'pop'/rock example I can think of this is the Bob Dylan song, "Mr. Tambourine Man". You have his folk rendition and then he heard the 'electronic' version of the Byrds and suposedly did not like it. I don't know how he feels about it today, but the Byrds version went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1965 - first Bob Dylan song ever to hit #1. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Tambourine_Man )
And as far as lyrics, I consider them no different as notes with various articulations to evoke emotions.
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Interesting topic, as a singer and musician, I feel the voice is an instrument, can follow the abstract sound if needed, lyrics too, instrumental peices can enhance the mood of the screne, as intended, vocals though, touch us to a deeper level as it connects us with more than our minds, and emotions, but also to the soul. Only the voice can do this. :-)