Firstly guys, this is'nt meant to be some 'awesome' insight, just an observation by liitle ole me, nothing more.
Maybe hang fire on the sarky comments such as 'so you think your a genious' or some such, because I absolutley don't - I'm an amatateur.
In the UK we have a reality show called 'Masterchef'.
Week in week out, established chefs battle to be this weeks winner/s in order to go into the later stages.
There are important lessons for producers here, more about that in a minute.
Each contestant at outset gives an interview and says things like;
'I know I can win this'
'I've got the talent to see me through'
'All my freinds and customers tell me I can go all the way'
Yet, in the final analysis only a select few make the top grade and only one wins, yet they all have access to the same knowledge and ideas.
SO WHAT MAKES ONE CHEF BETTER THAN ANOTHER?
This is where we can draw parallels with production.
So what is it it that separates the best from the rest in your opinion, whether it be food or music?
From watching Masterchef down the years I'd say the key determinant of outcome for chefs is ATTITUDE.
At outset they all think they are top grade, but in the final analysis only a few are. It's those with an unerring attention to detail that always win and this attention to detail stems from a voracious inner drive to do the best you can and then do even better.
For example; making sure the inside of the donut is light and fluffy, yet cooked, not overdone on the outside, not too sweet but sweet enough, the right type and temperature and amount of jam, the right type of jam hole, presented perfectly on the right temperature plate etc etc.
END USERS CAN SPOT ATTENTION TO DETAIL WHETHER IT BE FOOD OR MUSIC.
I had an encounter with a chef at the weekend who had this typical sensxe that he was great - but he was not and never will be - for example he took shortcuts like not peeling the parsnips and not steeping the saffron. He suffers that typcial lack of attention to detail which will ensure he never makes the top tier.
Another point; nearly all amateur 'home' cooks (as opposed to the current show's established cooks) way over estimate thier ability. For example for years they've been told by family they make amazing toffee pudding, yet on Masterchef they are told it's way too sweet, or not the right texture.
As I say, I'm not lecturing or anything - just musing on this is all.
Mad for Brad
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Butler
END USERS CAN SPOT ATTENTION TO DETAIL WHETHER IT BE FOOD OR MUSIC.
I would say some can but most no. You need a to be at a certain level of understanding of the music to pick out the details and realize why something is great while something is not. Cooking is the same. Unless you have a very developed pallet, you aren't going to notice small changes in food. Same for wine. Takes years to acquire the ability to judge and enjoy them.
Acton
I have the sudden urge to go home and eat all of my tracks.
w_ashley
Funny attachment actually - I eat what I make and make what I make.
Its odd but honestly I am audibly inspired by food and inspired to cook by the sound I make.
Mad for Brad
I have a rotation of 5 meals. I've been eating said meals for 3 years. Food isn't really something I feel I need to explore. Once I find something I like, I stick with it. Probably the only component of my life that is relatively stable. Well that and sleep.
Omega_Blue
lol "jam hole"
Rodri Santos
food maybe isn't the same comparison as everybody has eaten in a restaurant or has a friend who cooks really well so all of us has experienced what is good food and bad food, not only in taste but you know that if you can see your friend through your hand full of oil & fat that food isn't very healthy (fat is tasty but of course the real cooker creates strong flavours without using damaging fat or spices)
For music is not the same, some people have grown up listening to whatever is played in the radio, haven't listened to Beethoven , Mozart or Bach to name a few and realised what is harmony and what is a ****** rap.
If you pick say 3 girls of 13,15,18 years and ask them which kind of music they listen to they will say " Wooh a lot" :
Hannah Montana, Jonas Broters, Simple Plan, local copycats... they haven't tryed anything different, so can't compare and judge saying :
-This sound good and is well done music
-I don't like this but i see production effort & technique
-This is horrible.
Richard Butler
quote:
Originally posted by Mad for Brad
I would say some can but most no. You need a to be at a certain level of understanding of the music to pick out the details and realize why something is great while something is not. Cooking is the same. Unless you have a very developed pallet, you aren't going to notice small changes in food. Same for wine. Takes years to acquire the ability to judge and enjoy them.
I should have clarified - end users can 'sense' qual;ity, without necessarily knowing why.
tehlord
I've made so many analogies between cooking and music over the last couple of years it's ridiculous.
Sadly, too many people like a little plate of clever nothing served up in a clinical surrounding.
I guess it's the same reason tech and minimal house is popular
/runs
Storyteller
I'm currently heading home after having an early dinner with jonas stenberg, orjan nilsen and marcus schossow. I must say food tastes better when you're surrounded by talented producers.
Kismet7
i cant see how you came to the conclusion that simply attitude is the determining factor. Attitude is for the most part a socially conditioned construct, with the aim to form a "good attitude". Most great artists don't write music based on socially conditioned ways, they actually are rebelling against them for the most part.
But yes making music is like being a chef, its like being a psychologist, its like being a philosopher, a doctor, a professor, a magician, a guide for nomads, the list goes on, its like being many things.
Storyteller
It's usually like sex too.
Attitude isn't that what makes a musician a good musician. It is something that, along the way, could help someone proving to be a good musician. A proper attitude is necessary to develop a talent but does not mean one is talented beforehand.
