Retrovertigo
Senior Member
Is it better to be pretty good at a bunch of styles of really good at just one. At first glance it seems that all the guys who have made actual musical statements have been of the latter.
for example: Chad Smith is great at what he does. i love his playing. but i really dont think he would be half as exciting in a jazz combo or playing some authentic latin grooves.
Tony Williams is rediculously good. Obscenely so. but i dont want to hear him play with Built to Spill or Slayer. (maybe i do actually) but Dave Lombardo is clearly a much better fit.
Vinnie, Weckle, Bozzio etc. have advanced the realm of possibilities in a serious way but what have they contributed to other than things that just melt your brain. is the purpose of art to melt your brain or to reach into you soul?
Obviously studying many styles helps you understand what you're doing but there is a limitation to that. In that same line of thinking studying anything increases your understanding and abilities.
P.S. I thought of this after I listened to Stanton Moore with Corroson of Conformity. I thought that it was cool but Des Kensel (High on Fire) or Dale Crover (The Melvins) would have really killed on that album.
for example: Chad Smith is great at what he does. i love his playing. but i really dont think he would be half as exciting in a jazz combo or playing some authentic latin grooves.
Tony Williams is rediculously good. Obscenely so. but i dont want to hear him play with Built to Spill or Slayer. (maybe i do actually) but Dave Lombardo is clearly a much better fit.
Vinnie, Weckle, Bozzio etc. have advanced the realm of possibilities in a serious way but what have they contributed to other than things that just melt your brain. is the purpose of art to melt your brain or to reach into you soul?
Obviously studying many styles helps you understand what you're doing but there is a limitation to that. In that same line of thinking studying anything increases your understanding and abilities.
P.S. I thought of this after I listened to Stanton Moore with Corroson of Conformity. I thought that it was cool but Des Kensel (High on Fire) or Dale Crover (The Melvins) would have really killed on that album.