A technique is a way to do a certain thing. It utilises skill and knowledge of a particular field to get that work done.
Music has an abundance of techniques. Everything in it, if you delve deeper, has some kind of technique; be it simple or complex. It is a mind centred thing, therefore it is logical that it should be present everywhere.
The 'technique' I'm talking about here is, however, about the general use of the term. It means a complex way of doing something quite difficult, which makes people go, "Whoa! That guy is awesome." Or, "He is a really good player/singer. He did that (shredding at 240 bpm, or singing at the fifth octave of a note, or slapping the bass hard) so easily. I'm a fan of him."
Nowadays, priority is given much on technique in music. The composers often add all or at least almost all of the techniques they know in one song. With good reason, of course. They want recognition, and these days 'how good he/she can play' is one measure of it. And, of course, everyone loves that bit of attention; what better way to get them than by showing off techniques?
However, these short term benefits have huge long term costs. Let's look at it philosophically. The wise have always said, "Mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master." Techniques are mind centered. So, like the mind, they should also be mastered. And how? By using it the way you really 'feel' like using it.
However, what we usually see is that the techniques control the composers. They focus more on 'how can I make this song more difficult' than 'how can I make this song more meaningful or touching'. Often, the fast paced drumming or shredding, or a four finger tap, is put in places where it is not needed. It makes it sound difficult, of course, but doesn't gives any boost to the overall 'feel' of the song
The technically oriented music is a fully mind focused one, where little to no importance is given to the 'touch' and 'feel' of music. The purpose of music is, however, not to make it sound difficult but to make it reflect yourself, or a part of you, or an event, or anything else which you deeply feel and have a connection to. Focusing solely on technique defeats that purpose, and makes it sound dry.
So does that mean that these techniques aren't important at all? Absolutely not. Like I said before, they should be mastered. It is important for a musician to know the techniques used in his/her instrument. But it should be used in places where the song actually needs it, and it gives a boost to the feel of the song. For example, a song about fast paced inspiring thoughts coming and going, could be reflected by a good shred of a major scale. Or a good drum roll could give a good build up and intensify what the song is trying to convey. It all depends on your reflection in the song, and what the song is asking.
Leonardo da Vinci has said, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Simple music, with use of few techniques here and there, which touches you to the core, is in the end, the most sophisticated one.
Music has an abundance of techniques. Everything in it, if you delve deeper, has some kind of technique; be it simple or complex. It is a mind centred thing, therefore it is logical that it should be present everywhere.
The 'technique' I'm talking about here is, however, about the general use of the term. It means a complex way of doing something quite difficult, which makes people go, "Whoa! That guy is awesome." Or, "He is a really good player/singer. He did that (shredding at 240 bpm, or singing at the fifth octave of a note, or slapping the bass hard) so easily. I'm a fan of him."
Nowadays, priority is given much on technique in music. The composers often add all or at least almost all of the techniques they know in one song. With good reason, of course. They want recognition, and these days 'how good he/she can play' is one measure of it. And, of course, everyone loves that bit of attention; what better way to get them than by showing off techniques?
However, these short term benefits have huge long term costs. Let's look at it philosophically. The wise have always said, "Mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master." Techniques are mind centered. So, like the mind, they should also be mastered. And how? By using it the way you really 'feel' like using it.
However, what we usually see is that the techniques control the composers. They focus more on 'how can I make this song more difficult' than 'how can I make this song more meaningful or touching'. Often, the fast paced drumming or shredding, or a four finger tap, is put in places where it is not needed. It makes it sound difficult, of course, but doesn't gives any boost to the overall 'feel' of the song
The technically oriented music is a fully mind focused one, where little to no importance is given to the 'touch' and 'feel' of music. The purpose of music is, however, not to make it sound difficult but to make it reflect yourself, or a part of you, or an event, or anything else which you deeply feel and have a connection to. Focusing solely on technique defeats that purpose, and makes it sound dry.
So does that mean that these techniques aren't important at all? Absolutely not. Like I said before, they should be mastered. It is important for a musician to know the techniques used in his/her instrument. But it should be used in places where the song actually needs it, and it gives a boost to the feel of the song. For example, a song about fast paced inspiring thoughts coming and going, could be reflected by a good shred of a major scale. Or a good drum roll could give a good build up and intensify what the song is trying to convey. It all depends on your reflection in the song, and what the song is asking.
Leonardo da Vinci has said, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Simple music, with use of few techniques here and there, which touches you to the core, is in the end, the most sophisticated one.
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