Startling Absence of Dynamic Dimension diminishes Musicality
“…compressed and less expressive.”
I hate to seem harsh because the guy is gone and there remains a tremendous musical legacy, but slamming is slamming, regardless.
From the video comments —
What amazes me is the Total Lack of dynamic dimension, how every note is a full-on, full-blast, full-forearm-swing [blastissimo]. IMHO, this is very far from great musicianship due to the fortissississimo assault. Imagine piano played with every note being a slammed-down elbow impact on the keys. That is exactly what this style feels like to me…or, Sam Kennison with his very tiring ‘every word is screamed act’. My second amazement is the sycophantic droll overwhelming the comments.
ANALYSIS
The article “Startling Absence of Dynamic Dimension Diminishes Musicality” from soundQuality.org critiques a musician’s performance for its lack of dynamic variation, suggesting that the uniform intensity of each note detracts from the overall musical experience.
Dynamics—the variations in loudness and intensity during a performance—are fundamental to musical expression. They convey emotion, highlight structural nuances, and maintain listener engagement. A performance devoid of dynamic contrast can feel monotonous, regardless of technical proficiency.
The article compares the criticized performance to playing the piano with every note struck at maximum force or to a comedian who delivers every line by shouting. Such approaches can overwhelm the audience and diminish the intended emotional impact.
In music, dynamics range from ‘pianissimo’ (very soft) to ‘fortissimo’ (very loud), with various gradations in between. Skillful manipulation of these levels allows musicians to convey subtle emotions and create a more engaging narrative within their performance.
The critique also touches on the phenomenon of “loudness wars” in music production, where recordings are engineered to have a consistently high volume. This practice can lead to a loss of dynamic range, making the music sound compressed and less expressive.
Listener engagement is closely tied to dynamic variation. Without it, performances may fail to evoke the intended emotional responses, leading to a less memorable experience.
In conclusion, the article underscores the importance of dynamic variation in musical performances. Musicians are expected to embrace the full spectrum of dynamics to enhance expressiveness and connect more deeply with their audience.
BELOW: The full forearm assault in a whip-like motion for every note without exception drives the drum heads and cymbals (and microphone diaphragms) to maximum excursion and therefore maximum distortion. This style proves there is a particular “overloaded sound” that can be achieved only by that particular kind of every-note-full-blast playing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auLBLk4ibAk
The significance of dynamics in musical expression has been extensively examined in scholarly literature, underscoring its vital role in conveying emotion and enhancing musicality.
In “The Role of Dynamics in Musical Expression,” Geringer and Breen (1975) conducted experiments demonstrating that increased dynamic range leads to heightened perceptions of musical expressiveness among listeners.
Further exploration by Geringer in “The Effects of Expressive Variation in Dynamics on the Musical Performance of High School and College Instrumentalists” (1995) revealed that both children and adults perceive dynamic variations as integral to musical expression.
Additionally, the study “Expressive Timing and Dynamics in Real and Artificial Musical Performances” (1995) analyzed how performers’ manipulation of dynamics and timing contributes to the perceived expressiveness of music.
These studies collectively highlight that dynamics are essential for conveying emotion and enhancing musicality, influencing both performers’ interpretative choices and listeners’ perceptions.
The relationship between musical dynamics and enjoyment, cognitive engagement, or potential correlations with intellectual preferences is a fascinating topic that draws on psychology, neuroscience, and musicology. Here’s an exploration of these aspects:
Lack of Dynamics and Reduced Enjoyment
- Cognitive Stimulation:
- Dynamics in music provide variation and unpredictability, which engage listeners’ cognitive and emotional processing. A lack of dynamics can lead to monotony, reducing neural engagement and emotional response.
- Research in neuroscience has shown that the brain’s reward system is activated by contrast and surprise in sensory stimuli, including music. Without these elements, the music may feel less stimulating or enjoyable.
- Emotional Connection:
- Dynamics often convey emotion through loudness, softness, crescendos, and diminuendos. Without these variations, listeners may struggle to feel an emotional connection to the music, diminishing their overall experience.
Listeners’ Preferences and Cognitive Implications
- Preference Patterns:
- Studies indicate that individuals with higher cognitive engagement often prefer complex, dynamic, and emotionally nuanced music. This preference aligns with a tendency to seek intellectual and sensory stimulation.
- Conversely, listeners who prefer music with minimal dynamic variation may gravitate toward simple, repetitive structures, which require less cognitive effort.
- Intelligence and Musical Taste:
- Research from Kanazawa and Perina (2012) linked higher intelligence to preferences for instrumental and classical music, which typically exhibit complex dynamics and textures.
- The preference for less dynamic or simplistic music has occasionally been associated with lower openness to experience—a personality trait linked to cognitive complexity.
- Correlation, Not Causation:
- While it may seem that those with higher IQs gravitate toward dynamic music, it’s essential to distinguish preference from causation. Simplistic or dynamically flat music does not inherently “lower IQ” but may not stimulate cognitive faculties as effectively.
Case Studies and Examples
- Dynamic Music and Memory:
- Studies in music therapy have shown that dynamic music improves memory recall and emotional processing, especially in cognitively stimulating genres like jazz or classical.
- Simplistic or loudness-based music (as seen in some pop or electronic genres during the “loudness wars”) has less cognitive or emotional impact over time.
- Listener Engagement:
- Audiences with an appreciation for dynamic range often report heightened emotional and intellectual engagement. For instance, orchestral performances or operas with sweeping dynamics attract listeners who seek profound, multi-layered experiences.
Implications for Favoritism
- Socio-cultural Factors:
- Favoritism toward less dynamic music may stem from cultural exposure or limited access to more complex musical forms rather than intelligence disparities.
- Educational Influence:
- Early exposure to dynamic music genres may cultivate a preference for complexity, fostering appreciation for intellectually engaging compositions.
In conclusion, the lack of dynamics in music might reduce enjoyment by failing to engage emotional and cognitive faculties fully. This might not directly lower IQ but could reflect or reinforce simpler cognitive or emotional processing tendencies. On the other hand, listeners with a penchant for richly dynamic music may demonstrate heightened cognitive engagement, reflective of intellectual curiosity and emotional depth.