[Dixielandjazz] remembering the lyrics

[Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis]

Knowing the lyrics is different from understanding the lyrics.  There are 
singers out there who know the words but don't understand what's going on. 
I will ask you too the question that by that logic how can anyone possibly 
understand or play Beethoven or Mozart without any words?

I don't need someone or something to tell me what a line of music is all 
about nor do they do things like set tempo.  How do you ever set a tempo? 
The words don't indicate it.

Words have their use but are only superficial when it comes to knowing what 
the music is all about and I think they are a by-product of listening to a 
tune a bunch.  I think of them as only the beginning to understanding what a 
musical line is all about.

If needing to know the words was true then no one would be able to play a 
blues in Bb.  I have been playing  that for years and hearing it for years 
from other musicians.  The wonderful endless variety of a simple blues in Bb 
can only be explained by all those musicians feeling something inside and it 
isn't words.

If learning the words are a help then do it.  I think they get more in the 
way to understanding.  They just don't float my personal boat.
Larry
St. Louis
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "pat ladd" <pj.ladd at btinternet.com>
To: "Larry Walton" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
Cc: "jazz" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2007 5:42 AM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] remembering the lyrics


> there are a lot of musicians who learn the words to a tune; it helps with 
> phrasing.>>
>
> Hi,
> I just assumed hat all musicians do that. Hell, I always did it and I am a 
> drummer.  How can you know what the tune is about, the mood, the feeling, 
> without knowing the lyrics.
>
> Cheers
>
> Pat
>
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