Poll: Do you guys think classical music is worthless now?

[SlaveNumber23]

Absolutely not, classical music is one of the most beautiful, unobtrusive and inoffensive genres of music there is. While not everyone is going to love or like it, I believe that it is quite hard to hate or dislike classical music, as while for example pop music is quite intrusive, loud and/or whiny, classical music humbly sits back, making a polite offer but never forcing itself upon you. I find it extremely difficult to have a problem with classical music.

 

[JonSherwell]

Nah, what you do is you take classical music and update it to make it accessible. Then classical music fans hate you because you've messed up classical music, and fans of modern music don't care.

Somehow this is somewhat profitable, though.

Basically this, or you can get into training for a truly classical career. There are still operas, choruses, orchestras, musicals, etc, which garner a lot of respect from people, and will be really profitable if you can break into them. Granted, if you do that, you won't ever really be a POP singer, but... you could very well be successful.

EDIT: Also if you'd like to see classically trained musicians in more contemporary forms of music, check out The National, most of the instrumentalists are classically trained in one or more instruments, and it really shows.

 

[HoneyVision]

Is this even a serious question? Just to name it "classical" means that it will never be worthless.
I know so many people who listen to classical music, and the majority of them are still in their teens. Classical music carries the most foundational sounds and harmonies that even the biggest freak will enjoy.

 

[Julius Terrell]

I do appreciate everyone's imput and suggestions. I would have never have made this thread if I didn't believe I had what it takes. It took a long time for me to come to terms with my ability, but once I did, I knew there was no looking back.

I like the idea of conservatory training, but I've found out that it's not cheap. It cost almost as much to attend a conservatory as it would to obtain a law or medical degree(for some schools). As much as I want this I've always felt like there's just few places to turn. Being in my mid-30s means that I can't keep putting this off. My belief is that I was born with this gift for a reason and it is my duty to share with as many people as possible.

As far as electronic music is concerned, some of the IDM or D&B artists would really fit my style. Hell, ambient and more low-fi music really would be interesting. I would really love if The Flashbulb allowed me to do some projects with him. It's the least I could do for all the wonderful music I've enjoyed of his in the past. Apex Twin,Venetian Snares,Wisp. I would be honored to work with them. Can you imagine something new from them continuing the great tradition of experimental sounds these guys produce with my vocals. It makes me shiver just thinking about it.

 

[Xan Krieger]

Seems I was one of the only people who voted yes. My big problem with classical music is the lack of any good electric guitar solos. Until they resolve that problem it's worthless to me.

 

[The Floating Nose]

I'm asking because I have a classical voice and I really want to sing professionally. I'm a male saprano and everybody thinks that I'm going to become famous. The situation I always see is that pop singers with half the talent I have have more of a chance of becoming well known or famous. I've been going back and fourth with myself over the years and I just don't know what to do.

People suggest posting videos on youtube to showcase my ability, but I don't know what that will really do, but I still like the idea. Comments? Thanks guys!

Of Course do it ! There's still room for beautiful voices in this world. Just do it ! You'Ll never know the result unless you try. If you just keep going back and forth about it, time will pass and you'Ll never end up doing it. What do you have to lose ?

 

[romxxii]

Don't compare yourself to pop stars; they get by mainly because of their looks.

Unless you're pretty, of course. In which case, you can try the Josh Groban route.

 

[Inferus Eques]

I still listen to classical music, if you think you can make it take a shot. Got nothing to lose everything to gain they say. Just, try experimenting with it, eventually you'll find what suits you best. If not, then, what's the big loss? Better to know then let that doubt fester in your mind forever. I always wanted to be a level designer, got a taste, then decided I'd prefer something else. I don't see that time I spent on that being time wasted. I had a fun job with fun coworkers and it gave me a lot of insight about the industry I wanted in.

 

[Auron]

There's no such thing as a classical voice. It's all in the way you project it. I'd say some voice have more ease to get into it, but it's usually a thing you learn. Classic era arias have seem a resurgence in Italy in the last few years and there are huge festivals every year. It's also big in other parts of Europe and I'd suggest you go study there. You need to study I cannot stress that enough and preferably with a more modern teacher who understands and develops your vocal range, very traditional teachers usually make you ignore the higher side of your extension in my experience.

There are no male sopranos btw, it's called contra tenor(no idea in English) which is similar and can attain almost as high notes but has a different timbre, male aopranos are kids or castrati and I don't believe you're in either category.

 

[Julius Terrell]

Seems I was one of the only people who voted yes. My big problem with classical music is the lack of any good electric guitar solos. Until they resolve that problem it's worthless to me.

Go listen to Rhapsody. Plenty in their music. They have a unique metal-classical sound and they sing about my favorite stuff. Armies of darkness and evil overlords and all that epic fantasy stuff I just suck up.

Otherwise me and rock aren't the best of friends.

 

[Something Amyss]

If your only intent is to get famous, yes.

Otherwise, no. It's still valid. It's just not mainstream.

 

[pearcinator]

Classical music is awesome!

I am learning 'Blackheart' (Two Steps from Hell) on Piano...I know its not technically 'classical' music but I consider it classical for the modern era. I like to call it Modical music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbttZVTSJRU[/youtube]

 

[BNguyen]

I think the problem is not with classical music, but with what is considered 'good' today - when you look at a lot of the more popular songs today, all you really see is a repeated chorus line with barely anything to fill up the rest, and the singers cannot carry a tune (thus the widespread use of synthesizers and echo effects). These songs seem to be more accessible to the public and don't require as much 'immersion' for lack of a better term in order to get a sense for the music that is playing.

The more I think about it, the new pop is practically a call back to country.
Much of what country was was about relationships (mostly broken ones and cheating) and what I continue to hear over the radio is the same thing in these newer songs, although the new pop is less about getting across a story in the song like country and more about dumbing down the lyrics to the bare minimum of what a song is in order to make it easier to reach younger audiences who mostly listen for the music rather than the lyrics.

And sure, most songs repeat the chorus, but what I've heard most better music doesn't repeat the chorus to fill two-thirds of the song length
worst culprits of this habit:
"Rumor has it"
"like diamonds in the sky"
"Gotta get up and try"

sure these may not be the actual titles but what I wrote takes up 98% of these songs, hell, "Rumor has it" is repeated 31 times.

 

[lacktheknack]

Classical is rife with technique, making it ideal for studying, so it will never be worthless.

That said, it's difficult to be famous singing classically, but why aim to be famous? Do something well, and the dedicated fans will come. It may not make you rich, but at least you will enjoy what you do.

 

[Kontarek]

Obviously classical music hasn't become worthless; it's still around, people still listen to it, and people are still getting paid to perform it. Even if most of the world suddenly declared it worthless tomorrow, it wouldn't really matter as long as it continues to mean something to you.

I mean sure, you'll have to be damn good if you plan on doing this for a living, and it's doubtful you'll ever become hugely famous even if you do manage to land a good career with it, but being famous is overrated anyways right?

On the other hand, artists like Yann Tiersen seem to have made it pretty big writing music with classical elements:

Spoiler: Yann Tiersen- La Valse d'Amelie

I'd say the path to fame is by no means completely shut off from those with classical leanings, provided you can find some creative way to make it accessible and appealing to the general public (easier said than done, obviously ).

 

[Julius Terrell]

I've been watching the voice off and on today. I came to the decision that there would be no place for me on that show. Talent shows for the most part are for pop singers. It makes me so sad to see that there is next to no place for someone with my kind of talent on TV. I think hollywood deems classical music as worthless, because it's not a sign of the times. Most of american society has this same attitude.

Performing arts and music aren't a priority in school anymore. A lot of performing arts halls are on life support, the most people usually know about classical music is beethoven. Why was I born in THIS country?

I don't care what anybody says about this coutry, it's got to be one of the worst countries to be born in if you have a unqiue talent. This is supposed to be the golden age of mankind. Everything is progressing at the speed of light, but music and the arts.

 

[JohnnyDelRay]

Hm, I was a bit confused by the title, thinking that it was alluding towards classical music having an actual 'value', rather than just to make a career and/or get famous. For making a career, it's still there, just a bit more niche nowadays, same as jazz and some of its forms, and others. I think the only way to get anywhere with that is to just get to know as many people as you can involved in that industry - the chances of striking it lucky and making it big through talent shows is pretty slim, there's too many other people out there with the same idea.

Classical music still has tremendous value, well to me at least, as I work in a school I think the educational value is priceless. You can really teach about the different types of musical techniques, orchestration, and even types of instruments much more easily when you have classical music on hand to demonstrate. And there's a reason that a lot of it was written centuries ago and is still popular/significant now, I wonder how long more modern artists are going to last.