The genius and the generosity of Ornette Coleman
brianlux
Posts: 42,068
In reading Peter Niklas Wilson's book on Ornette Coleman, Ornette Coleman, His Life and Music, I came across this quote of Coleman speaking in an interview to Stefan Lamby:
"I just thought music was something that anyone does naturally, which I really believe is true today- that someone who's never picked up an instrument can pick up an instrument and play something that someone who's been playing all his life never thought of playing"
This seems like a very generous and simple statement, especially coming from a man who describes his own music in complex terms such as "harmolodics"- a term that defies explanation yet defines so much of this man's musical genius. Or these thoughts:
"...as you listen throughout ["Blues Connection"] you hear that the minor thirds do not act as a basis for the melody. And as you get more accustomed to my music, you realize that this is happening throught all of it."
"There is no predetermined chordal or time pattern. I think we got a spontaneous, free-wheeling thing going here" [referring to "Free"].
"I like the way the melody here [in "Forerunner"] often runs through the rhythm instruments, with the melody instruments- the horns- providing rhythm accents (the traditional function of drums and bass)."
There you have it. Anyone can play music and the rules can change. I like that.
"I just thought music was something that anyone does naturally, which I really believe is true today- that someone who's never picked up an instrument can pick up an instrument and play something that someone who's been playing all his life never thought of playing"
This seems like a very generous and simple statement, especially coming from a man who describes his own music in complex terms such as "harmolodics"- a term that defies explanation yet defines so much of this man's musical genius. Or these thoughts:
"...as you listen throughout ["Blues Connection"] you hear that the minor thirds do not act as a basis for the melody. And as you get more accustomed to my music, you realize that this is happening throught all of it."
"There is no predetermined chordal or time pattern. I think we got a spontaneous, free-wheeling thing going here" [referring to "Free"].
"I like the way the melody here [in "Forerunner"] often runs through the rhythm instruments, with the melody instruments- the horns- providing rhythm accents (the traditional function of drums and bass)."
There you have it. Anyone can play music and the rules can change. I like that.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
Excellent! Hadn't seen that before- thanks for posting it!