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Knowing vs. Understanding

Metadata

title
Knowing vs. Understanding
description
There's theory, and there's practice. What's best?
status
complete
date
2023-11-02
kind
solo
guestSlugs
listenUrl
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Knowing-vs--Understanding-e2bdbk0
appleUrl
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/knowing-vs-understanding/id1567355195?i=1000633495020&uo=4
spotifyUrl
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4lTdAGcemb2IlsdG90WA5t
topicsDiscussed
  • Jazz
  • Beethoven's Influence
  • Act of Imitation
  • Knowing vs. Understanding
  • Cultivating Taste
  • Internalizing Music
  • Practical Experience
  • Music and Language Learning
  • Critical Imitation Techniques
  • Emotional Composition
hostNote
In this episode, I dive deep into the concepts of knowing versus understanding in the realm of music creation and appreciation. I reflect on how these two seemingly similar ideas play contrasting roles in the journey of musicians and composers. By examining historical figures like Beethoven and the Beatles, I shed light on how practical experience often shapes a musician's voice more profoundly than theoretical knowledge alone.
selectedMoments
  • label
    Beethoven's Early Compositional Journey
    startSec
    47
    note
    I discuss the significance of Beethoven starting to compose before formally being deemed ready by his mentors.
  • label
    Theory vs. Practicality in Music
    startSec
    95
    note
    The host reflects on the difference between understanding music theory and the practical knowledge exemplified by artists like the Beatles.
  • label
    Imitation in Learning Music
    startSec
    184
    note
    I elaborat on Beethoven's practice of imitating Mozart as a way to develop my unique voice.
  • label
    Transcribing Musical Nuances
    startSec
    272
    note
    I discuss the importance of not just transcription of notes in jazz, but also capturing the nuances of performance.
  • label
    Inductive vs. Deductive Learning
    startSec
    361
    note
    Analysis of different methods of learning music: inductive (through practice) versus deductive (through theory).
  • label
    Internalization in Music Learning
    startSec
    406
    note
    I emphasize how internalizing music is crucial to developing an authentic artistic voice.
excerptQuotes
  • text
    ...it was an interesting kind of take on the compositional mind. Because Beethoven started working on composition before his teachers... told him that he was ready.
    startSec
    61
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    Some people have both. That's probably the best thing to have. And then there are other people that have knowing... they clearly knew it.
    startSec
    137
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    ...best thing you can actually go do is talk to somebody and fumble and learn how to speak and then figure out how to speak in your own way. Music is very much the same.
    startSec
    466
    reviewed
    true
faq
  • question
    What is the difference between knowing and understanding in music?
    answer
    I discuss how knowing refers to practical knowledge gained through doing, while understanding is more about theoretical knowledge.
  • question
    How did Beethoven learn to compose?
    answer
    Beethoven practiced imitation and absorbed the music of my influences, notably Mozart, to develop my unique style.
  • question
    What role does imitation play in music learning?
    answer
    Imitation allows musicians to internalize techniques and develop their own voice through practice.
transcriptPublished
false
draft
false

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