How to spot musical elitists... - Music - Forums : Best Ever Albums

Kiki

The more words they use when they talk about music, the bigger the musical elitist they are. Laughing

This is a rough sketch of something I have... worked on. Jagged thoughts indeed. While some of the words may seem harmless they can be potentially toxic when talking about music. They either give off elitist airs without simply saying "I am a better music listener than you". Here's what I have so far:

- derivative
- diverse
- bonafide
- subjective
- eclectic
- horizons
- tastes
- influences
- generic
- atmosphere
- objective
- understand (when used after the words 'I don't')

I lost a lot of the explinations so I am going to go over them as I go along. I'm working on the ideas again I'll put a mirror up to the wide BEA world and hear what people have to say. Razz

Do you know any other little things musical elitists say? Are there any other words which would apply to the list?

alelsupreme

Awful.

Gender: Male

Age: 28

How to spot a musical elitist: Someone who accuses others of "not listening to music" or thinks his taste is superior to others.
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Applerill

Autistic Princess <3

Gender: Female

Age: 31

Location: Chicago

Dadrockers are the worst. They have no grasp of music philosophy: While criticizing the "poppy rap crap" that's driving the industry, they fail to realize that AC/DC is just as blatantly commercial and idiotic (if not much, much more).

When taken too far, though, avant-garde snobs can be a drag, too. I'm all for "abstract qualities"; heck, when recording music, abstract qualities is my whole PHILOSOPHY!!!

But when you regard anything less sophisticated than Steve Reich to be plebian music, you really are being the worst kind of elitist in general.

moojakptorei

If they use a pretentious grading system which has symbols the mean that an album isn't worth listening to.
*cough* http://www.robertchristgau.com/cg.php *cough*

And if they never give an album a perfect score.
*cough* http://www.scaruffi.com/music.html *cough*

Kiki

Who here dislikes the word 'eclectic'? Confused

I mean... why even use that word with music? When people use it the whole thing comes across as "LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!!!!". An eclectic taste in music? 'Eclectic' sounds like the name of a Poundland cough medicine, who would even want to risk it? Laughing

Who wants to have an 'Eclectic' album chart? 'Eclectic' people say stuff like 'I hope you broaden your horizons in future' as a back handed compliment.

Applerill

Autistic Princess <3

Gender: Female

Age: 31

Location: Chicago

an_outlaw wrote:

Who here dislikes the word 'eclectic'? Confused

I mean... why even use that word with music? When people use it the whole thing comes across as "LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!!!!". An eclectic taste in music? 'Eclectic' sounds like the name of a Poundland cough medicine, who would even want to risk it? Laughing

Who wants to have an 'Eclectic' album chart? 'Eclectic' people say stuff like 'I hope you broaden your horizons in future' as a back handed compliment.

But the thing is, if you aren't eclectic, then it possibly could be (though far from always, of course) that YOU'RE the one who is being a music elitist. You're putting your own little box ahead of everyone else, and not allowing yourself to grow.

Of course, it's great to have favorite genres, and to go deep into said favorites; but so many people don't go outside their own little box. And that's the worst.

meccalecca

Voice of Reason

Gender: Male

Location: The Land of Enchantment

seems like I must be a musical elitist. cool.
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http://jonnyleather.com

Kiki

Applerill wrote:

But the thing is, if you aren't eclectic, then it possibly could be (though far from always, of course) that YOU'RE the one who is being a music elitist. You're putting your own little box ahead of everyone else, and not allowing yourself to grow.

Of course, it's great to have favorite genres, and to go deep into said favorites; but so many people don't go outside their own little box. And that's the worst.

Very good points raised here. Although what we would call 'elitist' is different.

Must say the word 'grow' could be up the top. It's like... plants. Plants grow. Laughing

It's very airy hairy to describe music with.

Does you're definition of elitist cover both sides of the coin? Or does someone who listens to more become likewise less of an 'elitist'?

Guest

Ochurch25 wrote:

If they use a pretentious grading system which has symbols the mean that an album isn't worth listening to.
*cough* http://www.robertchristgau.com/cg.php *cough*

And if they never give an album a perfect score.
*cough* http://www.scaruffi.com/music.html *cough*

gussteivi

an_outlaw wrote:

does someone who listens to more become likewise less of an 'elitist'?

I think I've become less of an elitist after having listened to more music. I used the "elitism" as a defence mechanism so I wouldn't have to face the fact that there's a lot of music I don't understand how to appreciate. There still is, of course, so I still do it.

Last edited by gussteivi on 08/16/2013 22:55; edited 1 time in total