Hi! Musicologist here!
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Though I do disagree with the elitist notion that 'intellect' is required to enjoy Beethoven.
Yeah, I love Beethoven but I haven't the slightest desire to break down his "symphonic algorithm" despite what amount of intelligence I possess or lack. I just like listening to it.
I do get his point though. The "musicologist" can piss off with his race baiting. Beside the fact that you can just tell from the picture what he's going to say.
TBH Beethoven didn’t have a symphonic algorithm and that’s why he was so badass. He went against the grain and broke the “rules” in traditional classical symphonic form which helped usher in the romantic period. Oh wait… we are supposed to modulate back to the Tonic major key??? Fuck you says Beethoven! Let’s add in a solo and bring it back into minor with a big ass brass sound. Come on T-bones, you can join the orchestra too. What a fuckin legend.
A fish doesn't know it's wet.
I won't go as far as Ahaus but I'll agree that a higher intelligence allows one to better appreciate music with multiple harmonious melodies. And then personal talent or skill in music (which is correlated but doesn't always align with intelligence) allows one to better appreciate complex arrangements, even from a single instrument. In the West, Classical music exemplifies this the best, but it also applies to rock, jazz, and electronic pop music, wherever it's not just chords backing a singer.
Everyone can certainly still enjoy it, the way we might enjoy a movie while not understanding its themes.
I mean a "certain level" of intellect is required for enjoying anything, even if the bar is little higher than "drooling vegetable".
There's also a distinction to be made between enjoying something and truly appreciating it too. Most people can't truly appreciate any grand achievement until they have some experience or knowledge of the technical difficulties behind it.
I think "truly appreciating" is a very high bar, one of infinite height.
"Music exist."
"Music good."
"This chiptune jumps around in a weird and creepy way compared to the usual, I like it."
"This chiptune plays with the concept of a minor tonal melodic 5th triad to a clipped sus-7 without a resolution until the coda, I like it."
"Based on the historic music works of the time..."
"Based on the mathematical formulas of the time..."
"The vibrations in the air have a variance of..."
It's endless. There is no "truly", only greater and lesser appreciation. The person who knows no music theory but listens to a lot of music, somewhere near spot three above, appreciates the techniques in the music, they just don't know how to explain their appreciation. Like a blind painter explaining depth of view, they know something exists there, they just don't have the personal experience to explain it.
It is, the simple fact of the matter is that low iqs follow tympanic rhythm from drums or bass. This is why rap and edm is designed around percussions.
I love Beethoven and I enjoy some jazz. Generally the only rap I listen to is old school or Christian. Basically I like all kinds. I understand the point he was trying to make. There seems to be a movement to trash the greats of classical music
My experience with cats suggests they generally seem to prefer arrhythmic light instrumentals over thumpy shit with human voices.
Also see: David Theie.
Also see: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/70539/7-scientific-studies-about-how-animals-react-music and similar.
I didn't know there was such a thing as Christian rap. Learn something new every day.
Some of its really good. If you are into that sort of thing
They've had heavy metal since forever, too, so why not.
You say that but give Aphex Twin, Igorr, Squarepusher, or my favorite, Venetian Snares a listen.
Take this one for example. It is designed around percussion but there is a ton of shit going on. Or what's popularly called "The Hungarian Albulm".
Turntablism, the good stuff anyhow, takes a lot of creativity. See Mr. Dibbs. And turntablism goes back to jazz and funk, both largely driven by percussion and bass. I know some people might call this cheap but there are some cool things going on in it. There is a lot of jazz that makes callbacks to classical/romantic era music and then they go wild with it.
There is a ton of garbage out there in EDM and rap (thought I can't really speak to rap, as I'm not in to it), sure, but it does a disservice to the talented people making some incredible music. I get many people aren't in to the stuff I used as examples, especially the electronic stuff, but it can get pretty deep.