Interestingly…Beethoven didn’t even have access symphony orchestras (conservatory trained people) of the caliber we have today. Beethoven had to scrounge and hustle just to get enough musicians to perform his canonical works a couple of times…with only about a day of rehearsal. There obviously was no recorded music. Most of the time it was just him, his pianoforte (modern piano hadn’t been invented yet) and his phenomenal mind and its ability to construct music and memorialize it on paper.
That syncavier is now a museum piece. Now with computers and using midi removes the human element. Using computers or midi is ok for dance music etc but using it for classical music which Frank used it for took out the life out of it. Cos classical music needs the human touch. The music he did on it sounds dated. Frank was too much a perfectionist. Tho I'm a massive fan. You need the certain individuals in a band to make that band great. Take out a member or two and it can ruin the chemistry. Take King Crimson for example. They did one of the best debut albums in rock history and after a couple of members left they were never the same. That machine is nothing more than an obsolete electric teapot.
@@twistedspanner You’re right about certain members being essential for the chemistry but wrong about the machines being “teapots”. Each have their place.
@@m.vonhollen6673 Sure. Midi is handy in it's place. I've used it myself in songs featuring guitars and real drums which are played by humans. A whole song recorded in midi and quantized sucks the life out of it for me and it sound too clinical and too perfect. That's why you now have midi drum machines that are programmed to drift in and out of time to try and make it sound authentic and give it the human touch. All this has come a long way since Zappa was composing his orchestral music on the synclavier. You can tell that midi stuff from the 80's sounds like primitive technology. Just like computer graphics. He'd had bad experiences with orchestras especially British ones who liked a traditional pint to relax before or during a recording break. 😁 Frank being the perfectionist he was must have found the synclavier was ideal in getting his ideas down and recorded so he could and later present the music to a real orchestra which he did and was happy with the results. I love Zappa especially the 60' & 70's stuff but not so much his 80's stuff. But Tbh I haven't given it much time. As for the electric teapot remark that was just a joke. Musicians in the 80's had all this musical technology like the fairlight sampler at their disposal and were and were encouraged to use them on their next albums. Now the fairlight itself is a also an obsolete museum piece. Even Pink Floyd hated those 80's stuff so much they re recorded the drums and replaced the keyboards of their comeback album 'The Momentary Lapse of Reason' cos it sounded so 80's they used older equipment to give it a more 70's Floyd sound. PS Some producers these days don't even bother to record a second or third verse or chorus. They'll concentrate on getting just one of each right and copy and paste that for the rest of the song so basically you've already heard the whole song after the first chorus just to save time. I wouldn't dream of doing that these days. Cos I know it's cheating. Also people can pick up on it. Leave in a mistake or a Bum note like even Hendrix did and Bowie did with the bass mistake on Jean Genie.🤔
I think the interviewer just didn't know or couldn't conceive what Zappa was saying. I mean you got to remember Frank Zappa's doing this at the beginning. Artists are almost always 30 years ahead of what normal people can conceive. Think about it. People are just now listening to J Dilla. And J Dilla was one of five people listening to Ahmad Jamal. Jamal did Swaziland in 1978. Dilla did Stakes Is High in 1996. In 2016 orchestras we're doing Stakes Is High. It took us forty years to understand one passage of one song by a genius the level of Ahmad Jamal. That's how far behind we are from guys at that level of music-making.
@@brownstonecustomcabinetry5309 Yeah good point. Zappa would fit in nicely in our modern times. Stakes is High is De La Soul though, and I don't think your point logically follows to your conclusion, but I like idea. Sometimes society just ain't ready for the innovations of the past
If I’m not mistaken, I think what Frank is referring to, is a Synclavier. The Synclavier was an early digital synthesizer, polyphonic digital sampling system. Zappa was one of the first musicians to employ this technology.
I dont think he meant performances. The context is clearly the production of musical peices to eventually be played by humans. Otherwise he would have toured with computers after this.
I like that he clarified at the end that the human element in art was unreliable because people can be a pain in the ass to work with, but I don't like that he liked the automitation of music, one of the things that's damaging the outcome of quality works and opportunities for artists to this day.
This journalist really had his finger on the pulse bc that argument of "computers getting in the way" is the argument that's made against that kind of tech today.
The fact that Frank saw music as a product and business makes me think he might have been in favor of those awful practices, I mean even his image is used in hologram concerts.
He was right about the human element being unreliable, but at the same time the human element can add a lot to music, especially live performances with improv. I'm sure he would've enjoyed the evolution of music making in the current digital age maybe, but I wonder if he would eventually turn against it for becoming so insincere and empty.
@@junglajuan principalmente de los músicos de orquesta sinfónica quienes le crearon muchos gastos al no estudiar bien sus partituras, volver del descanso de los ensayos borrachos y que saliera mal su grabación. Una pieza tuvo que editarla 40 veces porque no tocaron bien los vientos
@@junglajuan "stricktly genteel" es la pieza que editó 40 veces. Y un álbum grabado con la sinfónica de Londres salió tan mal según el que lo lanzó para dejar en evidencia a los músicos. Todo esto lo cuenta en su autobiografía.
It's interesting how everyone here applauds, what Frank is saying, when he is encouraging the end of all human musicianship - including his own guitar playing! Remember, he only played once or twice after discovering this machine. So, I don't think the future would have been so Grand, as far as fans of live music goes, because Frank would have been fully automated for the last 30 years of his life, had he lived till now.
Running Unix in a Honeywell or is that a Sun? Video tape is grainy, how about a young Harry Smith and Frank puffing away😅 I met Harry while he was reporting on the Dead in Landover at the four seasons bar😅😅😅
But the human brings it the soul. The imperfections are what makes it yours and yours only. That's why we never use a drum machine. Analog all the way.
Frank smoked too much, it’s hard to cut out that cigarette with your morning coffee but they don’t call them coffin nails for nothing. Frank left us way too soon.
"computers are a lot more messed up than people, i think computers can take it to a new level, im all for it, people are... people are the worst...the worst thing about music is that people play it, HAHA *proceeds eating the sandwich*" - mike patton
Frank imagination and skill set is on the same par as Mozart Beethoven Brahms without a Computer there’s no one who comes close to franks amazing, funny, dark humorous, lyrical content.
I bet AI would end up being like the A hos that used to always mess with a group's efforts, threatening to ruin their career or not do their record if the didn't change this or that. And it would all be the same as the bland stuff we get through American Idol, only more efficiently. In that sense, I'm with you. But electronics can just be another tool for humans, not a replacement.
Good god mozart and beethoven were- immortal, have you heard the crap zappa called his orchestral works, with or without technology zappa's music will always a joke
Casual Frank, speaking casually, but frankly…
And always Shirley.
Frank was always frank.
I miss him.
Every time I think about what Zappa might've been up to if he were with us today, it makes me a little sad he's not with us anymore
Say that about Michael Jackson and Freddy mercury or ALL of those great musisians that aren't here anymore!
@@oneSinglebrainCell MJ, it's debateable because he was most likely a paedophile
Yeah he was so smart and resourceful. Probably would have gone into podcasting and music NFTs haha
Interestingly…Beethoven didn’t even have access symphony orchestras (conservatory trained people) of the caliber we have today.
Beethoven had to scrounge and hustle just to get enough musicians to perform his canonical works a couple of times…with only about a day of rehearsal. There obviously was no recorded music. Most of the time it was just him, his pianoforte (modern piano hadn’t been invented yet) and his phenomenal mind and its ability to construct music and memorialize it on paper.
Zappa was always way ahead of his time and totally honest! I've loved him since 1972.
Yeah '68 for me.
*Zappa was right about the human element being flawed.*
That syncavier is now a museum piece. Now with computers and using midi removes the human element.
Using computers or midi is ok for dance music etc but using it for classical music which Frank used it for took out the life out of it. Cos classical music needs the human touch.
The music he did on it sounds dated.
Frank was too much a perfectionist.
Tho I'm a massive fan.
You need the certain individuals in a band to make that band great. Take out a member or two and it can ruin the chemistry.
Take King Crimson for example.
They did one of the best debut albums in rock history and after a couple of members left they were never the same.
That machine is nothing more than an obsolete electric teapot.
@@twistedspanner You’re right about certain members being essential for the chemistry but wrong about the machines being “teapots”.
Each have their place.
@@m.vonhollen6673 Sure. Midi is handy in it's place. I've used it myself in songs featuring guitars and real drums which are played by humans.
A whole song recorded in midi and quantized sucks the life out of it for me and it sound too clinical and too perfect.
That's why you now have midi drum machines that are programmed to drift in and out of time to try and make it sound authentic and give it the human touch.
All this has come a long way since Zappa was composing his orchestral music on the synclavier.
You can tell that midi stuff from the 80's sounds like primitive technology. Just like computer graphics.
He'd had bad experiences with orchestras especially British ones who liked a traditional pint to relax before or during a recording break. 😁
Frank being the perfectionist he was must have found the synclavier was ideal in getting his ideas down and recorded so he could and later present the music to a real orchestra which he did and was happy with the results.
I love Zappa especially the 60' & 70's stuff but not so much his 80's stuff.
But Tbh I haven't given it much time.
As for the electric teapot remark that was just a joke.
Musicians in the 80's had all this musical technology like the fairlight sampler at their disposal and were and were encouraged to use them on their next albums. Now the fairlight itself is a also an obsolete museum piece.
Even Pink Floyd hated those 80's stuff so much they re recorded the drums and replaced the keyboards of their comeback album 'The Momentary Lapse of Reason' cos it sounded so 80's they used older equipment to give it a more 70's Floyd sound.
PS Some producers these days don't even bother to record a second or third verse or chorus. They'll concentrate on getting just one of each right and copy and paste that for the rest of the song so basically you've already heard the whole song after the first chorus just to save time.
I wouldn't dream of doing that these days. Cos I know it's cheating.
Also people can pick up on it.
Leave in a mistake or a Bum note like even Hendrix did and Bowie did with the bass mistake on Jean Genie.🤔
He only likes his own flaws lol
Very flawed.
You know this is old when FZ praises his computer for being like a "word processor" for music! 😂
Yeah? Not because Frank's been dead for 30 years?
@@castleanthrax1833I bet you get invited to a lot of parties
@@TheBanana93 Hahaha. The absence of a sense of humour in some people is truly baffling. 👌
The perfect replies to all the questions!
A brilliant response intelligence and wit, Zappa loved him❤
I love that this interview was live on tv at Zappa's house, but I always felt that this interviewer just did not care at all
I think the interviewer just didn't know or couldn't conceive what Zappa was saying. I mean you got to remember Frank Zappa's doing this at the beginning. Artists are almost always 30 years ahead of what normal people can conceive. Think about it. People are just now listening to J Dilla. And J Dilla was one of five people listening to Ahmad Jamal. Jamal did Swaziland in 1978. Dilla did Stakes Is High in 1996. In 2016 orchestras we're doing Stakes Is High. It took us forty years to understand one passage of one song by a genius the level of Ahmad Jamal. That's how far behind we are from guys at that level of music-making.
@@brownstonecustomcabinetry5309 Yeah good point. Zappa would fit in nicely in our modern times. Stakes is High is De La Soul though, and I don't think your point logically follows to your conclusion, but I like idea. Sometimes society just ain't ready for the innovations of the past
Seen Zappa five times in Chicago, tripping always of course. I know, you don't need acid to enjoy a Zappa concert, but it made it so much more fun.
Only got to see Frank Zappa once in 1984, 9 hits of white blotter acid, seen Dweezil 5 times
I am loving all this Zappa on my feed!
Zappa played pure music...
Trent Reznor hit the spot with the tech.
Kinda like a Telefunken U47.
If I’m not mistaken, I think what Frank is referring to, is a Synclavier. The Synclavier was an early digital synthesizer, polyphonic digital sampling system. Zappa was one of the first musicians to employ this technology.
Music is creativity of mind. The machine just makes it easier to bring it into the world.
how amazing these videos are
Love Zappa , so creative love his abstract and intellect
frank zappa is the best
Music is the best.
Frank Zappa, a true musical genius
The human flaws are what make music great. Machine-manufactured music sounds machine-like
I dont think he meant performances. The context is clearly the production of musical peices to eventually be played by humans. Otherwise he would have toured with computers after this.
Such an incredible pragmatic confidence
I freaking love Zappa!!!! Right on!!
"The microchips would get in the way"
Clearly knows what he's talking about...
This type of machinery is called a Synclavier. Look it up! They actually just came out with a waaaay smaller version. ✌️Zappa forever
You can get it as a VST plugin from Arturia.
Grande maestro della musica contemporanea tutti hanno provato ad imitarlo ma è solo lui. Non c'è ne per nessuno ❤❤😊😊
Talking about the Synclavier.😊
'Word processor ' . I remember them, electric typewriters
I like that he clarified at the end that the human element in art was unreliable because people can be a pain in the ass to work with, but I don't like that he liked the automitation of music, one of the things that's damaging the outcome of quality works and opportunities for artists to this day.
Machines are just another instrument.
This journalist really had his finger on the pulse bc that argument of "computers getting in the way" is the argument that's made against that kind of tech today.
The fact that Frank saw music as a product and business makes me think he might have been in favor of those awful practices, I mean even his image is used in hologram concerts.
I would love to hear what Zappa could make with modern day technology. Such a shame he passed away. 😢
I'm going to listen to Willie the pimp, live on the tubes.
Without electronics all music would sound like neil young.
I love Zappa! Died way before his time.
Peace Love Harmony Frank thankyou
He was right about the human element being unreliable, but at the same time the human element can add a lot to music, especially live performances with improv. I'm sure he would've enjoyed the evolution of music making in the current digital age maybe, but I wonder if he would eventually turn against it for becoming so insincere and empty.
Yeah, it's called transhumanism, not good. But I think Frank was just tired of the musicians
I thought he was being sarcastic. Mistakes are the basis of improvisation and creativity
@@junglajuan principalmente de los músicos de orquesta sinfónica quienes le crearon muchos gastos al no estudiar bien sus partituras, volver del descanso de los ensayos borrachos y que saliera mal su grabación. Una pieza tuvo que editarla 40 veces porque no tocaron bien los vientos
@@junglajuan "stricktly genteel" es la pieza que editó 40 veces. Y un álbum grabado con la sinfónica de Londres salió tan mal según el que lo lanzó para dejar en evidencia a los músicos. Todo esto lo cuenta en su autobiografía.
@@junglajuan
También despotricaba contra la familia de los sindicatos de músicos.
Love FRANK
and then he made Jazz from Hell. Truly marvelous
I'm with Frank.
I miss this Guy.. Awesome thinker
It's interesting how everyone here applauds, what Frank is saying, when he is encouraging the end of all human musicianship - including his own guitar playing! Remember, he only played once or twice after discovering this machine. So, I don't think the future would have been so Grand, as far as fans of live music goes, because Frank would have been fully automated for the last 30 years of his life, had he lived till now.
You can tell the host isn't a musician. It shouldn't matter what instrument you use, it's about the personal connection with the music itself.
Frank was the man.
Morrison and Zappa, the progenitors of EDM.
A.I. Frank Zappa will be epic.
Fabulous thought!… fabulous & simultaneously terrifying.
Fingers crossed for an ice age
if not familiar with this mans music, take the time
Imagine what they would say and think now
Frank Zappa is patient with an interviewer who didn’t think his questions through. Very smart and talented man, Frank.
What the questions were intelligent
@@billyconnelly3568 I guess we disagree.
Skrillex back in the day.
Running Unix in a Honeywell or is that a Sun? Video tape is grainy, how about a young Harry Smith and Frank puffing away😅
I met Harry while he was reporting on the Dead in Landover at the four seasons bar😅😅😅
He would do a complete 180 if he were alive today
But the human brings it the soul. The imperfections are what makes it yours and yours only. That's why we never use a drum machine. Analog all the way.
If ur a TRUE Composer, muzak processorz, r bomb!
Mozart wit a few Synclavierz?
I think we'da had 4x azz much muzak.
He’s like the John mcaffee of music
That forced awkward laugh like hes sure Zappa is joking but not sure he gets the joke. By far the funniest part is hes not joking at all.
As the “leader” of my band, I know exactly what he means.
Patterns, everything is patterns.
Frank Zappa is the only modern day musical genius, but I really care for the synclavier
Frank smoked too much, it’s hard to cut out that cigarette with your morning coffee but they don’t call them coffin nails for nothing. Frank left us way too soon.
Cancer just happens and he had it in the prostate 🙈
My uncle thought Bob Marley's cancer in his toe was "all that weed he smoked"
Interesting! I've only listened to Dweezle.
"computers are a lot more messed up than people, i think computers can take it to a new level, im all for it, people are... people are the worst...the worst thing about music is that people play it, HAHA *proceeds eating the sandwich*"
- mike patton
Didn't classical composers copy their own motifs and themes scnstantly.
Frank imagination and
skill set is on the same par
as Mozart Beethoven Brahms without a Computer
there’s no one who comes close to franks amazing, funny, dark humorous,
lyrical content.
Asking Frank fucking Zappa about "actual music" is hilarious.
The old composers stole from each other all the time. Motifs, chord progressions, even melody lines all got passed around.
No Frank.
FZ ! No further comments required.
Yo cats. Yo yo.
AI enters the chat....
Frank demonstrated 'human flaw' by forcing concentrated air pollution into his lungs.
Yep. That's the beauty of liberty. We all get to choose our own brand of stupid.
Zappa thnking: Your parents really screwed up by buying used condoms.
Yes, for God's sake, let's let AI just do the music for us
I bet AI would end up being like the A hos that used to always mess with a group's efforts, threatening to ruin their career or not do their record if the didn't change this or that. And it would all be the same as the bland stuff we get through American Idol, only more efficiently. In that sense, I'm with you.
But electronics can just be another tool for humans, not a replacement.
That interviewer is a true Luddite.
Zappa was a great musical artist but "the origins of sampling"? he did not invent everything. Sampling was around well before he got into it.
This didn’t age well 😂
„It improves it by subtracting the human element „
Arrogence off the charts. Love his music, but Mozart and Brahms will calm the universe, Zappa, at best, will only give the gods a chuckle.
given the awful mediocrity of today's pop and most electronic music, sadly Mr Zappa's comments did not age well.
Hes wrong😂 but he sounds smart. The human element is what makes it enjoyable and relatable
it's not music without musicians, this when frank lost my interests
People that do shit music are good at bulshitting, that's how they get fans
Without the human element you don’t have music, it’s not just a string of notes.
Frank was not as great as everyone thinks.
yes he was. just because you can' think
there were rests too, and tempo, and time signature, i'm sure you can't understand.
with out humans, there isn't music. i doubt what you listen to qualifies as music
Good god mozart and beethoven were- immortal, have you heard the crap zappa called his orchestral works, with or without technology zappa's music will always a joke
Zappa is such a hack. he's quintessentially the least important person in music.
I'm gonna pretend you're joking about Zappa. Who's a better musician than him? And....... GO!
ZAPPA WAS THE MAIN MAN, DIDN'T SUFFER FOOLS NOR B.S.🇮🇲👍🇮🇲
Frank used crutches because he lacked raw talent.