Is originality dying?

[monkfish]

With there being so many producers learning music theory, and a lot of producers wanting to be the next Skrillex, Borgore, or Doctor P -- sound wise; and with a lot of overall producers asking how to sound like other producers. This mixed with simplistic, uninspiring, overused chord progressions; is originality dying? I can't tell you how many times I've heard some tracks that sound absolutely the same. I know it's not be purpose, and is mostly subconsciously. While bigger name producers continue to push the barrier and raise the level, new producers asking how to match and imitate that sound will soon follow.

Anyone else slightly bothered by this? Other than vocals, I don't see how you can stay original and fresh for long. How do you lads manage to stay original? Not technique wise, just general mindset.

[wub]

I don't see how you can stay original and fresh for long.

They said that once about UK Garage. Now we have Dubstep.

Go figure.

[hasezwei]

actually for this reason today i started trying out chords and chord progressions, if you stop playing one note melodies the number of possible melodies becomes nigh infinite!
of course by now every single combination of notes will have been played probably, but look at rock music and how 2 bands playing the same chord progressions or even riffs can sound completely different and attract a different audience!

downside is, i've been playing with 5ths and when i listened to what i improvised i noticed that it alternated between sounding either like joy orbison's hyph mngo or stereotypically night slugs

[benjam]

Not being funny or anything but in this thread:
http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=204676
you were asking how everyone else writes their bass and now your moaning that everyone sounds the same???
If it bothers you why not invent your own techniques maybe youll inspire others to think outside the box.

[ChadDub]

Nothing is truly original anymore, you just have to put your own touch to it. The easiest way to be original is to be you. It'll probably sound very different than what's popular, and that's good, because you could be the next big thing/style.

I just started playing piano last night, and it's so fun. I can do shit way easier on piano than guitar, it allows for different feels and vibes. I mean, I already know basic theory, it's just WAY easier to implement on piano than guitar. But guitar has it's own purpose too.

To be "original" I just do what I want to do, but I definitely don't close out trying to imitate the artists I like. They imitated people too, but they put their own touch to it, which is what makes them stand out. It's all a process really.

[FuzionDubstep]

In all fairness why does it matter how original something is or whether it sounds like something else?
at the end of the day if a song is good then a song is good personally I don't car what genre something is or whether it sounds blatantly like something else if its good ill listen to it..

as a producer though I try to be original but to an extent so my music sounds good so taking influences from other producers and genres can be very good yet still 'original'

[daft cunt]

I used to be bothered by it then I realized it just doesn't matter.
Let people do their thing and focus on doing your best to make music that reflect who you are. That's the best thing to do for you and the scene you "belong to".

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

I think its impossible for originality to die, we exist in an emergent system, it will go through constant fluid change. Specific genres may become stagnant and boundaries exist because of the limitations of specific tuning systems and the structures that have developed through the historical context of music. Because of that music seems to have developed into well established lines and similarity will develop by proxy. That doesn't mean originality is dying though, its relative of course, new combinations of used elements will come about and the experience of the piece will be different, original, as it were.

I think your point is more to do with apathy and a lack of desire to experiment with sound as an experience, which is more of a cultural axiom than a verity of social development. Some people don't want to be original in this musical sub-genre, at this point in time, But go and check out any musical theory forum you can find with google and plenty of people are being original right there. Go and sit in on a music degree seminar at your local college/uni and listen in on the pieces people are making there, take a look at the perspective being taught to those students, one of understanding the necessity for originality, of learning the framework of theory enough to be able to apply inspiration when it hits and weave a personal uniqueness into a piece. Originality still lives very strongly in music, it always will. The argument then is down to context, because i agree with you on one hand but on the other i don't because the bigger picture remains unchanged.

[Filthzilla]

Originalty was never cool anyway.

[FSTZ]

seriously though...

originality is in short supply

[Hurtdeer]

keep in mind that music theory was based mostly off of Bach symphonies and is also several centuries old


something about the nature of society means that there will always be more copycats than leaders. And with the internet and everyone and their dog pirating fruity loops and wanting to be the next deadmau5, there's just gonna be more copycats than ever. There's also going to be more original ideas than ever too, but they're just much harder to find and often don't market themselves that well

personally i just think get on it with, just listen/make stuff that makes you happy and worry less about music you don't like

[legend4ry]

I think theres two types of music..

One type what pleases your ears, generally has great production and exciting sounds. The other massages the brain, often using pleasing theory which people often call more "intelligent"

No, originality isn't dying because originality is subjective...

This is also the production board so you can get the skills to make music you want to hear.



I swear we need to start making cheese as a forum to cater for all the whine.

[3za]

I don't see how you can stay original and fresh for long.

They said that once about UK Garage. Now we have Dubstep.

Go figure.

Then they said that about dubstep, and we now have future garage

Go figure

[AxeD]

The definition of originality alone makes it impossible for it to die. If everyone is making the same music at some point,
it would mean no one is being original.

[nowaysj]

everyone and their dog pirating fruity loops and wanting to be the next deadmau5, there's just gonna be more copycats than ever.

You are a genius, and I recognize that fact.

[Pedro Sánchez]

Thats it, there are just more people doing the same/similar thing but there is always someone doing the total opposite to what is in vogue.

[serox]

No, its not. Is producing music becoming more popular? yes. Do these people have the gift to make music? no.

just because some one has all the tools and the knowledge does not mean they can create a piece of wonderful, original music.

imo.

[dmisreal]

No, its not. Is producing music becoming more popular? yes. Do these people have the gift to make music? no.

just because some one has all the tools and the knowledge does not mean they can create a piece of wonderful, original music.

imo.

[kHoff]

No, its not. Is producing music becoming more popular? yes. Do these people have the gift to make music? no.

just because some one has all the tools and the knowledge does not mean they can create a piece of wonderful, original music.

imo.

This. No originality is not dying its just that much harder to really produce something that will absolutely impress the most skilled/intelligent producers and label owners because of all the shit thats flooding Soundcloud these days... you really don't need to know much about music theory anymore. And if you're not set on producing something that's legitimately special than good for you. Some people just want to have fun and more power to them.

[kaiori breathe]

"is originality dead/dying" is one of those ridiculous cyclical statements that get uttered by those who can't conceive the vast possibilities music and sound offer to them, and sometimes by people with writers block... and critics who have nothing in particular to moan about.

People have been saying "originality is dead" since the inception of art. Since man put paintbrush to cave wall and drew a stick figure killing a gazelle some douche was in the corner saying "well that's it I guess, art's over, everyone go home, originality is dead"... Although considering their linguistic capabilities it was probably more like "gruh uuuhhhhh AHHHHHH!"

As long as people continue to breed originality will exist.

/thread