Poppinjay

As a former music minor, I can write down all sorts of correct shit about theory and progress a chord like nobody's business. I can't improv worth shit though, which is the mark of a decent musician. I was in my 30's when I finally figured out that if I play with the key of the song, I could improv. Even then, not decently.

Paul McCartney wrote a symphony and does not know how to read sheet music.

Town Criers back in the dark ages had set songs they followed and embellished on, as well as Catholic masses that were learned by rote and not written down. Music is basically a folk tale, passed from generation to generation. About 99% of the music created through history was created by people who never read a stanza or clef.

Given Stevie's potential compenstation to the ear, it probably made him an even better composer.

Beethoven, by the way, heard his music through the vibrations in his feet when he could no longer hear. He never lost the ability to imagine.

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I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet