Acoustic or Electric?

[Tom Storer]

I prefer an acoustic sound, if I had to choose; but I'm glad I don't have to choose, since there is so much great electric/electronic music.

For me an important distinction is between a band with a strong electric feel in the rhythm section and one where an electric instrument such as guitar or bass happens to be part of an acoustic-sounding band. For example, electric bass, one or more electric guitars, and one or more electric keyboards: that kind of instrumentation is also likely (although obviously not obliged) to play music that is louder and whose rhythms are more strong-arm. If there's a trumpet or saxophonist playing with such a group, it still sounds like an electric band. Whereas if the bass and piano are acoustic, you're more likely to have an acoustic sound even if an electric guitarist is soloing.

If you're Gary Burton in the 70's with Swallow and Metheny, you're sort of in the middle.

[pig pen]

I prefer an acoustic sound, if I had to choose; but I'm glad I don't have to choose, since there is so much great electric/electronic music.

Indeed!! case in point:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mqtc3bI6k0

[Ron Thorne]

Great clip. Thanks, pig pen!

Couldn't help but love seeing that beautiful Fender Rhodes Suitcase Piano as the centerpiece of the keyboardist's kit.

[Mike Schwartz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejMNML7O6Fk

[John L]

Electronic instruments are certainly the wave of the future. While they already have many advantages, hey still haven't reached the level of sophistication to replace acoustic instruments. There is something in the overtones from acoustic instruments that electronic instruments still do not capture, at least not that I have heard. They will someday soon.

[moldyfigg]

Electronic instruments are certainly the wave of the future. While they already have many advantages, hey still haven't reached the level of sophistication to replace acoustic instruments. There is something in the overtones from acoustic instruments that electronic instruments still do not capture, at least not that I have heard. They will someday soon.

Not until they are installed into acoustic containers.

[John L]

Electronic instruments are certainly the wave of the future. While they already have many advantages, hey still haven't reached the level of sophistication to replace acoustic instruments. There is something in the overtones from acoustic instruments that electronic instruments still do not capture, at least not that I have heard. They will someday soon.

Not until they are installed into acoustic containers.

[Gentle Giant]

I entered jazz through the fusion-cum-prog door, so electric instruments were much favored with me. But now, while I still love that stuff, I most often want to hear acoustic jazz. Someone like Pat Metheny, I really love his playing but when he whips out the synthaxe it tends to leave me cold. And as much as I love Jaco and Stanley, acoustic bass is where it's at for me.

Your example, Ron, of Chick Corea is well taken. I've always thought that his choice of instrumentation follows the requirements of the music he hears in his head, as opposed to, "Here's a cool new toy, let's do something with it." His playing is exceptional regardless of what instrumental he uses.

[Ron Thorne]

Your example, Ron, of Chick Corea is well taken. I've always thought that his choice of instrumentation follows the requirements of the music he hears in his head, as opposed to, "Here's a cool new toy, let's do something with it." His playing is exceptional regardless of what instrumental he uses.

I agree. And, Chick Corea's recording Now He Sings, Now He Sobs is, arguably, one of the finest piano trio albums ever made. Return to Forever turned a new corner for Chick with some interesting experimentation with electronics and personnel. I especially like their 1st recording with Airto and Flora stirring things up.

[Gentle Giant]

Your example, Ron, of Chick Corea is well taken. I've always thought that his choice of instrumentation follows the requirements of the music he hears in his head, as opposed to, "Here's a cool new toy, let's do something with it." His playing is exceptional regardless of what instrumental he uses.

I agree. And, Chick Corea's recording Now He Sings, Now He Sobs is, arguably, one of the finest piano trio albums ever made. Return to Forever turned a new corner for Chick with some interesting experimentation with electronics and personnel. I especially like their 1st recording with Airto and Flora stirring things up.

True, he could go way out as easily with just a Fender Rhodes as with a bank of Moogs.

[Tom Storer]

A related topic to this one is amplification. An acoustic piano, for example, that is being cranked out through mikes and speakers at earsplitting volume to an arena sounds nothing like the same piano in a small club, even if the pianist is delicately tickling the keys. Is there really a difference, in terms of the listener's experience, between an overamplified acoustic instrument and an electric one? Or rather, is the difference not potentially reversed? Personally I would rather hear an electric instrument at a soft volume level, capturing nuances of attack and dynamics, than an acoustic instrument where the nuance is destroyed by overamplification.

[John L]

A related topic to this one is amplification. An acoustic piano, for example, that is being cranked out through mikes and speakers at earsplitting volume to an arena sounds nothing like the same piano in a small club, even if the pianist is delicately tickling the keys. Is there really a difference, in terms of the listener's experience, between an overamplified acoustic instrument and an electric one? Or rather, is the difference not potentially reversed? Personally I would rather hear an electric instrument at a soft volume level, capturing nuances of attack and dynamics, than an acoustic instrument where the nuance is destroyed by overamplification.

Maybe we can all take the test of listening to both acoustic and electronic instruments at earsplitting volume to determine if there is a difference, or if we prefer one to the other.

[Tom Storer]

I think we should, in the interests of science.