# Musicians inappropriately "getting into the music" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 19, 2020, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725 "2020-07-19T03:43:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/21 "2020-07-19T20:50:27Z")
> [@Didi44](#): > > But the new leader took the stage with an electric guitar and would break into short solos during the song, closing his eyes, not in prayer, but in that rock star way! Wholly (no pun intended) inappropriate. Thankfully, this didn’t last long and the old leader returned. Why is this inappropriate? He was feeling the music. I cantor at church. When a song speaks to me, I feel the music. Yes there are times I close my eyes. I try to put myself into the music. When I don’t, I can tell that I sound boring, and I’m sure there are people in the congregation that hear it that way, too. I want a soloist to put their soul into the music. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/22 "2020-07-19T21:23:54Z")
I know exactly who you’re talking about. That was Billy Zoom from X. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/23 "2020-07-19T23:29:38Z")
Kieth Jarret also vocalized while playing. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/24 "2020-07-19T23:42:18Z")
I’ve been a subscriber at a couple of symphony orchestras, and have noted that the few times a year we have guest conductors the conductor performs with more vigor and expression than the resident conductor. I have a couple of theories about why that should be true. My first thought was that the orchestra is unaccustomed to this conductor, so the conductor uses more expansive gestures to avoid losing nuance as the orchestra might miss subtle gestures that musicians more used to the style of conducting would pick up. The second thought was that the guest conductor gets a special guest conductor fee for the performance, and is just giving the patrons their money’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/25 "2020-07-19T23:56:23Z")
I’ve been guilty of this myself. I was musical director in a (ameteur, church-based) musical, and at one point there was a song where everyone was supposed to sway side-to-side, following my lead (from the orchestra ‘pit’ which was just a little area out to the side). And some of them were just really REALLY bad at that. So the next night I swayed just a little bit stronger. And a little bit stronger, and… Anyway, the last night of the show was videoed for us, and I watched the video and HOLY CRAP, I looked like Janice Muppet bouncing from side to side like I was going to bounce off the walls, it was TERRIBLE! No way was anyone not following me because they couldn’t really tell what I was indicating - they were not following me because they sucked a rhythm. Ever since then I’ve been medium careful about how much physical enthusiasm goes into my music ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/26 "2020-07-20T00:39:49Z")
My last time in a Megachurch, their Music Director played a grand piano and sang. And… she emoted. Nothing inappropriate, nothing actually flashy, but everyone could just tell that this was about HER. Her intonation, her phrasing, where she raised her eyebrows or shook her hair or dropped a smile into the hymn… it was exactly how she would do it on a talent show. Afterwards, her “stylings” came up many times in conversation as we discussed the service. The funeral service. For our friend. Our very humble, unassuming friend. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/27 "2020-07-20T01:58:32Z")
Big difference between a soloist and a guitarist who is supposed to be providing background music for the choir leading a singalong. There was an obvious awkward silence as he stepped forward (forgot to mention that) during his solo. Umm…HE can see you just fine no matter where you stand. It was especially annoying for me as whenever I saw it, my mind turned to “Give GOD a solo!” from Eric Clapton’s _Yardbirds_ day. Fun for within that context, but but not fun or appropriate when someone is trying out their latest licks during a church singalong. BTW, the congregation was all adults with a heavy proportion of seniors. The kids up to their mid-teens had their how Sunday School worship upstairs. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/28 "2020-07-21T01:02:27Z")
Getting off topic, but just remembered Bernadette Peters who would cry during whatever song she was singing. I 100% believe it was all an act as her singing never moved me at all. On the other hand, just hearing Judy Collins singing _Send in the Clowns_ brings a tear to my eye almost every time. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/29 "2020-07-21T01:08:08Z")
> [@Didi44](#): > > Getting off topic, but just remembered Bernadette Peters who would cry during whatever song she was singing. I 100% believe it was all an act as her singing never moved me at all. I recently mentioned her in a thread here about actors crying on cue! I wouldn’t be surprised if the tear came out on the same syllable each time. She’s phenomenally good, but like you, I felt it was too deliberate to appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/30 "2020-07-21T01:10:37Z")
Bass face. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/FkLaawsuAzk/maxresdefault.jpg "HAIM - Want You Back (Live from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkLaawsuAzk) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/31 "2020-07-21T01:45:51Z")
This reminds me of Paul F. Tompkins comedy bit on why he hates Jazz music. I like Jazz, but it’s worth YouTubing it (if it’s even there). ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/32 "2020-07-21T07:40:23Z")
OMG! We have a winner! LMAO! I had to watch her parts several times because I couldn’t believe what she was doing! ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/33 "2020-07-21T08:51:49Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > I thought this was going to be about musicians who moan and groan, etc., when they play. I’ve encountered this most with pianists. IIRC some famous pianist was known for this but I’m not finding the name. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Glenn Gould? Gould was known for humming and singing along with his own performances. I don’t recall him doing any moaning or groaning, though. The cellist Pablo Casals dabbled in conducting. I used to have some recordings of concerts he conducted at the Marlboro Music Festival, and throughout them you can hear him making weird, almost unearthly moaning sounds as he conducts. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/34 "2020-07-21T16:55:29Z")
At the time, I always used to think that GE Smith mugged a lot during his tenure on SNL. Looking back at the below video, he is very expressive but he’s not really mugging at the camera. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oNfuiTyID2A/hqdefault.jpg "G.E. Smith - brilliance 10 seconds at a time") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNfuiTyID2A) ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/35 "2020-07-21T19:04:42Z")
I’ve seen documentaries about conductors in which they explained that they sometimes have to use broader, bolder moments when working with a new orchestra because more subtle movements may not be caught by the musicians. Plus it makes for a good show! BTW, I wouldn’t go so far as to say their exaggerated movements are inappropriate, but sometimes unnecessary. But, their back is to the audience, so there’s that as a factor. ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/36 "2020-07-22T08:33:12Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > A cool counterpoint is the band X. … guitarist Billy Zoom does his best imitation of a statue. And always with a big smile on his face. Love that guy! ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/37 "2020-07-22T08:49:40Z")
Just do a Google Image search on “bass face”, and this musician (Este Haim) comes up about 20 times in the first 25 examples. It’s epic! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/38 "2020-07-22T15:05:30Z")
And she’s not just a pretty face: _Este was studying at UCLA and graduated in 2010 with a degree in Ethnomusicology (completed in just two years instead of the normal five), specializing in Bulgarian and Brazilian music._ ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/39 "2020-07-22T17:03:28Z")
As usual, Silenus posts first and better than I could have. However, I saw this gal give a performance that ramps that situation to about 12, but couldn’t find it (thank god). ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725/40 "2020-07-22T17:30:12Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > I thought this was going to be about musicians who moan and groan, etc., when they play. I’ve encountered this most with pianists. IIRC some famous pianist was known for this but I’m not finding the name. I’ve recently been listening to [Keith Jarrett](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmHG5WFgALI) and he does this a lot, but I don’t think it’s limited to one pianist. I’m surprised how much they let into the album mix though. His grunts and groans are like a fourth instrument in the trio. As to the OP, I’ve [heard recently](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hACUz4WVWwk) that worship music, or “Christian contemporary” is supposed to be about the message and praising God. Any virtuosity, or even particularly groovy or emotive musicianship is frowned upon for obscuring the message. It’s one of the main complaints people have about Christian rock, that it’s bland and boring, but only recently have I discovered that for many pastors, that’s the whole point. So playing with visible emotion (towards the music rather than God) or extraordinary skill is definitely inappropriate in that context. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-inappropriately-getting-into-the-music/915725.md?page=3)