Re: [Harp-L] virtuoso

[Garry Hodgson <garry@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robb Bingham <robbingham@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Guess what guys? You don't get to define ~virtuosity~
> any way you want. 

sure we do.  it's the 'net.

> It already has a definition

quite a few, actually:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=define%3A+virtuoso&btnG=Search

> The word means, both, to have total
> mastery/understanding of an instrument [as in
> ~state-of-the-art mastery~] and being exceptionally,
> technically skilled at playing it. 

that's certainly a good one.  but i think the discussion
here has been more an attempt to determine what it means,
and to test it against concrete examples, than an attempt
to rewrite Websters.

> If you don't know every note/hole you're playing, and
> it's relationship in the scale- PLUS be AMAZINGLY
> ~good~, 

good description.

> you aren't in the running. 

i'm working on being in the running for "mediocre".

> But, again, for the
> most part, the word exists to describe a kind of
> performer ~state-of-the-art~. 

agreed.

> And, even if you
> disagree with the wording- the REAL definition is
> still out there.

there is no REAL definition.  only real understanding.
which will hopefully be advanced by this discussion.

----
Garry Hodgson, Technical Consultant, AT&T Labs

Be happy for this moment.
This moment is your life.