Perfection or feeling?

[mike o]

Which is more important to you and why? No wrong answers. Perfection vs. Feeling

[rick-slo]

They are entertwined.

[jjbigfly]

For me, I would rather to have the “feel” rather than the perfect rendition.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

If I had to chose one, it would be "feel".

[raysachs]

Perfection is not attainable. Feel requires work and some level of competence, but is available to nearly everyone with a soul. Which is almost all of us.

-Ray

[rllink]

Feel. What is perfection anyway? All the covers I play have been done a dozen times, by a dozen different people a dozen different ways. Take your pick which one is the perfect one to strive for.

[zuzu]

Originally Posted by Bob from Brooklyn

If I had to chose one, it would be "feel".

This here.

[Charlie Bernstein]

I wonder what you mean by perfection. Just versus tempered tuning? Auto-"corrected," looped, sampled, and midi-ed recordings versus real-time playing and singing? An exact copy of someone else? God playing guitar?

I need more information to answer this one.

[mawmow]

I once read that the crowd would forgive imperfections as far as they still feel the groove.

[Dave Hicks]

Recording: perfection (or as close as I can get, anyway)
Playing in front of an audience: feel

D.H.

[Mandobart]

I’m not sure what people mean by “feel.” I’m used to hearing it in the context of explaining why a person/band doesn’t play a piece the way it was originally or is usually performed. Also used in the context of explaining why they’re better off by not knowing any theory, or how to read charts/music.

“Perfection” may mean playing note-for-note like the original or as written. To me it means I played it precisely as I intended to.

[mike o]

This is a great question! I would guess people will have different thoughts on that. Anyone have opinions to share?

Originally Posted by Mandobart

I’m not sure what people mean by “feel.” I’m used to hearing it in the context of explaining why a person/band doesn’t play a piece the way it was originally or is usually performed. Also used in the context of explaining why they’re better off by not knowing any theory, or how to read charts/music.

“Perfection” may mean playing note-for-note like the original or as written. To me it means I played it precisely as I intended to.

[Brent Hahn]

Being a slave to the groove, I don't "feel" that perfection is possible without getting the feel right.

Full disclosure: I was a bass player first, and I still do that for money.

Also, as a solo performer I find myself in a lot of situations like "in the round" singer-songwriter shows and house concerts and the like where there's a fairly hardcore folkie audience, and they kind of expect a lot of tuning and explaining and self-examination. So when they find themselves tapping their toes and maybe even moving a little bit, it's sorta like Dirty Dancing. It's naughty, but it's a fun naughty and people show up the next time I have a show.

So i guess my vote is Feel.

[Deliberate1]

I chose "perfection," which, to my mind can not be achieved until and unless you got the right "feel."

David

[Mr. Jelly]

I'm still working at explaining myself to some performers at our open mic about moving to the next step in their performing journey. When a person achieves the skills to perform what makes the difference between them and a superstar performer? A super star puts effort into every syllable, pause, gesture and facial expression. To do that well one must be into the song mentally or the body language will telegraph that they are perfuming it and not expressing it. It takes a lot of work to do it well. As do most things. If you desire to do your best you have to be all in. Once a person experiences the difference they know when and how they are doing it well or not.