Composers who aren't great musicians?

What are some examples of musical theatre composers who aren't very musically proficient? Some examples I can think of:


1. Richard O'Brien (Rocky Horror): Admits he's not a great musician, which he claims suits his style of writing fun, uncomplicated songs

2. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton): His demos for songs are usually made from rap beat software, rather than recording himself playing the piano

3. Lionel Bart (Oliver!): He never learned how to read or write music, so he would hum the melodies to the orchestrator, who would transcribe it into musical notation.

Mel Brooks, the most famous I can think of who fits this criteria.

I don't believe a lack of proficiency in playing an instrument or reading/writing notated music disqualifies someone from being a "great musician." I contend that anyone who is capable of composing a musical, especially one with commercial success, is a great musician.

Definitely think the op meant not a great instrumentalist.

Irving Berlin's transposing piano is kept in a alcove in the ASAP offices on W 64th Street

Updated On: 2/5/17 at 05:10 PM

How fascinating.

It matters if you are a lyricist trying to work with the composer in question. This isn't to say some don't hum nice melodies into their tape recorders, but try getting even a simple change from one of them. In my experience, it can be very frustrating.

No different, really, from a playwright or lyricist who can't spell or type. (This is a facetious remark. Of course, everybody can write or type to some extent.)

Updated On: 2/6/17 at 05:42 PM

Wait, what? Paul McCartney, are you serious? The guy plays bass, guitar, piano, and God knows what else, and was inventing chords back in the '60s that didn't even exist at the time. What criteria are you using to call someone a "great musician"?

For my contribution, I'll submit William Finn. Love his music to death, but he's kind of a clunky piano player. His team of arrangers and orchestrators help flesh out his music, and we're all better for it.

Harvey Schmidt can't read music.

Doesn't Wildhorn need a team of arrangers for his musicals? I recall someone saying that he is greatly helped in the structure department.

Same for Lucy Simon - didn't Tesori really help her with motifs and other arrangement stuff? I wouldn't be surprised if a few melodies in Secret Garden were Tesori's work.

Obviously I'm not accomplished, but I technically can "read" music, but I learn better from just someone playing the song, and then me singing it. Actually happy to hear that so many successful people are the same way.

christinelavin said: "Luciano Pavarotti couldn't read music, but there is no debate he was one of the greatest opera singers ever.

I was lucky enough to see him live at the Met -- I forget which opera it was, but it's one where there's a party scene in the first act where someone sings a song -- I guess you'd call it a cameo part. That night rumor had it that Pavarotti was going to be the party singer, and sure enough, he was.

What a treat it was to hear his voice -- part of a huge cast of all technically proficient singers -- but his voice soared above them all. He was born with a gift, that's for sure.

I wonder if great singers like that wholearn parts by ear have an advantage over all the singers who learn by studying the score?



"

WHAT NOW....the most well know opera singer known to mankind couldn't read music?? If this is true, I'm scarred for life...plus might as well quit my own career.

Liza-for whatever reason, why do I recall it being John Williams? I swear I've heard this somewhere, but I could be completely off my rocker.

I also believe JRB doesn't read, he also just has someone transcribe what's in his head. Which actually would explain a lot as, even thought he "writes" some pretty great songs, they make no musically functional sense.

I'll be honest in saying I have zilch patience nor a lot of respect for those in the biz who don't read music. Why on gods green earth wouldn't you do yourself as well as everyone around you, that favor? It not only wastes your own time in taking much longer than necessary to learn your stuff and if your working with anyone who does, it wastes their time as well. I almost couldnt care less how good someone is, if they don't read, it shows they didn't take the time and care to learn their own profession. I legit can't think of any other occupation in which not knowing your own profession is acceptable. Sorry, y'all had to get that off my chest. I've just come across this way too often lately and it drives me bananas.

I would guess that most audiences in the US are devoid of much musical education, and for them, technique is elitist, dry, and dull, but inspiration and soul are everything.

Or, as Madame Armfeldt said, this is:

A world where the kings are employers
Where the amateur prevails,
And delicacy fails to pay.



As for this: "JRB may not notate his new scores himself, as it's faster and easier to have an assistant do so..."

That's not really true; I don't know anyone who can listen to a new song and transcribe it perfectly off the bat. It's a laborious process.

Updated On: 2/8/17 at 12:01 PM