Yener Korkut: Quotes

Yener Korkut wrote:
"Sampling: Sometimes enables semi-musicians and even the non-musician producers to create a piece (from start to finish) and commercially be very successful.
Sadly..."
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Mr. Bone wrote:
"while i do understand this argument and tend to agree i still have to ask....

does sampling exhibit less talent than someone playing the good 'ol I IV V progression......again.....and again.....and again.....(ad nauseum)?"
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Yener Korkut wrote:
"Yes, sampling exhibits not only less talent but moral deficiency as well, esp. if it's done w/out permission.

Sampling your own music during the process is different: For instance, some musicians choose to play the entire chord progression all throughout, and some sample the sections and loop 'em. I personally play everything all throughout - but that's just a matter of taste.

Those good 'ol formats have been the source for many musicians (in every culture btw) to create many great melodies and many more to come I believe.

Interesting and good music could be simple and/or intricate, but interesting nevertheless."
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Dark Edge Music wrote:
"Yes but djay is also right Yener. You can cut and paste other peoples' work creatively in a way which modifies the original meaning. Like the best collage art."
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Yener Korkut wrote:
"You can play other peoples work creatively and be even called "the arranger" how nice - As long as appropriate credit has been given that is. I disagree with all the rest of the sampling world. Just a personal opinion.

Sampling a bass line or a drum part is something that I'm totally against. We've suffered enough from the rap and hip hop sampling scene - The mother of all sampling mentality.

As far as not being able to afford a violinist and stuff - There are keyboards and synthesizers available, and they are played by "musician(s)" - A player can sound just like an entire orchestra but still remain as the player/artist/musician."
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killinfolk wrote:
"...and to put a slice on our personal divide Yener, i agree that the majority of samplers are lazy talentless...(insert expletive of your choice), but that doesn't make sampling evil in theory
luvs-iain"
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Yener Korkut wrote:
"Sampling is evil and has been for too many years. If a producer isn't able to play a particular instrument (two words here!!!), hire and pay for the musician who can. Pay your dues by way of either learning how to play or paying for it. Screw the McMusic mentality.
Regards"
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Fledderjohn wrote:
"I'm kind of with Yener on this. Too often real people playing real instruments are considered to be an expensive inconvenience..."
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Mirrored Shower wrote:
"When it comes to recording in a professional set up with a producer and musicians and a fat budget behind you, then I think there is no excuse not to use live musicians and try and keep it real. (I'm all for musicians union and agree with Plastic D and Yener on these points)."
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Lee Viajero and the Edgy Drifters wrote:
"...create "music" without having to pay a real musician.
Seriously, sampling is GIGO."
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Yener Korkut wrote:
"As it was mentioned many times, the definition of "sampling" is very broad. Again, there is a huge difference between using pre-recorded samples (karaoke-like) which really sucks...Or instead, looping the sections like a sushi chef - all parts played and heard in "real time" in front of everybody on stage. That takes a bit of precision playing.

In all my 3 posts above, I was clearly after the corporate music and the big boys that walk in studios with 10lbs. of shinning hardware around their neck (when actual drummers, bass and keyboard players are readily available or a phone call away) talking about budget and demand that the beats and lines to be sampled/ ripped off. That sure reminds me of the corporations moving to 3rd world countries, creating sweat shops and paying 0.03 percent of the sale price of a product that sells for $169. in the department stores. ok! off topic but the mentality is similar.

A lone musician sampling his/her parts and looping them is purely a choice and I never criticized that. Using a drum machine and even drum sampling at home (sorry off topic again - I'm for students use of "handwritten" notes as references during school exams) is part of the learning process and very helpful, so is metronome. But, don't just put that on your CD for goodness sake...just like a cheap t-shirt you wear once and it looks and feels like a rag - because the sampling artist always knows that the dues haven't been paid.

An album should be looked at as an art form, your self-best effort that feels good when trying to earn a few bucks off it, and be proud of it...hopefully even 10 years from now."
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Hi Yener!
I was just having a listen to your CD and thought I might drop in and say "Dammit man, your skills piss me off".
Aww, just chalk it up to guitar player envy. Peace be with you my incredibly talented friend.
Jay

There's nothing like a little Yener Korkut music...on a dreary winter's morning.

Takes you on vacation...without leaving the office. Thanks, Yener.

I realize I probably don't yet qualiify as a forum reg., but if I may join in I would like to mention Yener. He is about as excellent a guitarist as I have ever heard and his kind words and ability to make peace in volatile situations really should be commended. Blessed are the peacemakers!
~Jon~
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Yener Korkut's "Storm of Light".
Just picked up the CD today and I have to say that it will probably live in my CD player for a good long time. The CD is simply wonderful from start to finish, with beautifully crafted songs and world-class musicianship. The audio production is top shelf, the instruments are very "present" in the mix with excellent definition. Great work Yener!
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Not trying to harp on one subject but:

My 15 year old son has just asked me to run off a copy of Yener Korkut's CD for him, as I take mine along to work to listen to in my truck. First off, I hope this is ok with you Yener. Secondly, this is a compliment I wanted to pass along in public. Generating music that is so unique and has cross-generational appeal is truly rare in this day and age.
Again, nice work Yener!

Our world, beautiful St. Croix Virgin Islands, experiencing numerous storms and hurricanes, mother nature (the egrets and doves, the oceans and reefs) and most of all the amazing life force of my two boys who live in the moment with passion and joy....these are the elements that are interwoven in my songwriting and music. All of these "teachers" have redirected my life back to music, a life that has been truly a storm of light.

Thanks to technology I was able to do most of the recording/mixing in my home project studio with a modest Roland 1824, However, I avoided all computer based editing, sequence, samples or loops. Every instrument/sound is played by a living being...perfect imperfections if you will.

And...of course,Aycan Teztel,many years of friendship, his amazing keyboard and trombone playing. Omer Goksel, who's support and friendship was unwavering all through the prosess. Volkan Oktem, Eylem Pelit and Senova Ulker - All World Class musicians...Thank you for contributing your talents to this project in Istanbul.
Yener

Why is it that some of us are so facinated by animals and what is the connection? As a child I remember waking up to the sounds of singing wild Doves, their music was magical to me (still is). As a small boy I used to climb up to the third floor where I could get as close as possible to see and hear those birds. I spent hours listening and watching them. I think if you listen carefully and looked at the WAV forms of their sound you would see that it is not just the same thing repeated over and over. There are songs, conversations, dynamics, fluxuation....something deeper, something knowing.

Way before the tsunami hit south east Asia the birds were sounding the alarm. Elephants refused to comply in spite of being beaten and instead headed for the hills with tourists on their back....saving them and their masters. I believe the animals heard the midrange frequencies of the rising sea way before any human had any idea....

To me birds are the symbol of freedom, no boundaries, no passports the ultimate world musicians.

All animals deserve our respect and protection. I have ruffled many human feathers on my home island of St. Croix due to the so called bird "harvesting" or massacre of cattle egrets. I have also recieved many not so nice calls regarding my letter to the editor below.
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The following is my response to an article written by a local personality in Dec. 2000 that treated cock fighting as a legitimate form of
entertainment. To the credit of the St. Croix Avis, I have not seen any other article since that condones violence to animals.

"This letter is in response to an article in the Dec 17-18 Avis by Wayne James "Cruzan Game Cocks", Here I am on a relaxed Sunday reading the paper when I come across this amazing article, by the time I finished reading I was furious. A society is judged by the way they treat their animals. These animals don't have a voice nor choice about fighting and killing each other. These people, Wayne James included, who participate and enjoy animals being hurt and killed should be put in an arena against a trained fighter and see how they feel about it (of course sign a release form first). In ancient times the enslaved gladiators did not have a choice; they were put in the arena to amuse the royalty. So these cock fighting and dog fighting royalty wanna-be's should choose a different hobby and be a better role model for their kids.

According to Wayne James "The birds seem to enjoy every second of it." Obviously you Wayne James enjoy watching these events, I would like to put you in an arena and see if you enjoy that as much. If you run out of subjects for your column you should just drive around the island and see some of the local kids and parents enjoying decent athletic events or have a look at the Community Calender section of this paper. I suggest all those who participate in this sadistic event to sign up for one of the islands many marshall arts schools and where you can learn to spar and respect life. Just because cockfighting is legal doesn't make it right, if it's going to take a law to stop this animal abuse then our legislators should seriously consider it.

Yener Korkut" - Dec.2000