About Manning Bartlett Expertise I could answer are on any aspect of Zappa`s compositional output, including his 1200 copyrighted works. I can answer questions that relate to his idiomatic techniques of composition (particularly with regard to his adoption of computer-based composition in the few years prior to his death in 1993), orchestration and performance Particuarly in the area of his adaptation on Varese`s `Musique Concrete`). Additionally I can counsel musicians attempting to play Zappa`s music (which is very challenging for the most competent performer) on technical and interpretive issues.
Expert: Manning Bartlett Date: 4/10/2004 Subject: Zappa's life and career
Question In your Expertise section, you mostly mentioned your knowledge of Zappa's compositional techniques. I was wondering if you know anything about his life, or sources in which I could learn about it. I was also wondering what exactly his techniques of composition were, and how he was inspired to mkae such inventive music. Thanks very much, Ursula.
Answer Not a simple question, but I'll attempt to answer it, and give you some pointers in further directions.
The best way to understand FZ's approach to composition is to understand his complete contempt for any "traditions". FZ classified music as "good" and "bad", and rejected any other form of classification. Hence he could listen to (20th century French composer) Edgard Varese, (Jazz bassist) Charles Mingus and 1950's 'doo-wop' music and regard them as equivalent.
His compositional style reflected this eclecticism: rather than feel restricted to a specific palette of sound or harmony, he simply went wherever his head took him. The array of sound you can hear on "Yellow Shark" will give you some indication of this variety. Humour and sarcasm was never far from Zappa's mind, although his final works (found on Civilization Phaze III) tend to show a spiritualism which was not apparent in his earlier work.
The various biographies about Zappa cover his early influences quite well - I would recommend Zappa's own "The Real Frank Zappa Book" (published 1987 I think) and also David Walley's "No Commercial Potential".
Finally, to hear a wider perpective on Zappa's work, trying contacting alt.fan.frank-zappa via the Usenet (go to Google, choose the 'groups' tab and enter 'Zappa').
