"A guitar riff played on a piano doesn't come close to the purity of it being played on a guitar but I faked it enough to get by"
About this Quote
In this quote, Barry Mann captures the essence of musical credibility and the obstacles dealt with when equating the special qualities of one instrument to another. The declaration starts by acknowledging the intrinsic purity and authenticity of a guitar riff when used its initial instrument, the guitar. This pureness likely refers to the unique tonal qualities, timbre, and expressiveness that a guitar imparts to its riffs, attained through strategies such as bending, sliding, and the natural resonance of its strings.
When Mann suggests that playing a guitar riff on a piano "doesn't come close to the purity" of being used a guitar, he stresses the difficulty in recreating these distinct elements on an instrument with a basically different sound production method. The piano, with its percussive hammer-action striking strings, provides a various set of meaningful possibilities and constraints compared to the guitar. As such, the subtleties and subtle expressiveness fundamental to a guitar riff can become harder to reproduce, potentially losing some psychological impact and credibility in the process.
Nevertheless, Mann's use of the expression "however I faked it enough to manage" underscores a pragmatic method to musical adjustment. It demonstrates a musician's resourcefulness in taking advantage of their offered tools, even when those tools may not be perfect for the task. This part of the quote shows an imaginative compromise, where the musician uses their skill and resourcefulness to record the spirit of the original riff, even if some authenticity is sacrificed.
Ultimately, Mann's declaration is a testimony to the flexibility and creativity required in music, especially in the context of cross-instrumental arrangements. It highlights the balance in between striving for authenticity and accepting the imaginative possibilities used by various instruments, even when they present obstacles in maintaining the initial pureness.
