Music Savvy Chat versus Chat GPT
The best way to differentiate Chap GPT with the custom GPT I built called Music Savvy Chat is to compare their answers to identical questions. My purpose in building Music Savvy Chat was to use the combined conversations with jazz masters to provide better responses in terms of their depth and practicality. I also wanted an easy way to find and explore the information within the interviews, books, and videos.
Take a look at the difference in answers to two questions about the influence playing with Miles Davis had on them. The question was first about Dave Liebman: What did Dave Liebman learn from playing with Miles Davis?
The answer from the general Chat GPT was:
Dave Liebman, an accomplished saxophonist and flautist, learned a great deal from his time playing with the legendary jazz musician Miles Davis in the early 1970s. Some of the key lessons and experiences he gained include:
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Musical Innovation and Evolution: Liebman witnessed firsthand Miles Davis’s constant pursuit of new musical directions. Davis was known for his willingness to break away from traditional jazz forms and experiment with new styles, including jazz fusion. This experience likely reinforced Liebman’s own drive for musical exploration and innovation.
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The Importance of Listening: Playing with Davis, Liebman learned the importance of deep listening in a jazz ensemble. Davis’s bands were known for their intuitive interplay and communication, qualities that are essential in jazz and were deeply ingrained in Liebman’s own approach to music.
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Professionalism and Dedication: Miles Davis was known for his demanding nature and his insistence on professionalism and dedication to the craft. Musicians who played with Davis, including Liebman, often spoke of the discipline and work ethic that was required to be part of Davis’s groups.
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Artistic Integrity and Individuality: Davis encouraged his musicians to find their own voice and be true to their artistic vision. Liebman, who has a very distinctive sound and approach to music, likely found this aspect of working with Davis to be affirming and inspiring.
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The Business of Music: Beyond the purely musical aspects, working with a successful and innovative artist like Davis would have provided Liebman insights into the business side of the music industry, including aspects like management, record deals, and concert promotion.
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Handling Fame and Publicity: Observing and interacting with a global music icon like Davis would have offered Liebman valuable lessons on how to handle fame, public relations, and the pressures that come with being in the spotlight.
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Cultural Impact: Finally, being part of a band led by Miles Davis, an artist who was not just a musician but a cultural icon, would have given Liebman a unique perspective on the role of music in society and the potential of an artist to influence culture.
In summary, Dave Liebman’s time with Miles Davis was likely a profound learning experience, influencing his approach to music, his professional career, and his artistic philosophy.
Dave Liebman gained invaluable insights and experiences from playing with Miles Davis. He learned the importance of the concept of ‘space’ in music, recognizing how silence or the absence of sound could be as impactful as the notes themselves.
Liebman observed that Miles Davis had a unique way of creating space in his music, allowing each note and silence to resonate and contribute to the overall feel and narrative of the piece.
This understanding of space and the power of minimalism in music deeply influenced Liebman’s own approach to playing and his musical philosophy in general​​.
The Chat GPT answer was factually correct about understanding the culture, of being a band leader, of business, and of “listening.” But Music Savvy Chat gave what I’ll refer to as a more musical example. It spoke of ‘space’ in music and went on to detail musical minimalism. I think that achieves the goal of a deeper and more musical answer.
Next, I asked the same question about Lenny White, who at 19, played on the Bitches Brew album.
First the Chat GPT answer:Â
Lenny White, a renowned drummer known for his work in jazz fusion, also gained invaluable experience and insights from playing with Miles Davis. His time with Davis, particularly during the era of the groundbreaking album “Bitches Brew,” was formative in his development as a musician. Here are some key lessons and experiences Lenny White likely took away from his time with Miles Davis:
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Exploration of New Musical Territories: Miles Davis was at the forefront of the fusion movement, blending jazz with rock and other genres. Playing with Davis, Lenny White was part of this pioneering journey, learning how to fuse different styles and sounds to create something entirely new and groundbreaking.
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The Art of Improvisation: Davis was known for his improvisational genius. Playing alongside him, White would have honed his own improvisational skills, learning to respond in the moment to the musical ideas presented by his bandmates, and understanding the deep level of communication required in jazz.
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Embracing Electronic Instruments and Technology: During the time White played with Davis, there was a significant shift towards the use of electric instruments and new technologies in jazz. This experience likely influenced White’s own approach to music, making him more open to experimentation with electronic sounds and production techniques.
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Understanding the Rhythmic Foundation of Jazz Fusion: As a drummer, Lenny White’s role in Davis’s band was crucial in laying down the complex, often shifting rhythmic foundations that characterized Davis’s music during this period. This experience would have been a masterclass in the nuances of rhythm, timing, and groove.
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Professionalism and Musical Discipline: Miles Davis was known for his exacting standards and his demand for professionalism from his musicians. Working with Davis, White would have learned the importance of discipline, preparation, and the relentless pursuit of musical excellence.
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Artistic Identity and Expression: Davis encouraged his musicians to find and express their own voice within the framework of his music. This ethos likely encouraged Lenny White to develop his own unique style and approach to drumming, which has been evident throughout his career.
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Navigating the Music Industry: Being part of a successful ensemble led by a figure like Miles Davis would have provided insights into the workings of the music industry, including aspects like recording contracts, touring, and the overall business of being a professional musician.
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The Impact of Music on Culture: Finally, playing with a cultural icon like Miles Davis would have offered Lenny White a unique perspective on the power of music as a cultural force and the potential of an artist to influence and inspire beyond the boundaries of their genre.
In essence, Lenny White’s tenure with Miles Davis was likely a transformative period, deeply influencing his musical approach, his career trajectory, and his overall perspective on art and creativity.
And the answer from Music Savvy Chat:
Lenny White, during his time playing with Miles Davis, notably on the Bitches Brew sessions, learned the significance of being true to oneself in music.
He observed how Miles Davis was not just playing music but was the music itself, embodying authenticity and personal expression in his art.
White realized the importance of self-belief and being genuine in one’s artistic expression, understanding that this authenticity is what truly resonates with the audience and defines an artist’s legacy. This realization was pivotal for White and profoundly influenced his approach to music and his career trajectory​​.
Similar to the liebman answers, notice that the Chat GPT points are accurate but somewhat general with ’embracing technology’, ‘professionalism’, ‘new music exploration’,’culture’, etc.
Music Savvy Chat went much deeper, and obviously because Lenny was very good (as was Lieb) at describing the essence of Miles’ influence on him.
Let’s take another angle to this differentiation.
This time I asked: How do I avoid the trap of sounding too much like my musical heroes.
Without going into the detail of each, here are the points Chat GPT made:
- List to a wide range of music, not just your favorite artists
- Experiment with your own style
- Collaborate with others
- Ask for honest feedback from friends
- Set specific goals
- Practice mindfulness
Now that some fairly good advice, but I want something more profound. Here is the conversation I had with Music Savvy Chat:
