Hi O-10 - I must say, that is a very interesting definition of jazz, and I would like to hear what the Frogman thinks of it.
The definition of music is a very basic and good one, too. I am constantly telling my private horn students that music is the creation of sound in time - the time aspect being as important as the sound aspect, as it is the time (meter and rhythm) that gives the sound a framework, and makes it make sense to the listener.
This leads to another point that I think has to do with the subject of your post I was objecting to (and by the way, have you explained what point you were trying to make? If so, I haven't seen it, though I am not 100% certain I am seeing everything in this new forum format):
When we are discussing heart, or feeling, in music making - it is very important to remember that although this is obviously an essential, it is not the sole essential thing. One can have all the heart and soul in the world; however, if one cannot express it, because of whatever deficiencies of technique, or an inability to play in time, or an inability to create the right sound, or play in the appropriate style, to name some examples, then one will not really be a good musician. It is quite possible to have a huge heart and soul, yet not have any real MUSICAL feeling. All of us musicians have had students like this, and they are sometimes the most frustrating ones, as they have the passion, but not the ability. One must be able to create good sounds, in time - these qualities are just as important as the heart and soul in the making of music. That's where the technique, etc. comes in.
Of course, the reverse example is also true. Someone can have incredible technique, and fantastic time, but not be a very expressive player. There are many professional musicians fitting that description, unfortunately, but there are a great many more students who never do win an orchestral audition or regularly get hired to play in jazz clubs, and they have no idea why, because they know they can play their instrument really well. In fact, this is perhaps more true today than it has been in the past, since the technical standards for every instrument have now risen so high, especially in classical world, but also in the jazz world as well. The kids coming out of school today have so much more technique than even 25 years ago - but it has come at the expense of other important aspects of music making in general, like learning to phrase really well, to name one aspect important to all genres.
OK, I'll shut up for now.
