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Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » Is a PURIST the same as a PERFECTIONIST? Does one false note ruin a concert? Does one false word ruin everything you heard?
RosieG

Is a PURIST the same as a PERFECTIONIST? Does one false note ruin a concert? Does one false word ruin everything you heard?

Posted - March 27, 2019
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Responses


  • 6023
    No ... at least, not to me.

    To use your concert analogy:

    If the conductor is playing a piece by Bach, a PURIST would expect them to play exactly as Bach wrote it ... a PERFECTIONIST would allow the conductor to put his own "interpretation" on the piece, but expect them to play perfectly.

    To use a coloring book analogy:

    A PURIST would expect you to stay within the lines and use realistic colors, a PERFECTIONIST would just expect you to stay within the lines.
      March 27, 2019 8:18 AM MDT
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  • 113301
    Thank you Walt. The reason I asked is that I think Opera buffs are very strict about their approval. They hear one false note and that is what they focus on. Being consumed with finding flaws I think is a very sad existence. Some get off on it. Different strokes.  :)
      March 28, 2019 7:08 AM MDT
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  • 6023
    I don't have the hearing sensitivity to detect when notes are off ... unless it's glaringly obvious.
    I suppose it would be annoying to somebody who does have that level of hearing sensitivity, that they can tell the difference between (say) an A and A Sharp ... for a single instrument, against a background of an entire orchestra.
      March 28, 2019 7:25 AM MDT
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  • 7280
    This question points out the value in being sure that people agree on the definitions of the words they are using.

    To be a purist is to be a kind of perfectionist.

    https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/purist
      March 27, 2019 9:09 AM MDT
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  • 113301
    What I really want to know is what I ended with. Does one false note ruin a concert or an opera for you? Does one false word negate everything you heard? Must it be PERFECT for you to approve or does your approval enjoyment allow a little wiggle room for flaws? Thank you for your reply and the link. I can look up definitions too. I cannot look up how much flaw you allow or if you allow none? That is the gist of the question.  Thank you for the l link. I now have another question to ask based on your reply so thanks for that! :)
      March 28, 2019 7:11 AM MDT
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  • 7280
    I have no gift for, for example, listening to an initial string of notes---7 or more---and then picking from five strings with different but very similar notes the series of notes that matches the original.

    So for me, the "just noticeable difference" (JND) has got to be large for me to notice it.  As such, I suppose I am by default rather tolerant of such flaws.

    When it comes to conveying information, I am less tolerant of imprecision since I don't like to guess at what one is actually trying to say.


      March 28, 2019 9:28 AM MDT
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