Robert Fripp - Frippertronics, Interview

Robert Fripp - Frippertronics, Interview

[@eddieraissi719]

His way of explaining music within these few minutes is a lifetime influence itself

[@coolworld316]

He's very intelligent and everything he says here is perfectly coherent and considerably more insightful than what you hear in interviews with 99% of other musicians. Sad to see how eager many ppl seem to be to discourage substantial intellectual discourse, and how much this sentiment is directed at artists and musicians in particular. If we take the arts for granted, and look down upon those that take it seriously, it pushes our culture towards decline. imo...

[@MKNull]

Dylan Reznick I can tell you get it.

[@augustusbetucius1572]

Our culture has been in decline for some time, and there's been an anti intellectual sentiment in America since around the 1980s. It's worse now than ever. Artists and musicians in particular are expected and demanded to not challenge anyone, to not do anything to challenge their audience, or to do anything that pressures them to think or question. The artist is now expected to entertain in the most superficial way possible. Look at Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, etc. The days of artists like Fripp, Zappa, Rush, etc are behind us. Those types of artists exist, but well outside the mainstream and you have to make an effort to locate them. You couldn't release an album like Dark Side Of The Moon in the mainstream on a major label now. Fripp is the last of a dying breed and time.

[@oliviertruchon5648]

​@@augustusbetucius1572 We must do something To reverse that light entertainement thing for getting back to a more intellectual mindset.

[@coffeeintheface]

Fripp should teach music at a university, like "Philosophy of Music" or something..he definitely has tons of insight on it. I love that man.

[@JacobGorny]

15 years later, GC come and gone, and back again, if you get Fripp's recently published book on The Guitar Circle it will teach you a considerable course on music, self and guitar.

[@lapinus]

in Italy there's something like that, it's called Musicology.

[@spider62able]

I enjoy listening to Mr. Fripp express himself verbally but I don't sit around and worry about his intelligence vs anyone else's. Just enjoy him and his music for their own merits.

[@adalaku]

It's amazing how one could be such a creative and intellectual genius and at the same time be so humble and soft-spoken.

[@theskymovessideways1]

How articulate, quaint, and enlightening his words are, Robert Fripp is truly a musician

[@Hubs88]

Fripp is the Schizoid Man.

[@amphitheatre]

What he has to say about humiliation and music is brilliant. A great guitarist and a great mind!

[@aschemusicreations]

he probably has an anxiety disorder. I've struggled with anxiety in the past and it tends to wind you up like this.

[@ankihansen2489]

He use to have it, then he married Toyah Wilcox and she helped him to come out of his shell.

[@LilyLemony]

"Maturity in a musician would be the point at which one is innocent at will." Although Fripp makes this quote about music, you could really apply it to any of The Arts. He is a brilliant man.

[@ottocastillo6110]

Someone once stood in the opposite latrine in a restroom, after Fripp had finish he said to the men " Don't forget to wag your Willie's " so much for his seriousness.

[@louismvega]

I remember seeing this video years ago. It passed me by without thought. Now I see it in a different light.

[@SuperMonkeyCube]

Primarily, that violin-like sound is coming from the Roland GR-300 guitar synth he's using.

[@Oceanmachine27]

Fripp is one of my absolute favorite musical philosophers. I get really tired of reading interviews with guitars players where they explain the creative process as, "Uh, I just try to, uh, you know, feel it, and then I play it. It's just like... yeah."

[@Woilem]

i can't help being fascinated by his philosophical view on musical art and its performers :)

[@soupbonep]

Beautiful melodies. Music of the far corners of the earth. Fripp was listening to it all. He is a fascinating man. I don't know why he felt humiliated. And why he thinks anyone in their right mind should feel that way on stage. Insecurity? Well, I respect the turkey. The turkey is a great bird. Ben Franklin thought the wild turkey should have been the national bird of the U.S.A.

[@mattekudasai8249]

Man i wish there was a video of just the frippertronics, would love to listen to it in its entirety

[@Ston247]

"The humiliation of appearing in front of people cuts the egotism and come into a better relationship with music, realizing we (musicians) are feeble creatures." I think what he means is: When playing for an audience, nobody gives a fuck WHAT you know! Do you sound good? Can you evoke a positive or an appropriate response? This is what music is supposed to do. "Feeble creatures"..... we are at the mercy of our audience while we seek their approval.

[@michaelmccartney9610]

No translation of his words is needed. And no, I don't believe he meant what you describe.

[@nobodady1]

I think I first saw this interview on MTV in the early early 80's.

[@ijonkilledyou6062]

MTV in 80s?? damn. way better than the crap thats on today on MTV

[@spider62able]

Fripp is brilliant in setting parameters and limitations within which to create his marvelous art/music. This is a true sign of what a humble genius he is.

[@MrUltraworld]

I saw Crimson at this time. What amazing shows. I heard music that was truly remarkable. It really expanded my musical range. Seeing ppl like Zappa, Jaco, and King Crimson at age 16 was a great experience.

[@itchyliabdo]

be the turkey

[@docsketchy]

This is a cool and enlightening video, but I have to say that it is accompanied by just about the stupidest bunch of viewer comments that I've ever seen on KZbin, or anywhere. Most of the comments amount to this: "Robert Fripp: please stop thinking. Thinking is bad. And, if you do think, please have the decency not to tell us about it." Wow, no wonder he leaves the professional music scene in disgust every few years.

[@Imafungi123]

obviously some illusion of theirs was damaged

[@nsjx]

agree entirely. i imagine YT as a public swimming pool. there's always a group who are down-to-earth, playing their fun genuinely interesting game in a corner of the pool. that is where you and i and all the others who comprehend what is being said in this interview "belong"... the urinating youngsters and loud mouths from the middle of pool are ENDlessly causing disruption, so it is best we stick to our game and let the haters hate. we can hope one day they will be able to see the light(s) in front of their big mouths.

[@Duendito]

More like a cesspool.

[@neilcreamer8207]

“Most people would rather die than think and many of them do!” ― Bertrand Russell

[@DannyMcCaffrey]

Oh, I get it. He's a genius.

[@54spiritedwill54]

great find. i never tire of fripp.

[@MyManDan]

“Art is the capacity to re-experience one’s innocence” i feel that

[@WackaJawacka]

Good old Robert. Been the backdrop to my life since 73. Heard half the world snitch his ideas, by now.

[@DeadWhiteButterflies]

In a strange kind of way, Fripp unintentionally made Shoegaze :)

[@trevorwood2118]

This is fake. Robert doesn't stand. Ever.

[@Kruegerisgod]

😂😂😂

[@LeonTrimble]

There’s no frippertronics either. That’s a Roland tape echo.

[@Brock2097]

Thanks, awesome footage & interesting comments from Fripp.

[@chuckinator13]

He gave a lecture at UC Berkley on a similar subject it was amazing...I wish I still had the tape.....

[@Duendito]

Sure are a lot of comments here that reflect a lack of understanding of being a performer. I LOVE performing, it's in my veins. You don't go on stage half-prepared. If you do, you set yourself up for failure. Fripp's musicianship is at a high level, as such, the stakes are much, much higher than some "singer/songwriter" getting up and singing over G-C-D-Em the whole night. The higher the level of musicianship, the more delicate the balance and more demanding it is of our attention.

[@obscurebandfan]

He's so intelligent, it's amazing.

[@kulanahall5604]

Thank you.

[@elviss]

Sounds like the reverse guitar on the Lizard album. Beautiful.

[@andyje]

The strange thing is he pioneered alot of these ideas, he was in a sense one of the first to use samples, and one of the first to use a guitar synthesizer in a practical manner, and he makes a point Rock is the most flexable form of music right now.

[@RobertoReyesChHC]

Wow man he feels the way I do towards being a music. Especially the need to express yourself after becoming proficient..

[@romanroman1975]

This Gentleman is a Brahman.

[@UngKristen]

Truly, there shan't ever be a greater nerd.

[@philipatoz]

I love Robert and the musical legacy he has brought us. Yep, he can come off pretentiously sounding, merely because he IS a very serious, studious type. I don't think he appears to get particular joy out of life, other than music. He seems the depressed type. And, here, does he not look a heck of a lot like the captain of the "Love Boat?" LOL

[@paulauksztulewicz4803]

No. He is quite the joyful fellow and quite the jokester with an amazing sense of humor. Just spent a week him in Argentina at his guitar circle course. Amazing person and my experience was life changing.

[@MadanRajaRock]

If being serious takes him to creative paths beyond the reach of many other rock songwriters, notably his prog peers from the 70s, so be it. Robert Fripp is a genius and for me his words are worth their weight in gold.

[@pilarensinho]

Robert Fripp. Sos un genio. No tengo palabras para halagarte. You're a genius. I have no words to flatter.

[@zachjohnson637]

I rarely understand what Fripp is talking about...

[@DuckofaPato]

That's the beauty of it.

[@MKNull]

It's definently an expressive way of speaking.

[@codyoranchuk4714]

I do

[@ijonkilledyou6062]

Thats wut happens when u let Brits explain thenselves.

[@billmay7364]

You got Robert Fripp and the late great Allan Holdworth and Jeff BECK Zappa , John McLaughlin Of Course JIMI. Those are the upper Tier . Not only players. But Composers. Fripp is so Unique . Astounding Technique. Jimi loved Fripp.

[@ACrackInTheWall2006]

I actualy have this interview on a bootlegged dvd. Great guitar playing he doing. Lizard is one of the greatest albums of all time and unfailry underrated.

[@seancurtin5131]

Nice, I wonder if the music from this special is on the Exposures box set? Wonderful to watch the use of all the early Roland GK/GR equipment. Thanks for sharing.

[@rswhitney8ify]

Great quotes from this

[@charlesneedham]

Wow he sounds high. Pretty cool though, I like seeing people who have these really unique ideas and thoughts.

[@coreyagraph]

'we are the turkey that we are"............

[@OccurInNature]

Wise words.

[@timguitar]

Great stuff!

[@baronepam]

I remember a wonderful night at Capers Corner Records (47th & Mission Road, Kansas City, Kansas USA). The bins were scooted to the side and Robert played Frippertronics, talked, answered questions and signed stuff as long as we wanted. The music was great, the autograph signing was, weird. I never liked getting autographs but oh my, the music.

[@citrusblast4372]

He definitely looks more like an academic than a rock musician lol

[@bluesboy68]

We're all turkeys? Well then, he is an awesome turkey! :-)

[@billpeart]

Bottom line...He's a genius. Love him or hate him.

[@tacomadc]

He's a "turkey" - lol! I saw the Beat and Perfect Pair concerts at the Greek Theater in San Francisco, and I can say there were no "turkeys" there! Probably two of the most beautiful, spiritual musical experiences in my life. Thanks Bob.

[@nobodady1]

I believe I saw this on MTV in the mid to late 80's. This might all sound like mumbo jumbo or pretentiousness to some people, but really --- he is consistent in these notions. I attended a talk of his once, and many of these same words were spoken. Fripp was very generous to fellow musicians. He even refuses to criticize another musician, he says, out of respect. That is, anyone brave enough to give it his best shot deserves his respect. I think he is fundamentally humble.

[@HEMIChopper69]

Robert Fripp as Dusty Rhoades,,,,, one smart individual, and creative w/ Brian Eno. Man, I miss these guys. But then, I'm from 1977. Thanks Robert & Brian.

[@Ofinfinitejest]

The phrase "One of a kind" gets thrown around a lot, but Fripp is more than that; he is one of a kind that defies the idea of kinds.

[@coreyagraph]

sometimes i don't have a f......... clue what fripp is talking about; BUT i like the fact he is articulate and he really believes in what he is saying..........

[@turntapzap]

For positive, the finest guitarist ever. He's so out there.

[@MiniacialejandroArminiaciloops]

beautifull present of beautiful and very best guitarist

[@DangerBird]

the further up the stream,the sweeter the water..the source is the proper location to conceive the ocean.Then you may begin to define principal and application...your goal is now apparent..its the next note..fripp is one brilliant,beautiful biotic organism

[@angiecuteass]

I love Fripp almost as much as Gilmour, but in a different way..

[@qqqopeth]

Confidence in one's worth or abilities can be more than provided for by ego but it is by no means the only way i feel. For example, staying within the topic of music, my self esteem comes from my confidence in my ability to express myself to the degree i want to. My worth would come from the fact that i feel an attempt at diversification in music is something of worth in itself. If it fails, you try again, giving you motive to continue and if it succeeds the worth will be abundant for all to see

[@wakeupjimmy]

Is the song he's playing an existing song? Would love to hear the whole song!:)

[@drewper73]

His interview reminds me of some of the liner notes I've read in cd's like B'Boom.

[@crazyedd123]

@FOCtv he plays the little melody that occurs 00:22 into the song, plus the 'two note' section during the build-up is actually the same note played on two different strings (which is pretty awesome tbh), but he does change notes thoughout the build up, slowly going up (not sure if he's playing a scale or just randomly ascending).

[@gip13g]

@0AllForNaught0 well, everyone has their own unique way of seeing the world. it's good that you are so confident.

[@whatsitwhosit]

" We all are turkeys"....what an unexpected notion from him

[@user-vn1zb9ov8d]

Finally! I have found peak Fripp twaddle! '...and if you're a turkey, and we are all turkeys, it's farily obvious to everyone else that we're the turkey that we are. And it's humiliating' Thanks Bob, that'll keep me going in those really dark moments!

[@GwynforLwyd]

He has a lot of respect for Sufi philosophies, and often quotes Sufi authors.

[@johnstone2707]

This is pure comedy.

[@davethecaveman]

i never looked at it this way

[@acrocanthosaurus4]

I wish that song he was playing was available to buy! is it?

[@Roberthenryii]

fripp probroly plays in that reverberation chamber all day

[@zepkungfu]

i think fripp is one of the best guitarist i've ever heard

[@stevieVantanna]

Hi, can anyone give me any advice of Robert Fripp's picking approach? ....besides practice. Is it usually strict alternate or some economy picking? When he does his famous cross picking, is it down down up or alternate picked? thanks

[@BlindEyeJones]

One other thing, while you're in the mother's womb the mother cares for you - you don't need ego - but you have to learn to protect yourself at some point. Ego comes in later to protect yourself and that is very natural. In other words, the ego is not bad, but very useful if you want to survive and not just rely on your mom.

[@aakkoin]

word bro

[@ZeitOner]

He's so alone. I feel that his music is very lonely. I know how abstract that sound but yea, that's the vibe I get. I like sometimes.

[@pepenores2]

true but there is definately a median between the two. and the idea of 'success' in music is to create music that you know will both satisfy a bigger audience and diversify but grow from the music that you know and love

[@Hectorschizoidman]

yeah...a real philosopher

[@BarryWarne]

how many albums more does an artist have to sell before they can afford to go back to the tailor and have suit sleeves installed permanently ? One day. One day in a just world artists will be able to afford the whole suit all in one go, rather than through instalments.

[@qqqopeth]

Of course that was only specific to music in that example, but i feel those same principles could very usefully be applied to any normal working life or family life, depending on how far you want to take it.

[@lordmuntague]

Excellent clip. As for the people on here using the word "pretentious", I suggest they check out Toyah & Robert's Sunday Lunch. Joyful mayhem, those two couldn't do pretentious if you gave them an instruction book.

[@bristolfashion4421]

I like the way he's brave enough to admit that he doesn't have a muscial bone in his body and that he was both tone deaf and without any sense of rhythm. What other "rock" star has got the balls to come out with this background information. And that he has to continually practice for *hours* every day otherwise his acquired skills would disappear once more and he'd go back to his default state - feeble creatures indeed. Thanks Bob !

[@llanbo]

I do like that West County yokel burr in his voice. Him and Joe Meek ;-)

[@archfiendbaramos]

I have the feeling it was an improvisation, although it sounds similar to so many other things he has played...the sound reminded me a bit of his bit on "Trio", just a little bit.

[@coreyagraph]

great jacket............

[@eddievhfan1984]

@oxonfineartist Well, it seems for him, it's more that, as he experienced it in the 70s, musicians let their egos get in the way of the music; they didn't let the music they thought of come out because of their own desire to "self-express." I mean, he's never let the history of King Crimson keep him from making the music he hears in his head, and I believe that's his thrust: wherever the music comes from, don't let your pride, ego, fear, or whatever get in the way of it.

[@Bongofury361]

I agree with LinkBulletBill, that Fripp is NOT over-rated. I don't know of any guitarist that can do the things he does. Check out Discipline! He and Zappa are my 2 favourite guitarists of all time. I always laugh when people glow about Hendrix, Clapton and Page. They are all great in their own right, but they can't touch Fripp! I had the pleasure of seeing him in the Ontario Place Forum (1990?), which is a small, round, revolving stage with grassy banks all around, doing the LOCG tour. Awesome!

[@galinirob]

like his subtle west-country talk!

[@mariaharald9779]

~cool clip...greetings from 2 musicians (sitar & tanpura) from germany........(maria&harald,the nectar of the night)...~

[@rgaleny]

Do Chefs create food or only work with it as a material in light of established forms? Then with new tools.

[@VirusSyndicate]

the ultimate in sophistry, a true soporific

[@BlindEyeJones]

What completes the music is an audience -- music is directed at something, even an audience of one. And you may be happy with just that. But musicians also compete for an audience and this goes back to human nature. Musicians had completions even at the time of Mozart and it is no different today. They slag each other like a bunch of old ladies when they are not patting each other on the back.

[@MikeGervasi]

@cmgill2 Based on what I've heard/read and not knowing the Maestro personally, I believe he is certainly opinionated as one would tend to be in his position. However I also think he wouldn't speak near as much if we didn't constantly ask him questions or FOR his opinion.

[@albertosantillan2535]

let the power fall

[@Cente_Bui]

my bad i meant the natural pentatonic. the japanese pent has a different arrangement of five notes

[@archfiendbaramos]

It's going through a synthesizer which is altering the sound, plus as waltnuts2 mentioned he uses what he calls "New Standard Tuning" that is his own invention. His Guitar Craft lessons teach people how to use it, but I don't know how to play the guitar to make use of it.

[@mattekudasai8249]

I don't believe he developed new standard tuning at this time yet