Complexity vs. Simplicity, Better or Worse?

Aaron Copland once said, “Music that is born complex is not inherently better or worse than music that is born simple." ?In my recent LinkedIn poll, I asked colleagues if they agreed with this quote. A significant majority of the people I posted on each platform voted “yes,” and only a few voted “no” and “other comments.”

Although this topic does not seem controversial, it does invite discussion. One comment points out the complexity of this issue: “The quote above requires a conversation. Music is not a multiple-choice arena.”

Some colleagues point out the coexisting value of complexity and simplicity in music and the aesthetic value of simple music.

“Absolutely - One can listen to Verdi operas, early Mozart sonatas, or even Chopsticks, Taylor Swift, or Green Day (a lot of parallel fifths on guitar most people wouldn’t recognize as “chords”), and you can find simplicity, complexity, or even a mix of both in all these forms of music.”

“There’s a great line in Ken Burns’ film Country Music. “Country Music is three chords and the truth.” In other words, completely or lack thereof doesn’t determine musical value. It’s quite hard to be simple.”

“Simple music can be just as beautiful as complex music. This is why music composition is an art. It is written by artists. “

“His approach speaks for itself. To play Copland requires top-shelf musical sensibilities.”

Interestingly, no comments were made to champion the value of music complexity.

This quote involves two relative issues: “complexity vs. simplicity” and “better vs. worse,” which are independent. That means “complex music,” whatever that is, can be better or worse than simple music, and vice versa. So, what is the point? It appears that Copland made such a statement to defend the value of music that is born simple. This concept contradicts a general belief by many serious musicians that complex music is superior to simple music. As we know, Copland explored different musical styles encompassing a wide range of musical languages and levels of complexity. For him, music born of complexity and simplicity are equally valuable. On the one hand, he managed to keep his music “simple” and accessible to the public while, on the other hand, maintaining consistent high quality.

As the issues it implies suggest, this quote is not simple at all. First, how do we determine whether a piece of music is more complex than another one? The most prominent factors are the structure and techniques of the composition. We agree that a Beethoven symphony is more complicated than a nursery rhyme, a Liszt etude is technically more complex than a sonatina, and a Boulez score is more complex than a Mozart score. Being able to write in an advanced and sophisticated language proves the professional level of a composer. The composer may choose whether or not to write in a complicated language in any composition.

What about different musical styles? Are certain musical styles more complex than the others? One may ask: Is Classical music more complex than popular music? The former is generally more complicated than the latter based on the size and duration. However, if we compare a Schubert art song to a Beatles song of similar duration, we’ll find some similarities: both are tonal and homophonic with a clear formal structure. Their harmonic language and rhythm are different. Also, the Beatles use sound technology that did not exist in Schubert’s time. So, which one is more complex? It would require in-depth analyses and comparisons of two specific works based on manipulating musical elements.

What about Classical music vs. jazz? Based on the functional harmony of classical music, jazz harmony is undoubtedly more sophisticated. Many classical musicians who try to learn jazz also need help with the swing and bossa nova rhythms. Why are the songs so easy to listen to but so difficult to play right? This is because sophisticated rhythm was not included in Classical training, and musicians could not feel it. It takes time to listen to plenty of repertoire and regularly play the music of unfamiliar styles to internalize the rhythm. When it comes to avant-garde music from the second half of the 20th century, both Classical and jazz have reached the height of musical complexity. Comparing the level of complexity between these two styles is irrelevant.

Better or worse? This is subjective based on the listeners’ personal preferences. While some admire musical complexity, others are turned off by it. However, there are still some objective criteria to evaluate the quality of the composition. To demonstrate Copland’s quote, a poorly orchestrated symphonic work with a loose structure is not better than a well-written song with a solid structure. More is not necessarily better—quality matters. When it comes to interpretation, the performance quality of the same composition matters much. Bach’s Prelude in C Major is a concert piece that young piano students can play. My seven-year-old student can play all the right notes, but it will take another twenty years for him to understand what he is playing and make some real music.

Do not underestimate a single melody or even a single note. How to play that note is crucial. With particular nuance and expression, the interpretation may reveal the innermost soul. Some music appears to be simple but could be more complex. Based on the concept of Western music, Chinese music has no harmony and counterpoint; therefore, it is simpler. However, “harmony” in Chinese music combines timbres of different musical families on the same melody, which individual performers vary slightly. This collective improvisation is subtle and cannot be precisely notated. Like jazz, a lead sheet looks simple, but the music performance based on the lead sheet is far more complex.

In conclusion, complexity level, musical styles, and musical quality are three different things. Associating certain types of music with good/bad is unfair. Any musical style at any complexity level can be “better” or “worse,” depending on how meaningful it is to you. Genuine music can touch the souls, whether Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony or a folk song. On the other hand, complex music created only for being complex would fail to touch the audience. It would look good on paper and can only be appreciated for its artistic merits. Let’s enjoy good music of different styles, disregarding the level of complexity. We do not need to agree with each other’s musical preferences. Music that means special to you is the most important.

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