Zappa's role in the band is equivalent to a coach in a soccer team - he pushed every member of the band to the very edge of their limits. Painstakingly demanding, he imposed several hours of rehearsals until the very nearest to perfection was accomplished. It was tough love but many musicians graciously appreciated this as it allowed them to reach their full potential. In many ways, Zappa would extend people's personal capacity.
"I was ready to dedicate myself completely to Frank's music. He really knew what buttons to push... he knew how to synthesize people's personalities and talents." - Ruth Underwood pg. 240
"He definitely wrote for individual players, writing more and more difficult passages until you would hit your wall...it made everyone play in top form" - Pamela Goldsmith pg. 248
His role was to enable and extract the talents of others. In this way his music could be played in top form. It also gave performances the quality that people don't often get.
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