Violinist vs Metro Subway Pedestrians

[dodrudon]

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html?hpid=topnews

[khaine]

wow, although I am annoyed by this, it's not really that suprising, most people can't tell good music when there not busy (many just go to concerts and only know the guy is good cos of the prive tag) and when they are only those people who have an ear for it will notice... There are not many.

xD.

[gruntgruntson]

khaine said:

most people can't tell good music when there not busy

What is "good" music?
Is it "well written" ? well performed? Though-provoking? Technically difficult to play? Nice to listen to? Appropriate for the situation?

And I suppose it annoys me that you get annoyed because other people do not recognise what you think is the best thing.

A very interesting article/event. Personally, I am more interested in the fact he did it, and how people react to it (both public and those "in-the-know"), than the music. But if I'd have walked past him, I'd have kept walking. I do not know many of the titles mentioned, and do not like violins 1st thing in the morning! A nice saxamophone, though, I'd have stopped, maybe thrown him a few coins.

One thing that it does show is that to recognise talent, one must have a little talent in that area oneself. The poeple who stopped and recognised good work were violinists themselves, or interested in classical music. I can't tell a good violinist from a very good one. Its hard to tell a fantastic saxophomist from a decent one, unless you play yourself, or listen to a lot. Especially in a two-minute walk-by, rather than at a concert hall, with focused attention.

I can walk through an art gallery and say "ooh, I like that!" (Art critic review: Amateur, no real flair. re-used themes), or "boring" (Van goch), or "what is that meant to be? nevermind, lets move on" (Dali). Taste, context and understanding/recognition play a huge part in people's feelings toward a work.

(/rant)

[khaine]

well, I am easily annoyed, but it seems that you think I try and pin definitive labels of good and bad onto others, but rest assured I don't. What I meant by good is something that is recognized by many to be better than the alot of other pieces. It is better because a number of people prefer this piece. I also didn't say that this was good music, though I think it is, but that most people don't have an ear to notice that here is a piece which has been played with passion, played with attention to detail, played to express the piece as it was meant to be expressed. That is what I see as a good piece of music - it is as it meant to be, in full (or as close), played by someone who enjoys playing it, and it affects your emotions.

A large part of noticing talent is talent, I agree, but I think a larger part is caring, someone who does not want to listen will not hear. Have you ever argued with someone who won't accept that they may be wrong, and doesn't want to hear anything else? It's not a real argument, they ignore and misconstrue your own points, and repeat their arguments, as if that strengthens them. Another part is emotive compatibility, if I am feeling really down I don't want ot listen to upbeat music, and if forced to get irritable, and if I am in a hurry to get somewere with alot on my mind, I do not want to listen to slow melodic music. I'm not a cobbler but I know good shoes when I step into them.


Mostly I think I didn't express myself very well to begin with - I don't need you to share my views, or think that my views are correct, the key is heer in the words. My *views* .. if I look at a tree from a side that presents a majestic view, I may like it, but if I saw it from a side which shows were it has been rotting for many years, and is a twisted, dead hulk, I wouldn't... its still the same tree. But because it has a view which is good, it is good, even if for a select few. Like most things artistic it is subjective.

xD.

Edit: Spelling/repeat sentance.

[gruntgruntson]

Thank You for your reply.
Looking back over my own, I think I came off a little too harsh.
As I said, I found the article and the event most interesting, and I think we are both coming to the same place from different directions.
It was good to hear of a world-class performer take to the streets and play to whoever passed by, no charge, no billboards advertising his presence. Just a guy playing the violin.
And it was good to read the opinions of those passers-by - my favourite was the lady who said :
"I really didn't hear that much," she said. "I was just trying to figure out what he was doing there, how does this work for him, can he make much money, would it be better to start with some money in the case, or for it to be empty, so people feel sorry for you? I was analyzing it financially."

I hope that others read this article. They may get something different than either me or khaine did. We all look at different sides of the tree, on different days

[nerohdam]

Very interesting article ! I think music is indeed subjective but if one does listen regardless of any musical background and is not tone deaf either then one can get a good sense of a good musician or not. This also goes for rap music as well. I know lots of parents do not like rap because of various media reportings but if some were actually listening then they would hear a lot of poetry in motion. This is also said of classical with the notes. I remember once when I was riding in a car with my boss and he was playing music and I made the comment the drums were too overbearing in a song and just a repitiious flat hitting of the drum with no purpose other than to keep beat. Now listen to Led Zepplin and while some people may think the band is the spawn of the devil and sold their souls to the devil to play that good ;D you will notice that the music is dynamic with feeling. The drumming is not just to keep a beat but each hit on the drumhead has purpose, flavor, tension. This is in stark contrast to today's "bands" that while some have good and even profound lyrics, the music is "just there". BTW I like jazz...