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Topic: Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? |
Marc Friedland
From:
Fort Collins, CO
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 6:25 am |
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The singer songwriter I often work with, Kelly Aspen, sent me the following email, which I am now sharing with you.
--Marc
The below story really struck a chord in me. I've noticed when I play a gig opening for someone famous, I sell dozens of albums and sign hundreds of autographs but when I play a small club, I generally sell very few. I always assumed it had something to do with the "fame" factor, people want whatever is untouchable and elite. The average person simply buys what they are told, which is generally dictated by t.v. & radio. So when you have a gig with a small turn out, or the crowd is talking & drinking, not listening to a word of it, remember this story and be proud of yourself anyway, knowing that you are doing and being exactly what you are supposed to be...a musician. Kelly Aspen
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 55 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin valued at $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the price of seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... what else are we missing? |
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Richard Damron
From:
Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 6:49 am
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Marc -
Memory fails but there is a video on YouTube of Bell playing part of Bach's "Chaconne" - a piece which takes some 10 to 13 minutes to complete depending upon tempo.
The short answer to Kelly's question is simple - to each his own. I, for one, (and if I had the time) would have stayed there for the entire hour - but that's only me as I thoroughly enjoy anything by J.S.. Others? It's all a matter of taste and exposure. I'd suspect that a solo violin - and expecially in a classical sense - doesn't flip the switch of too many people. Would a rock or country group have been shown more interest? Perhaps - dunno.
Wish that I had the honor of pulling up a piece of floor and enjoyed the entire presentation.
Richard |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 7:57 am
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| That's just the way music works. The public appreciates what they are programmed to like. American Idol is a good example. It happens here on the forum all the time... |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 8:30 am
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| Quote: |
| ... I always assumed it had something to do with the "fame" factor, people want whatever is untouchable and elite. ... |
Hell, yeah - especially these days, a large chunk of the majority public is obsessed to the point of (IMO) insanity with fame and "perceived" power and success. It makes the associated music an "major event", not just music. It's largely passe to just love music for its own sake, without the swirling vortex of celebrity and soap opera to go along with it.
Is it possible to change this? I'm honestly not sure, but I would certainly like to try to make a dent in it. I think it requires a radical rethink of how to think about the arts, and market music and entertainment in general.
| Quote: |
| One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... what else are we missing? |
As a greater society, almost everything. IMHO. |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 8:35 am
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| Quote: |
| One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... what else are we missing? |
| Quote: |
| As a greater society, almost everything. IMHO. |
Ain't it the truth, Dave.  |
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Greg Vincent
From:
Folsom, CA USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 9:25 am
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That's an interesting experiment!
Just to play devil's advocate:
I, for one, have to be in the right frame of mind to listen to music.
Wouldn't you agree that perhaps a busy subway station is just not the right context for music appreciation?
-GV |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 9:43 am
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Mr. Bell should have done the Moonwalk while he was playing,Would have been mobbed,DYK?BC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 9:54 am
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| Quote: |
| Wouldn't you agree that perhaps a busy subway station is just not the right context for music appreciation? |
If the thesis is that everything we're rushing around to do like chickens with no heads is so bloody important that we can't take a few minutes to appreciate that which is right in front of us, you're right. I'm guilty sometimes, so probably are most of us.
We are a nation caught up in a frenzied beehive of activity. But exactly what we're accomplishing, I'm not always so damned sure. If we were truly doing "the right stuff", then why are we in such a state of true national emotional and economic turmoil? How many people do you know that are really satisfied with the big picture of what's going on in their lives? A helluvalotta people out there are pretty frustrated. Is it money or "stuff"? Mostly, no. They worry obsessively about money but have more stuff than they know what to do with.
I think, as a nation, I think we've lost the art of being able to honestly appreciate the simple stuff. It has to be a freakin' three-ring circus. P.T. Barnum figured it out a long time ago and it goes back way further than that. Bread and circus, anyone? 
My opinions. |
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Andy Greatrix
From:
Edmonton Alberta
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 12:38 pm
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There is possibly another way to look at it. Being that it was a subway station, Most people have to be someplace at a certain time.
I came across a great jazz duo (piano and upright) at a rotunda once. I stopped to listen ( I had a little spare time)and they even played Green Dolphin Street for me. However, I had to pick my wife up at a specific time, so I complimented them and left.
If I was running late like so many who don't plan for unforeseen circumstances, I would had to rush right on by. |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 1:11 pm
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There's another angle to this. The people in the subway were not there to hear music in the first place, they were trying to get from point A to point B. The people at the concert were there because that music is something they set aside time and money to hear.
Then there's the other angle. Many of the people at the $100/ticket concert were there because they wanted to impress someone. They didn't really care for the music, but some friends were going, etc.... keep up with the Jones. My wife wants to attend the Opera in NYC. Now I know she wouldn't watch it on TV for free, but she wants to experience the deal of going. If I have to go, I'll probably take my MP3 player with a lot of Amber Digby and Justin Trevino, and it may even require some calming drugs to get me through it.
With Michael Jackson gone, and The Four Guys got fired from the Opry, what good is music anyway?  |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 3:36 pm
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| A busy subway station wasn't the best place to get a positive reaction. If you aint got the time to stop and listen it doesn't matter how good the music is. Now had they done the same thing in a park where people are there to relaxe and are not concerned with schedules the result would have been totally opposite. |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 4:38 pm
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| A violin worth $3.5 million (which I doubt) and he got it out in the subway? I'm afraid to not guard my wallet when I take the subway. |
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ebb
From:
nj
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 4:42 pm
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| Quote: |
| Bell's instrument is a 300-year-old Stradivarius violin called the Gibson ex Huberman, which was made in 1713 during what is known as Antonio Stradivari's "Golden Era." This violin had been stolen twice from the previous owner, Bronisław Huberman; the last time the thief confessed to the act on his deathbed.[5] Bell had held and played the violin, and its owner at the time jokingly told Bell the violin could be his for four million dollars. Shortly thereafter, by chance, Bell came across the violin again and discovered it was about to be sold to a German industrialist to become part of a collection. According to the Joshua Bell website (http://joshuabell.com), Bell "was practically in tears." Bell then reportedly sold his current Stradivarius, the Tom Taylor, for a little more than two million dollars and made the purchase of the Gibson ex Huberman for a little under the four million dollar asking price. |
doubt no more |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 5:14 pm
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I suppose that could be true. My research shows the most expensive Strad. to be around $2.0 million. Let's don't start a debate about it, because I don't care anyway. I don't know where a fiddle player is going to come up with that kind of money. Most are sold to collectors. You know Roy Acuff owned a Strad.
The most expensive musical note you can play is on “The Lady Tennant” Stradivari violin. Made in 1699, the violin was first owned by violin virtuoso & composer Charles Philippe Lafont. The piece owes its name to Scottish industrialist Sir Charles Tennant who bought the instrument for his wife Marguerite Miles in 1900.
Antonio Stradivari set his famous hands to this violin and crafted a masterpiece at his shop in Cremona, Italy. Dukes and queens alike coveted his work during his time, unlike many masters, and his instruments sell for wild sums of money to collectors.
Of the 1,100 recorded violins Stradivari made during his lifetime, only 650 are said to have survived. Although many other noted violin makers existed during Strad’s time, such as Guarneri & Amati, the remaining Stradivaris are more famous, more numerous & more expensive.
“The Lady Tennant” was sold by Christie’s New York in an auction in April 2005. The violin caught more bids that expected and sold for over $2.03 million, the highest amount ever paid for a musical instrument at public auction to date. |
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ebb
From:
nj
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 6:51 pm
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ebb,
I'm afraid we're highjacking this thread with the price of expensive violins. As I said before, I don't can anyway. I'm sure your information is correct. |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 8:09 pm
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| Rick Campbell wrote: |
ebb,
I'm afraid we're highjacking this thread with the price of expensive violins. As I said before, I don't care anyway. I'm sure your information is correct. |
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Bill Bassett
From:
Papamoa New Zealand
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Posted 31 Jul 2009 1:23 pm I've heard that story before
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Joni Mitchell wrote the song about it in about 1970.
"For Free"
Well, not the exact same story but a
thought provoking tale none-the-less.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmzN1p5q2sY |
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Leslie Ehrlich
From:
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Posted 31 Jul 2009 11:07 pm
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| Dave Mudgett wrote: |
| If the thesis is that everything we're rushing around to do like chickens with no heads is so bloody important that we can't take a few minutes to appreciate that which is right in front of us, you're right. I'm guilty sometimes, so probably are most of us. |
We left in a left-brained world where industry, science, and commerce govern most of our day to day activities.
The left side of the brain is the logical brain, the side where numbers and language are processed and 'rational' thought occurs. Without this side of the brain, we would not have the modern technology and political and economic system we take for granted today.
The right side of the brain is the artistic brain, the side where we can appreciate the aesthetic qualities of music, art, nature, food, people, places, etc. Without this side of the brain, we would not be moved by beautiful music, great works of art, or the peace and tranquility of more natural surroundings such as lakes, rivers, mountains or forests.
When we are out and about the right side of our brains may want us to stop and listen to the fiddler playing Bach tunes in the subway, but the left side tells us to move on because time is a-wastin' and time is money.
_________________
Sho-Bud Pro III + Marshall JMP 2204 half stack = good grind! |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 1 Aug 2009 5:41 am
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As a psg player, I've successfully managed to suppress the left side of my brain most of my life.  |
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