Re: OT: Busking--it's hard for everyone

[Richard Sales <richard@glasswing.com>]

I thought the article was amazing not just for the actual experiment but for other snippets that occurred, like Bell denying that he is a genius and the 'if a tree falls' bit.  

The guy is obviously a top notch virtuoso and I'm dazzled that more folks didn't stop.  In a way, to me, it says something about how the importance of music has slipped for many folks.  

I also think it makes a comment about the conformity and herd mind of North America.  If folks had KNOWN he was a world famous violinist, they most certainly would have stopped - work or no work.  I mean, if Bob Dylan or Stevie Wonder or Britney Spears busked at the same train station you would have had a serious gridlock of gawkers and listeners.  BUT! If someone equally as good and creative (this adjective does not apply to Ms Spears) did it and wasn't recognizable as a 'famous' person they would have been shined on just like J Bell.  I found it very fascinating and high protein food for thought. 

I think it would be a fun experiment to repeat the experiment but with the Washington Post cameras in full view and maybe some bodyguards there to show that this was an important person.  I bet the results would be quit different.  And that would be telling.

And I think it says a lot about our vocation (or hobby maybe) for some.  And it should be sweet solace for those who know they are very gifted and working at Wal Mart.  The moral might be, "Fame has its advantages." And it also brings to mind the brilliant human observation, "To them that have more shall be given."


richard sales
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On 9-Apr-07, at 9:54 AM, Travis Hartnett wrote:

> One of the problems of playing in a train station is that by
> definition, pretty much everyone there is on their way to somewhere,
> so they're pressed for time and their minds are not on the immediate
> environment.  A lot of musicians like to busk train stations because
> the thinking is there's a lot of people who'll see you, when actually
> there's a lot of people who'll ignore you.
>
> Playing at a "destination" site, such as an outdoor craft or farmer's
> market on a pretty weekend afternoon might get you  more attention and
> money, because people are there to wander around, look at things and
> spend money, not hurry to and from their job.
>
> TravisH
>
> On 4/9/07, john floridis <jfloridis@aol.com> wrote:
>
> > heartfelt thanks to travis for bringing this to our attention.  i can't help
> > but wonder how this would play out in different situations across the
> > country....in different countries.....different cultures......different
> > styles of music.  is part of the indifference due to the perception in our
> > country, our culture of "classical" music?  i've met alison krauss, and you
> > might be able to sneak her in there to play her fiddle...not sing
> > obviously.....but play and see if folks noticed.