Sunday, April 8. 2007
Bell's Hell
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There is a great response to the Joshua Bell article by a NYC subway musician in her blog: www.SawLady.com/blog
She interprets the situation differently from the Washington Post reporters and from you...
She interprets the situation differently from the Washington Post reporters and from you...
Thanks for stopping by, Lara. Yes, I think SawLady makes some great points also, although I have seen some buskers who have taken to wildly exaggerating their playing to get people to stop!
I have performed in a wide variety of settings, and I'm well aware how context -- or as I would say, the battle conditions -- can greatly affect a performance.
Still, one of my favourite activities, when I lived in Europe, was to "busk." I loved playing my violin on the street, and bringing that sound into an otherwise soul-less zone. In Europe (my experiences were in Germany and Ireland), the reaction of passersby was remarkably favourable.
I've only busked a few times in the United States, and the experience has totally sucked every time. Sadly, I never busk now. I really miss it, but, except for tiny pockets in select places (such as New York and Boston), Americans have little to no appreciation for spontaneous art happenings. We, as a people, tend to view such things as an inconvenience.
Every time I have busked here in the US, someone called the police, so the music didn't last very long. In every case, I was in a public place, I had a right to be there, and I should have had the freedom to play my violin.
I find it ironic that the Scots, who gave the world such a fabulous culture and fantastically intriguing music, should have also given the world Presbyterians, who are largely responsible for the narrow-minded views still held by many in our "great" nation.
Cheers,
Drew
Still, one of my favourite activities, when I lived in Europe, was to "busk." I loved playing my violin on the street, and bringing that sound into an otherwise soul-less zone. In Europe (my experiences were in Germany and Ireland), the reaction of passersby was remarkably favourable.
I've only busked a few times in the United States, and the experience has totally sucked every time. Sadly, I never busk now. I really miss it, but, except for tiny pockets in select places (such as New York and Boston), Americans have little to no appreciation for spontaneous art happenings. We, as a people, tend to view such things as an inconvenience.
Every time I have busked here in the US, someone called the police, so the music didn't last very long. In every case, I was in a public place, I had a right to be there, and I should have had the freedom to play my violin.
I find it ironic that the Scots, who gave the world such a fabulous culture and fantastically intriguing music, should have also given the world Presbyterians, who are largely responsible for the narrow-minded views still held by many in our "great" nation.
Cheers,
Drew
Yes, Drew, I think it's sad that street musicians (particularly ones like you!) seem to be so little appreciated over here. Thanks for your contribution-- I always love hearing from you.
The debate continues over on the Washington Post, as the author of the piece chats with enthusiastic and reactive readers: http://tinyurl.com/3x9s2a
The debate continues over on the Washington Post, as the author of the piece chats with enthusiastic and reactive readers: http://tinyurl.com/3x9s2a
Just a postscript on this story-- the London Independent repeated the experiment with superb violinist Tasmin Little, to see whether there would be any different reactions. To find out, click here: http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/features/article2464166.ece
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