Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.

Check out our 2023 Group Christmas Project HERE

AAA
Avatar
Please consider registering
guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed Topic RSSsp_TopicIcon
We Are Obligated.
Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 (0 votes) 
Avatar
UtahRoadbase

Member
Members
June 7, 2013 - 5:23 pm
Member Since: May 4, 2013
Forum Posts: 33
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

As musicians, aren't we obligated to bring light and love into the souls of others?

violin-1267

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f.....FhYPsgroMk

Avatar
DanielB
Regulars

Members
June 7, 2013 - 6:23 pm
Member Since: May 4, 2012
Forum Posts: 2379
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I wouldn't think of it as an obligation.  Those musicians didn't *have* to do that, and it the other people on the plane had expected it because "as musicians they are obligated", it might not have been as fun or cool.

I would think of obligation more as the orchestra from the Titanic playing "Nearer My God To Thee", as ordered by the captain, to try and help keep the passengers calm as the passengers that might survive were gotten into the lifeboats.  They were part of the hired crew and knew that they weren't likely to survive it, but they played.  Even "obliged", they could have refused or added their panic to the passenger's anxieties.  Instead they played.  One last show.  Doing what they could to make a terrible situation a bit more bearable, and so making a poignant moment in history.

I wouldn't say it is an obligation to "bring light and love into the souls of others", but sometimes to opportunity is there, and some may see it as a duty, others as a privilege to be able to do so. 

 

"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman

Avatar
StoneDog
Members

Regulars
June 7, 2013 - 8:14 pm
Member Since: January 14, 2013
Forum Posts: 888
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

It's a gift. >  those that are given the gift > Yeah~~~, >> when you really have that gift > then you can give it back. > Thats gotta be the SWEETness of it. To give a present in the present at any moment > SWEET~~~!!!!!!!!!!

Avatar
KindaScratchy
Massachusetts
June 7, 2013 - 8:16 pm
Member Since: March 14, 2012
Forum Posts: 1760
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Very cool. It would have been fun to be on that plane (for the live music, not the wait on the tarmac). At first, I kept wondering how they were going to bow in that cramped space with the overhead compartments and seat backs. They managed it somehow, though!

place-3596violin-1260

When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,

I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.

Avatar
Freq
Members
June 7, 2013 - 8:30 pm
Member Since: April 1, 2013
Forum Posts: 88
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I was unfortunatly not able to see the video for some reason. But i'll answer anyway, because this has been something I have thought quite a bit about :)

When I started playing the violin, I said to myself, and others, that it was for me and I did not feel any responsibility for sharing it.

I actually was a bit provoked by the idea that people who express themselves through art and music is "obliged" to share it. Sharing it also mean that it will be reviewed, and I did not want anyone to review me and my work. I play the violin, and I paint because I have a need to express myself, and why should that be anyones business? I'm not so good at expressing myself through words, so therefore I use other channels:) 

After thinking about this and arguing with my sister, who shares everything she doesbunny-headbang, I came to the conclution that if anyone can be affected (hopefully in a positive way) by my work, it is worth sharing it. I know I would be lost if no one shared their music or art. So, to round things up, I think we should feel a bit obliged. It is a gift and a privilege that not everyone have. 

There! thanks for the opertunity to write about this. It made me think through and evaluate my arguments :)

Practice don't make perfect, practice makes permanent.

Avatar
OldCrow

Advanced member
Members
June 8, 2013 - 11:38 am
Member Since: March 30, 2013
Forum Posts: 70
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Freq said
I'm not so good at expressing myself through words, so therefore I use other channels:) 

exactlyExactly!  I don't feel any more obligated to share my playing than I would to share my diary (if I had one)

 

Is it still considered sharing when you charge $650 per ticket? (Rhianna) or $250 (Prince - who always claimed music should be free), $150 - Bon Jovi etc....

 

It seems you can't see a stadium sized concert for under $50 anymore.  Meanwhile, the  Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is on the verge of collapsing. bunny-headbang

 

 

Avatar
coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
June 8, 2013 - 1:08 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
Forum Posts: 4180
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Great conversation here.  Love it.  I have to search manually for the video because my Ipad mini is limiting my viewing... Always about the "flash" issue... 

 

i don't feel obligated... But will gladly share or comfort anyone.  I am not sure my level of playing has put any such questions in my realm of existence.  

 

The question for my life now is, am I obligated to pass out ear plugs and not bore family friends and guests with endless violin talk...?...Loblolly

 

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

Avatar
DanielB
Regulars

Members
June 8, 2013 - 1:46 pm
Member Since: May 4, 2012
Forum Posts: 2379
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

@StoneDog: Please don't think I'm disagreeing with the main part of your statements, but one word in there, I have a bit of a problem with.

Gift. 

If there are folks where being a musician was a gift and they never had to work for it, I guess I've never met them.  All the musicians I've known over the years put in a lot of work to learn and be able to do what they do.  If someone builds themselves a house, we don't call their house a gift.  If someone goes to college for some years to learn computer programming, we don't usually call the degree they earned a gift. 

So I've never been really clear on the popular idea that if an ability is something that is popularly considered an "art" why that automatically makes it a gift.  And not to say that building a house or computer programming do not partake of art.  They do, but some people may not see it as obviously.

If being a musician is a gift, then it would sure be nice if whoever wrapped it made it a bit less work to take out of the package.  LOL

However.. It is an asset that we can decide to make a gift of on occasion.   Much like money saved from our paychecks in a bank account that we can decide to use some of to buy a present for someone we care about or donate some of when there is some good cause like a natural disaster where we want to help the people that have been affected by it, for example.  But I see it still as something we worked to have and develop rather than something we were simply given.

There are obligations, though.  Few if any of us learned without help from others.  So it is fair to help and encourage others who are learning, since we were helped.  That's just "paying forward" and part of paying the dues.  Some of what we do so the art we enjoy and benefit from can continue and flourish.  

And it is good to use one's abilities at least sometimes to brighten the day of others or encourage or maybe even inspire others to look for ways to do something cool themselves.  It is one of the ways of making the world a better place.

But obligated?  I am not so sure of that.  If someone chooses to be a good person because it is how they follow their heart, that is awesome.  But if a person is only good because they feel they didn't have a choice, they weren't really good.  Just controlled/manipulated.

Those musicians on the plane, they were in a situation that was tedious and irritating but because they had put in some years of work to have certain abilities, they were capable of doing something to make the time more enjoyable for everyone there.  They chose to do so, and give those other folks some entertainment.  Now at *that* point, I would agree that the act of giving that performance qualifies as a gift to their fellow travellers.  But the musicians had to work to have it in the first place to be able to give it.  LOL     

"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman

Avatar
Teapot

Member
Members
June 8, 2013 - 2:05 pm
Member Since: May 1, 2013
Forum Posts: 35
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I think ''obligation'' is a strong word...i like performing and recitals,and working with other musicians to make something beautiful.It brings joy to me,and those who are listening (At least i hope so).Those people on the plane performed cause they wanted it,they thought it'd be fun,and indeed it was.

The moment it becomes an obligation,a mandatory duty,it kinda takes the fun out of it a little bit.

Also,is it bad that upon reading the title of this toping i immediately assumed it was about you getting new Obligato strings? ''we are Obligated..'' now that's a good violin pun thereroflol

Avatar
UtahRoadbase

Member
Members
June 8, 2013 - 3:54 pm
Member Since: May 4, 2013
Forum Posts: 33
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Agreed, everyone -- obligated is too strong and too negative, connotatively-speaking. I'd say it's a gift and a privilege. Maybe because I was given the gift from all the time others invested in my skill -- my mom, my teachers, my conductors -- I feel like I have a duty to give back. But not in a BAD way! I love playing and making people happy doing so. It's what gets me through my practice sessions.

 

Thanks for the discussion, everyone. I thought the Philly Folks took advantage of the opportunity to make a bad situation into a really, really amazing one and I wanted to share it with all of you. That's the power of music!

 

 

Avatar
pky
Members

Regulars
June 8, 2013 - 4:29 pm
Member Since: July 6, 2011
Forum Posts: 969
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

I was unfortunatly not able to see the video for some reason.

Right click on the link and choose open in a new tab or window then you will be able to watch it.

I had the same thoughts as KindaScratchy, I sometimes practiced sitting on a couch and felt awkward as if my right elbow was going to bumped into the arm of the couch.

One can never please everybody; therefore, there will always be negative and sour comments. When we stopped getting negative and sour comments the whole world will be peaceful. Anyway, everybody are built/structured differently, so everyone has different level of tolerance of sound. To some it could be beautiful sound, to others it could be intolerable sound.

Avatar
StoneDog
Members

Regulars
June 8, 2013 - 6:06 pm
Member Since: January 14, 2013
Forum Posts: 888
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

DanielB said
@StoneDog: Please don't think I'm disagreeing with the main part of your statements, but one word in there, I have a bit of a problem with.
Gift.

Your analysis of my comment > gift > is well noted. You are correct. There is much work to bring forth ones abilities to produce music. I find music and the playing of it very magical. I don't find building a house magical. But then I also look up into the sky and think that someday I may be able to fly like the birds. I don't look at stimulation of the spirit in a logical sense, it comes to me more in a mystical state. Music makes my spirit feel orgasmic. > guess that is why I used the word gift. Every moment I spend on this rock I consider a gift from my LORD. He gives me a seed and pretty much says > go at it > water it , tend to it, see what it will reap. Music is one of those seeds. I, in this low form of life, consider it a gift.

  

 

Avatar
RosinedUp

Honorary tenured advisor
Members

Regulars
June 8, 2013 - 6:48 pm
Member Since: September 7, 2012
Forum Posts: 985
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

DanielB said
If being a musician is a gift, then it would sure be nice if whoever wrapped it made it a bit less work to take out of the package.  LOL

LOL, ha ha, definitely with you on that one, Daniel!

Yet, having agreed with that, I say there are things sometimes outside one's control that determine how far one will go in music.  Anatomy, health, intelligence, temperament, wealth, and situation all have a lot to do IMO with the development of a person as a musician.

Forum Timezone: America/New_York
Most Users Ever Online: 696
Currently Online: Mouse
Guest(s) 148
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Members Birthdays
sp_BirthdayIcon
Today None
Upcoming Sofia Leo, TKDennis, FiddleDetroit, CookiesViolin, JPferrman, Designer 88, LyleA, Stephen, Dorque, Trisha, Elaisa, wonderputz, Gordon Shumway, dougga, Russionleo, JohnG
Top Posters:
ELCBK: 7761
ABitRusty: 3915
Mad_Wed: 2849
Barry: 2690
Fiddlestix: 2647
Oliver: 2439
Gordon Shumway: 2425
DanielB: 2379
Mark: 2149
damfino: 2113
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 3
Members: 31663
Moderators: 0
Admins: 7
Forum Stats:
Groups: 16
Forums: 81
Topics: 10590
Posts: 134224
Newest Members:
Adityaail, SoCal335, Jan Howard, edwardcheng, Oscar Stern, bryanhanson, bittruster, fiddlecastro, jackdaniel, romanmills08
Administrators: Fiddlerman: 16429, KindaScratchy: 1760, coolpinkone: 4180, BillyG: 3744, MrsFiddlerman: 2, Jimmie Bjorling: 0, Mouse: 5309