I received Pearls Before Breakfast, about world class violinist Joshua Bell (he really is good. You've probably heard him play even if you didn't know it) taking part in a social experiment in a Washington, DC, metro station. He played some Bach pieces and few people paid attention.
Yes, I would be one of the few who stopped to listen. Yes, I would be one of the few who tossed some sheckles into his open violin case. I know this because I've done it before, repeatedly. I also usually stop and talk with the performer(s), asking if they have a CD, a website, where they'll be playing, ... . I do this because a) I often note that these performers don't play as well as I do yet b) have what it takes to be "out there", something I lack.
I also appreciate that Bach isn't everyone's joie de vivre. Rap isn't everyone's joie de vivre. I prefer Bach to Rap. So let me say that I'm not sure I'd stop for someone Rapping. I'm pretty sure I'd toss some coin of the realm into their hats and I'm quite sure I wouldn't stop for someone Rapping.
And I know -- I know -- this is because I have no education in Rap music. I wouldn't know good from bad. I've never had the training, the background, the cultural experience necessary to understand or appreciate it. So I'm left gauging it against music that I do have those things for. Western, Asian, some aborigenic forms.
Next time, run this experiment outside Carnegie Hall or some such. I suspect the outcomes would be different.
And dang, I wish I'd been there...
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