I think my outward appearance to someone who is uninformed about my tastes and experience may be one of snobbery, yes. If all one knew of me was the celtic folk festival performances one might unreasonably assume that was all there was to me and that I was closeminded to other music forms. Wrong.

In the course of my work I have to teach a wide variety of musical styles, some not really to my liking, but all get my attention and honest effort for the sake of student progress and success. If we are to encourage students to play music we must accommodate their tastes. Those tastes will change, widen, and evolve anyway. I can't afford to be a snob, not only would it lessen me as a person and teacher, it would reduce my income and limit my own possibilities.

Yesterday morning found me singing in the church choir, the afternoon found me practicing celtic tunes (guitar/flute), the evening would have found me jamming classic rock with some old friends if the weather had been better. Today I will teach some guitar lessons in pop (likely stuff like One Direction), classical, a jazz tune or two, ukulele, and some songwriting. One highlight is teaching a severely disabled man anything at all. You want to cut snobbery to the quick? Teach the extrememly mentally challenged.

I find way more musical snobbery in young male metal guitar players than in any other genre. These folks can be very closeminded and disparaging. They usually soften their stance as they mature, usually as they follow their heros doing the same.

It's too hard to learn new things with one's nose in the air.

Peace, Mooh.