I have to disagree with that I am afraid. I know that I for one play music becuase I fundamentally enjoy it. The positive result is that because I enjoy it I play it a lot and get better and the result of that is that I end up performing more and more. Now what came first me wanting to please the audience or me just wanting to play music?

When you first start to play an instrument you don't actually have any audience. The reference 'closit musician' may apply here. So if you don't have an audience how do you please them? you don't you please yourself, and so you should.

I do uinderstand though that when you are playing to an audience you have to be entertaining and I actually think it is more important than the playing.

There is nothing worse listening to a musician who's presentation is flat, boring and almost disinterested? If though you can see they are emersed in what they do and love it and enjoy it, and you can see this, then the evening becomes something out of this world.

There is far more to music than just notes, technical ability and speed, thats why I am a folk musician.

Of couse you may disagree

Cheers, Sam