Marge: I wouldn't go as far as Ole Juul above, but I do agree that passive consumption of music is more common among younger people, while active participation, especially singing, is something many of them avoid.

I keep seeing this being trotted out on Mudcat, but IMO it's simply not true. There was just as much "passive consumption", manufactured bands and "written to a formula" music back in the 60s and 70s as there is now.

And equally, there are just as many kids now playing, singing and writing songs as there were back then....they're just not doing it where *you* are!

I go to events and sessions locally where I'm often the oldest person there, and the sheer breadth and depth of talent amongst local youngsters is amazing. I can think of 8 or 10 local young vocalists who either sing solo, in duos or front bands who are better than anyone I've heard on any of the TV "talent" shows, and the number of talented young musicians living within a 10 mile radius is astounding. Almost all the youngsters I know play or sing.

There's little crossover, though...I've tried getting some of the "session and singaround attenders" to events at venues the younger people go to, without any interest from them at all. I've had more success getting youngsters along to some of the more "traddy" sessions and singarounds, but they don't stay. Former denizens of the (late lamented) High Brooms Tavern sessions will recall half a dozen or so under 25s who I brought along. They didn't stick....they liked a lot of the music but were put off by some of the interminable unaccompanied ballads and especially by the "music hall" type songs full of casual racism and sexism.

You can't expect them to want to attend the same kinds of events as their parents and grandparents enjoy...in much the same was as, in the early 70s I'd be found in the back rooms of pubs listening to kids my own age, rather than going along with parents to Spen Valley Amateur Operatics or understanding their love of Perry Como.