Article about Joshua Bell trying busking

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Zhenya
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 10:03 PM

I'm curious - Did the Washington Post get any letters to the editor about this - and if so, how did sentiment run?

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Willie-O
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 10:55 PM

Interesting, but the article is not about busking. And frankly will do nothing for busking as a trade.

The elitist Wash. Post tone was quite anathemic to we humble purveyors of unsolicited tonality--that was part of their point, that no one expects street musicians to be "worthwhile". All the better for their experiment.

"Each passerby had a quick choice to make, one familiar to commuters in any urban area where the occasional street performer is part of the cityscape: Do you stop and listen? Do you hurry past with a blend of guilt and irritation, aware of your cupidity but annoyed by the unbidden demand on your time and your wallet? Do you throw in a buck, just to be polite? Does your decision change if he's really bad? What if he's really good? Do you have time for beauty? Shouldn't you? What's the moral mathematics of the moment?"

The moral mathematics indeed. What a load of pretentious crap. If they really wanted to look at busking, they should have asked the classical conductor, and a couple of experienced street violinists, how he would do--and tried more than one locale/time (a difficult time and place like this one, and compare it with one suggested by a working street musician as a likely moneymaker). Ah, but then he would have done much better and the expose of DC's cultural Philistines would have been ruined.

Oh, and I kind of liked the woman that did a "financial analysis" of Bell's situation. I think I've met her--haven't we all? Likewise the shoeshine lady with the cops on her speed-dial.
Cheers
Bill

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Marion
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 03:02 AM

Thanks for the story, Reggie.

Willie-O, I agree that the writer has a snotty view towards real buskers - perhaps best evidenced by the conspicuous lack of quotes from buskers, when he appears to have interviewed everybody else he could think of.

However, I expect that this article will have some positive effect for real buskers, despite the writer's bias. It may not be many people, and it may not be lasting, but there will be some people who read this article and take it as a reminder to stop and smell the roses... with the result that they will be more likely to take note of the next busker they see.

For example, one of the poems that intermittently appears on Toronto's subways is this:

Elegy for the Gift (Elegy for the Light)

Sometimes, when the subway car
comes briefly out of the tunnel,
we don't look up, miss the light.
And it's as though, inattentive,
we'd never had that moment
of brightness. A life may be full
of such small losses, or full,
equally, of small, dense gifts:
the child on that same car
dipping her face into her mother's;
that perfect regard.

(I can't read my own writing where I copied down the poet's name: it's Rhea Tregebou, or something like it. And the title I have above is correct, though it looks like I can't remember and offered two versions....)

Anyway, whenever I see this poem, I for one start looking out the window more and looking for other "small dense gifts" more. So, I expect that the Post article will have a similar effect.

Marion

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 11:38 AM

It's rather unusual for me to have so many wonderful moments, or at least moments that capture my attention as the previous one I described. Perhaps, like the commuters and passersby, I too become so absorbed in my own task, my performance with my instrument, to really take note of the reaction that my presence is having on those around me. Like Joshua, I can get very involved with my music making.

As there are many distractions to contend with while playing on the street, I often close my eyes to concentrate on what I'm trying to present. Flexing 213 razor sharp spring steel teeth betwixt your knees, with the pointy parts mere millimeters away from body parts I hold near and dear, demands that kind of careful undivided attention. Lest my clammy grip should slip and divide something that might not grow back! Yikes! Even my bottleneck blues slidin' is hard to present in that environment without focusing on my presentation and that often means closing my eyes to what is playing out around me.

I'm certain that I miss a lot of moments due to this. I've been approached by listeners who note this and comment to me about what I am missing. They always mention the looks on the faces of those who are watching as I play my saw. Yesturday, one woman's comment was, "Astounding!" Afterward, she claimed, with a huge smile on her face, to be an international musical saw authority. That my playing was able to evoke such a positive and jovial response makes this activity such a joy to present.

One more very sweet scene took place yesterday. A group of little ones, numbering perhaps twenty, approached me as I was finishing one of my bottleneck blues songs on my homemade Nobro guitar. They were with several adults who were escorting them around the Market. I offered to play them a melody on my saw and inquired as to what they would enjoy hearing me play. One of the smallest boys asked for the A-B-C song, one of my most requested songs by children of that age. I looked up while playing to see and hear him quietly singing along.

Then one of the adults requested that I play it once more. As I did she and all of the rest of the children and adults joined me in a rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I really enjoy those moments when groups like this choose to join me and sing along. You see it change the feeling of everyone in the surrounding area. Others stop and watch and smiles are on everyone's faces as they partake in the moment.

I was very surprised to then get a request from one of the smallest girls, who wanted to hear me play Over The Rainbow. Usually I reserve my rendition of this one for older audiences and play a long version of it. I've never regarded this song as one that very small children might be familiar with. I now know how mistaken I was in that assumption. I played an abreviated version of just the first two verses and to my surprise, once again, the entire assembled group of children and adults all began to spontaneously sing along. What a great way to start a day!

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 04:49 PM

Fascinating,as a professional musician who has also busked frequently.,Itoo have had interesting responses,a fiver from Ronnie Drew,from Jimmy Crowley a couple of punts,and an anonymous well wisher,who said your really good you should try singing in clubs.
this video will cheer the heart of all good performers who dont get their correct dues whilst busking,Bell however is more than good,his playing is superlative.

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Stringsinger
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 05:46 PM

My opinion is that this is a sad testament to what people consider important in this country. Had he been in Europe it might have been a whole 'nother deal. The children knew, however, before they have an appreciation knocked out of them.

I believe I would have stood transfixed and found a way to stay a while. But I'm not part of the work-a-day world where chasing the buck to survive is a priority. I don't make much money but I know what's important to me. Of course, I am a musician so that makes some difference.

I think that what this experiment says is that it's more about the environmental set-up then it is about the actual music being played. So much of what the American public deems important in the world of music is extra-musical. Sometimes the music is the least important. I think of all the first night opera goers many of who would take a nap but they paid so much for their tickets.

Mostly, it's a sad commentary on the musical education in the US. A majority of listeners are not educated enough to know quality music when they hear it.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 05:54 PM

" I think of all the first night opera goers many of who would take a nap but they paid so much for their tickets."

Reminds of a line I liked from Frank magazine (satirical news & gossip), in its early days: "Sinead O'Connor was spotted having a very expensive nap at Les Miserables on Friday night."

Subject: Review: Joshua Bell busks, - most people pass by
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 08:50 PM

so what happens when world famous classical violinist busks..

here


I guess anyone who has ever busked can relate to that..

Subject: RE: Review: Joshua Bell busks, - most people pass by
From: Jim Lad
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 09:15 PM

Somebody tell him/her.

Subject: RE: Review: Joshua Bell busks, - most people pass by
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 09:42 PM

No, you.

Subject: RE: Review: Joshua Bell busks, - most people pass by
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 10:05 PM

Now, if he could just learn to juggle oranges with his feet while he plays the fiddle he Might get some attention.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Review: Joshua Bell busks, - most people pass
From: michaelr
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 08:50 PM

Duplicate thread.

---

[threads combined. -Joe Offer-]

Subject: RE: Review: Joshua Bell busks, - most people pass by
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 11:21 PM

petr

On April 9, "Article about Joshua Bell trying busking " was started and has been active a lot since then.

SRS

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 11:23 PM

They did a story about this on NPR over the weekend, interviewing the writers. I think it was On the Media that played it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 04:51 PM

sorry Imissed the earlier thread, I even did a search ..

The interesting thing I thought was -. Most of those who stopped and listened seemed to have some kind of music background

The bit about the children is interesting as well..
Ive most enjoyed busking myself when kids stop and listen and start dancing I agree with the above post those are priceless moments..

Funny thing is I was playing in the kitchen last night and when I stopped my two year old daughter - who was dancing around the corner and went yaay - more? Of course it was not that long ago that shed start crying everytime I picked up the fiddle and my wife sat down at the piano (it meant that she would have less attention for a while)

I do agree the article may be a bit patronizing, but there is a bit of truth - to its primary point - we're often so caught up that we dont stop to smell the roses.. I know that people only have so much time to get to the office ..but not even looking to acknowledge the musician?

it reminded me of a moment last year when I was driving --and in a hurry to get some job over to a customer-- I happened to glance to my left and just beside the highway I spotted two eagles that came together at that moment and grasped talons and tumbled to the ground - and I swear were going to hit the ground but just broke up in time and flew apart.. The whole episode only took 2-3 seconds, but it changed the rest of the day for me - and I felt blessed at witnessing that.

immediately I looked around at all the traffic around me and no one seemed to have noticed it.. They were all staring straight ahead and on their cellphones...

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: balladeer
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 08:47 PM

Yes, it's very disturbing that so few turned to listen, but for the most part I believe those are not people without souls, but people who feel they have lost their freedom to choose.

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 02:41 PM

Here's an astonishing coincidence. Joshua Bell was not the first famous violinist to try this stunt. Jacques Gordon did it in Chicago in 1930. And neither Joshua Bell nor Gene Weingarten—the Washington Post reporter who won a Pulitzer Prize for his article about Bell—knew about it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/24/AR2008062401153.html

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 03:03 PM

This item reminds me of Joni Mitchell's great song "For Free". See lyrics below

For Free (Joni Mitchell)

I slept last night in a good hotel
I went shopping today for jewels
The wind rushed around in the dirty town
And the children let out from the schools
I was standing on a noisy corner
Waiting for the walking green
Across the street he stood
And he played real good
On his clarinet, for free

Now me I play for fortunes
And those velvet curtain calls
Ive got a black limousine
And two gentlemen
Escorting me to the halls
And I play if you have the money
Or if youre a friend to me
But the one man band
By the quick lunch stand
He was playing real good, for free

Nobody stopped to hear him
Though he played so sweet and high
They knew he had never
Been on their t.v.
So they passed his music by
I meant to go over and ask for a song
Maybe put on a harmony...
I heard his refrain
As the signal changed
He was playing real good, for free

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Cool Beans
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 04:53 PM

Wow. Thanks for the update, Jim. I teach that story to my journalism students at Michigan State. Now I have a little extra to teach next semester.

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Mark Ross
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 10:51 AM

FOR FREE was written about Richie, a blind clarinet player who busked on the streets of Manhattan. When someone stole his clarinet I gave him the one that I had played in Junior High School(and hadn't touched in 5 or 6 years).

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 11:40 AM

Good show, Mark.

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Jess A
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 12:58 PM

wow. as a fiddler and one time busker I'm interested in this kind of thread and started reading from the top - was fascinated by the original article, was delighted by the follow up article that Jim just posted the link to.
I've often wanted to do some research in to the psychology of busking... sure there's a PhD thesis in there somewhere... but academia lost its sparkle for me a long time ago. If anybody does know of any research on such things though I'd love to read about it.

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: alanabit
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 01:19 PM

Dave and Patti Campbell's book "Passing the Hat" was written about the US busking scene in the eighties. I don't know whether it is still in print. They travelled a lot and spoke to a lot of really good buskers, who did a variety of shows. I know that Professor Washboard (Scott) and Doctor Harmonica (Lance Wakely) were among them.

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 08:04 PM

I just happened to remember that nearly the same experiment has been performed in the literary world. Doris Lessing was already a famous novelist—practically anything she wrote was guaranteed to be a best seller. Then she submitted 2 manuscripts to her own publisher anonymously (using the pseudonym "Jane Somers"). Not only did her publisher not recognize her style, but they rejected the books! She did find another publisher, but the books languished far below the "best seller" category, until she revealed who she was. Then they brought out new editions under her real name—you can guess the result.

Here's one blogger's commentary: When Doris Lessing Became Jane Somers… and another's: Doris Lessing as Jane Somers.

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Ron Davies
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 11:23 PM

Thanks so much, Jim and Mark, for those insights--that followup article was fascinating, and it's good to know the story of "For Free"-- there's even a Mudcat connection.   That sort of thing is the best of Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Article about Joshua Bell trying busking
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 09:14 PM

There was a long interview, either on Diane Rehm or Terry Gross' Fresh Air about the Doris Lessing experiment. I wouldn't be surprised if there is also one on Charlie Rose's site.

SRS