trailboss Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Perception - something to think about. Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule. 4 minutes later: the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly. 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. 1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100. This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... How many other things are we missing? Col. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Wow, that one makes you think! Thanks for sharing that with us Col! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Wow, just forwarded this to my wife @ work who is a huge Joshua Bell fan. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Perhaps the assumption is that anyone who has to play in the Subway for cash has something "wrong" with them and a distance needs to be maintained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omni Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Hey Col., .......my same reply from 1.1 "Perception is clouded by circumstance. We only see what we're prepared for and expecting. Oh how true! Still waters run deep, the shallows run fast. People sometimes don't get the choice to choose the speed of their currents and slow down, therefore purposely must miss out on some of life's pleasures for the way they've stacked the priorities. Yeah, life's a journey, not a destination; so the importance in time of getting from point A to point B is ruled by circumstance sometimes rather than personal preference. Had the musician been plopped down in a tourist spot, say like something you could relate to Col., the Sidney Circular Quay, I think the results would be different. Although it is still a busy metro transportation hub full of commuters, it is also a place full of a lot of visitors that are there just taking in the sights and have the time to slowly stop and smell the roses. Bell probably would not have been ignored then as a street musician and drawn a crowd. Yes, I know, I've only just expounded on what Greg simply distilled smartly in two sentences. My apologies, its a sign of aging for some, literally turning into a gas bag at both ends. It is a great story nevertheless Col., got me thinking, thanks." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donpedro Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Really got me thinking too! Has anyone heard of more examples like this one? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Really got me thinking too! Has anyone heard of more examples like this one? It's a discussion that's been going on since the 19th century about the nature of art. A pile of bricks on a building site is a pile of bricks. A pile of bricks in an art gallery is art. http://www.tate.org.uk/archivejourneys/historyhtml/people_public.htm http://www.tommyuk.dk/writing/hypeart/gallery2.htm If you're walking through the Subway, you're simply not in the frame of mind to appreciate the best violinist in the world. You're, by definition, on your way somewhere, and if someone tried to stop you to give you money, you'd probably ignore them and walk on. Would you rather see him perform in the acoustic perfection of a music hall, knowing everyone around you is going to STFU and appreciate it, or would you rather be made late for work and put up with the acoustics of a subway and the pitter-patter of the clodhoppers of your fellow commuters? If you want to hear him, you're going to pay $100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neuuubeh Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 If you're walking through the Subway, you're simply not in the frame of mind to appreciate the best violinist in the world. You're, by definition, on your way somewhere, and if someone tried to stop you to give you money, you'd probably ignore them and walk on. Exactly. A metro station isnt exactly the kind of place people tend to willingly stay for longer than necessary... Most just mechanically pass thru and go on with their errands.. And of course, very few will even recognize what he is playing, the level of his play and much less his name. I know I wouldn't (I will probably stop to listen tho ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 But the children who's social perceptions are still being formed took notice, they heard it for what it was! 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDorian Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 The guy looking at his watch was probably a WIS and took notice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff g Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Sidewalk/Subway Art!!!!! I was recently on Michigan Ave. in Chicago, There were quite a few musicians on the street... but only ONE made me stop and listen. Pretty much you only care for what appeals to you, good or bad. What appealed to me that day was a young guy with an acoustic guitar who ripped it. I have recently discovered a NEW resource. It ENHANCES perception as well as appreciation. Association. It is a revelation. Brilliant. Go to YOU TUBE. Search..... JK Wedding 5:03 min Video Watch it. Joyus.... but what is cool is the music.... A connection I would have NEVER made. This young artist rocks. Listen. Try it...you will like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Years ago I worked in Seattle and the ever delectable Ms. Nanuq brought the kids to town one evening to meet me after work. It was Christmastime and it was gorgeous out, with twinkly lights everywhere. We were walking down to the ferry for the ride home and I heard an echo of a French horn on the bricks. I stopped to try to figure out where the sound was coming from. The kids joined me and we started walking alleys and going around corners looking for the source. Suddenly we found them, 3 guys with a French horn, a baritone and a trombone. They were playing the dance of the sugar plum fairies and I just stood there smiling with my mouth hanging open. The kids were enthralled... The guys were amazing. We stood there in the falling snow listening and cheering madly after every song, having as much fun as the musicians. I don't think anyone else stopped, and it was their loss! I found out later the Canadian Brass were in town for a Christmas concert and that was 3 of them just out for fun in the snow. It made a big impact on my kids, which lasts to this day; they both love classical music. And it's all in thanks to those 3 gentleman. Thanks lads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omni Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Years ago I worked in Seattle and the ever delectable Ms. Nanuq brought the kids to town one evening to meet me after work. It was Christmastime and it was gorgeous out, with twinkly lights everywhere. We were walking down to the ferry for the ride home and I heard an echo of a French horn on the bricks. I stopped to try to figure out where the sound was coming from. The kids joined me and we started walking alleys and going around corners looking for the source. Suddenly we found them, 3 guys with a French horn, a baritone and a trombone. They were playing the dance of the sugar plum fairies and I just stood there smiling with my mouth hanging open. The kids were enthralled... The guys were amazing. We stood there in the falling snow listening and cheering madly after every song, having as much fun as the musicians. I don't think anyone else stopped, and it was their loss! I found out later the Canadian Brass were in town for a Christmas concert and that was 3 of them just out for fun in the snow. It made a big impact on my kids, which lasts to this day; they both love classical music. And it's all in thanks to those 3 gentleman. Thanks lads! Great story! Classical music on the street will always perk my ears and peak my interest before contemporary anyday, and that is still from an aged musician's standpoint from the hippy-dippy era. Its so like being carried back to another era in realtime where it WAS played in the streets, but now is rare. My only real experience where this happens all the time is in Vienna, Austria, its still there. Its all music, but classical is always, classic. Too bad my youngest son is so far, of the headphone computer generated electronica zombie drone persuasion. I envy that you can share that with your progeny. "Roll over Beethoven". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravityhammer Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 An amazing story and great thread. It reminds us to not judge a book by its cover so to speak. Im a big classical music fan. I would have stopped for sure. BUT I have no job right now, along with millions of others in this country, so I have nowhere to really BE anyway. That being said, most people are so wrapped up in their lives they do not notice anything but themselves and their own immediate problems at hand. Most people probably thought he was a skid row bum. Most people who are playing street music are homeless or hard on their luck in life. Sad as it is, perception IS reality. For better or worse. If I walk in a place wearing my Canali suit and any one of my reps, no one would think it wasnt a gen. If I wore my Gen and my ratty clothes I clean the house and car in, everyone would assume its a fake. Perception is reality.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailboss Posted September 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 Funny this post should come up again. They tried this trick here in Brisbane just last week using the 1st violinist from thr QSO. Same result. Paper tried to pass it off as their idea tho Col. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 Well we are like half a world away, who's going to know? Ken Edit to add....with the Soloist being released at the movies now this kind of brings it all home doesn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailboss Posted September 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 Well we are like half a world away, who's going to know? Ken Only you, me and the 14,000,000 folk who got the origenal email Col. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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