05 October 2008

Can Great Music Be Created By...Anyone?

A respondent to a Daniel Wolf posting asks whether part-time musicians can make great music. In fact, part-time musicians like Charles Ives have made great music, and hence, the question is answered. A better question to ask is whether it is likely that part-timers, full-timers, or anyone in particular for that matter, will make great music. No. No, it is not.

With the rate of success for everyone so low yet still resulting in an almost unmanageably vast and diverse body of work spanning many hundreds of years, one cannot in good conscience issue a blanket condemnation of either group for not keeping up their end of the bargain. One can, however, chide "professionals" for whoring themselves in order to make a living and then hiding behind a supposedly selfless commitment to making people happy by feeding them aural Splenda. Yes, one can say that. I just did.

An even better question ask is whether part-time bloggers can create great posts on a full-time basis. Don't answer that one.

1 comment:

Phil said...

Based on personal experience, I was excited to answer that last question, til you told me not to. :(

I am enjoying the extra posting! Perhaps by being so brief while being so prolific, you've find a nice rhythm?