This is the title of a new book by Wayne C. Booth, an emeritus professor of
English at the University of Chicago better known as a literary critic, who
in this book is writing about 'amateuring'.  He recounts his experiences
as an amateur chamber music player.  Now in his seventies, he took up the
cello at 31 and is married to an adept violinist.  There are many, many
passages about the process of playing chamber music.  The approach is a
little obsessive, and he reaches some in trying to extrapolate from his
music-making experiences to the broader concept of 'amateuring', activity
one does 'for the love of it' but at which one can never be 'perfect' or
even 'professional.'

For those of us who love making music, however unskillfully, it's a good
read.  One chuckles in self-recognition at some of the passages taken
verbatim from his group's sessions.

Scott Morrison.
now off to a sing-through of the Brahms Requiem