Steve Schwartz writes:

>At one point, to hear music, most people had to play it themselves.
>Technology has eliminated this requirement.

After years as a classical music listener, I began to study 'cello in my
30's.  I studied for more than 10 years and played in amateur and regional
orchestras.  I was never great for more than a few licks (they were good
licks) but I came to understand what it took to really make it a career.

Technology has NOT eliminated the requirement that to really understand,
love and appreciate classical music one must play it for oneself,
inconvenient as that may be.

I really feel that those who think that they are understanding classical
music through listening to the "best" canned dead meat of a CD are deluding
themselves if they cannot pick up an instrument and play a scale.

"Linda Rogers" <[log in to unmask]>