Originally Posted By: jdew
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Good question.

The "who decides" is typically seen as:
If doing it for money... the marketplace
If doing a live performance... the audience
If doing it for a class ... the instructor

But those are situational measures. You can't please everyone. I think the only opinion of your playing that really counts for anything is your own opinion.





  • I do it for the money: so I choose what I play by what will sell
  • I do it for the audience: In addition to choosing what songs I will play, I choose when I play them to give the audience the best experience that I can
  • I do it for the entertainment purchaser: If a commercial establishment, I want the customers to have a good time and come back again and again. If a private party, I want them to tell the host/hostess that they had a wonderful time.
  • I do it for myself: I really enjoy playing music, I enjoy entertaining the audience, and I enjoy the dialog I have with the audience. It's the most fun I can have with my clothes on.


I gig for a living. It's both a business and a pleasure. So while one part of me is just getting lost in the music, in that place where there is no time, no place, no me—there is another part of me that is making sure I'm doing the right thing so I can gig again next week, and the week after that.

I don't do it for my instructor anymore, but I carry the lessons all my teachers generously gave me and when I can, pass them down to the next generation.

Insights and incites by Notes ♫

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

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