Re: inaccessability of music

[kkissinger@kevinkissinger.com]

Quoting Sheila Olson <onelonecrow@earthlink.net>:

>
> On Friday, March 9, 2007, at 11:36 AM, Krispen Hartung wrote:
>
>> Comment 1: I'd love to show up for a gig where the venue is full,   
>> and proceed to clear the room (audience =0)
>>
>
>       Been there done that!

In my "other life" as a church organist, this is a weekly occurance by  
design: I have to play postlude music while people leave the church!

This does mess with one's mind -- as soon as the music starts,  
everyone stands up, turns to the aisle, and systematically exit.

There are always a few people who stay and listen, though :)

I have never had the experience of playing a set and and loosing an  
audience.  If I were to play and everyone left I would ask myself  
"what happenned?".  Was the audience misled ahead of time?  Were they  
expecting different musical content/style than what I delivered?  Was  
my musical content/style mis-represented? Was there some distraction  
(a fire across the street) that diverted their attention?  Was the PA  
system poorly balanced -- was it so loud that people couldn't take it?  
  Was it so soft that people did not realize it was a performance?  
(Maybe they thought it was just a sound check, rehearsal, or just  
someone messing around with equipment.)

Ever since the music of Wendy Carlos and others inspired me (when I  
was a teenager) I have considered the potential of electronic music  
and technology to create incredibly creative and interesting music.   
What drives me to perform is a desire to share this with others -- I  
am way beyond any notions of fame or fortune :)   I work very hard at  
my music and don't want it to be shot down because of some kind of  
"breakdown" with the listeners or venue.

Thus, if I play to an enthusiastic audience of one, I have the  
possibility to build upon that.  If I (for whatever reason) offend a  
large group of listeners  such that they all walk out, then I have an  
uphill battle.

As such, I seek situations where my music and the expectations are in  
general agreement.  In such a situation, I have a better chance of  
reaching an appreciative audience.

While we can joke about a performance that causes everyone to leave I  
think most of us would prefer that people stay and listen.

May we all reach our listeners!

-- Kevin