Too often the prevailing attitude amongst musicians is one of gloom, despair, and a hidden intense disliking of our profession.  It is almost as if we have forgotten how lucky we are to do what we do.  Three hundred years ago our ancient colleagues did all sorts of crazy things besides music.  They were footmen, or they mucked out the barns, perhaps labored all day at some physically demanding job.  We have come a very long way from those times and we should be thankful for it.

 

But we have also lost touch with a large portion of society in the process.  We don’t work “regular” jobs anymore.  We spend most of our time around other musicians or in situations solely dedicated to our art.  There are thousands upon thousands of people who make a living simply by this art form where three hundred years ago anyone doing that would have been in extremely rare territory.  Because of this we have become separated from those who are suppose to enjoy our music.  This is not healthy, for either them or us.