On Jan 11, 2010, at 2:46 PM, Franz Mechsner wrote: It's not only about the lute... The issue is really important and goes deep - how to be open and honest but polite or at least respectful at the same time. I think we protect ourselves in the first place saying we are so unsecure and so far away from being an expert that we cannot utter anything...
Then there are others who will dismiss things out of hand as if there judgement was the last word and not take into consideration that the artist touched someone, whoever that person may be. It is very difficult. It is so much easier to say what is wrong with something than to say what is right with it and how the right things can be brought out more. There are situations that are set up for it. I pay to have a composition lesson once in a while in order to get some encouragement and practical suggestions. Usually I don't solve my immediate compositional problems but it is a kick in the pants. My teacher is very nice and always frames criticism by saying this is the effect such and such is producing, you could consider doing such and such and that would evoke such and such or something along those lines. Anybody other than a teacher doesn't really count, but I like praise and dislike criticism. Probably most people feel like that. Unless the person asks for criticism when posting a video, I take it more as a sharing thing. Some of the people here, we know either virtually or have met in person. I make no apologizes for saying well done when I see a friend do something well and appears to be making progress. If someone takes a video lesson from me, (I've done a couple) that is completely different, they have asked for help. But how to correct oneself and improve if NOBODY says ANYTHING... Lessons? Self examination?, i.e. watch the video and give yourself a lesson. instead people create a not-so-comfortable social situation which you cannot really understand but you feel it... that's always the big problem with us, actively and passively. Hope that is not so diverting from the lute. It is really a case of the emporer's new clothes. BTW, I probably check my fly 3 or 4 times before I walk into the classroom these days. :-) cheers, -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
