Humm 223 Music Survey

Doc, I'll do my very best to keep this to four or five sentences but I cannot promise anything. The first memory I have of music is when I was three or four and would beg my mom to put on some music, (probably Garth Brooks or Brooks and Dunn do to the fact that we lived in the country) give me her high heals, and I would dance around on the coffee table. I later in life began to play the piano, and later the saxophone. I sang in church and at school, now realizing that the only person I sounded good to was myself. I went through different stages in life, for example there was a point in my life where I really liked r&b and rap, I later grew to like rock and metal. I think it is important to test new music and figure out what speaks to you and sticks, and what falls off and you find yourself thinking what was i thinking? Now, I like to go to shows outdoors such as Dave Matthews, G. Love, Devotchka and Pete Yorn. I listen to music constantly in my car or at home while I am cleaning. I also frequently go to shows or concerts for the music mainly but also for the atmosphere. I think it is important to differentiate between what is "Popular" and what you love. It is also good to be open to new types of music or even art for that matter. I still play the piano on occasion and wish I did more. Oh yea, I also belt it out in my car and the shower, so much few a few sentences.

What is this art business all about?

This is simply my opinion, nothing more or less concerning my feelings about art and what defines art. First and foremost I believe that what is art lies in the eyes of the beholder, or in the same respect the artist who put on the production, or recorded a particular song, or decided to paint. Something may be art to one, but not to another. I think what is considered "art" is partly due to the culture or cultures one has been exposed to, one's personality, past experiences, and simply personal taste.

"Art is made to disturb. Science reassures. There is only one valuable thing in art: the thing you cannot explain".Georges Braque.

To me this basically says one cannot explain art, there are not facts or quotas when it comes to art, it is about expression and exploring oneself.

"Don't be an art critic, but paint, there lies salvation".Paul Cezanne

Basically do not judge what is beautiful or disturbing, what is worth money or not a nickle, but rather immerse oneself into the process of developing a great piece that speaks to you. Also, it is important to not follow the times or what is popular or trendy but to decide what speaks to you and which one can relate.