This is how I'm proving that DCUM is a bad place to ask questions about classical music:

[Anonymous]

So in another section, someone asked a question about classical music. Well, I'm here to prove that DCUM is one of the worst places to ask about classical music, even in the entertainment section. People on DCUM are way too serious to appreciate an artistic concept like music. So I'm going to ask a series of questions, and I'm hoping that all the "I don't knows" and "no's" will prove that DCUM is a terrible place to discuss classical.

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit?

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it?

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever?

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras?

6. If so, what years?

I can't wait for people to see these responses and know that they should post classical music questions on DCUM again.

[Anonymous]

The C in DcUM doesnt stand for classical and M is not for music.

It started as a parenting site.

Why are you angry the site is not attracting masters of all knowledge?

[Anonymous]

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument? YES

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit? START 11, QUIT 18

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it? YES

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever? NEVER

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras? ALL STATE MARCHING BAND!!!

6. If so, what years? ENTIRE HIGH SCHOOL

[Anonymous]

As a classical music lover, I heartily disagree with you that classical music can only be appreciated if one played an orchestral instrument. Your focus is much too narrow and school-based. You should know that general education schools are not the best vehicles to teach music anyway.

None of my parents played anything, yet they listen only to classical and are knowledgeable about it.
I only played violin for two years, but played piano for ten, took solfege and singing classes, and am quite knowledgeable about the history of classical music...
...which I am passing on to my daughter, who demanded a violin at 3, and will probably soon play in a junior orchestra.

[Anonymous]

Okayyyyy...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So in another section, someone asked a question about classical music. Well, I'm here to prove that DCUM is one of the worst places to ask about classical music, even in the entertainment section. People on DCUM are way too serious to appreciate an artistic concept like music. So I'm going to ask a series of questions, and I'm hoping that all the "I don't knows" and "no's" will prove that DCUM is a terrible place to discuss classical.

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument? yes, flute. but I played in in the band. String instruments were not as popular in the 70s as they are now

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit? 3rd grade, college.

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it? band. but it did play classical music. unfortunately, clarinets and flutes played the violin parts.

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever? wow, you must be in a big high school, if it has more than one orchestra

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras? no, but our band was invited to play at the Garden State Arts Center, with an audience of about 1000.

6. If so, what years? 1979

I can't wait for people to see these responses and know that they should post classical music questions on DCUM again.

Your questions seem biased against pianists, BTW. And members of choruses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So in another section, someone asked a question about classical music. Well, I'm here to prove that DCUM is one of the worst places to ask about classical music, even in the entertainment section. People on DCUM are way too serious to appreciate an artistic concept like music. So I'm going to ask a series of questions, and I'm hoping that all the "I don't knows" and "no's" will prove that DCUM is a terrible place to discuss classical.

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?
YES

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit? 8 THROUGH COLLEGE

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it? YES

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever? SOPHOMORE

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras? YES

6. If so, what years? JUNIOR AND SENIOR

I can't wait for people to see these responses and know that they should post classical music questions on DCUM again.

AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL YOU THAT MY BEST FRIEND FROM COLLEGE IS JOSHUA BELL

[Anonymous]

Yes to all. Played the violin for 2 years and the flute from age 9 to college. Played in all-county and all-state in 11th and 12th grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So in another section, someone asked a question about classical music. Well, I'm here to prove that DCUM is one of the worst places to ask about classical music, even in the entertainment section. People on DCUM are way too serious to appreciate an artistic concept like music. So I'm going to ask a series of questions, and I'm hoping that all the "I don't knows" and "no's" will prove that DCUM is a terrible place to discuss classical.

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit?

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it?

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever?

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras?

6. If so, what years?

I can't wait for people to see these responses and know that they should post classical music questions on DCUM again.

My son played piano for 8 years and he knows less classic music than me. I could not play any music instrument. Not sure where you got these criteria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So in another section, someone asked a question about classical music. Well, I'm here to prove that DCUM is one of the worst places to ask about classical music, even in the entertainment section. People on DCUM are way too serious to appreciate an artistic concept like music. So I'm going to ask a series of questions, and I'm hoping that all the "I don't knows" and "no's" will prove that DCUM is a terrible place to discuss classical.

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?
YES

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit? 8 THROUGH COLLEGE

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it? YES

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever? SOPHOMORE

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras? YES

6. If so, what years? JUNIOR AND SENIOR

I can't wait for people to see these responses and know that they should post classical music questions on DCUM again.

AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL YOU THAT MY BEST FRIEND FROM COLLEGE IS JOSHUA BELL

Very nice, I'm sure, but in the classical music world, he's not that hot. There is a difference between the most effective marketers of themselves (your friend Joshua) and the ones who are truly, undeniably, the most gifted musicians of their generation - those usually don't have the selling temperament, but connaisseurs recognize them just the same.

[Anonymous]

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?
Yes
2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit?
Started at 10, still play today at 47
3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it?
Yes
4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever?
Freshman
5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras?
Yes
6. If so, what years?
All four years

What's the point of this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So in another section, someone asked a question about classical music. Well, I'm here to prove that DCUM is one of the worst places to ask about classical music, even in the entertainment section. People on DCUM are way too serious to appreciate an artistic concept like music. So I'm going to ask a series of questions, and I'm hoping that all the "I don't knows" and "no's" will prove that DCUM is a terrible place to discuss classical.

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?
YES

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit? 8 THROUGH COLLEGE

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it? YES

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever? SOPHOMORE

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras? YES

6. If so, what years? JUNIOR AND SENIOR

I can't wait for people to see these responses and know that they should post classical music questions on DCUM again.

AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL YOU THAT MY BEST FRIEND FROM COLLEGE IS JOSHUA BELL

Very nice, I'm sure, but in the classical music world, he's not that hot. There is a difference between the most effective marketers of themselves (your friend Joshua) and the ones who are truly, undeniably, the most gifted musicians of their generation - those usually don't have the selling temperament, but connaisseurs recognize them just the same.

OK, hot shot. You, yourself are either better trained/more talented than Joshua Bell, or you are not. If you aren't, then shut up and get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

Not sure I agree with the premise that you have to have played an instrument to enjoy classical music or know a lot about it. It's like saying you can't enjoy a good book unless you are a writer yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure I agree with the premise that you have to have played an instrument to enjoy classical music or know a lot about it. It's like saying you can't enjoy a good book unless you are a writer yourself.

Or, you can’t coach a team unless you were an expert at playing the sport. It doesn’t work like that....
People can have a great appreciation for and a deep understanding of classical music even if you have never played an instrument.
Oh, and BTW, OP. Lots of church organists have never played in an orchestra or band of any kind. Do you think they, too, are not knowledgeable about classical music?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So in another section, someone asked a question about classical music. Well, I'm here to prove that DCUM is one of the worst places to ask about classical music, even in the entertainment section. People on DCUM are way too serious to appreciate an artistic concept like music. So I'm going to ask a series of questions, and I'm hoping that all the "I don't knows" and "no's" will prove that DCUM is a terrible place to discuss classical.

1. Did you ever play an orchestral instrument?
YES

2. If yes to 1, what age did you start and what age did you quit? 8 THROUGH COLLEGE

3. If there was an orchestra at your high school, were you in it? YES

4. If yes to 3, what year in high school were you when made it into the top orchestra if ever? SOPHOMORE

5. Did you ever participate in any all-state orchestras? YES

6. If so, what years? JUNIOR AND SENIOR

I can't wait for people to see these responses and know that they should post classical music questions on DCUM again.

AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL YOU THAT MY BEST FRIEND FROM COLLEGE IS JOSHUA BELL

Very nice, I'm sure, but in the classical music world, he's not that hot. There is a difference between the most effective marketers of themselves (your friend Joshua) and the ones who are truly, undeniably, the most gifted musicians of their generation - those usually don't have the selling temperament, but connaisseurs recognize them just the same.

OK, hot shot. You, yourself are either better trained/more talented than Joshua Bell, or you are not. If you aren't, then shut up and get over yourself.

I am voicing the opinions of a lot of very talented musicians, but that is not why that makes it true. Like in many other activities, expert reviewers don't need to excel at the activity itself. They need to be expert observers of the activity. So here, they need to to know the score inside out down to every last note with its particular inflection, they need to have listened to every major musician playing that same piece, they need to have technical knowledge of bowings, fingerings, anatomical details of movement during that piece, and also historical knowledge of the composer's intentions, the political and artistic context if applicable, the original soloist chosen to play the piece and why, as well as the arranger's intentions and how the composition of the current orchestra may differ from the original one.

Don't speak of what you don't know, PP.