I got into an interesting discussion today with a musician after a slight disagreement about the environmental conditions under which we were playing together.
Here's the thing: I'm quite meticulous about how I handle my acoustic music instruments. I always store them in sturdy cases when not playing them (except for my kora as I don't have a case for it, but I rarely take it out of the house anyway), I make sure they don't get scratched and I don't expose them to water or excessive heat/cold or extreme dryness/humidity. I even use microfiber clothes to wipe fingerprints of my ukes after playing them. The reason I try to take good care of them is that it took me a long time and effort to find each of them, that I find them unique and optimal for me, that I've gotten used to their particularities, and that I'd like to keep in good condition for as long as possible, preferably for life so that my instruments and I get to grow old together (aren't I a big romantic )
This means I generally don't play them outdoors (English climate, you know...) but that limitation doesn't bother me. I generally prefer having good instruments that sound great rather than cheap ones I can bully around and play on the street but that sound so-so. But that's just me.
My friend on the other hand is a busker and prioritises playing instruments anywhere under any circumstances, whether it be under the rain or when walking on stilts. His philosophy is play the instrument until it breaks and then get a new one, regardless of how expensive the instrument is. Completely valid point of view... as long as he doesn't touch my ukuleles lol
He doesn't really get why there are circumstances under which I'd rather not play since instruments are made for being played. I don't really get how he can tear and toss instruments the way he does. In short: total culture clash; but we agreed to disagree on this: only play cheap instruments outdoors and keep the good ones for indoors. Phew!
Which makes me wonder: which philosophy do you subscribe to? Instruments as long-term friends you should take good care of vs. as disposable means to an end?
(The question applying mostly to more expensive instruments than the generic 5 pounds uke)
Here's the thing: I'm quite meticulous about how I handle my acoustic music instruments. I always store them in sturdy cases when not playing them (except for my kora as I don't have a case for it, but I rarely take it out of the house anyway), I make sure they don't get scratched and I don't expose them to water or excessive heat/cold or extreme dryness/humidity. I even use microfiber clothes to wipe fingerprints of my ukes after playing them. The reason I try to take good care of them is that it took me a long time and effort to find each of them, that I find them unique and optimal for me, that I've gotten used to their particularities, and that I'd like to keep in good condition for as long as possible, preferably for life so that my instruments and I get to grow old together (aren't I a big romantic )
This means I generally don't play them outdoors (English climate, you know...) but that limitation doesn't bother me. I generally prefer having good instruments that sound great rather than cheap ones I can bully around and play on the street but that sound so-so. But that's just me.
My friend on the other hand is a busker and prioritises playing instruments anywhere under any circumstances, whether it be under the rain or when walking on stilts. His philosophy is play the instrument until it breaks and then get a new one, regardless of how expensive the instrument is. Completely valid point of view... as long as he doesn't touch my ukuleles lol
He doesn't really get why there are circumstances under which I'd rather not play since instruments are made for being played. I don't really get how he can tear and toss instruments the way he does. In short: total culture clash; but we agreed to disagree on this: only play cheap instruments outdoors and keep the good ones for indoors. Phew!
Which makes me wonder: which philosophy do you subscribe to? Instruments as long-term friends you should take good care of vs. as disposable means to an end?
(The question applying mostly to more expensive instruments than the generic 5 pounds uke)
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