Too Busy to Stop and Hear the Music
In Washington DC, at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.
About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.
At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
After 1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a Stradivarius violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the DC Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognise talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . .
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
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Comment
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Comment by SG Michelle Medina on October 7, 2010 at 9:29am -
What a shame!!! I always try to stop & listen! Truth is, music is super distracting for me. Normally, I'm afraid to be by myself. Normally, where ever my parents are: you'll see me with them without exception. However, when we were in the middle of down town San Antonio at the River Walk, around a million strangers, & where crime could have occured at any time, when music played, I stopped. After it was over, if I had lost my parents, fear would have gained a foothold, but while they were playing? Forget it! No fear in sight!
It amazes me what the mind can block out when it chooses to do so.
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Comment by Megan Monique on October 5, 2010 at 11:29am -
Oh my goodness Megz,
What an incredible story and SO true. I can think of so many occasions a street performer was playing, dancing, or making art & I just kept walking instead of acknowledging their talent in any way shape or form. OR even merely stopping to take in their talents and listen, watch and FEEL the energy they were sharing. What an inspiring post. Thanks for sharing this!
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Comment by Megz on October 5, 2010 at 10:50am -
Dear Claire!! I was moved by the post though I can say for sure, if I would have crossed, they would have made a mention of a girl (lady actually) who came back, gave a big and kind smile and stayed for a while (as an exception to the rule). Cos that is me. Always getting distracted by the beauty of life around me. Hope you managed to smell the roses today.
And as a side note, I had visited Glasgow some 4 years back.. on my round trip of Scotland. Loved the buzz of the place. Don't remember what part of Glasgow though.. it was so long back. Really wish that I had maintained a journal on that trip :)
Care and Love
Megz xox
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Comment by Claire Macaulay on October 5, 2010 at 5:52am -
Dear Megz,
I had not heard this before and it is exactly what I needed to hear. I am guilty of rushing onto the next thing without stopping to enjoy the moment. I am trying though!
Love in Pink
Claire
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Comment by Megz on October 4, 2010 at 10:26pm
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I am aware that you might have come across this before (most probably did).. but its always good to be reminded of our tendency to rush through life without noticing the things we need to cherish!!
Stop and smell the roses :)
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