It always seemed to me that public performance was a kind of publication: Putting your ideas out there constitutes a kind of invitation to dialogue.
I would have liked nothing better than to be engaged as a partner in dialogue by a number of musicians. But no such thing turns out to be the case.
Attempts to engage in dialogue were routinely rebuffed as if authority was all there was to it. And who am I, a mere listener, to raise questions.
It is a huge relief to welcome the comments, questions, responses both positive and negative of listeners who are coming not for status but to have a good time.
