A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by, and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, and continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organised by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognise the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Via Alex Visakan


Music Art

A lot of these have been moving around facebook this week; this one made me laugh as it is SO TRUE !

Deal of the Week: 16th - 23rd of February: 10% discount off all children's guitars instock at the shop in Stalybridge this week ..... Pink, Blue, Red, Natural, Dinosaur and Pony styles for children 5 years old and upwards.

Check this ebay auction http://www.facebook.com/musichealscharity (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/musichealsshop/m.html) we know some of the history of this guitar and every penny will bring sounds of hope into a seriously ill childs life


MUSIC HEALS (bringing sounds of hope into a seriously ill childs life)
OFFICIAL approved FACEBOOK PAGE for music heals children`s charity

Pre School Tiny Tots Music Time ... for all children under 5 years (with a parent or responsible adult) Every Wednesday 11.00am for 30 mins, come and sing and play - Free of Charge ... http://www.musiccorner.co.uk/Mini-Music-Corner/t152/articles.html

RIP Whitney Houston♥ ... a beautiful voice, amazing music ; the passing of a legend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYzlVDlE72w ... http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/feb/12/whitney-houston-obituary


Whitney Houston - Greatest Love Of All
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Music video by Whitney Houston performing Greatest Love Of All. (C) 1985 Arista Records, Inc.

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