I’m pretty comfortable liking things that others don’t, but less comfortable not liking things others consider great. I do know that after listening to bluegrass music for a few years, learning it on the mandolin was challenging but doable. When I switched to jazz, both listening and learning at the same time, it was much harder. Now, I can hear jazz melodies and rhythms and structure that was just not reaching my brain earier. And they are lovely.
On another note: one time on a bicycle trip I passed through Paris and wandered into the Louvre. I hadn’t planned to; it was just there and I said to myself, “Why not?” It was my first time in an art museum, even though I was nearly 60 years old. I’m somewhat of a hillbilly. Anyway, I wound up sitting in front of a huge painting by a Duch master (can’t recall the dude’s name). I sat for nearly three hours, transfixed. I wound up coming back to it and sitting transfixed for another hour. I can’t describe the feelings, only that when I returned the second time, it was like seeing long lost friends: I was so happy! If I had had that experience at an early age, I would have devoted my life to art. I mean Art.
I’m pretty comfortable liking things that others don’t, but less comfortable not liking things others consider great. I do know that after listening to bluegrass music for a few years, learning it on the mandolin was challenging but doable. When I switched to jazz, both listening and learning at the same time, it was much harder. Now, I can hear jazz melodies and rhythms and structure that was just not reaching my brain earier. And they are lovely.
On another note: one time on a bicycle trip I passed through Paris and wandered into the Louvre. I hadn’t planned to; it was just there and I said to myself, “Why not?” It was my first time in an art museum, even though I was nearly 60 years old. I’m somewhat of a hillbilly. Anyway, I wound up sitting in front of a huge painting by a Duch master (can’t recall the dude’s name). I sat for nearly three hours, transfixed. I wound up coming back to it and sitting transfixed for another hour. I can’t describe the feelings, only that when I returned the second time, it was like seeing long lost friends: I was so happy! If I had had that experience at an early age, I would have devoted my life to art. I mean Art.