Those readers who have forgotten this project can refresh their memories here. The post below is the first entry for a Chapter titled ‘I would rather learn some things through observation than through experience’
I attended a fusion concert last week where I witnessed something interesting. The noted blues harmonica master Corky Siegel was one of those performing. When it was his turn to perform, he ambled on stage, simply dressed, with a water bottle in hand and set it down beside the piano. No one in the audience recognised him and no one clapped. Like me, I guess they mistook him for someone from the artists’ retinue who was ensuring that water was available in case the maestro felt thirsty. Only when he faced the audience, gazed straight at them for a few seconds and then bowed was there some perfunctory applause to welcome him on stage.
But after he played the harmonica, boy, was there some applause ! What an awesome performance ! No one in the audience had any doubts about being privileged to hear a musical genius and they showed their appreciation by clapping loud and long.
Which leads me to the dilemma – which of the following morals do I choose as the learning from this incident :
1) Being modest and self-effacing is all very well, but overdo it and you may be mistaken for a water-carrier. Sometimes a GRAND entry is necessary, ANNOUNCE your arrival in style.
2) It doesn’t matter if people don’t notice your arrival, as long as your performance leaves them spellbound and begging for more
You tell me, which moral would you choose ?
Zen.
