What is musical elitism? Over the years of teaching young minds how to open up their ears to the wide-world of music, I have noticed several things: 1) there is often a sense of fear and mistrust in the initial stages, as I guide them away from the sonic deserts they have been used to from day one (understandable) 2) a built-in resistance to what is new and (for them) strange (this is normal). 3) a feeling of anger at composers and performers who "push their limits" (one can understand that one, too) 4) a deep fear that listening to new or different genres will somehow ruin their enjoyment of what they are used to (now...Hmmm...WHERE did THAT come from? Makes you go: Hmmmm...) 5) a mistrust in composers: that perhaps they are being fooled (OK, I can see it- if you dont "get it"- how can you know? Hence the mistrust) 6) a belief that: if it isn't mainstream, making money, on MTV/VH1/(insert your own sonic-barf-box here), current by today's teenage standards, its not cool- AND the composers (and others of their ilk) must be elitists. There is also the opposite extreme- believing that ANYTHING popular sucks. 7) a disdain for classical music in general...its old, dusty, dead-people music... (well, a lot of what you hear is old dead-people music...its true... especially on the popular media: where I almost go into "sugar-shock" listening to the over-sweet works picked not to offend anyone's ears) 8) once I've gotten them to get past all of these feelings and road-blocks- (and, believe you me...it takes a while) there is a unanimous joy that they feel in experienceing all different types of music- as well as a shock that they couldn't "see it" before. Then, I've done my job. So, am I guilty of being a musical "elitist"? I'd say, yes- but in the good sense of the definition. I reject the notion that popular culture is "the best"- because it is designed to sell, and with that in mind, the lowest-common-denominator will bring in the biggest bucks. I embrace the notion that rejecting the capitalist-music-industry's influence, ENRICHES the lives of others. I do not reject music because it is popular, I only reject the notion that its better because its popular. (All this rejecting and embracing...) What's ironic is that, often times, folks who are ignorant (by choice) of world music and music history make vast elitist claims based on their few internet-streaming channels, and tunes they get off of Kazaa, Limewire, etc. Listen to ALL styles of music. ALL... let it challenge you, and change you. If you don't instantly like it- there's a reason- you can GET something out of it. It is a small hill to climb, and once you're there- you can already see farther than you did before. It will only ENHANCE your listening, and pleasure. ELITIST ROADBLOX: A new student came to me not long ago, and in the very first lesson- he had a choice: blame me as a road-block for his progress, or open his ears and mind, and become a student again. He sternly proclaimed that he only wants to do Billy Joel songs or Doors, nothing else, nothing classical, He "cant" do any classical. (I love Billy Joel and the Doors). I told him, that he doesn't need me for that, then, and that if he says he "can't": he's right. He's already "bought into" the idea that he can't. His mind is closed and there's nothing I can do to help him. He looked stunned, and left without paying for the lesson...very insulted. My goal was not to insult him- but to challenge him. He is an "elitist" in the bad sense of the "popular" definition: he wishes to seperate himself fomr other with his narrow-view claims (It wont help him get any better at music...that's for sure). Ironically, those who accuse others of elitism, often use the more "popularist" definition- which in fact IS what they are, themselves, by making that accusation! Ha! Funny world. And the answer: 42 Thanks for your time, -Istvan