“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears…” (Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare)

As a performing musician, I am always impressed by people who don’t play but who really appreciate music. And I have met many – even those who were listening to me! I have always accepted that my ability to play music is a gift, but I also recognize that people who really appreciate music have a gift of their own – a gift that they share with me every time they sit down and listen to something I perform. I’d like to share just five of the things I’ve observed about them:

1. Live music appreciators take opportunities to hear live music, and they listen to it. I know a number of people who are familiar with many musical artists. They know details about what they play, how they play, and the subjects of their compositions. I remember a co-worker coming up to me one day, and she casually mentioned how much she enjoyed our music. She went on to describe why. Before the week was out, I made a special compilation of songs that I put in her mailbox. When someone really listens, that matters to an artist.

2. Live music appreciators talk to performers and intelligently compliment them. I admit that I like it when an audience member comes up and says, “That was AWESOME!” It can happen, even when a listener isn’t drunk. But I especially remember people like a lady from Quebec who once came up to me after a show and said, “You sing with so much passion!” I wore that comment like a medal. She shared something with me that was specific, and I could reflect on an aspect of my performance that had made an impact on a listener.

3. Live music appreciators participate. They tap and they clap, but they also follow with their eyes, with their smiles, with positive expressions that are sometimes hard to describe. And with every participatory gesture, they contribute to a performance. I have often felt a concert rise to a completely new level because of the participation of truly appreciative people in the audience.

4. Live music appreciators tip when they can. This doesn’t have to amount to much money. I remember one night recently when a group of three young girls asked for a song. When we played the requested song, the three marched in a little parade to the tip bag and each placed a small amount of money in. They repeated this ritual several times during the course of the evening. You can bet we played whatever we could for those girls, and we did it as well as we possibly could.

5. Live music appreciators tell somebody about live music they like. I love it when I see a comment pop-up on Facebook with someone saying how much they enjoyed a performance – especially when it’s about us! A friend of mine was bubbling over with excitement after hearing The Harris Brothers – at the time a little-known band in our locality. I was influenced enough to go out and listen to them live as well, and I was not disappointed. Music appreciators create communities that support musical artists. The music in an area will improve when this happens.

There are so many ways that live-music appreciators allow wonderful music to grow and flourish. They say that they don’t do anything, but I assure you they do a great deal – far more than they will ever fully know. One of these days after a performance, I may take off my instrument and sit down on stage. Then I will ask the audience to stand, take a bow, and receive my deepest appreciation. They will have certainly earned it! – Bob Tatum

Join Sound Traveler on the Indian River Queen on the first Friday of February. You have to get your tickets early, so don’t delay.

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4 Comments to “SongTravelin’: 01.13.11 – Live Music Appreciation 101”

• January 13, 2011 at 9:30 am
  Laurence says:

  without an audience, no music person would have a place to play. They would have to work at a job like everybody else. It makes me sick when some performers act like they’re “all that.”
• January 13, 2011 at 10:57 am
  Ellie Hjemmet says:

  “Music appreciators create communities that support musical artists.”
  Love this post, Bob! It’s all so true.
• January 13, 2011 at 12:54 pm
  Bob says:

  Thanks, Ellie. You and I have both had many first-hand experiences of audience members who gave us so much. Thanks for responding to the post.
• January 13, 2011 at 8:38 pm
  Patty says:

  I like this. It makes a lot of sense. Whenever other people give you some of their time, it should be taken as a compliment. And whenever they take their interest a step further (Facebook, tip jar, saying something after a show, giving you a lead on a potential venue), it is meaningful.

  I’m grateful to everyone who has encouraged me along the way, and I’m also grateful to be a music performer and listener. I have my parents to thank for that.