Posted on 09/10/2006 8:02:03 PM PDT by Westlander
"Have these guys ever heard of the simple concept of insurance?
They're able to somehow afford instruments worth thousands but can't afford to insure them? It must suck to be that stupid."
They do have insurance. Trouble is that a 300 year old violin that has been set up perfectly for your playing style is kinda hard to find when you need a replacement.
These are not high school band instruments.
some of these musicians BUY A SEAT for the violin in order to protect it.
There has to be a reasonable solution. Imagine the isurance liability for loosing a million dollar violin.
I like bagpipe music as well but I think they should have a bagpipe convention for the good of the genre and all agree NOT to play "Amazing Grace" for the common good.
Must be something about that tune that is REALLY easy to play on the pipes. Sort of like STHeaven on the guitar. (tip of hat to Wayne's World the Movie)
Guess they thought it must be Italian.
I'll even sell tickets.
Professional musicians often work on a tight schedule. They don't have the time to spend days on a bus from LA to NYC.
And anybody who would put a $500,000 cello at the tender mercies of the baggage handlers is nuts (or it isn't their cello.)
Have these guys ever heard of the simple concept of insurance?
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In these cases the "player's value" is much higher than the insurable value. Sort of like a professional shortstop's glove.
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I'm no pro but I would pay three times the value of my $1500 banjo to get it back if it was lost, just for the familiarity value, not to mention the sentiment.
It's pretty easy to play, mostly because (1) it's slow; (2) there aren't many grace notes (I always found that to be the hard part).
The main reason is, it's NOT a pipe tune. There are many beautiful pipe tunes that could be used instead.
"A group of top classical musicians has warned of the threat to artistic life
Ohh boo friggin hooo being an "artistic type' is soooo hard wah wah wah."
Read the article. It is about protecting sometimes priceless instruments.
Many times people with valuable posessions manage their risks of loss by not surrending posession.
One would think Lyndsey Lohan would have preferred to keep her hands on her purse in hindsight.
BUMP!
The collective IQ of FreeRepublic has gone down a few notches by his presence here.
"Ohh boo friggin hooo being an "artistic type' is soooo hard wah wah wah."
Let's say you were a productive, accomplished professional. And that you plied your craft, which has taken your whole life to learn, and that you must continue to learn and practice at, in cities all over the world. Let's say the "tool" you use is very rare or even one-of-a-kind, and is worth high-five figures or more. You cannot make your living without it, yet you are forced to stow it with the surfers' duffel bags, where it can easily be stolen--as indeed, these things are stolen all the time. Let's say you object.
Are you throwing a tantrum, or speaking up for common sense and the right to earn a living?
You might be surprised to find out how many classical musicians are conservative--look what it takes: constant devotion to a craft; you are responsible for your own progress and success; if you make a mistake, especially in a concert, you are the one responsible, etc....
Just because people don't walk around with a torque wrench in their hand doesn't mean they're effete, worthless libs.
No one has pointed out what I believe is obvious.
How does banned these instruments to the hold enhance safety. Sure one cannot hide ingrediants to be mixed as the article suggests, but one can hide an assembled bomb in the hold anyway.
How often is it reported the concern over the unexamined cargo of of airplanes?
Dear good old days,
Thanks for the ping!
Sorry for the belated response!
Classical Music Ping List ping!
If you'd like on or off this list, let me know via FR e-mail.
Thanks!
sitetest
How does insurance help replace a damaged Stradivarius? There is a limited supply, you know.
Well, lets ask the question: Would you "check" your centuries old - priceless - Stradivarius violin in baggage, or would you insist on holding on to it?
This is a pretty interesting story. I've only had to fly with my trombone a few times, and each time I was allowed to put it in the overhead bin. I do have a hard shell gig bag instead of the big box case, so that helps.
My roommate at Aspen had flown from the UK with his horn, but had to gate-check it. That was 10 years ago now, so it was more to do with space restrictions than security at that time.
I saw Yo-Yo Ma on the tonight show a number of years ago, and Carson asked him how he travels with multi-million dollar Stradivarius cello. He said he buys another seat for the cello.
I went from the piano to the carillon (those bells up in the bell tower). There's only one movable carillon in the country, and at four tons, it don't fly.
Nor would I. It's not just stupid not to let your old "fiddle" out of your sight, it's irresponsible. That precious carved wood is yours for your lifetime, but it will live after you. You are its shepard. Take good care. Which puts musicians between a rock and a hard place. I guess I'd rather ship it a day ahead in a solid crate via Fedex with max insurance than leave it in the hold of a plane.
I wonder how you would know that?
By the way, you're wrong.
While I agree on the need for musicians to be able to keep an eye on their instruments, the baseball analogy is a little thin. It's not like someone is throwing a bow at you and you have to hit it with your cello.
Of course, I wouldn't mind seeing Shaquille O'Neal bodycheck a musician or two.
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