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A Violinist in the Metro
- 9/9/2010
- Categorized in: Interesting Stories
In this amazing story, you will learn a dazzling secret, an amazing idea which you can parlay to huge wealth. First read the story and be startled at what is obvious but hidden. What can you learn from a violinist in a subway???
Just a violinist in a subway? Or much more…

A man in a metro station in Washington DC started to play his violin. It was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. Practically no one noticed. Why should they notice???
Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.
A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the cup and without stopping continued to walk.
A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tugged him along, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
Why is this an important story? Because the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written for a violin, which, by the way, is worth $3.5 million.
Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.
.
This is a real story
Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?
How To Double Your Income understanding this lesson
One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?
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what happened to all the pictures it was ever so cool to see video's and intruments online and how they where made.
now it is just all typing...................
Keep the love of music going,thank you so much.
Tonnie