The world's "stereotypes" about classical music

[lisztrachmaninovfan]

I've realized that a lot of people don't like classical music, but not because they don't like it. It's the image that society's put into their heads. 

Notice how when you mention classical music to any random joe of the street, they'll immediately think of a quiet, soothing, simple work like Bach's Minuet in G or Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. But if you showed him the Prelude from Carmen, or Prokofiev's Scythian Suite, they might not even think it's classical music! I've actually had people question me on if a certain piece is actually considered classical music (this happened when my friend said he liked "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from Grieg's Peer Gynt).

I'm definitely not trying to be an elitist or anything, and I listen to all genres of music (not just classical)  . But still, what do you guys think?

[zezhyrule]

I've realized that a lot of people don't like [insert anything here], but not because they don't like it. It's the image that society's put into their heads.  

fix'd

But really, I agree with you. I asked my friend once if he likes classical music, and he said "it's soothing I guess". When people say that, I usually nod, smile, and change the subject  

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Whenever they say something stupid like it's all quiet music that makes you go to sleep, I bring out the big guns.

I usually pull up a video of someone playing petrouchka.

[pianoplunker]

I've realized that a lot of people don't like classical music, but not because they don't like it. It's the image that society's put into their heads. 

Notice how when you mention classical music to any random joe of the street, they'll immediately think of a quiet, soothing, simple work like Bach's Minuet in G or Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. But if you showed him the Prelude from Carmen, or Prokofiev's Scythian Suite, they might not even think it's classical music! I've actually had people question me on if a certain piece is actually considered classical music (this happened when my friend said he liked "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from Grieg's Peer Gynt).

I'm definitely not trying to be an elitist or anything, and I listen to all genres of music (not just classical)  . But still, what do you guys think?

Now did you really track down a random joe and start talking about classical music ? If I did that I would be glad he was thinking about Bach Minuet in G and not something silly like pepper-spraying me.

[chopin2015]

Usually, I get ignored when I want to talk about piano music. And I say...you gotta listen to this piece! It's soo amazing!
And people try to avoid me for 3 months before they are ready to deal with that again. Its like that with jazz, too.
Friend gets in car, asks what this is, I tell her, awkward silence. Noooo discussion of music. That's not normal dinner talk.
Stereotype: all people who listen to classical are nerds

Well....hopefully, yes, they are.

[outin]

Whenever they say something stupid like it's all quiet music that makes you go to sleep, I bring out the big guns.

Funny, I always thought classical music is loud, not soothing at all...piano music may sometimes be, but orchestral stuff?
I can't imagine being able to fall a sleep while listening to violins...

[bronnestam]

It is just not about the music, it is the whole package. Let's see, watch a typical video with a symphony orchestra performing some random concerto by Friedrich von Beet-Shuzart.  What do we see here? A grave audience, sitting stiff in their chairs. An even more grave orchestra, everyone dressed in black, bow moving up and down and up and down, everything conducted by en elderly man in a tail coat, waving with a little stick.

Let's be honest. This is not too sexy, right?

And the classical nerd closes her/his eyes, gets swept away by the beauty in the music ... the others think this is relaxing, at the best. Or annoying. Or just plain borrrringgggg.

Now, lets shift the wrapping. Add emotions, tons of them, and let the music be the soundtrack to a story. Like this, for example:

Let's see how many who fall asleep now, although the music is, indeed, soothing.

[lisztrachmaninovfan]

Whenever they say something stupid like it's all quiet music that makes you go to sleep, I bring out the big guns.

I usually pull up a video of someone playing petrouchka.

I usually do the exact same thing.  I think that one of the main problems lies in the fact that most people don't associate romantic period onward music with classical.

It is just not about the music, it is the whole package. Let's see, watch a typical video with a symphony orchestra performing some random concerto by Friedrich von Beet-Shuzart.  What do we see here? A grave audience, sitting stiff in their chairs. An even more grave orchestra, everyone dressed in black, bow moving up and down and up and down, everything conducted by en elderly man in a tail coat, waving with a little stick.

Let's be honest. This is not too sexy, right?

And the classical nerd closes her/his eyes, gets swept away by the beauty in the music ... the others think this is relaxing, at the best. Or annoying. Or just plain borrrringgggg.

Now, lets shift the wrapping. Add emotions, tons of them, and let the music be the soundtrack to a story. Like this, for example:

Let's see how many who fall asleep now, although the music is, indeed, soothing.

Yeah see, I like things like this because they kind of present classical music in a different, and not like as background music for an "elegant dinner party" or as a music which "old people/stuck-up rich people" listen to.

I still remember listening to a radio station, and the host is all like "classical music...simply the best music, ever!" And then there's those radio stations with the host that has the smooth, low voice, saying, "get ready to relax your nerves and listen to calm, smooth classical music." Geesh, no wonder so many people think all classical music is simple and devoid of strong emotion...

[rachmaninoff_forever]

If you're a classical pianist then you're good at sex.

[outin]

If you're a classical pianist then you're good at sex.

If that's why you want to be one, you might be heading towards a disappointment 

If a correlation exists it's yet to be proven...

[lloyd_cdb]

If you're a classical pianist then you're good at sex.

I believe it's that we're good with our fingers. 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I believe it's that we're good with our fingers. 

Precisely...

[timothy42b]

When classical musicians are interviewed, they generally come off as elitist nerds, anxious and insecure.

When athletes are interviewed, even at college levels, they generally appear poised, confident, self assured, articulate, and attractive.  The professional levels are even more so.

I don't know why this is, I don't even have a theory.  But  I suspect it has some relevance here.

[ted]

I have encountered too much variation in classical enthusiasts over the years to assume it is correlated to any particular personality. My childhood piano teacher, however, once told me that most people cannot take more than about ten minutes of piano music of any sort without getting restless. I rather think that might be true, although I wish it were not.

[chopin2015]

[birba]

Very very clever.