The following is based on the actual experience of one of my favorite college professors, heretofore known as "Doc." A knowledgeable conductor, music theory instructor, and phenomenal jazz pianist, Doc recounted this story to the students in an undergrad music theory class Yours Truly was attending. The following is the actual gist of that story, a paraphrase of the incident, not word-for-word:
During one of our music theory classes, Doc mentioned (to us students) that he had recently had a conversation with a lawyer friend of his; the topic revolved around an upcoming Las Vegas venue performance of a well-known finger-picking guitar virtuoso.
LAWYER: I've got tickets to the [said guitarist’s] concert next week, and can't wait; he is SO talented!
DOC: I'm sure you will enjoy it.
LAWYER: What?! Aren't you planning to attend the show yourself? He is such a great musician.
DOC: He definitely has a polished performance technique; I'm just not into his particular style of music.
LAWYER: What do you mean? I think he is the greatest!
DOC: Frankly, I prefer my harmony to be a little "richer" - I find it boring to have to restrict my listening to only triads and a few 7th chords in a basic chord procession for an entire evening. That is one reason why I prefer to play jazz, and I listen to a lot of classical music, too. I love all those altered and extended chords, more progressive melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic materials. The music I prefer is anything but bland.
LAWYER: I think you need to open your mind a little, Doc. I know what I am talking about, and this guy is fantastic.
DOC: No, you need to listen to me. You, are a lawyer. I would not presume to tell or advise you on legal matters, because that is your field, and you hold an advanced degree from a law school. I believe you understand your field better than I do, and you naturally expect others - myself included - to respect your opinion ON LEGAL MATTERS. I do not even have the LEGAL RIGHT to advise others on legal matters; that's your job, and field, and expertise.
In the same way, however, you ought to give me the same respect and courtesy IN MATTERS RELEVANT TO MY FIELD. I hold an earned doctoral degree in music and music theory, which requires at least as much study, effort, and time to earn as your law degree. You can verify this by asking the students in the music theory program I teach at the local community college. When it comes to MY field, I KNOW what I am talking about, better than you.
CODA: Why does everybody think they are an authority in the field of music, just because they can hear and dance to it, and perhaps sing along? I could probably at least read through a law book, if it's written in plain English, though I may not understand all of the legal principles involved. On the other hand, could this lawyer even READ a sheet of printed music, and perform that music on an instrument, let alone perform an in-depth musical analysis of, say, a symphony by Beethoven? (Does he know what is meant by "musical analysis"?)
Doc was a well-loved and witty educator, who worked and succeeded in establishing a complete fine arts program and AA Degree, with music emphasis, at a 2-year community college. Yours Truly completed his entire 4-semester music theory track at that school. In order to complete the bachelor's, however, it was necessary to transfer the theory credits to another, a 4-year institution. It is worth noting that, on the music theory placement exam for entry into the latter (an Ivy League "wannabe"), Yours Truly achieved the highest score of ALL the music majors in that Department.
Yours Truly knows what he is talking about, too.
We miss you, Doc! – Your Music Theory Students
