#mod dvorak

[musiciansagainstelitism]

I hate how some classical fans think that classical music is superior to all other music, especially so-called "popular" music -- no, it's the music that you prefer, but that doesn't make it better or worse. It pisses me off so much, despite the fact that I listen to basically exclusively classical music.

that’s exactly one of the main points we’re trying to get across! no music is inherently better than other music regardless of personal preference, and the degree of popularity certainly doesn’t make it superior or inferior. even in bach’s and mozart’s days, there were people putting them down and praising the old renaissance masters as the only good music, and i bet that they’re two of the composers that people like this worship.

however, this attitude isn’t just limited to classical music, or even just music in general - it’s present to some extent in pretty much every group, where some people think that their art form/science/nationality/etc is inherently better than another. it’s kind of too big of a problem for us to even attempt to address right now, but the where i personally have the chance to make an impact is in the classical music community. so yes, i definitely agree with you, and this type of thinking should be stopped. i too listen to pretty much only classical music, but that doesn’t mean that i should think pop songs or jazz is any worse than my chosen genre, and “popular music” is popular for a reason. people should just let other people enjoy what they enjoy!

- mod chopin

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honestly, i agree with u 100%! i have a hugely diverse music taste, from hip hop to indie to pop to classical. and u know what, none of them r better than the other, each genre makes me equally happy! if an artist puts in love and effort into a song, whether it’s a major concerto or a soundcloud rap, it is art and has the potential to inspire and make people feel something.

❤ mod dvorak

[musiciansagainstelitism]

Hi there! I'm a classical singer (age 17) with learning disabilities! I love this blog so much because it makes me realize that I'm not the only one who struggles with what I go through. I also love that you guys advocate for the idea that pop music is just as good at classical music, and there is no reason to look down on it! And I love that you guys are all over the traditional sexism of classical music (I feel like it is especially present in singing, which I can get into later). Thank you!!

hi! we’re so glad that u enjoy what we do! we enjoy what we do too. that’s y we do it lmao okshutupdvorakwutudoingetyolifetogether

but in all honesty, that’s totally y we made this blog! there’s so much classical music(and all kinds of music actually) has to offer, but there’s so much that stops it from reaching it full potential. we’re super glad that u like our blog! ^^

♥ mod dvorak

[musiciansagainstelitism]

student mentality

(for reference, when i say student, i am referring mainly to high schoolers[although this may apply to middle school or younger as well], not music majors or uni students, but of course i'm sure this happens at many ages, i've just noticed it's more common among my peer group ^^)

what exactly is "student mentality"? as the name suggests, it's something that i've noticed very heavily among younger/high school and middle school student classical musicians, as i've matured as musician and had the opportunity to connect with other musicians outside of my peer group.

to me, i feel in love with music because of the way it can move someone, by making them absolutely ecstatic one moment and bringing them to tears the next. but i've noticed among my peers that playing with emotion and passion is not exactly something that's very influenced. there's almost like a ranking system based of who can play the most insanely fast runs in 2932049832908402th position or who can play all those intense etudes at 3294230498230 bpm or something like that. and if you can't do that, then you aren't a good musician, and you don't deserve to be respected.

now, don't get me wrong- good technique is VERY important. those super fast runs and extreme etudes exist for a reason, and it is not a bad thing at all to be able to play those well! in fact, if you can slay those insanely high positions, that's awesome! 4 for you glen coco, you go glen coco. but is that all there is to music? absolutely not.

your worth as a musician is not defined by being able to play insanely difficult repertoire or being in a higher chair. and unfortunately, that's really not the case when it comes to the community among student musicians. ironically, classical music can be very uptight and not very accepting among our younger generation as well. it's become like this giant competition. obviously, there's nothing wrong with a lil competition, in fact- a little bit can be great! but once it gets to the point that i've seen VERY OFTEN among my peers, where being better than everyone is the only thing that matters in music, and everyone's forgotten exactly what music is about, that's when it needs to stop. it's like you are only respected and taken seriously if you're in a higher chair and can play all these flashy things, and if not- it doesn't matter how hard to try, how much you love what you do, and it doesn't matter how much passion you play with, you are not a good musician and you do not deserve respect.

because of this kind of thinking, i've seen so many of my friends completely give up and fall out of love with music, no matter how passionate they were in the past. and that's something that shouldn't happen to anyone. so to all those student musicians, or really anyone in this situation, just remember that this mentality is not the truth. it doesn't matter if you aren't playing insanely hard rep, or you aren't first chair, or you aren't in that high level orchestra/band/etc, if you are passionate, if you try, and most importantly- if you love what you do, you are still a good musician, and you still deserve respect. your worth as a musician is not defined by your rep, your chair, your ensembles, a competition/audition/performance, etc. you are so much more than what others make you out to be.

♥ mod dvorak

[musiciansagainstelitism]

hey cuties! i’m mod dvorak, the new mod on musiciansagainstelitism! i’m mainly a cellist, but i also play piano, guitar, and ukulele. i’m female, 100% chinese and currently a high school student who plays in my school’s orchestra and my local youth symphony. i’ve been playing cello for 4 years, and do plan on becoming a cello major & music ed minor in the future(although that may change because i’m suuuuper indecisive). i’ve struggled with severe depression and social anxiety in the past, although i’ve made major process it’s definitinitly(does anyone actually know how to spell this word) still a struggle.

anyways a few coolio facts about me! i always say my fav animal is cats or dogs or whatever but when i actually think about it, it’s monkeys. i literally cry like 90% of the time when i see a monkey they’re so cute. i’m crying as i write this becaus eohmygso i love monkeys

dvorak cello concerto in b minor is my fav piece of all time and the reason i am mod dvorak

i hate chocolate cake and milk???? like everyone is all like OMG ITS SO GOOD but like no it’s not ???? it literally tastes like a bug

i’m really really really really high maintenance. like those stereotypical girls who r portrayed to use 239482309482304 hair/skin/etc care products and take forever to get ready, that’s literally me but i look fab because of it so

according to the other mods my personality is d major

my favorite meme will always be the sneme