Carl Hu

Musical thoughts.

Why should an amateur record or compose music?

13 October 2002

I find writing about music awkward. When cast to words, simple notions about music become subtle and deceptive. So I state what I believe without justification; reminding instead of convincing.

I believe in a notion of integrity in music; that music of integrity expresses something valuable and essential about the people who play or write it. I believe that amateurs like myself can achieve performances and compositions with a satisfying degree of integrity.

I believe that from the musician's point of view, craftsmanship is the foundation of music making. Having command of neither inspiration nor creativity, I concentrate on learning and executing the craft of playing and writing music to the best of my ability. For me, music has been an unceasing, but rewarding, struggle. Once in a while, when I exceed my own expectations, I record or write out the music and share them here.

Carl