Ignorance is not just bliss...

[Christiern]

On another thread, I expressed my thoughts on Obama lacking experience and thus being less qualified for the job. Thought being that it is nonsense, because people with experience created the mess our country is in today. I made an analogy, pointing out that the earliest jazz musicians did not study classical music, the trumpet payers did not have tutors to tell them that a valve depressed to an intermediate position is wrong, that slurring notes is incorrect, etc. If everything had been done according to the book, would we have jazz? Anyway, my point was that sometimes ignorance can prove to be an advantage, it can make us fearlessly (and, perhaps, stupidly) attempt the allegedly impossible.

Have you ever jumped into something that cooler minds would have advised you against, only to discover that it was the right thing to do? I hope to hear some stories and will start things of with one of my own. Fifty-five years ago (almost exactly), I was a new jazz fan, still living in Copenhagen. I worked (as an artist) for the country's largest chain of music stores, so--even on my meager salary--I was able to purchase, on an installment plan, B&O's first tape recorder model. Knowing absolutely nothing about unions and the inherent limits their rules, I naïvely thought I could freely record my favorite band, which happened to be Humphrey Lyttleton's, and happened to be in London.

I wrote a letter to Humph, c/o Parlophone Records, telling him that I would be coming to London in March and that I wanted to record the band, as well as an interview--both for a Danish Radio broadcast. The broadcast was pure fantasy, I knew no one there, but I thought it might get my letter some serious consideration. I should add that I had no money saved up, but figured I might sell some of my records if need be.

A few days later, I received a response from Lyn Dutton, Humph's manager (I had no idea that musicians had managers) and I guess it should have discouraged me, but I saw a ray of hope in "It can be discussed more fully..." so I sold records and bought a third class ticket to London via boat train and steamer.

Here's the letter I received:

That's how I got my very first interview (an embarrassing tape that I still have), and live recordings from Max's at 100 Oxford Street, where the band worked. Dutton invited me to lunch and they apparently liked this overly shy 22-year-old Danish guy, so Humph said, "Why don't you tape the band tonight and if someone asks, tell them it is for your own pleasure."

No one asked and when I got back to Copenhagen, I sent the tape to the Danish Radio--it became my first radio show. Ah, ignorance!

Now, let's hear your experience...

Edited February 9, 2008 by Christiern

[Big Al]

Ignorance an asset? Hell, I've known that for years!

[Alexander]

I'm not sure that this qualifies, but sometimes I find that doing something spontaniously has better results than the things that are fully thought out. The lessons I make up on the spot are often better (and connect with the kids better) than the ones I spend hours trying to think through.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Most of the good things I've managed to achieve in life - at work and at home - have been the result of:

accident;

ignorance that there were rules I should follow; or

not caring to hear about rules I should follow.

And I've got to say that it was mostly very enjoyable!

MG