I’ll warn you now: this is a humorous post. For those without a sense of humor, save yourselves now!
For the rest of you – us! – enjoy. 
Horn Performance Degree vs. Four Years of Intense Videogaming
Hoping to demonstrate the value of music education as a replacement for video gaming, a psychologist arranged for the controlled education of two similarly-qualified high school students. The first student was provided with a four-year education at a major university, unlimited access to a video arcade and an inexhaustible supply of quarters. The second student was provided with a four-year education at a major music conservatory, unlimited access to a horn teacher, and a professional quality double horn.
The study was summarized as follows:
Student A became obsessed with and spent 8+ hours a day playing PacMan. Normal personal hygiene and social skills declined and no friendships were formed, except with students similarly obsessed. Student A did not find regular employment after graduation, preferring instead to continue his long hours playing PacMan. After three years, he began to understand that he could not earn a living playing PacMan, and after five years, Student A has obtained reasonably secure employment as a computer programmer.
Student B became obsessed with and spent 8+ hours a day playing his Paxman. Normal personal hygiene and social skills declined and no friendships were formed, except with students similarly obsessed. Student B did not find regular employment after graduation, preferring instead to continue long hours playing his Paxman. After three years, he began to understand that he could not earn a living playing his Paxman, and after five years, Student B has obtained reasonably secure employment as a computer programmer.
Conclusion: There is no significant difference between an undergraduate degree in horn performance and four years of intense videogaming.
Courtesy of TheFrenchHorn.net and Jonathan Quist. Thanks for the smiles, folks!
Keep playing,
Mark
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There are a lot of things happening here at PartTimeMusician.com, and we wanted to give you a quick peek behind the curtain. After all, it’s your site!
First, we’re preparing an update to The PartTimeMusician.com Guide to Free and Nearly-Free Resources for Musicians for release to registered owners. If you don’t know the story behind The Guide, click the link to learn more…and if you don’t already own a copy, what are you waiting for?!? For less than $10, you can save a small fortune on your playing addiction…and get all updates free – forever! Every day you don’t have The Guide is a day you’re losing hard-earned money you could use for necessities…like a new axe.
Second, we’ll be making some minor updates here on the site. Nothing strange or unusual, and nothing that will change the way you move about the site. But we think the changes will make it just a bit better for everyone, anyway.
Finally, we’re preparing to release a recent interview we did with someone who is living the (dual) lifestyle – half of the time at his day gig, half of the time playing his music, and the other half…well, as a PTM, you understand! We’re really excited about this interview, and we’re sure you’ll be excited to read it as well. Included are some history, some day-gig conversation, and some insights on making progress with your playing while holding down a full-time job. You won’t want to miss it!
In the meantime, feel free to drop us a line or leave a comment and let us know what’s on your mind! We’d love to hear from you. We’re all in this crazy obsession together, you know.
Keep playing,
Mark
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Tags: coming, free, guide, interview, musician, new, part-time, parttimemusician.com, resources, soon
Gear, General, Products | Mark August 20, 2009 | 
Comments (0)
I just ran across this article and knew you’d want to see it, too. In it, the author offers some pretty keen insights into the music landscape, the “business”, and musical creativity…and how much PTMs contribute to all of it.
In praise of the part-time musician doesn’t discuss the many and significant contributions that full-timers make, and in my mind, seems somewhat dismissive of them. But he does point out the strength of the PTM community and its commitment to making great music, which is not often recognized in the media. It’s nice to see!
To all PTMs out there – whether you play strictly for (private) enjoyment or to become the next Hendrix, Marsalis, or Bell – know that you are making a contribution. Thank you all for striving, for learning, and for playing. Enjoy the journey!
Have a comment? Post one! We’d love to hear your thoughts on this article.
Keep playing,
Mark
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