The ethics of buying gear

[Brett Siler]

What if you bought gear and used it to teach free classes for young/poor kids?

[comfortstarr]

There was an article in TapeOp quite a while ago about a guy teaching recording at a charter school in Chicago. My professional life is around education/training and I've been nursing this idea that you could build a complete middle school curriculum that would run 1-2 years all around the creation of a record (CD... er... bunch of mp3s). You could touch every state-mandated topic from the context of making music. More importantly, you could probably touch almost every art subject as well. It would be cool.

[Chaconne]

It can be really rewarding teaching. Its easy to forget that some talented people just dont know the right people or have any disposable income whatsoever - and it prevents them seeing just how easy it can be these days to make a CD.

I have done just a little stuff like this, and its always fascinating. I have seen kids been given a mic, been played a few beats on a laptop - and just emerge with the greatest voices. Toast them a quick mix - and its something to play at home - and maybe they see how one more computer at home gives them creative freedom.
Some times its heartbreaking - I remember a guy who was a great natural drummer and her mum semi pleaded 'do you know who can teach him?' And I realised that for some - even really talented kids - music is still a luxury that has to be let go - lack of space, no money for lessons, or no psychological peace. I couldn't tell her how much it would cost.

I'm touched by a board that seams to have such a cool response to the original post. Spread some of this around. Give to, but give the time to if you can.

[LazarusLong]

so I think of it kind of like a public service, even though it certainly isn't helping any starving children or poverty stricken families anywhere.

Kind of? How about "absolutely"! That's really a great thing you're doing. Giving kids hope and encouragement in music.

[Jim Williams]

If you become successful, you can donate evern more and make more of a difference.

If you're not, you may end up on the recieving end.

[mixohoytian]

music is a luxury
giving musically = just as valuable as giving money
I have no money, but I plan to start a free music school for Indians in Panama, where I grew up
I'm poor, because I put everything into music education
and then funding my own music
completely hopeless to ever make any money back, but I did it anyways...cause ...well music is the only thing that means anything to me

If I had money I would give
materialism can only bring so much joy, then, once it wears off, emptiness
I plan on at least giving back all my knowledge to underprivileged kids

[casey campbell]

If you become successful, you can donate evern more and make more of a difference.

If you're not, you may end up on the recieving end.

ha ha. so true, especially the second part.

[Dakota]

Balance. Take enough care of yourself so as to be able to effectively give to others.

And +1 on teaching. A great way to make the world a better place.