For the Love of It: Amateuring and Its Rivals

It seems that most of those reviewing this book missed the point of it, which I thought the author made clear over and over again. It’s about doing something as well as you can for the enjoyment it brings – as an amateur. Although the book could have been half its length and been more effective, he did achieve his goal, which was to discuss what being an amateur is, where this fits into life and our culture, why being a professional at something symbolizes our goal-oriented society and our value of doing things for money, and why being an amateur is rewarding, satisfying and even noble. The shortcomings of the book are probably the result of his being a professor of literature, causing him to expend space on quotes and discussions that are more peripheral to the topic than enlightening. He doesn’t disparage other forms of amateur endeavor, such as painting, but does spend most of his time relating his cello playing experiences with his life and what those experiences brought to him. It’s what he calls amateuring. This book is not about how to play the cello better. I think the real value in the book is about how someone loves what they do for a hobby, is pretty good but not great at it, and finds practicing both valuable as an activity and essential to developing and improving one’s skills. His discussions about playing with others and in front of audiences are enlightening and raise valuable issues in terms of the experience of playing a musical instrument. These discussions are worthwhile enough to justify reading the book. He gives hope and encouragement to being an amateur. In a world in which fame and fortune seem to be the most desirable goals, he makes a very good case for enjoying what you do for its own sake.

I recomend this book everyone who loves playing the cello.This book will make you smile.

This has got to be the "feel good" book of the year for amateur musicians. Professor Booth, time and again, puts his finger on the many reasons why we spend all those hours and muscle pains to end up being second-rate at best. Yes, the latter chapters may go a little overboard, but enthusiasm is one of the things it's all about. There are some very poignant moments and some downright hilarious ones. I'm recommending this one to all my music-making friends.

The writer focuses on his experiences as a cellist in amateur chamber groups and expands from that subject to address the concept of 'amateuring', that pursuit of an activity at which one knows one will never be more than merely adequate, the drive to persist 'for the love of it', for the sense of community with other amateurs. This certainly struck a responsive chord in me, an amateur musician whose love for music-making far exceeds his abilities.