The profession of music is lacking in horse sense, not…
“The profession of music is lacking in horse sense, not only because the commonplace variety of horse is absent from its operations, but because parts of the horse are noticeably present.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Music lacks practical, grounded thinking, both because it rarely incorporates everyday, utilitarian elements and because its theoretical parts are evident but not applied.
In simple terms: Music is too abstract, missing common‑sense practicality.
Key Takeaway
Artistic abstraction can ignore everyday usefulness.
Themes
creativity
practicality
art vs. utility
music theory
Mood
playful
critical
Type
philosophical
humorous
When to use this quote
- designing educational music curricula
- composing for functional purposes
Key Concepts
the tension between innovation and functionality
Practical Applications
- integrate real‑world sound sources
- balance artistic expression with audience needs
Questions to Reflect On
- When does artistic abstraction become counterproductive?
- How can musicians embed practicality without stifling creativity?
A Different Perspective
Some music intentionally embraces abstraction to provoke thought, so practicality isn’t always the goal.