Music is so diverse that no single person could ever call it “his” or “her” own craft exclusively. Music harbors such great freedoms and encourages individuality in so many ways. Yet, as I’ve found in the Bakersfield College quad area, it’s nothing more than a nuisance.

I know what you’re thinking, “who is he to criticize other people’s music?” I won’t waste your time in explaining every development of my musical knowledge, but between being extremely active in community theater, regional and state honor choirs, years of guitar and drum experience and years of high school and college chorale experience, I think I have at least some merit in voicing my displeasure on some of the “music” that hollows through the halls and through the eardrums of the unfortunate students passing by.

Some people are completely oblivious to the fact that maybe the students trying to scarf down a quick lunch before their next class don’t want to hear the three chords you know on the guitar . over and over. Furthermore, there always seems to be that one person that decides that their voice is more important than any nearby conversation taking place.

It is a free country, and there’s nothing that says that it is illegal to play your guitar (or any musical instrument for that matter) in public. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should. It’s inconsiderate; and I know this will sound horrible, but especially if you aren’t that good.

There are days I pass through the Campus Center murmuring beneath my breath “You’re extremely flat and your D string is way out of tune.” These days, I actually wish I had not studied voice and music for most of my life. I can’t understand why people would put their “talents” on display in front of anyone that might pass by. It reminds me of the horrible auditions in the first two weeks of American Idol.

I get it. I bet you’re saying, “Well, you just don’t understand my music.” Dude, I sing country music. You don’t think I’ve heard every crack in the book? Even if I don’t understand your music, I might have a better chance if you were singing in the same key that your out-of-tune guitar is in.

I understand that becoming a good musician and vocalist takes years and years of determination, hard work and a good attitude. I will be the first on to admit that I am far from being a perfect guitarist or singer. I am in no way trying to discourage anyone from pursuing a dream or engaging in new experiences with music. I’m simply stating my opinion that maybe it might be better to fully learn Green Day’s “Time Of Your Life” before you fumble through your progression from G to C in front of your fellow peers. It’s painful for us all.