Turn Down the Volume

Is there a good reason why the volume of music keeps going up? Especially in the dance and rock genres - I can't enter a venue or a club without earplugs and a wince on my face.

Has acoustic music disappeared? Even songwriters with acoustic guitars feel the need to plug their instruments in and turn them up.

I have a hard time hearing the music when it is so loud. Much less enjoying it.

There is so much depth and subtlety in the way an instrument interacts with a room - with the walls and the audience. But I haven't heard an instrument or a voice in years. All I hear is speakers.

Whenever I play, I make a point to keep things at a "listenable" volume. I have had dozens of compliments about how pleasant it is to be at a concert that doesn't make the ears hurt.