> However, this is not for everyone; ask a musician if they are really in the weeds of why the instrument is producing music (the physics behind it!). They are probably aware that it's vibrating air, but, in general, they won't know the theory behind it.
Not a great metaphor. First, most instruments were invented by people who had no knowledge of the theory, not even of sound involving vibrating air. Second, many musicians do understand some of how their instrument works. It's not hard to understand how a guitar works, how to tune it, and how to fix a broken string. Most can't fix a broken body or neck, but they do understand why it stopped being playable. Hell, I knew a flutist who simply started to build her own recorders. Zero knowledge of physics, but after a few years producing great sounding period instruments.
Not a great metaphor. First, most instruments were invented by people who had no knowledge of the theory, not even of sound involving vibrating air. Second, many musicians do understand some of how their instrument works. It's not hard to understand how a guitar works, how to tune it, and how to fix a broken string. Most can't fix a broken body or neck, but they do understand why it stopped being playable. Hell, I knew a flutist who simply started to build her own recorders. Zero knowledge of physics, but after a few years producing great sounding period instruments.