Maybe there's a better word than 'work'. When I say > how well they WORK in the subject area I don't mean 'perform in a paid job', I mean 'take productive ste

Maybe there's a better word than 'work'. When I say > how well they WORK in the subject area I don't mean 'perform in a paid job', I mean 'take productive steps'. So even if you're just noodling around having fun with a musical instrument, you can be working, if you're improving your control and understanding. Messing around without a productive aim can still be very productive.