too many critics?

[dreadheadbass]

ok this isnt aimed at anyone in particular its just something i've noticed browsing the web

i'm just wondering how many of you have ever thought people might be overly hard in their Criticism of other bassists and bands alike
i recntly decided to turn over a new leaf after looking long and hard at the way people always jump on anyone who puts there music up for Criticism on the internet be it on forums, youtube,
i've lost count of the amount of times i've heard mark hoppus or cliff burton or just about anybody regardless of skill slated by supposedly "fellow" bass players
if its not there overall skill or techniuqe people attack its there tone or even as petty as the hight they wear there bass's and we hear such great lines as...
"billy sheehan has a horrid tone he just plays scales fast"
or
"big deal james jamerson influenced blues he still sucks on bass"

now then before anyone starts getting annoyed or rilled up i'm not having a pop at anyone we all enjoy a bit of a bitch every now and then (its human nature)
my point is that Criticism is easy and can be done by anyone and i find it amusing that great bass players are being slated by fellow bass players and i find it ironic that while artists are out selling albums and producing music and earning millions there being ripped on by people sat in there bedrooms on their pc's

i think next time somone (including myself and anyone else) decides to criticsize another bass player on thier tone or technique they should 1st criticsize there own playing style and ability

[MyUsernameHere]

I understand exactly what you mean. However, I feel obligated to point a few things out in order to help you in the future.

Not only do I find your post pedantic and unoriginal, you have demonstrated a flair for using improper grammar. Furthermore, it would benefit you in the future if you learned how to use the shift key when typing your posts...as the correct usage of capitol letters is nothing to be afraid of or shy away from. I know its a big key, but don't let it intimidate you.

In conclusion, I think it would serve you well if you decided to take some writing classes before posting again. You show a very small amount of natural abilities in your writing. However, that natural ability is almost completely lost behind the autistic monkey trying to make sweet love to a typewriter style or writing you have employed here.

Other than that I think your post was an excellent, heart-felt attempt to express the seething maelstrom or emotion that all too ofter lies dormant within each of our souls. Keep up the good work.

[Bubba Love]

Originally Posted by MyUsernameHere

<rant>

Wow, way to over-react. Had a bad day?

I would refer the OP to this Penny Arcade comic strip. While it refers to a computer game, the theory applies to all areas of the web. People on the internet are idiots.

EDIT: Some bad language in the comic strip, put the kids to bed!

[()smoke()]

...phsssh--capitol letters are for senators...

[MyUsernameHere]

[quote=Bubba Love;5467905]Wow, way to over-react. Had a bad day?

QUOTE]

Just to curb any further confusion...I was being completely serious with my over-the-top criticism of the OP's post about over-the-top criticism.

[RDW]

()smoke()'s right. "Capitol" letters would be those found on or in a capitol building....

Proper grammar requires "capital" letters.

Criticism is easy. It's creativity that's the difficult part.

[()smoke()]

[quote=MyUsernameHere;5467990]

Originally Posted by Bubba Love

Wow, way to over-react. Had a bad day?

QUOTE]

Just to curb any further confusion...I was being completely serious with my over-the-top criticism of the OP's post about over-the-top criticism.

i was being serious too, i write my senator all the time

[Bruce Lindfield]

Back on Topic - I think that we need the internet to be critical.

So we know that Magazines like Bass Player are not going to be critical as they need to keep the big stars on their side to get interviews, keep record companies and manufacturers happy!

So the only place you will get an honest view, is on internet forums like this!

I would much rather that people gave their honest opinion and helped me avoid bad gear or bad music - rather than that everybody was just uncritical and gushing about everyone who sold a few records!

Also - do musicians really want a load of sycophants going - "oh you're so wonderful, you can do no wrong! " - I think most of those I've met would find it quite sickening!

[cowsgomoo]

I think people are very good at working out who's opinion they can skim past and whose they want to pay more attention to...

there's no way a 'teh flea suxx000rss' type comment carries any weight with anyone other than those who were specifically looking for something to be annoyed with to begin with... in which case, everyone got what they wanted

However, I don't think being in a band that sells millions of records puts that person's playing beyond criticism... clearly Blink 182 didn't sell those records to bass-playing-enthusiasts, but if Mark Hoppus could blow you away on bass AND you're criticising him.... well, it's all a bit pathetic

on the other hand, you don't always have to be able to play as well as a person to hold a negative opinion about their playing... (if that was a requirement, there'd be no great music journalism) e.g. you don't have to be able to blow Billy Sheehan away to hold an opinion about his tone or his note choices, but you probably DO have to be able to outplay him if you're calling him a crap bass player

[Qvist]

Originally Posted by MyUsernameHere

I understand exactly what you mean. However, I feel obligated to point a few things out in order to help you in the future.

Not only do I find your post pedantic and unoriginal, you have demonstrated a flair for using improper grammar. Furthermore, it would benefit you in the future if you learned how to use the shift key when typing your posts...as the correct usage of capitol letters is nothing to be afraid of or shy away from. I know its a big key, but don't let it intimidate you.

In conclusion, I think it would serve you well if you decided to take some writing classes before posting again. You show a very small amount of natural abilities in your writing. However, that natural ability is almost completely lost behind the autistic monkey trying to make sweet love to a typewriter style or writing you have employed here.

Other than that I think your post was an excellent, heart-felt attempt to express the seething maelstrom or emotion that all too ofter lies dormant within each of our souls. Keep up the good work.

Yeah, looks like people on the internet indeed ARE idiots

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Qvist

Yeah, looks like people on the internet indeed ARE idiots

Everybody's a critic!!

[PastorofMuppets]

i agree with you
and who ever would say jamerson sucks at bass
should consider drinking draino

[Andrew Jones]

Is it impossible to be truthful and tactful at the same time?

I find it can be difficult.It's good to try though.



Aj

[Jimmyplaysabass]

There's nothing wrong with criticism, if you can't handle it then maybe you shouldn't put it out there.

[Bubba Love]

But it's the motivation behind the criticism that makes it hard to accept sometimes. If people are just criticising out of jealousy or a need for attention it isn't constructive and it's just annoying. The internet is full of people saying stuff that they wouldn't dare say to anyone in real life.

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by Andrew Jones

Is is impossible to be truthful and tactful at the same time?

I find it difficult.It's good to try though.
Aj

Sure you can! To quote the great Mary Poppins (also a killer bass player), "a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, the medicine go down, the medicine go down...."

<puts gun to head>

If you want to criticise tactfully, begin by partially agreeing with the OP, so as not to seem totally dismissive. Then sprinkle in your criticisms as a series of smaller points you would like to clarify. This helps mitigate the defensiveness of the person/OP.

People who show no regard to tact on the net are putting their opportunism on display. In other words, they probably would show respect if they thought they had something to gain from the other person.

Jordan

[Andrew Jones]

If you want to criticise tactfully, begin by partially agreeing with the OP, so as not to seem totally dismissive.

Amen,,,,,,But on the other hand.....






Aj

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by Andrew Jones

Amen,,,,,,But on the other hand.....

Aj

lol! Mocker!

[mellowgerman]

Capital punishment! lol

[Phalanx]

i'd be careful talking about critics in this section.

Say a negative thing about anyone and you're bombarded by "show us your playing"

*shudders*