Coming back down to Earth

lowregister · #1 05-12-2010, 09:05 AM

I've had to set my bass down for a few months while I study abroad in Germany, instead I picked up an acoustic guitar and been having a good time. I search now and then on the tab sites for some inspiration to songs I like.

I am so upset by the sheer disrespect I see on these tab site's comment sections. It seems only rarely do you hear people give legitimate constructive criticism. The more and more I hear fellow musicians dissing each other the more I fall back into the original reason why I began playing in the first place. I fall back onto the natural and pure joy of a stringed instrument.

Further it distances me from people who pride themselves on their high end gear. At the core of it, you can make great music with cheaper instruments--I say, beauty (i.e. tone) is really in the eye of the beholder, if you're happy, then that's what matters.

This post is dedicated to all those humble and respectful musicians out there who know how to get along and further the advancement of this wonderful and passive motive force known as music.

Phalex · #2 05-12-2010, 09:10 AM

Put your feet up and hang out for a while. You're among friends.

MakiSupaStar · #3 05-12-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowregister

I've had to set my bass down for a few months while I study abroad in Germany, instead I picked up an acoustic guitar and been having a good time. I search now and then on the tab sites for some inspiration to songs I like.

I am so upset by the sheer disrespect I see on these tab site's comment sections. It seems only rarely do you hear people give legitimate constructive criticism. The more and more I hear fellow musicians dissing each other the more I fall back into the original reason why I began playing in the first place. I fall back onto the natural and pure joy of a stringed instrument.

Further it distances me from people who pride themselves on their high end gear. At the core of it, you can make great music with cheaper instruments--I say, beauty (i.e. tone) is really in the eye of the beholder, if you're happy, then that's what matters.

This post is dedicated to all those humble and respectful musicians out there who know how to get along and further the advancement of this wonderful and passive motive force known as music.

Well said. Outside of TB I pretty much ignore comments. It's like listening to 13 year olds hang out when mom and dad is not looking.

tdub0199 · #4 05-12-2010, 09:18 AM

It's good to know that we all have friends here....

SurferJoe46 · #5 05-12-2010, 11:06 AM

I've been flamed and verbally beat up a few times by some here too.

I guess I set myself up though by admitting I am not a pro any more and don't want to be either.

I bought the (eek!) Gen-II Acoustic combos and cabs and that was worth a new quiver of hate arrows.

We play as not much more that a garage band for friends for their beer and steaks and I guess that just doesn't 'compute' with many other people.

Somehow, not making big money and having a refrigerator and GB-this and Baggie-that is grounds for life in the hot seat. I dunnow. Just a bunch of blue meanies here.

But in all the hype and tripe, there's a string of things to learn - so I stick it out and try to ask intelligent questions - filling in my 47 year sabbatical of not playing anything but 4-tracks, 8-tracks, 45s and cassettes.

OH - I kept a few 6-strings around and a few amps - but nothing serious or more than noodling a few times a month or so. It was stagnant-time for me.

Now - retired and having a lot of disposable income - I guess it's just unthinkable to some that I don't go top-dog for amps and basses. But I don't think that way.

And frankly - the people you have had answer so far and up to this point are some of the ones I have noticed who are kind and considerate.

lowregister · #6 05-13-2010, 07:29 AM

Your posts are all rather settling. Glad to know there are likeminded individuals here.

elzeder · #7 05-13-2010, 08:56 AM

Hi there

Forget about the gearsluts that need to get the newest thing all the time, they are just like all the other consumer robots out there (pc, cars, tv, clothes...) never satisfied with what they have and always looking over the fence to see when its time to get something better than the neighbour.

Having the best/better gear doesnt make you the best/a better player, it just makes you addicted to trends and fashion.

Not saying it isnt nice to have a nice rig but its about enjoying, sharing and being able to love what you do no matter the circumstances.

Right now I moved from France to Sweden and could only bring my old faithfull stagg 20W amp (which I got along my first bass), and I can just get what I want out of it at home, as I can with the setup in my current rehearsal place, which is a yamaha 01V running on some homemade speakers, well it works I get the tone I want, the band hears me and we dig it.