Do you really care what others think?

MrMeacham · #1 11-24-2012, 07:23 AM

Besides having a good sound and the ability to play the song in an acceptable manner do you really care what people think of you? Do you care what other people think about what your gear looks like, if you play with a pick, use a capo, have flats or rounds, your bass is road worn, etc. I'm not putting people down who do but as I've reached 50 I could care less. I'm interested in how things work or sound so I can achieve my goals. Am I just old and jaded.

Tractorr · #2 11-24-2012, 07:25 AM

I tend to not care but I also am more of a hobbyist. For guys trying to make a living, for better or worse, this is an image based business. Of course some of those things you mentioned matter more or less.

Kmonk · #3 11-24-2012, 07:31 AM

I have been playing for 34 years and my philosophy has always been that you can't control what other people say, do or think so why worry about it? I hope people like may playing but if they don't I don't worry about it. Everybody has their own idea about who is good, who is bad and what gear they like or don't like. I like the gear that I have and have confidence in my ability. Thats what really matters. I have been asked to join every band that I have ever auditioned for so I am obviously doing something right.

BassChuck · #4 11-24-2012, 04:22 PM

The only one I care about is the guy who's gonna hire me for the next gig.

Munjibunga · #5 11-24-2012, 04:30 PM

Could you care less that someone is sure to point out that you probably mean "couldn't care less"?

bassteban · #6 11-24-2012, 04:34 PM

Not a whole lot. I keep trying to make my wife's lady-parts tingle, but beyond that, not so much. I will be 49 tomorrow, BTW, FWIW...

pacojas · #7 11-24-2012, 04:34 PM

i care what everyone thinks. do i heed? yes and no!

it's just fun to know what people are thinking/saying. the hard part is filtering out the BS! talk about a challenge.

people will tell you what you want to hear and you don't even know it!

then turn around and.... hmmmm,...

Bloodhammer · #8 11-24-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Could you care less that someone is sure to point out that you probably mean "couldn't care less"?

I could care more....

DeathFromBelow · #9 11-24-2012, 04:47 PM

Eh, no.

Auguste · #10 11-24-2012, 04:54 PM

I care what SOME people think and say because SOME of their ideas will help me improve my bass playing and that will lead to greater enjoyment for me and possibly those who listen to me playing bass.

D.A.R.K. · #11 11-24-2012, 04:55 PM

I care that people might accept or appreciate what I do (I do haul out a bunch of gear, stuggle over writing, etc. etc.) but it doesn't change what I do. I do care enough to practice and try to do my best to give a good performance.

kander · #12 11-24-2012, 04:57 PM

On stage or when it counts? No. However, I get "stage fright" when I go to music shops to try out gear!

Slapstyle · #13 11-24-2012, 05:00 PM

I care but only to the same extent that I judge others, so not much on a good day, but not every day is a good day. I want to be taken seriously as a musician so I act like a professional. I never drink or partake in "extracurricular activities" when I'm on the job. I dress appropriate to the gig and am rarely seen in jeans and a t-shirt. I like nice gear but thats more about GAS than image. I do all this because you never know when the next gig will come at you, and if I were hiring someone for any job, I'd want a professional. I don't give a sweet **** what the drunk dude yelling "Freebird" thinks, but I want to put my best foot forward, just in case. I find that I enjoy playing much more when I'm with musicians who share this philosophy. I don't think everyone needs to be like me or think like I do, but it works well for me.

DeathFromBelow · #14 11-24-2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kander

On stage or when it counts? No. However, I get "stage fright" when I go to music shops to try out gear!

Yeah, same here!
I have no problem standing on stage in front of a couple thousand people, but trying out gear in shops?
No thanks...

Mr_Music90 · #15 11-24-2012, 05:10 PM

Nope not really. I do listen to any input people have on my sound, it might get better for me, so why not listen?

But, if someome doesn't like my bass cause of it's looks, then I don't care

One Bad Monkey · #16 11-24-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassChuck

The only one I care about is the guy who's gonna hire me for the next gig.

This is usually the person I care the most about. That's not to say that I don't care about making a good impression with the other hired guns in the group with me, since they may become a recommendation in the future.

In terms of audience, I care to a degree. Music should elicit a response from them, so if I get a comment at all, I've been doing my job! Hopefully, it's more in the line of "The band sounds great" instead of "The bass was _____." Other than that, any comments that come from an uneducated audience I will take with gratitude, but a grain of salt.

nashvillebill · #17 11-24-2012, 05:59 PM

I agree with the viewpoint that a gigging band should present themselves as being professional, in addition to sounding polished. This helps the band get better gigs, with more money being paid, and more eye candy on the dance floor.

Part of this professionalism means the band isn't on stage loaded, for example; it also means the band looks decent. I think it's reasonable to expect the band to wear decent clothes--I'm not going to wear a tuxedo, but at least I'll wear something that's reasonably presentable. Gear doesn't have to be brand-spanking new, but it should be in good working condition--a little bit of being "road-worn" is OK but if the amps are falling apart and not reliable, that's amateurish.

TigerInATrance · #18 11-24-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kander

On stage or when it counts? No. However, I get "stage fright" when I go to music shops to try out gear!

I play as poorly as I can when trying out gear in shops. Mostly because I want to hear certain things that I can only do naturally within the context of a band. Once I've gotten past that stuff, I'll turn up a bit and play along with whatever wankery is coming from the guitar section... Nice and busy so it makes the guitard uneasy.

Otherwise, I only care what the people in the audience think...

SquierJazz72 · #19 11-25-2012, 06:48 AM

Only to a certain point. Obviously, if I am playing and working with others, I care what they think of my playing, since I always want to do the best job possible, so their opinion of how well I am doing and fitting in carries some weight. But as far as what anyone thinks of my equipment, or how I choose to play, if it's superficial stuff that really doesn't matter to my actual playing or ability to get the job done, then no. Not at all.

bassophil · #20 11-25-2012, 07:35 AM

Of course everyone cares about what others think. I wouldn't be on stage if it wasn't for the people who think of me.
And although the music comes first of course, there is trivial stuff like the looks that does play a role as well.

In my opinion, everyone who claims to not give a sh1t about what others think about their looks etc. is lying to themselves BIG time! And don't try to get along with the beloved statement "I'm just doing it for myself!"...that's BS. At least I am not showering, making my hair, get shaved, using deodorant and dress properly everyday just for myself.

I do care about what other people think of my looks, my smells, my moves and what not.

Do I try to be loved everybody though?

No! Of course not! I only care to an extend that let's me get through life without having to jump through extra hoops and, regarding to musical performances, I care about the thoughts of people I care about. And yes, that is a large part of our audience and fanbase.

But the musical part of the performance always comes first!