Do you really care what others think?

[jmclearnon]

I definitely care if my playing is not up to scratch. Thats because if your playing a gig where you are being paid it's unacceptable to be crap.

Luckily the only times i have been balls are during rehearsals.

Ps. If you play badly people won't hire you again

[theduke1]

I'm 60, been playing bass since 1965, I should not care, but sometimes what people say helps my chops. I don't get much flack about my gear, cause I have always thought of it as tools and purchased and mantained my gear so it does not let me down on gigs. If something fails I have one or two items to replace it on site and it is either repaired or replaced.
I find most players respect what you do and the ones who don't are just trying to pump themselves up by putting you down for one reason or another.

[rtslinger]

Just the people I am performing for and that they have a great time because that is why I am banging on these 4 strings for 45 years.

[Marial]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

You should be an entertainer; that's what live music is all about. In a recording studio, you can be an "artist", but on stage, most of us put on a different hat, whether we care to admit it or not.

Just my opinion of course, and you know what they say about those.

Well, here's my $0.02 on this. When I go to see Bill Frisell, he hardly speaks to the audience except to introduce his players, if he's leading a group. He doesn't really look at the audience much at all. He is not an entertainer.

Now, if I go to see Hairmageddon, a local hair metal tribute band, those guys are consummate entertainers (and can also shred with the best of them).

These two examples illustrate, hopefully, why I think it really depends on your definitions and the person/group that is playing.

[Edward G.]

The trouble with show business is that it is ENTIRELY driven by opinions—yours, mine, my Aunt Sally's. In an unscientific world where there is no objective standard, how can one possibly keep everyone with an opinion happy? Of course, you can't. Truth is, when you try to please everybody, you usually end up pleasing nobody. You make your best guess about what matters to achieving success and go with it. One size never fits all perfectly.

I don't necessarily care or act upon what other people think about my stuff or my playing, but I don't ignore what anyone thinks. You never know when the seeds of a great idea might come wafting in.

[led3]

i generally do not care what other people think. i'll admit, i like getting a nice compliment once in a while, but i know there are always haters out there judging your skill level on what type of bass and equipment you use, whether you are a slap-and-pop kind of guy (ftr, i am not.), or how many solos you do.

i never listen to non-bassists, regardless of level of alcohol consumption. however, i do listen to other supportive bass players within my circle, and if they have constructive criticism, i listen. i want to get better and they want me to get better.

[zachoff]

I care about criticisms from certain people... If my music nerd friends don't like something I've written I'll change things up or scrap it, altogether. My wife is also someone I'll listen to about that sort of thing. She'll often be brutally honest & I appreciate it.

When it comes to gear, I care what the people in my band think. If I show up with a new bass or a new pedal and it doesn't sound as good as the old bass I appreciate them telling me but I can usually figure that out pretty quickly. In general I'm of the mind that if it sounds good, it is good.

Do I care what the general public thinks? Not really.

[SteveC]

If you want to work with other people you have to care - or at least take into consideration - what others think. You can't just wank away, dress in a way or act in a way that is detrimental to the band.

There are gigs where you will be asked "where's your Fender" and if you want the gig, you need to have one. If you don't want the gig, keep playing your "whatever" bass.

I'd love to play in a band that does a certain style of music. People at clubs and owners don't want to hear that music. If I don't care, I don't play. If I want to play (get paid) then I better care and play what's working.

You can not care all you want, but as with any decision, be ready for the consequences of said decision.

[zachoff]

Originally Posted by SteveC

If you want to work with other people you have to care - or at least take into consideration - what others think. You can't just wank away, dress in a way or act in a way that is detrimental to the band.

There are gigs where you will be asked "where's your Fender" and if you want the gig, you need to have one. If you don't want the gig, keep playing your "whatever" bass.

I'd love to play in a band that does a certain style of music. People at clubs and owners don't want to hear that music. If I don't care, I don't play. If I want to play (get paid) then I better care and play what's working.

You can not care all you want, but as with any decision, be ready for the consequences of said decision.

If a band wants so much control that they'd mandate I had a Fender then I'd wish them luck & not think twice about it.