Compliments you don't like!

pklima · #1 11-09-2009, 04:49 AM

I've had people tell me things like "this is much more valid artistically than that crunkcore nonsense" and "this could develop into something incredibly avant-garde". That not only hurts, it also makes me wonder if I'm making some horrible mistake I'm not aware of. At least with my originals band I can brush it off with "I don't care, I just work here", but when people say this stuff about my redneck crunkcore project or my past redneck black metal band?

I mean, being told that we "sound great" or "are awesome" is nice, and it's lots of fun to be told we're "horrible", but "artistically valid"? That's like a girl telling me "you're a nice guy" - far worse than if she called me retarded or gay. Damit, I'm trying to have fun here, not artistic merit!

Well, at least I've never been told that "you're the most serious and mature looking one in the band". So there's that.

Mo'Phat · #2 11-09-2009, 03:56 PM

I know! I've had girls say to me, "Wow, I bet you could stand on a bridge and tell me how cold the water is!".

That's offensive. I know how deep it is too.

StyleOverShow · #3 11-09-2009, 04:01 PM

This music thang is personal. It's an expression of ourselves.

So someone doesn't seem to validate the musician/artist and we feel offended.

Or someone criticizes our playing, even accurately, and we feel defensive.

I know the feelings but try to remember that I've made my choices, am playing what I think is the best I can do and that's it.

-richard

electracoyote · #4 11-09-2009, 04:02 PM

Basically, anything from the regulars and career alcoholics has to be taken with a grain of salt either way. I don't really play music for them anyhow. I do it for me and my fellow musicians. When I make us happy, everyone ends up happy. If the alcoholic losers like it, that's a bonus, but I don't live for their "you're the greatest" comments.

Hmm, I wonder if I've been playing the bars too long.

pedroims · #5 11-09-2009, 04:13 PM

when my wife nip my butt...hate it

Calebmundy · #6 11-09-2009, 04:51 PM

"Fancy" is not a compliment about bass playing from a lot of older Nashville guys.

Jimmy Bones · #7 11-09-2009, 05:58 PM

You're playing so well that I only heard you when you stopped.

Jefenator · #8 11-09-2009, 06:11 PM

"I don't know what Smooth Jazz is but I imagine what you were just playing must be that."

Stanley Design · #9 11-09-2009, 06:19 PM

When the singer says "That was perfect even I couldn't hear you!"

(I've never had that said to me, but I know people who have had it said to them)

cutthroatmolloy · #10 11-10-2009, 02:47 AM

Being told im so good at bass that i could probably upgrade to guitar.

fenderfunker · #11 11-10-2009, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Basically, anything from the regulars and career alcoholics has to be taken with a grain of salt either way. I don't really play music for them anyhow. I do it for me and my fellow musicians. When I make us happy, everyone ends up happy. If the alcoholic losers like it, that's a bonus, but I don't live for their "you're the greatest" comments.

Hmm, I wonder if I've been playing the bars too long.

I hear ya. I know exactly what you mean.

PJSShearer · #12 11-10-2009, 07:00 AM

With the greatest respect to the Nashville Guys, but being told "you're a good country player", wasn't something I was longing to hear.

3toes · #13 11-10-2009, 08:08 AM

Being told you sound/play like [bassist] when you know for a fact your style and sound is completely different from them, and dislike them to boot..

need4mospd · #14 11-10-2009, 08:27 AM

"Man, you're really good at hauling gear!"

nortonrider · #15 11-10-2009, 08:32 AM

"You should play solo.........

.........so low that nobody can hear you"

azureblue · #16 11-10-2009, 09:00 AM

"you're a great jazz player! I love Kenny G!" (said to me after a progressive jazz set)

pklima · #17 11-10-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azureblue

"you're a great jazz player! I love Kenny G!" (said to me after a progressive jazz set)

How about "Dude, you're beyond Kenny G! You're like Kenny H!", then?

Richland123 · #18 11-10-2009, 11:39 AM

Gee, you guys are pretty good for only three guys.

You never know if they are impressed that three guys sound good or that they think we would be better with more guys.

nutso42 · #19 11-10-2009, 11:52 AM

"Wow, that was pretty good. That's almost as good as when my band plays it!"

PJSShearer · #20 11-11-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutso42

"Wow, that was pretty good. That's almost as good as when my band plays it!"

I wish I'd said that - in fact I probably will sometime!!