Do You Have Music Geeks In Your Band?

**jive1** · #1 04-03-2011, 10:01 PM

I realized today that I am in a band full of music geeks. Not just good players, but people that are just nerdy about music. They know all these minute details and factoids about obscure stuff from bands to gear. For example, we were hanging out one day talking about Ratt, and how Warren DeMartini was an under-rated player, and then we proceeded to name off all the members of some flash in the pan 80s band and go off into talking about obscure old Metal bands, which led into a discussion about fingerboard radius in relation to tapping and tailing off into a tangent about early Hip-Hop.

We seem to have these kinds of discussions way too often.

We talked about having a music trivia competition with the local bands in this area because we think we'd do pretty well.

MattyH · #2 04-03-2011, 10:08 PM

My guitarist and I can talk about gear for hours. Actually, we do! My Keyboard player has a few degrees in music, and is one of the most talented players I've ever played with. Perfect pitch, and knows everything about music. It's really fun surrounding yourself with passionate players! You never run out of stuff to talk about, and it's my favorite thing to talk about!

SactoBass · #3 04-03-2011, 10:19 PM

jive1:

Yes, every single band I have been in since the mid-70's has had a music geek in it. It never fails. No matter what band I get into, there's a music geek in it. And I have been in a plethora of different bands through all of those years.

..............oh....................wait a sec..............I think I just figured it out.................it was me!

the byronic man · #4 04-03-2011, 10:28 PM

absolutely. whole band. it can make practice/meetings fairly difficult.

walker rosewood · #5 04-03-2011, 10:40 PM

I'm the music geek in my band in the sense that I have a Masters Degree in Music. The problem is that the other members are 'casual players'. Great players, but don't know the first thing about theory or reading standard notation.

I have to try really hard to not come off as snobby or condescending when I explain stuff.

Dave44 · #6 04-04-2011, 07:19 AM

As far as the trivia goes I can hold my own when it comes to obscure factoids and the like. I've never had any musical training but I know enough theory to get by and understand what my piano player and drummer are explaining to me. Both have music degrees, sight read etc. etc. with a ton of experience. I almost look at it like I have a free teacher or two around for the questions and answers. Love it.

aztomr · #7 04-04-2011, 08:41 AM

I am that guy in my band!

bjabass · #8 04-04-2011, 08:46 AM

We're ALL music geeks...wanna fight about it?

Richland123 · #9 04-04-2011, 09:23 AM

I'm guilty as charged when it comes to music history and trivia. I have gotten away from the gear stuff long ago. Our drummer is a Berklee guy and we have music theory discussions. Actually, I am also in the process of possibly producing a radio show with a huge focus on the music history and trivia behind the songs and groups as well as playing hits and long forgotten tunes. The radio pilot show is produced and we have a couple radio stations extremely interested including an online Internet radio network.

pasta4lnch · #10 04-04-2011, 09:27 AM

frankly I find it odd when a musician isn't a music geek. it really is a life style, I think to achieve any bit of success (even the status of weekend warroir) takes soo much effort you'd NEED to love it . . .

Jive - nothing better than being in a band w/ people who are on the same page. I wish they could all be that way . . .

AfroCubanFunkMa · #11 04-04-2011, 12:11 PM

My ex used to call it NERDING... As in quit NERDING with your (musician) friends and join the party.. Ha ha..

BruceBass3901 · #12 04-04-2011, 12:21 PM

I am definitely the 'gear head' in my band

tangentmusic · #13 04-04-2011, 12:27 PM

Never considered anyone a "geek", just a passion for and totally into music. Myself included

elwood1205 · #14 04-04-2011, 01:13 PM

Yup, that'd be me. Not so much on the gear/theory end as the history/trivia end. Although my guitar player is the "Fender Guy". He knows a lot about when what gear came out in what year and what options and the differences from year to year. Our keys player has her masters in music so she is our theory nerd.

There was a scene in "City Slickers" where Helen Slater is talking to Billy Crystal, Bruno Kirby and Daniel Stern on the trail about baseball and how they all knew players and when they played for certain teams in what year. And that she couldn't figure out how they did it or why they did it. And she mentions, I think "who played short stop for the Pirates in 1968" or something along those lines and all them all shout out the name as if it is second nature.

That is kind of what I am at practice when someone asks a music question about a band or album. I was never a huge sports guy. Bands were what I enjoyed reading about and still do. I gues I just have a a high retention for what I read, and I read quite a bit. It's easy when you love something this much.

bass12 · #15 04-04-2011, 01:42 PM

It's not being a "geek", it's being educated.

Seriously, would you call someone who is a doctor a "medical geek" because they have a bunch of facts at their fingertips that might not be directly applicable to the situation at hand, but are still relevant to his field?

MattyH · #16 04-04-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AfroCubanFunkMa

My ex used to call it NERDING... As in quit NERDING with your (musician) friends and join the party.. Ha ha..

Your ex and my GF might know each other. Maybe it's a GF thing! Haha. Whenever we're out, NOT playing, we talk about it! She gets so mad

AfroCubanFunkMa · #17 04-04-2011, 01:55 PM

Yup.. They might at least in the spirit of musician girlfriend frustrations.. I think they just feel bad that they have no idea what we are talking about and might grow to resent it, hence the ex prefix.. Though to be fair, that wasn't the only reason for the ex-ness..

That said, my wife has no problem nerding with us.. Hence her wife stature..

Caca de Kick · #18 04-04-2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

frankly I find it odd when a musician isn't a music geek. it really is a life style, I think to achieve any bit of success (even the status of weekend warroir) takes soo much effort you'd NEED to love it . . .

Jive - nothing better than being in a band w/ people who are on the same page. I wish they could all be that way . . .

+1
I would think for someone to be in this -doing it- that there must be some extent of passion. Wether it be gear talk, albums and recordings, or loving to watch live shows.

I'm a total music geek, it's the only thing I've ever done the longest (since the 3rd grade). As far as the technical side; Me and my drummer are classically trained. So with the singer and guitartist who aren't, it can sure be interesting at times working new tunes.
But for the general side, we all love music and can talk about gear, tricks, albums and live shows for hours.

CurryHalfndHalf · #19 04-04-2011, 02:34 PM

I think that 'nerding' out on these kind of things is great, because it is an instant conversation starter no-matter who you're playing with!

walterw · #20 04-04-2011, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

It's not being a "geek", it's being educated.

Seriously, would you call someone who is a doctor a "medical geek" because they have a bunch of facts at their fingertips that might not be directly applicable to the situation at hand, but are still relevant to his field?

this!!