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No you can't. Stop lying to yourself......

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#21
Meh. I'm surprised you haven't heard that line before in your gigging. Just about every night at just about every bar has some drunk guy lobbing snide remarks like that from somewhere.

If he said that to me, I would have laughed. I think I get it from my dad. Instead of self-defensiveness or confrontation I laugh. That either does two things - shuts 'em up, or sets 'em off. In this situation the guy had no reason to set off so he would have shut up. I've met lots of people just like that guy. They just say too much about what they are thinking.
 
#22
I don't know, maybe it's me, but I don't think that I would just go up to some guy I don't know from Adam and start trying to give advice on his playing style. I mean if someone's struggling with something and looks like they're looking for help, that's one thing, but to just out of the blue start offering critique is another.

I mean, I don't go into McDonald's and offer my opinion on how to cook the fries. Generally, (again maybe it's me) I think it's kind of rude to just go up to someone and basically say, "Hey, here's how you could do what you're doing better."
 
#23
I'd say you have some issues if you let such a comment bother you. I think I'd have limited my comment to "free country, bro, this is what I choose to do. chose on..."

And FWIW, I'm probably known as a hothead here in TB.

Also, I would never go on a "how good I am" rant in a forum or in conversation, and I tend to dismiss those who do. If you can play, if you have chops, if you know theory, I'll hear it. And if you don't I won't.

It's sorta like the guy who's always talking about how he has sex with any woman anytime he wants... he's probably not getting any at all.

Flame me back if you want... you asked.
 
#24
I can slap, I can tap, I can sweep, and I know some theory....having said that I do like grooving more then all that stuff but I would never tell anyone that grooving is the only way to play.THATS IGNORANT. If they can use a bunch of techniques and still make it musical I can completly appreciate that. If said person can find a bunch of people to play the same kind of music together well, thats even better. But each person chooses what and how they play and to try to alter someones style is kinda dumb
 
#25
The whole "groove" vs complexity thing is one of those cultural memes that gets passed around constantly without necessarily meaning much or being specifically applicable to where and when it is said. It's just like other music related cliches - such as "they don't make guitars like they used to" or "music was better when I was young" or "all music is the same, a good musician can play anything" or "I like simple music that has soul better than stuff that is real complicated and fancy".

These are musical equivalents of things like "homecooked food tastes the best" or "those expensive things really aren't any better than what I like, they just cost more".

The thing these all have in common is that they could make perfect sense in some situation, but they also have an unmistakable self serving motivation behind them, they can all be used as complete BS in some contexts, and they are tossed around so often and carelessly that they're really just low grade small talk most people don't pay much attention to.

The remark about being able to do that but choosing not to is of course just juvenile insecurity. Some people have no people skills or self observation whatsoever.
 
#26
You wrote an entire book because someone was slightly sarcastic to you at a guitar shop? It's not that big of a deal dude.

And there's nothing worse than a ham at a Guitar Center, I hope you weren't being one of those people.
 
#27
Yeah, I hear you. People can be frustrating sometimes. :)

On a different day maybe it wouldn't have even bothered you.
We are human and sometimes stuff gets to us.

Whatever your interest/hobby even if your pretty much middle of the road better than some worse than others it's no fun to have someone act condescending to you.

Silly example:

You've been keeping tropical fish for years, spent lots of bucks and have a cellar full of large tanks. You're not ready to run the Boston aquarium and aware there are people much more knowledgable than you but.....

You go to a Pet Smart or some chain for a little thing you would normally order online from a serious hobbyist site and the 18 year old kid that works there that read a few beginner books Wants to ask you why you want that.. what Kind of animals are you keeping, and "oh, you shouldn't do that...." like he's just graduated with a 6 year degree.

Most times you good naturedly giggle inside, respond politely, pay and leave. ( trying to remember you were once new and full of yourself too) :D

But some days....
Just hit you like yours did. Lol :hmm:

Go buy yourself a bass, it'll make you feel better!! Lol
;)
 
#28
teleharmonium said:
The whole "groove" vs complexity thing is one of those cultural memes that gets passed around constantly without necessarily meaning much or being specifically applicable to where and when it is said.
Click to expand...

I've witnessed the "I can put 7 notes here where most guys can only put one so I'm going to do it" syndrome before.

There's a local player who has MONSTER chops, but guitar players and drummers always talk smack about him because he over plays.

Myself, I suck. I'm fascinated by the guy, but the truth is he really doesn't gel well with others.

There are several other MONSTER players around town, that may not quite be his equal chops wise, (they still kick my butt) but they have no problem playing 8th notes on the root when that's called for.

I guess just because you can doesn't mean you should. I can't, so I don't, and the groove really is king in my world.
 
#29
MikeBass said:
Oh, I did kinda be an arse back. When I was walking out I looked at him playing a bass. and said "Wow man, nice" to which he replied "Yeah thanks".
I said "I was talking about the bass, not you, don't get excited- listen thanks for the advice. But there isn't a gig you do, that I can't do. But there are plenty I do that you could never do".
Click to expand...

The dude should have kept his mouth shut, and he used poor judgement in making the comment to you. I know the guy really hit a nerve with you, but what you said back to him was just heartlessly cold. :(
 
#30
Why in the hell would you care so much about what someone else thinks of your playing?

Better yet...why the hell would you care so much about HIS playing?

For someone who supposedly plays sooooooo much better than everyone else and who has done more gigs than all of us combined...this guy's uppity egotistical insecure attitude sucks.
 
#34
what it comes down to is, music stores are for you to look at instruments and other gear. they're not meant for you to show off your chops- nor are they for you (or "them") to judge your/other peoples chops. when testing an instrument i push my chops to the limit too- i mean, you are seeing what the bass can do, and what it can help you do, right?

at the same time, certain basses don't groove as much as others. if its got a nasaly sound i'll find myself flying up and down the neck doing tricks the whole time. if its got a fat subby sound i'll be laying down the spacious grooves a lot more. basses sounds influence your playing a lot; and i like to see what anything feels like with a bass.

so, while its annoying to hear people doing their victor impressions in guitar center, i understand it and sometimes do it too.

for someone to walk over and make a rude comment about your playing says plenty about who they are; personally and musically. thats in the "just trying to be mean" sort of category. something people only do when they feel insecure, or threatened, or are lying.. at least, thats what i think i remember reading.
 
#35
Phalex said:
I've witnessed the "I can put 7 notes here where most guys can only put one so I'm going to do it" syndrome before.

There's a local player who has MONSTER chops, but guitar players and drummers always talk smack about him because he over plays.

Myself, I suck. I'm fascinated by the guy, but the truth is he really doesn't gel well with others.

There are several other MONSTER players around town, that may not quite be his equal chops wise, (they still kick my butt) but they have no problem playing 8th notes on the root when that's called for.

I guess just because you can doesn't mean you should. I can't, so I don't, and the groove really is king in my world.
Click to expand...

I feel like if one can combine dynamics and music understanding with chops, then the overplaying will stop. I tend to overplay at times; I fully know and realize I'm doing it. I usually do it merely out of necessity - my biggest music stream is Sunday church services right now and contemporary music gets more monotonous every year...same old pop chart music. That and we have no lead - and often times no guitar at all. I'll take lead into my own hands. It's like a power that one needs to know how to use. I feel like I know how to use it well; but I've no studio experience to back up my words.
 
#38
We all have our pet peeves and things what tick us off from time to time. I wouldn't be so hard on the OP or read too much into this. There's nothing wrong with giving a bass a good test drive at the shop and the guy who said something was out of line. Anyway, it makes for sa good story and a fun thread, so to the OP - thanks!
 
#39
MikeBass said:
And I've been around here long enough for others who do know me to tell you that I'm not ego driven.
Click to expand...

That is an inherently ego-driven statement, my friend.

Yes, sometimes things get to you. But retaliation never helps, particularly considering how collaborative music is at its core.

What if your statement actually discourages him from ever learning more? You could easily have suggested to him that there are flashy techniques that could improve the groove, or just smile and say you play different styles. Instead, you upped the idea of competitive musical performance, which is a bit silly to me.
 
#40
MikeBass said:
Yeah you don't know me.
And I've been around here long enough for others who do know me to tell you that I'm not ego driven.
Click to expand...

You may not be ego driven, but that post kinda was.

Don't get me wrong, I see your point. People really should know better to say stupid $#!& to people they don't know - but this IS America, it's what we do. Hell, it's what I am doing right now.

The only way to react to such an event is to ignore and forget about it.
 
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