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Small Jam - Assorted Egos: What I learned last night.

Woa, that would have not ended well if that was my bass... The only thing close to this I've experienced was a guitar player (who wasnt playing but running the open mic) came on "stage" during our little 3 song set and just turn my amp down. You can ask, but dont just start turning knobs while im playing. Never going back to that one.
 
there would of been an imprint of that guys face on the backside of my bass

i agree with finding the like minded "humble" guys who are totally supportive and have a good handle on being classy...There are many schmucks in this business.
 
The important thing to remember at those times is He(or She) has a problem, and let it be their problem. No need to join them in their problem.

I once accidentally spilled some beer on a guy - walking through a crowded party. And his response was to turn and slug me in the face. Didn’t say anything, just hit me. The crowd noticed, and watched as I just looked at him, perplexed. I’m a lot bigger than he was, and the hosts were anticipating that I’d destroy the guy. After an awkward stare for a bit. I walked away.

Point is, being the bigger person (not size wise) gets you much further than stooping to an idiot’s level.
 
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I've often found that the most professionally-experienced musicians are the ones most generous and sharing or caring. I've played with a few platinum album artists, that were hired for private parties, who were just the loveliest people you'd ever meet.
Some of the worst were just bottom-feeder legends in their own lunchtimes that had a bit of a local following, and nothing more, no success, no real unique talent, and nothing that would ever raise the interest of an A&R person or recruiter. Coincidentally, those bottom-feeder followers were just as bad as people as the person they were pumping up.

It's true - it really does take a certain kind of person to make it as a hit-maker. They have to hustle, and they have to be humble.
 
I went to a jam about 30 minutes from my house last night. It's primarily blues, but there is some mixed R&B and funk. As a really new player, there's a lot to learn musically, of course, BUT you really learn about other musicians when they're thrown together.

I've learned that the best quality of a good musician is generosity. Generous, not necessarily of "things," but of attitude. Seek the generous ones, who are quick with praise and support, who listen to others, and have an open musical mind. I've also learned that it's most often that the more accomplished (by skill or success,) are the most generous and open to connect. Often that's because the newer players are definitely consumed by trying to remember everything, and fear of being judged.

Beware the guys who are pretty good, but seem to think that their performance at a tiny jam is their magnum opus, or their ticket to fame after playing for decades. They will step over your body to get into the best light. lol.

Had an experience last night at a new jam for me, being thrown in with one of that type, a guitarist, barking out the changes (which I already knew) then get frustrated with me, and GRAB my bass neck and start fingering the pattern in the middle of the song!!! Unforgivable. I left the stage at the end of that song, as he said " you REALLY need to PREPARE next time!"

I was then welcomed to sit with the "cool kids" aka, the generous musicians who saw what happened and wanted to be sure I felt supported. They got me back up to play with them, a few songs I was totally familiar with, and was able to shine. The other people who shared the stage with me during that guy's tantrum all came up to me later to make sure everything was okay. It was a reminder that if you're so caught up in your own story and not supporting others, people notice. Doesn't matter how good you are, the other musicians and fans see you and it takes away from any talent you might have.

That was crazy! If someone grabbed my bass like that I'd struggle not to want to make them eat it :D

You're absolutely right. When you look around, the busiest players that everybody calls are not necessarily the absolutely best (they're good, of course), but people who are decent human beings who are punctual, easy to be around and don't give you drama. Tantrum boy? Ignore their kind, life's too short.
 
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I went to a jam about 30 minutes from my house last night. It's primarily blues, but there is some mixed R&B and funk. As a really new player, there's a lot to learn musically, of course, BUT you really learn about other musicians when they're thrown together.

I've learned that the best quality of a good musician is generosity. Generous, not necessarily of "things," but of attitude. Seek the generous ones, who are quick with praise and support, who listen to others, and have an open musical mind. I've also learned that it's most often that the more accomplished (by skill or success,) are the most generous and open to connect. Often that's because the newer players are definitely consumed by trying to remember everything, and fear of being judged.

Beware the guys who are pretty good, but seem to think that their performance at a tiny jam is their magnum opus, or their ticket to fame after playing for decades. They will step over your body to get into the best light. lol.

Had an experience last night at a new jam for me, being thrown in with one of that type, a guitarist, barking out the changes (which I already knew) then get frustrated with me, and GRAB my bass neck and start fingering the pattern in the middle of the song!!! Unforgivable. I left the stage at the end of that song, as he said " you REALLY need to PREPARE next time!"

I was then welcomed to sit with the "cool kids" aka, the generous musicians who saw what happened and wanted to be sure I felt supported. They got me back up to play with them, a few songs I was totally familiar with, and was able to shine. The other people who shared the stage with me during that guy's tantrum all came up to me later to make sure everything was okay. It was a reminder that if you're so caught up in your own story and not supporting others, people notice. Doesn't matter how good you are, the other musicians and fans see you and it takes away from any talent you might have.
That jerk was way out of line (you know this). I am glad the others were supportive.
 
Good on you for keeping your cool when the jerk grabbed your bass neck. Yeesh, I can't believe people like that actually exist....but I'm certain they do. Nice to hear it had a happy ending, here's to hoping all of the sessions end happy for you :thumbsup:
 
About people who are humble, I've found that once someone achieves a certain level, whether it be ability, famousness, or some other measure of success, they tend to split into two camps. There are those who have enough confidence to be generous of spirit toward those who are following behind them, and there are those who are insecure and wind up waving whatever it is they think makes them special around like a banner.

It's the insecurity that holds them back. Those who are truly good and realize they've paid their dues don't need to feel insecure. They might have other problems, but that won't be one of them.
 
I went to a jam about 30 minutes from my house last night. It's primarily blues, but there is some mixed R&B and funk. As a really new player, there's a lot to learn musically, of course, BUT you really learn about other musicians when they're thrown together.

I've learned that the best quality of a good musician is generosity. Generous, not necessarily of "things," but of attitude. Seek the generous ones, who are quick with praise and support, who listen to others, and have an open musical mind. I've also learned that it's most often that the more accomplished (by skill or success,) are the most generous and open to connect. Often that's because the newer players are definitely consumed by trying to remember everything, and fear of being judged.

Beware the guys who are pretty good, but seem to think that their performance at a tiny jam is their magnum opus, or their ticket to fame after playing for decades. They will step over your body to get into the best light. lol.

Had an experience last night at a new jam for me, being thrown in with one of that type, a guitarist, barking out the changes (which I already knew) then get frustrated with me, and GRAB my bass neck and start fingering the pattern in the middle of the song!!! Unforgivable. I left the stage at the end of that song, as he said " you REALLY need to PREPARE next time!"

I was then welcomed to sit with the "cool kids" aka, the generous musicians who saw what happened and wanted to be sure I felt supported. They got me back up to play with them, a few songs I was totally familiar with, and was able to shine. The other people who shared the stage with me during that guy's tantrum all came up to me later to make sure everything was okay. It was a reminder that if you're so caught up in your own story and not supporting others, people notice. Doesn't matter how good you are, the other musicians and fans see you and it takes away from any talent you might have.

Jam nights are where you mostly see the biggest fish in that small pond. Great for observation more than being part of......... The eyes are as good at teaching as the ears.
 
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A jam is supposed to be a make new friends, fun learning experience. If some A-hole grabbed my bass neck I would wrap my hands around his neck. I'm a pretty laid-back person but I don't have much for a "I know it all" person. Blow them off it's always one. Hang with the fun guys/gals.
 
Probably no hope for that dude (the neck grabber) but one of these days he's probably going to grab the wrong person's instrument neck, and:

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