Things that surprise you about other musicians...

[BassOnTheSide]

I'm amazed that there are so many amazing musicians out there that I (and most of the world) have never heard (of).

 

[Matthew Fisher]

And how did he think a piano should be tuned!?

Not with a chromatic tuner.

 

[Ken R]

I am amazed that many musicians can't keep time. Even playing along with a recording, keeping time with the song they are listening to, they can't stay with the song. This, I just don't understand.

 

[Twocan]

I'm always amazed when a musician has the attitude that regular practice (at home) is unnecessary.

 

[Blueinred]

Guitarists that don't know what key they're playing in, and yet pull off great solos anyway. I know several of these guys. Truly amazing.

 

[btmpancake]

What surprises me is the amount of bassplayers that think their rigs/gear is suppose to sound better than yours only because they spent more.

 

[funkymonk13]

Guitarists that don't know what key they're playing in, and yet pull off great solos anyway. I know several of these guys. Truly amazing.

Thats a good one. Theres musicians who know barely any theory and can play really well; i dont think its the norm, but some people really can get good without it.
I know a really awesome bassist who claims he doesn't know anything about scales or any theory. Id say hes better than 95% of bassists in original pop/rock bands ive seen. He plays guitar, composes his own music, and released an electronic album on vinyl by the time he was 20.

 

[funkymonk13]

I am amazed that many musicians can't keep time. Even playing along with a recording, keeping time with the song they are listening to, they can't stay with the song. This, I just don't understand.

Im always amazed at hearing how many people complain about the musicians they play with(especially when its drummers) not being able to keep time. And the whole "guitard" attitude. Who are you guys playing with?

 

[Blueinred]

Thats a good one. Theres musicians who know barely any theory and can play really well; i dont think its the norm, but some people really can get good without it.
I know a really awesome bassist who claims he doesn't know anything about scales or any theory. Id say hes better than 95% of bassists in original pop/rock bands ive seen. He plays guitar, composes his own music, and released an electronic album on vinyl by the time he was 20.

Actually, they do know scales, harmony, modes, etc. but they just can't name them. "I don't know about modes, but I've known that run for years. You say it's a mix-o-what-ian ?"

 

[FilterFunk]

Actually, they do know scales, harmony, modes, etc. but they just can't name them. "I don't know about modes, but I've known that run for years. You say it's a mix-o-what-ian ?"

That's a good way of putting it.

 

[jerry]

I'm always surprised how some musicians can be closed minded about the art that is music.

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Im always amazed at hearing how many people complain about the musicians they play with(especially when its drummers) not being able to keep time. And the whole "gui****" attitude. Who are you guys playing with?

Some of us don't live in Mecca for musicians.

 

[BboogieXVII]

I once met a singer that had to be picked up for gigs because he didn't have a car. Not much equipment, he did have his own microphone however. He was a great singer so everyone in the band thought it was worth the extra effort. (not my band, just some cats I knew)

These days he might be required to Uber in to the gig; if he has a credit card that is.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

...awesome drummers who have less than stellar timing are always a surprise.

Ummmm......There are no "awesome" drummers that have less than stellar time. If they have less than stellar time, they are less than stellar drummers.

 

[BboogieXVII]

Ummmm......There are no "awesome" drummers that have less than stellar time. If they have less than stellar time, they are less than stellar drummers.

You mean less than awesome I hope? Oh, wait I get it.

I do agree, if the time ain't there it ain't happenin.

 

[bolophonic]

What has ALWAYS surprised me about MOST musicians is that they get stuck in one genre of music and never branch out. It blows my mind. I love all kinds of music. But most of the musicians I have worked with over the years simply can not break away from their one and only favorite. It seems to be most prevalent in the "core" music crowd. They stay in the tiniest boxes of all. But even variety band members I have known roll their eyes when a rock song comes up, or a funk song comes up if they are rockers.

Sad really.

Interesting.... Most of the people that I have played with in "core" bands have multiple projects going on in a variety of genres. A lot of them play in country/roots-type bands. I love to play and listen to all types of heavy music, but my only permanent band over the last 10 years is pretty much jazz.

 

[gln1955]

And how did he think a piano should be tuned!?

I'm surprised by the number of pianos out there that are badly out of tune.

 

[DavC]

pianos are tuned 'out of tune ' ... tuners know how many vibrations per string/ per note ... and it's stretch tuned ...

other musicians ... the one's with much more ego, than talent or knowledge ...!

.... the one's who don't realize that they really really suck ..!!??!!

.... surprising how many folks never learned how to 'listen' ..!!

.... quite surprised and dismayed by how many teachers let students flub thru and mostly skip those very boring, most basic things ..!!

 

[MoonChild2112]

Honestly Nothing surprises me anymore.

what he said...

 

[Kmonk]

There are several things that surprise about musicians. Drummers who can't keep time, constantly speeding up and slowing down. Guitarists who insist on playing at an extremely high volume. Egos. I know plenty of people who very nice but as soon as you put an instrument in their hands, they turn into a d!ck.