Only JimmyM could post an innocent comment that would produce so many different and emotional reactions in such a short period of time.
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- Status
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I think if anyone else posted that comment this thread would be twice as long actually
...
Most of our TB (similar) comments areI think if anyone else posted that comment this thread would be twice as long actually
1. Less innocent,
2. More arrogant,
3. Carry less knowledge and more nonsense, more personal attacks, etc...
First, an apology: I've only read the first 4 pages, so if this has been covered, please consider this a tardy reiteration.
1) Jimmy's main point ('don't take the audience for granted - ever') is well worth stating and restating and then restating again;
2) This is a really interesting illustration of point 1). 3000 folks, all 55 or older I'm guessing; if some of them are like me, they need or have hearing aids, some of which boost the high frequencies; these folks are regulars - they listen to Jimmy and Co. once a month; if this regularity has taken place over many months a number of them would have gotten quite familiar with the Hammersmith and its Dead Dunlops (but let's face it - if it was only once a month, these folks need to bolster their prune juice intake). So -- putting this all together, familiarity and a fondness (real or of necessity) for high frequencies, new strings would be a revelation to them.
3) A corollary of 1): Not only should we not take our audiences for granted - we should, as best as possible, know our audiences.
1) Jimmy's main point ('don't take the audience for granted - ever') is well worth stating and restating and then restating again;
2) This is a really interesting illustration of point 1). 3000 folks, all 55 or older I'm guessing; if some of them are like me, they need or have hearing aids, some of which boost the high frequencies; these folks are regulars - they listen to Jimmy and Co. once a month; if this regularity has taken place over many months a number of them would have gotten quite familiar with the Hammersmith and its Dead Dunlops (but let's face it - if it was only once a month, these folks need to bolster their prune juice intake). So -- putting this all together, familiarity and a fondness (real or of necessity) for high frequencies, new strings would be a revelation to them.
3) A corollary of 1): Not only should we not take our audiences for granted - we should, as best as possible, know our audiences.
Thank you for getting it, Haroldo! Should point out that in the case of #2, we only play that particular venue once a month, but we play the Villages 5-6 times a month, and a fair amount of folks regularly come hear us at most of those gigs. They were the ones commenting on how my sound had changed.
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My thoughts exactly. We always seem get some here who are just “too precious” and just can’t be bothered wasting their valuable time reading or listening to anything they don’t want to hear.
But somehow they still manage to find it in their hearts to chime in anyway…
You got it, bud. Happy Holidays!
Cool music, cool audience...
JimmyM is not afraid to go and dance with audience.
Very cool!
JimmyM is not afraid to go and dance with audience.
Very cool!
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So, taking the original post as example, we got to know if our audience prefer dead rounds or fresh ones.
You are the bass player and you choose how your instrument is going to sound and feel on your hands.
You as a musician have your own criteria about that. That is part of your art.
Since "bass sound" is subjetive, its ok that someone tells you "i hear it too edgy or too moody".
But that shouldn't make you change your own taste.
Just imagine the dialogue:
Audience member with ticket number 3302: Hey, Jamerson. Your bass sounded too cloudy.
James: Ok, i'll change my setup for next time.
seems reasonable?
And if you agree with OP, but you are not going to change because an audience member opinion, you are just the same as the guys that dont care about an audience member opinion...
There's a difference between doing something due to your vision and not doing something because you think the audience doesn' care/notice.
Honestly a lot of people got their backs up for really nothing. Just do whatever you're doing however you like. If it isn't your best - maybe the audience won't care. It might be because you're just background noise while they eat their wings and drink their beer.
For others they very well might care - they may even be there specifically to see you
How can you know if other musicians sound its because he/she dont care or its his own taste?
Its the same generalization the OP did: "A lot of people don't care, i do."
But at the end you and the others sound like you/they want.
I personally care about the audience's opinion regardless the band performance.
But fresh or dead rounds? a pedal? Its my job...
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Errr......no, not really. I wasn't writing a defense of the OP's premise. I was expanding on it, I hope.
The particulars of string type in Jimmy M.'s example are really beside the point. The point was folks were listening. Closely, it seems.
Further, it's a question of knowing your audience in the context of a particular gig. A lot of pop (or funk or outlaw country or whatever genre floats your bass boat) is entertainment/craft. Jimmy M.'s gig certainly was/is. Let's say, tho', you were playing with Vijay Iyer and Wadada Leo Smith: the context is completely different, the audience's expectations are completely different. And I would argue here that art, rather than craft, is taking place. And even in this context Mr. Smith might enjoy a spirited discussion of mouthpieces (though I don't know him).
The interaction of performer and audience is fascinating. Kowtowing to popular demands is acceptable (in fact, necessary) if that is the context in which the performer places himself. Fer instance, the Grass Roots playing the Oneida Casino. (Unless he/she is a latter day Bob Dylan - who's very much of the 'you want to hear this version of "Just Like a Woman"? nope, unh unh, I'm gonna play it this way' school. And I'm fine with that.)
In any case, strings or whatever example, its about changing your sound (setup).
Since "sound" is subjetive, i dont agree with the argument "you should take care of audience opinion about your instrument's sound"
You choose how you want to sound, which strings and setup are more comfortable, etc.
You probably have a Chris Squire fan in the audience, and a James Jamerson's,
You cant satisfy exactly everyone's a taste,
you just sound like YOU, with your own criteria.
Its your job. The audience is not your bass's tech.
Beside that, any opinion about performance is welcome.
But dont tell me how i should sound, because you got your taste and i got mine. And the guy 3 mts from you have another
It's not about being told how to sound, more a question of taking sufficient interest in how you sound, in the context of the music, to make a positive contribution to the whole. It matters, and out-of-context sounds (which includes poor quality in a generally high-quality setting) get noticed, as will those responsible for them.
We are speaking past one another. I'm not (nor is anyone else) trying to change yer setup. There is a larger question to discuss - that of the relationship between performer and audience. Perhaps another subject, later.
This thread was the PERFECT Christmas Eve Treat for @JimmyM
I've been wearing the power dome long enough to know his game. He waits until he has a room full of adversaries,
makes sure he holds a strong hand, then starts leveraging.
As the butt-hurt casualty list mounts, a dry, evil laugh can be heard overlapping an insert shot of a glowing Android resting in a man's palm. An Ampeg rig fills the deep-focus background.
I've been wearing the power dome long enough to know his game. He waits until he has a room full of adversaries,
makes sure he holds a strong hand, then starts leveraging.
As the butt-hurt casualty list mounts, a dry, evil laugh can be heard overlapping an insert shot of a glowing Android resting in a man's palm. An Ampeg rig fills the deep-focus background.
One tin soldier rides away..........................
That's right.
Or if you prefer, using a film clip for reference: We are the guy in the car, Bernard.
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