It never fails . . . Every gig I have ever played in the past half-century has had two things in common.
Someone ALWAYS comes up and says either to the band or one of the players:
"You're too LOUD" or "Can you please TURN IT DOWN a notch?" It never fails.
and at the end of the night right after the last song:
"You guys are the GREATEST" or "You're the best band I ever heard!" or something to that effect.
The crazy thing is that even when the band SUCKS, someone will still come up with "You guys are TERRIFIC"
What does this all mean? It means you can (and SHOULD) completely ignore these comments.
First of all, both of these types are unqualified to make these comments. They're not sound engineers.
They're not musicians. They just have an opinion.
While the band may be too loud for one person's taste, doesn't mean the band is too loud overall.
And you can't change the band for one person in a crowded room. As in all things, remember, you can't please everybody.
Simply smile and say, "Okay, we'll turn that down for you" - they'll walk away happy and then you can get back
to the business of making the music you so diligently learned to do at practice. Bottom line: YOU know better
than they do how you should sound.
As to the person (usually very inibriated) who says you guys are the best . . . . simply thank them, and dismiss their comment.
Especially if you know the band sucked that night. Go back home and practice some more and leave your ego at the club.
One time I played a gig with a seriously bad-sounding group, who were sloppy and out of tune most of the time.
I was embarrassed to be playing with them. I cringed at every tune. And STILL, at the end of the night, this chick
stumbles up to the bandstand, and with a big drunken smile proclaimed: "You guys were GREAT tonight - the BEST I ever heard!!!!"
Where does all this leave us? IMHO we, as professionals, know how we're supposed to sound.
We as professionals know how to play, and when a club hires us they know who they're hiring and how they should sound.
Do what you do best, and do it well. Leave the comments and criticisms from individuals in the audience at the club and
use your own ears and guts to tell you how you sound.
Trying to please every single member of an audience is a noble thought but an impossible and frustrating task that can take
the fun out of playing. Know your own mind and talent and use them to the best of your ability, and let the cards fall where they may.
You'll enjoy playing out a whole lot more if you rely more on your talent, skill, taste, and experience to guide you along.
Happy Playing!
- THORRR
Someone ALWAYS comes up and says either to the band or one of the players:
"You're too LOUD" or "Can you please TURN IT DOWN a notch?" It never fails.
and at the end of the night right after the last song:
"You guys are the GREATEST" or "You're the best band I ever heard!" or something to that effect.
The crazy thing is that even when the band SUCKS, someone will still come up with "You guys are TERRIFIC"
What does this all mean? It means you can (and SHOULD) completely ignore these comments.
First of all, both of these types are unqualified to make these comments. They're not sound engineers.
They're not musicians. They just have an opinion.
While the band may be too loud for one person's taste, doesn't mean the band is too loud overall.
And you can't change the band for one person in a crowded room. As in all things, remember, you can't please everybody.
Simply smile and say, "Okay, we'll turn that down for you" - they'll walk away happy and then you can get back
to the business of making the music you so diligently learned to do at practice. Bottom line: YOU know better
than they do how you should sound.
As to the person (usually very inibriated) who says you guys are the best . . . . simply thank them, and dismiss their comment.
Especially if you know the band sucked that night. Go back home and practice some more and leave your ego at the club.
One time I played a gig with a seriously bad-sounding group, who were sloppy and out of tune most of the time.
I was embarrassed to be playing with them. I cringed at every tune. And STILL, at the end of the night, this chick
stumbles up to the bandstand, and with a big drunken smile proclaimed: "You guys were GREAT tonight - the BEST I ever heard!!!!"
Where does all this leave us? IMHO we, as professionals, know how we're supposed to sound.
We as professionals know how to play, and when a club hires us they know who they're hiring and how they should sound.
Do what you do best, and do it well. Leave the comments and criticisms from individuals in the audience at the club and
use your own ears and guts to tell you how you sound.
Trying to please every single member of an audience is a noble thought but an impossible and frustrating task that can take
the fun out of playing. Know your own mind and talent and use them to the best of your ability, and let the cards fall where they may.
You'll enjoy playing out a whole lot more if you rely more on your talent, skill, taste, and experience to guide you along.
Happy Playing!
- THORRR
