I added the word (tavern) to the thread title because my first impression was that this might be a thread on music theory. Hope nobody minds.

I wish Rick Fielding were here to share his thoughts. He was a perfectionist about his music, but yet he played in a lot of smoky, noisy bars and didn't mind at all. He said it gave him a chance to be paid for the opportunity to perfect his craft. He could play more-or-less anything he wanted - and since somebody was paying him, he learned not to mind that people weren't listening.

Can't say I've ever been able to achieve Rick's Zen attitude about bar music. For me, it's annoying when people are talking and I can't hear a good musician; and even more annoying when a bad musician is playing and I can't hear the conversation. I think maybe it's best if bar music doesn't have lyrics. Either that, or if it's really loud music and people go without the expectation of being able to converse. If my kid's punk rock band is performing, people don't expect to talk - they dance.

Maybe others will remember some more of Rick's comments on bar music.

-Joe-