Reality check...to the newbies.

I came here quite a while ago at the urging of a friend.

At that time, there were knowledgable and ongoing discussions about every aspect of music, from both technical standpoints as well as the esoteric; some of the more memorable ones being discussions on different tone woods, glues, etc. etc.; the types of music that set you free; discussions on fingerpicking, etc. and there were a number of very experienced and knowledgable posters. I honestly thought I'd died and gone to heaven finding this place. (You can find these old threads in the archives, and perhaps this is why a number of them have deliberately resurfaced here lately, since these topics are largely igonored by the overall current community here.)

But at this point in time, make no mistake, it is NOT the same place. It has changed drastically in tone as well as content since before Christmas time.

The knowledgable experts who gave this place it's ''tone'' and by in large it's attraction (for me), have for the most part departed or lurk silently or, have resorted to comedy and ''buffoonery''.

As you glance around the thread listings on any given day, you will notice an abundance of postings in the threads pertaining to Bullshit (BS)..while the hardcore musical discussions die quickly with few respondents. T'was not always this way. In fact the forum is the exact anithesis of what it once was...and I have heard this from several of the ''old timers'' here.

If you come here for info on folk lyrics and info on traditional old time folk music, granted it is here, for the asking and the digging.

But, the standards on this forum in terms of what is good, and as to who has true talent...are abhorantly low, which make it hard to respect the comments posted, and the credibility of the poster. If you don't believe me, listen on any Wednesday night to the offerings on Mudcat Radio.
With few exceptions, you will understand, assuming you have ears, some taste and, an objective standard as a reference point.

This is not a forum for the serious musician hoping to better themselves and grow, and if you came here hoping for this, you will not find it, no matter how good and honorable the intentions of Max and few others, are. As Max (founder and host of this forum) has said The Mudcat forum is what its inhabitants choose to make of it.

This is now very much a cyber social club akin to a ladies afternoon tea, with elements that at times liken it to an ongoing soap opera and gossip column with a smattering of Jerry Faldwell, ''Praise The Lord Club'', ''South Park'', Mary Tyler Moore, and Richard Belzer all mixed into the brew.

The fact that some music and musical topics are discussed, has become purely incidental to the whole overall tone of this forum. Once upon a time, the B.S. was incidental to the music and related discussions.

For the most part, the people here are good salt-of-the-earth, kind, caring, intelligent and compassionate, and sure--humorous and witty individuals, ready to give their fellow 'Catters the shirts off of their collective backs...and open their hearts and collective souls (and in some cases homes) to all who care to venture to this place. This kind of openess is to be commended and is indeed rare in online publicly accessible forums in cyber space.

But, for me personally, it is not providing me with the impetus which originally led me here...so now it's time to move on, to other forums which are more tightly focused towards what was once the raison d'etre of this place...Mind you they will probably lack the overall warmth and openess of this forum, which admittedly can be addictive and, infectious.

But the longer I remain here, the more cynical and negative I become, and I think my energies should really directed towards a more positive light, even if it means tightening my focus, and getting into the more technical aspects of music. I fear that if I stay here, my standards will reach the common acceptable level on this forum where any old piece of music no matter how poorly executed, written, arranged, performed, or sung will be deemed ''good enough'', followed by the hearty encouragement of well-meaning, but an extremely naive and patronizing cyber community.

If you are deadly serious and really care about bettering yourself as a musician, this ain't the place to be. It is however a good place to make some interesting friends, if you need to fill that particular void, that is missing in your real (offline) life.

Best of luck.