Tech: Why do they mean?

Subject: Tech: Deviate from the mean?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 25 Dec 02 - 02:09 PM

Music lovers and really gifted performers almost never do it. Session musicians and rank and file amateurs do it ocassionally, and with such an innocent brutality. Classically trained musicans can be amoung the most proficient at it... But why? What is to be gained by sabotaging one another's self confidence? Is there some exquisite satisfaction I'm missing out on by trying to bring out the best in my fellow musicians? All that armor restricts the choreography deploringly...

;^) ttr

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they mean?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 12:02 PM

If you mean what I think you mean, and I'm really just guessing, the answer is professional jealousy. Not mention personality clashes, long standing feuds, etc.

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they mean?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 02:19 PM

Sadly, yes... the simplistic and self centered notions of competition... are these appropriate in a community trad/folk music setting? My point is, that all of us benefit from a well performed song, and we also benefit from a performer who is breaking new ground... I am under the impression that ANY negative energy put into the musical session is obvious to all, restricts the sessions positive effects, and reflects badly on the sabateur. Isn't it better to actually bring out the best in one another?

It may need to be said here, that the people who have encouraged me (both intentionally and unintentionally) surely recieve blessings when My break-throughs occur, as I have felt the Kudas when the encouragment I have proferred hit home in a fellow musician...

I can't put it strongly enough... We all benefit from a song well played, and there is plenty of room for all of us to excel. IMHO, there is absolutely no excuse for not going out of your way to encourage the best in each one of us! End of loving rant...ttr

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they mean?
From: pavane
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 02:22 PM

And just remember - no-one can ever know everything about every kind of music.

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they mean?
From: Amos
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 02:47 PM

IT's just that the not-so-bright have Big Buttons on self-importance, and sometimes get really dumb ideas about how to service them by undemrinign others. It is self-defeating short-sighted malarky of the worst sort, when it happens. Stupid, too, since it usually just makes things a little worse all around.

A

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they mean?
From: Bernard
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 07:14 PM

Yup... I stopped going to sessions because of it. Too many 'Prima Donna' types intent on shooting others down. They obviously get some sort of kick out of it - I'd prefer to give them a different one!!

I'm a fairly proficient musician, so it worries me how many less experienced people are put off completely by these morons. I've always actively encouraged those who are less experienced than myself, because they are the ones our heritage depends upon for support in the future.

Ho hum....

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they mean?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 10:25 PM

If you folks think some of the people in music can be bad, talk to an actor. I know of at least one who thinks other people's lines were put there for him to step on.

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they mean?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 12:14 AM

Hams come in all shapes and sizes... but they're all pork and piggily. I just can't accept it in session and community playing... where we build each other up... when I see it happening, it's amazing how damaging a jerk can be to someone who is fairly new and shakey... What really angers me, is that 'the jerk' is usually someone who knows better, but is terrified of failure, and is projecting it... Also, since it is rather prevalent, my guess is that some people feel 'expected' to do it, and deliver the humiliation they fear most... and it just takes one bad apple to offset an otherwise great session.

Find the good that each performer does, and make the most of it! Encouragement is often the source of great genius later on...

Now, if some of the wonderfully expressive folks who come to listen could be 'just a little bit' quieter... ;^) ttr

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they mean?
From: Bert
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 12:37 AM

You're right Thomas, good musicians never do it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they mean?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 03:17 AM

Club acts used to to sabotage each other if the opportunity arose. Either by pulling a lead or, more commonly, by de-tuning your guitar after you'd sound checked! There was no humour in it, just malice and proffessional jealousy. I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now! I like to think I'm encouraging to other musicians and have never refused to answer a question or show someone a chord or lick if asked. I've always felt a common bond with other guitarists.

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they DEVIATE from the mean?
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Dec 02 - 08:30 AM

Why the title deviation?

Some people are bored by consideration to others, call it selfishness. What about singers who insist on contributing diminished sevenths claiming they are augmented sevenths when the average a capella singer hasn't figured what a third really is. Despite repeated reminders from professional singists! Call it ego. (Yes I have a target in mind).

One concept I hold (as a bodhran player) is that we know what we are going to sing/hit and filter the sound out in order to hear the datum singer/instrument in order to do the fancy bits around. We don't always know how loud we are unless we acknowledge the filter mechanism.

Subject: RE: Tech: Why do they mean?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 02:07 PM

Boredom is in the eye of the beholder... I'm not really trying to cultivate consideration... seems like a limp lowest expectation to me. What makes a situation great is more often flat out encouragement and beleif in 'others'. IMHO too many people 'make use' of the situations they find themselves in, and not enough people actually try to improve the circumstances of the group or the individuals in it.

Yeh, right, any 'guy' that would try to nurture and support the folks around him must be gay, stoned, or both... or just plain unambitious... ;^) ...nonsense I say!

C'mon,... be strong enough to be gentle, be man enough to be kind! ttr