MUSICAL PET PEEVES

[Maj. Lee FUBAR]

My pet peve is primadonna "band leaders." Just because you own the PA doesn't make you the band leader, and doesn't mean you know what the hell you're talking about. (Do I sound bitter?). :evil:

Another pet peeve: Elivs wannabes.

[DAK]

asks us to "help me sing it, y'all," then points the mic at the audience - usually for a couple of lines in the chorus of a big hit. Saw The Rev. Al Green do that at Jazz Fest several years ago. Not during the gospel songs, but on most of the pop hits. Have seen others do it, too, over the years.

Don't know about others in the audience, but I sure didn't pay to hear us sing.

[Jparris]

Originally Posted by GopherTele

5. Too many artistes in music. If you want to do art, get a paint brush. The focus on art over entertainment in original music has been an unmitigated disaster.

I think you must live in a parallel universe, because in this world there's never enough "artistry" to counteract the mediocre, compromised, watered-down pap that dominates the music industry, and by extension, the public consciousness. I wish more musicians would think of their efforts as art, instead of product. This extends to local cover bands, whose "product" is familiar songs and arrangements to placate and cater to an audience. If you are specifically hired to do just that, fine, but many "music venues" in my area are clogged with bands/performers who don't expect anything out of themselves or their audience, and nothing is delivered. This is not just a musician problem; fault also lies with club owners and the audience as well. A vital creative musical culture has to be desired, valued, and nurtured. Athens, GA is a great example of a community that does just that, and everyone involved has benefited.

jparris

[moondoggie999]

Originally Posted by Jparris

I think you must live in a parallel universe, because in this world there's never enough "artistry" to counteract the mediocre, compromised, watered-down pap that dominates the music industry, and by extension, the public consciousness. I wish more musicians would think of their efforts as art, instead of product.

jparris

Nicely said, JP!

[hippietim]

Originally Posted by GopherTele

1. Bands that are more interested in being cool than being good--see any "original" band in MPLS as example

2. Bands that try to cram original after original down your throat when they are opening for the headliner you came to see--throw me a cover or two so I can see if you are a. any good and b. where you are coming from musically.

3. When the headliner makes you sit through 2 bands you've never heard of who play one original dirge after another--and don't hit the stage until 11pm on a Tues!

4. The blues box. My God dudes, learn some open string licks, chromatic runs, mixylodian, anything other than those penatonic wankery BB and Albert King notes (yes, I too like it when THEY play them).

5. Too many artistes in music. If you want to do art, get a paint brush. The focus on art over entertainment in original music has been an unmitigated disaster.

6. The whole idea (discussed befoe) that knowing your instrument well and having decent technique is uncool, or somehow limits your creativity--the whole punker than thou garbage that is repeated ad naseum.

This post has to be the one I disagree with more than any I've seen in a long time.

In #1 you say not to be cool but in #5 you say to focus on entertainment. They may be failing to look or be cool but I bet they're trying.

In #2 you say not to play originals. WTF? This is the opening bands opportunity to get exposure for their music. How do you think the headliner got to be the headliner? Also, how is a cover going to tell you where they are coming from musically? Most bands throw in covers because a) they don't have enough material of their own or b) they pick something familiar for the crowds sake. In either case it's not likely to unveil their musical roots.

#3 I agree but most folks enjoy a full night of entertainment. Me, I'd rather get out of the place by 10 o'clock instead of 1am. I didn't always feel that way. Like when I was 20. So this is probably a sign of getting older.

#4 Lighten up, Francis. A lot of people like to hear that. Remember we're about to get to #5 where we aren't supposed to be an artiste - it's all about entertaining after all. And people are entertained by BB wannabe's all the time.

#5 Holy crap! I would rephrase your statement as follows:

Not enough artistes in music. The music we get today is like paint by numbers, take away their paint brushes. The focus on entertainment over art in original music has been an unmitigated disaster.

#6 I agree but Kurt Cobain proved night after night that you can be an entertainer and not be able to sing, write songs, or play an instrument competently.

[David Barnett]

Drummers who just won't stop bashing away on the cymbals.

Hint: brass is a spice, not a staple.

[David Barnett]

Older guitarists in oldies cover bands who use too many effects and too much distortion in a vain attempt to "contemporize".




And before anyone yells "AGEIST" at me, I'm 48...

[DADGAD]

Long faces in the band. Come on now, your enjoying life making music. You're not cleaning toilets.

Another is stage focus & distractions. If another instrument has a solo, like a sax player and you're not playing, look at him or her to focus attention on that musician. Don't tweak your amp or tell a joke to the bass player.

[Joel Terry]

--which aren't really musical peeves, but annoying personality flaws I find in an inordinate number of musicians:

Arrogance. Hey, the ability to play music is a gift, not a birthright.

And if you are exceedingly gifted, don't cheapen yourself or your gift by using it as some kind of incongruous measuring stick for placing yourself above others--which ties into what I said above. Music isn't a contest. Have some humility and show some gratitude for having the ability to play music.

Last, great musical ability is in no way a substitute for a personality or a heart. If you're a tremendous musician but you have a lousy disposition and attitude, I simply have no time for you.

Joel

[Tele-Whacker]

I have so many, and not enough time to list them all, but I'd have to say: band mambers that show up late for the gig, and when they do start, half of their gear fails to work. I mean they only had all day yesterday to get it fixed.

Another is band members smoking on the band stand.
it's bad enough to have to put up with second hand smoke from the customers, but the other part of it is when they are supposed to be kicking off the next tune, and they're saying, "Let me light up this foul smelling ciggarett, and then I'll become a "professional musician" once again.

How about when you're trying to call the next tune to the band members, and one of them is talking to their friends, and not paying attention, and as soon as the entro comes in, they act mad and surprised that "No one told me!" The next question is, "What key?"
come on, we've only been playing "Frauline" in "F" for
two years!

[reverbbb]

Joel:

What is your occupation? You sure use a lot of big words for a musician . You not only know the words but know how to use them. I barely know how to use my mamma's English half the time.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope this don't offend anyone, it is not really a pet peeve, just a curious observation. But I don't understand why some folks still resort to boiling their guitars strings. A new set only cost $5 and can last two or three months if you are really that thrift. I know a guy that still "saves" money by boiling his strings. Yet, he smokes two packs of cigarettes every day. I don't get it.

Also, folks that never seem to show up with their own guitar chord. I have been irritated by folks that seem to insist on using crackling bad chord for months. But they won't go out and buy a new one for $14. Instead, they expected sympathy from me and always ask to borrow mine. This has not happened to me in many years since I now only play at church these days. But it used to happen to me a lot. It was as if I were the "tool crib" for some guys. And often, they would not give me the chords back.

[mr natural]

Guys who show up for the gig too drunk or stoned to play. Now don't get me wrong, I'll have a couple of beers before and during a show, but I've been in bands where this has been a real problem with certain individuals. Does getting wasted make you more creative or into it? No, it just makes you suck. There. I've vented.
-Mr N.

[tweedman]

My number 1 pet peeve is guitar players that OVERPLAY.[and that is most of them!]

This is why I'm a big fan of James Burton and Pete Anderson because they do not overplay.Jimmy Vaughan gets a honorable mention here also.

[Annie D.]

Folks who are out of tune.

Folks who get their girlfriend up on stage even though she can't sing.

Folks who slack off.

Folks who slop their way through tunes they said they knew.

Folks who aren't aware/dynamic.

Overplayers shredding their way through a good song so over effected the tune gets "lost".

Folks who roll their eyeballs when a "tired request" is submitted with a $20 bill.

[Tim Bowen]

Originally Posted by cody420

I have quite a few but the big one is when people work out solos. I think that's just a cop out and if you're afraid to sound bad you're never going to sound good. A lick here and there is no big deal, but the entire thing? C'mon.

Totally depends on musical context. I don't know how many 'pop rock' four or eight bar "solos" you've cut at sessions, but if you have experience of this sort, you'll surely understand the need for such "writing". Sometimes a "solo" is a "part", and is not at all a vehicle for an improvisational blaze of glory. There's a reason that Allan Holdsworth doesn't cut tracks for Tom Petty, and conversely and equally, there's a reason that Johnny Marr has not been recently invited to participate in a Coltrane LoveFest.

On the flip side, I couldn't imagine *working out* a solo for a chorus or three of a blues, jazz, or funk groove. But if a musician chooses to do so, I can't see where it would be any skin off my nose.

Also the notion that learning your instrument hinders your creativity. Technique doesn't just mean playing fast, it means being able to play what you hear in your head, exactly the way you hear it.

Total agreement.

Also, the classic X is better than X and dont try to tell me otherwise. Of course, you're right buddy X is better than X and X clearly won the musical competition that was obviously going on. Thanks for letting me vent.

I was horrible with math... would you mind expounding on this?

[Doug 54]

Trying to play w others---and the selections amount to chords in...G, C, D Am.....
Help!!
Have left two potential groups for the limitations.

People's sound samples, esp for their pups...."A SD calibrated set of AP II's with a Callahan Blender...."
And it is Distortion City!!!!!
With that amount of processing a Jay Turser would be in the ballpark!
Like, you can discern the real tone...???

[Bob Rogers]

Originally Posted by genelovesjez

I agree. It always just floors me when I see how narrow-minded and closed-minded so many musicians are. I mean, if you can't be open-minded with an art form, then when can you be open-minded?

While I agree that it's disturbing, I don't think it is surprising at all. Music is completely subjective. No one can prove you wrong. That's a good breeding ground for strong opinions and intolerance with disagreement. Heck, if scientists, economists, and physicians can make iron-clad predictions with a straight face when they've proven wrong so often in the past, why should we be surprised when an artist is convinced he is right and everyone else is wrong.

[showard44]

Another Peeve of mine, which seems to be maybe what some people here wish there was more of is professional artists who have made the decision to "play for themselves" and have stopped playing for their fans. I am a HUGE John Mayer fan and I dig all his music, but he sure has become and erragant (sp?) punk. When he goes on tour, he wants to play the songs "he wants to play" so if you are just a casual non-musician fan spending $40 to go see John play because you want to hear the songs of his you fell in love with, he is going to stiff you. Most of us go to jobs for 8 hours a day and perform tasks we would rather not be doing, but John Mayer can't spend 20 minutes on stage doing his biggest hits because he doesn't feel like playing them anymore. He makes millions of dollars to tour, but the casual fan that spends a half a days pay to go watch him play live don't get to see what they came to see.

As a musician, I could care less about hearing the big hits, I would rather hear him jam for awhile on unfamiliar stuff, but I'm sorry, I think you OWE your fans something because you are getting paid for it.


I will say that I think most of the country artists have at least kept the attitude that they will keep playing their big hits because that is what their fans want. Those are the people buying their records so they will try to keep them happy.

[genelovesjez]

Originally Posted by Bob Rogers

While I agree that it's disturbing, I don't think it is surprising at all. Music is completely subjective. No one can prove you wrong. That's a good breeding ground for strong opinions and intolerance with disagreement. Heck, if scientists, economists, and physicians can make iron-clad predictions with a straight face when they've proven wrong so often in the past, why should we be surprised when an artist is convinced he is right and everyone else is wrong.

You make a good point, but I still find it surprising. In my experience, the better a musician is, the more open-minded he or she tends to be.

[Oskar]

exactly as it is on the record. Boring, boring, boring. I'll save my money and time and go home and put the record on. Tribute bands are at the top of this list.
I played with a guy who had to have every nuance as it was on the record. He kept telling the drummer not only when to hit the cymbal, but WHERE to hit it. Needless to say he's no longer playing with us, and as far as I can tell he's not playing with anyone else either.
I think if you can't be original with some of your covers then you're just being a copycat and it shows me nothing about your musicianship. Gosh, even classical musicians are allowed some freedom of interpretation. Glenn Gould is a great example.

[Joel Terry]

Originally Posted by genelovesjez

You make a good point, but I still find it surprising. In my experience, the better a musician is, the more open-minded he or she tends to be.

For the most part, Peter is correct about that; this is my general experience, also. The only reason I used the qualifier "for the most part" is because I know a couple of musicians who are phenomenally gifted, but have no consideration of others. There are always the bad-apple exceptions, unfortunately.

Joel