Guitar Snob? Nah, never heard that before!

[Stringbanger]

I’ll try to make this short.

I live in a small rural town and the population is about 3,000 give or take. Jamming with other locals is slim for sure.

A guy moved in this spring, two doors down from me. One night I heard him picking on an acoustic, so I walked over and introduced myself, and I told him that I played guitar too.

He said that he would be interested in jamming, and he gave me his name and number. I texted him about a week or so later so that he would have my number.

A couple of months passed, then I heard him playing on the back porch again, so I walk over and remind him, that I would like to get together. He still seemed interested.

I know he has heard me playing guitar on my back porch, and I think I have a good sound with my chords and singing. (I’ve been at this guitar thing since 1978).

So I am wondering, is this guy intimidated by my playing, or is he antisocial?

Mrs. Stringbanger heard that he is a druggie, so whatever.

Edit: I would say that he’s about 40ish and I’m 67.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

I’ll try to make this short.

I live in a small rural town out in the country, and the population is about 3,000 give or take. Jamming with other locals is slim for sure.

A guy moved in this spring, two doors down from me. One night I heard him picking on an acoustic, so I walked over and introduced myself, and I told him that I played guitar too.

He said that he would be interested in jamming, and he gave me his name and number. I texted him about a week or so later so that he would have my number.

A couple of months passed, then I heard him playing on the back porch again, so I walk over and remind him, that I would like to get together. He still seemed interested.

I know he has heard me playing guitar on my back porch, and I think I have a good sound with my chords and singing. (I’ve been at this guitar thing since 1978).

So I am wondering, is this guy intimidated by my playing, or is he antisocial?

Mrs. Stringbanger heard that he is a druggie, so whatever.

Edit: I would say that he’s about 40ish and I’m 67.

You oughta just go over to his place, with your acoustic, the next time you hear him.
If you guys jam, great!
If not (if he says "No") ,
I'd just move on, tell him " You've got my #..."

 

[Greenmachine]

He knows. Let him reach out if he wants.

 

[Stringbanger]

He knows. Let him reach out if he wants.

That’s the stance that I have taken. I’m not gonna pressure anybody to jam with me! That’s just not right!

I heard him playing on his front porch just before the weather turned cold, so let’s say the end of September around here.

His guitar sounded way out of tune, and his singing reflected the same. Perhaps he was tuned into another plane that I’m not aware of.

 

[radtz]

He's probably a little odd like I am. I like playing, singing, recording, performing, praticing, even being in a band. But, I hate jamming. If he is like me, he is being polite.

 

[Stringbanger]

He's probably a little odd like I am. I like playing, singing, recording, performing, praticing, even being in a band. But, I hate jamming. If he is like me, he is being polite.

Yes, I think that is odd! Sorry, but if you are a true musician/guitarist, you should be open to jamming with other people regardless of their skill level.

 

[Killing Floor]

Call in a noise complaint to the cops. Then invite him over and say your music room is sound insulated.

 

[radtz]

Yes, I think that is odd! Sorry, but if you are a true musician/guitarist, you should be open to jamming with other people regardless of their skill level.

That is an interesting take to me, but I'm sure I'm in the minority. I'm not sure why I should jam with someone. I'm playing for my entertainment. I played in bands for decades. I have no interest in noodling around with others unless we're writing something.

 

[Milspec]

He's probably a little odd like I am. I like playing, singing, recording, performing, praticing, even being in a band. But, I hate jamming. If he is like me, he is being polite.

Add me to that club. Guitar time is my oasis after work and replaced running after my knees gave out. I didn't like people running with me and I prefer to not have anyone over to join into my playing time either.

My guess is that he is just trying to be polite (and failing) rather than just saying no. People really have a hard time saying no these days, but they are really good at ghosting.

 

[Stringbanger]

Call in a noise complaint to the cops. Then invite him over and say your music room is sound insulated.

Great response, except that I have no sound-insulation rooms on the premises.

There is adage about playing guitar, which most of us know, but it is commonly ignored:

Always strive to play guitar with people who are better than you, and that will make you better.

 

[GGardner]

Look on the bright side, your wife said he's a "druggie." If he's got a serious addiction, then perhaps it's best to keep him out of your house where he might be tempted to grab some of your gear. Just trying to find a silver lining.

 

[Short on cash]

You said " these young wipersnappers !"
He said "these old farts !"

 

[Stringbanger]

GG,

Point well taken! Believe me!

Yeah, as far as I’m concerned, I am no longer anticipating a guitar session with this guy.

I can feel it. I see him on the street in front of our houses, and he quickly turns around like he didn’t see me. At least I tried to make a musical connection!

Who the heck knows, maybe he thinks I’m the musical snob!!

 

[thunderbyrd]

you need to just leave the guy alone.

 

[mixmkr 2023]

You wondered if he is intimidated...
...then out of tune singing and playing......implying he should strive to play with others that are better... is that you ????..etc...Then the drug comment.
Honestly....really??

 

[ahiddentableau]

Some people are really insecure about playing with others, or just socially anxious more generally. I wouldn't overthink it.

 

[Jakedog]

He knows. Let him reach out if he wants.

This. Some people aren’t snobby, or intentionally anti-social. They’re just weird. I’m one of them.

A guy came and worked on my furnace today. Seemed nice, but not my type of guy. He saw my stuff in the basement, and proceeded to talk my ear off for an hour about guitar stuff while he worked. All I wanted to do was escape, and I couldn’t. He left his number, and wants to jam. I won’t be calling him. Why not? I just don’t feel it. Seems like a nice enough dude, but no.

It could just be the environment. Not his fault. Home is where I go to be away from music. Outside of home? It’s been my job and livelihood for over 30 years. I don’t hate it, I love it, and I’m not tired of it. But home is not where I want it. Unless I’m on my couch watching Tv and noodling unplugged with a dog next to me.

Just leave me be, man. I’m in my house.

 

[gimmeatele]

When he is playing on the porch, do the same, maybe it's easier for him not face to face, if he stops and goes in he probably has no interest in jamming

 

[Lucius Paisley]

When he is playing on the porch, do the same, maybe it's easier for him not face to face, if he stops and goes in he probably has no interest in jamming

Definitely this.

 

[Kandinskyesque]

Possibly he's socially anxious, hence the self medication.

It sounds a bit like myself from late 30s to mid 40s, I'd things going on between my ears that I wouldn't find out were going on until years later but at the time dealt with it by being "druggie/alky" and reclusive.
I'd sit on the back step and play my guitar on the odd sunny/dry day.

It would have been much easier/preferable for me for someone just to talk to me about guitars for a time as opposed to playing them together in the first instance, despite having played with others in bands extensively starting with folk clubs aged 12.

That even applies to an extent still, albeit I'm not "druggie/alky" anymore.
The young, local tree surgeon popped round last summer to give me a quote and we spent 15 minutes talking about the job and over an hour talking about guitars and guitarists.