Guitar Snob? Nah, never heard that before!

[tuuur]

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.

If this is called "odd", then I am odd as well; I feel exactly the same.

 

[ClashCityTele]

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.

I've never 'jammed' with anyone since I had my first guitar as a teenager. I'm like you...we should jam sometime! [Only joking]

Stay weird!

 

[Weazel]

you need to just leave the guy alone.

THIS!

 

[scottser]

Get a looper pedal and leave that guy be.

 

[Wrighty]

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.

Guy down the road to me I know by sight and and the occassional "Hi!". Last time, jus before Christmas, we had a brief chat as he loaded a bass into his car. Told him I'd pop along sometime to chat further and see if there's any common musical ground. I'm not over confident as a guitarist and have several times had the inclination but bottled out. He may be thinking the same about me as you are your neighbour!"

 

[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

Actually, I'm reminded of the scene in Deliverance just after Duelling Banjos when Ronny Cox goes to shake Billy Redden's hand and he snubs him.

I mean, that'd be the indication the neighbour isn't interested for sure.

 

[Weazel]

I am not sure if I understand the OP correctly, but it seems to me that he thinks his neighbour is owing him something, after the OP himself has reached out and suggested some social activity involving music.

This is not how these things work.

We are (very simply put) extroverts and introverts (I am in the latter category most of the time), and my personal experience is that most of the time persons who are extroverts do not believe or understand the concept of introverts - and just keep on pushing.

It is tiresome.

 

[Festofish]

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.

True musicians/guitarists have issues like everybody else. I’d love to jam but the anxiety gets me every time. It’s a killer. I don’t leave my house unless I have to…it sucks!

 

[Weazel]

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.

No. Just no.

You are wrong.

Sorry.

 

[Buell]

It's probably just life. Life gets in the way of the things we'd rather be doing. I'm on the other side of the fence right now. I have a buddy that wants me to come down to his place and jam and it's only a mile away. I have every intention of doing so but with work, kids, household chores and of course, a wife, time is just not on my side.

 

[Stringbanger]

you need to just leave the guy alone.

It’s not like I have been badgering the guy. I went over in the beginning of June and introduced myself. Then, in late July, I stopped over again when I saw him out strumming.

Ever since then, I got the message. I also understand the introversion. Perhaps that’s the problem. I’m the outgoing type, and I enjoy meeting new people.

 

[Manual Slim]

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 settles it! I must be false.

 

[Sgt Pepper]

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.

Not sure why I should want to jam with crappy players.

As for the drinking and other stuff, I don't do any of it anymore but if I'd always avoided musicians that did those things, I'd have been missed a lot of talented guys and some good bands. I think it's probably more prevalent among musicians than most other groups in general, or was back in the day anyhow. It does seem less so now.

 

[Jim622]

It’s not like I have been badgering the guy. I went over in the beginning of June and introduced myself. Then, in late July, I stopped over again when I saw him out strumming.

Ever since then, I got the message. I also understand the introversion. Perhaps that’s the problem. I’m the outgoing type, and I enjoy meeting new people.

Next time you hear him on the porch, give a call and ask if he wants to pick a little, see if you jell any. It could be that it’s his time to just unwind and not think and does not want to interact. That’s me most of the time. Just popping over with an axe when you hear him was suggested, I would take that as a little intrusive.

 

[Manual Slim]

Whenever I get invited to play I try to prepare the person for the sheer ineptitude of my playing. They get all nicey nice and brush it off and we get together anyway. Then I never hear from them again. Told ya so!

 

[teletail]

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.

Sorry, but no. I’ve paid my dues many times over. After playing for 50+ years, I get no enjoyment out of playing with beginners.

I have my own musical agenda. There is nothing odd about not sharing someone else’s agenda.

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

He doesn't want to do it. Everything else is speculative. When it comes to these types of things I'm one and done from both sides of the interaction.

 

[Weazel]

It’s not like I have been badgering the guy. I went over in the beginning of June and introduced myself.

Ever since then, I got the message.

To be totally honest, it really does not appear so.

You found it necessary to post this thread today, 6 months later.

Something tells me you did not get the message.

Although you like to meet new people, you REALLY need to understand that not everyone wants to meet you.

And you seem to be sore about that? That is on you, just you. Nobody else.

I am sorry to be so crass about this.
I mean this mostly as a PSA, not as an attack on you.

 

[Stringbanger]

You found it necessary to post this thread today, 6 months later.

Something tells me you did not get the message.

Although you like to meet new people, you REALLY need to understand that not everyone wants to meet you.

And you seem to be sore about that? That is on you, just you. Nobody else.

I am sorry to be so crass about this.
I mean this mostly as a PSA, not as an attack on you.

I posted this 6 months later because it still bothered me as to why someone would express interest in jamming together, give me their phone number, and then never follow through.

I’m over it in terms of getting together with the guy.

I just felt a need to post about it to see what the TDPRI community had to say, and I have accomplished that goal.

I grew up in an environment where jamming with others was a normal thing, and I have learned so much over the years from those experiences.

 

[Preacher]

I posted this 6 months later because it still bothered me as to why someone would express interest in jamming together, give me their phone number, and then never follow through.

I’m over it in terms of getting together with the guy.

I just felt a need to post about it to see what the TDPRI community had to say, and I have accomplished that goal.

I grew up in an environment where jamming with others was a normal thing, and I have learned so much over the years from those experiences.

I am like you, willing to get together but I am horrible about initiating it.

Next time you hear him out playing, grab your guitar and accompany him from your porch.

I had a blast once in Branson when we were on vacation visiting this little music store in a mall. They had a big old upright bass I was lusting over when I heard a guy playing a mando. His friend grabbed a dulcimer and they started playing a little.
I leaned into that old upright and figured out what key they were in and started laying down a walking bass line. I played pretty quiet at first but then they heard me, turned around and grinned. We played for a few minutes until my wife called me in for supper.