Guitar Snob? Nah, never heard that before!

Ron R

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Some people are really insecure about playing with others, or just socially anxious more generally. I wouldn't overthink it.
This right here though.
And some people are definitely not good with being put out of their comfort zone. He may just have a hard time with the idea of jamming with someone he's made no other connection with.

I like to sit on my front porch and play, but I feel a little weird about when my neighbor is out; like I'm forcing it on her or something. Even though she's told me she enjoys it, and has commented on how much she loves certain songs I play.
 
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Ron R

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Maybe, if you're still thinking about this, the right approach would be to text him some evening when you're about to pop out on your front or back porch to play, and tell him to pop on over if he wants to jam.
If he either comes over or texts back with a regret (ie, sorry, can't make it), you know there's some genuine interest on his part.
And if there's no response at all, time to just let it drop.
 

bottlenecker

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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.
I could almost feel this, except for "regardless of skill level". I think playing music with other people can be the very best, but it isn't always. I'm also naturally solitary and I crave alone time. I've had fun playing with people with a wide range of skill levels, but they have to bring enough ability to express and connect, and make it worth giving up the precious, rare alone time. I can understand some people just not being interested. This guy may not be interested, or he could just be a procrastinator, or less motivated.
 

FSRCustomTeleHHGT

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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.

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

About 15 years ago on the Oregon coast a young couple ended up moving two beach-houses down from us. They kept to themselves and so did we. But we got to talking one day down on the beach and eventually realized that he played guitar and I played both guitar and bass. So he asked if I'd like to jam some day. We did several times over the course of a few weeks. Then I started banging his wife. Never would have happened without our shared interest in music. Good times.
 

Old Plank

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I enjoy playing with any level of player, I think of it less so as just jamming, and more so as showing each other stuff - riffs, chords/progressions, picking etc.; and sharing and learning cool songs that I may never have thought to play; and generally having a good time with guitars. There's also times when I simply don't feel like going out or having someone over, and know that the other person is the same. There's also been a few times over the years when I just never acted on an invite; and, vice versa. I have a friend who is a pro jazz player who, though we played a few times, visibly showed both times that he really didn't care to ... I admittedly was briefly a little miffed because my mindset is why not play?, but fully get it and just don't ask anymore and it's all totally fine. I would just put it behind you that this guy a few porches down doesn't really want to get together for whatever his reasons are; and look around for someone else who's as enthusiastic for it as you are. It will be a lot more fun right out of the gate!
 

Stringbanger

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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.

Were you not a beginner? Of course you were! How did you learn to play?

Your Mom or Dad taught you? You are self-taught? You learned guitar in prison?

And please explain what “paying my dues” means. I have been playing guitar for 45, so you got 5 years on me, and I feel as though that I’m still paying my dues. I’m glad that you graduated!

If you are not open to jamming with beginners, then you @teletail are the guitar snob.

And, I will go back to my original opinion, that true guitar players will help, guide, or nurture those who have less ability.

Can the teacher learn from the student?

Almost 20 years ago, a neighbor across the street invited me to a jam. She didn’t play an instrument, but she knew I did.

She said that her brother was coming into town, and that he played guitar. I accepted her invitation, and her brother played “Amarillo By Morning”, and I was blown away. I had never heard that song before, let alone George Strait. He was not a great guitarist, but he turned me on to a song that will be permanently in my repertoire.
 

scottser

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Apropos of nothing, I've been 'volunteered' by my missis to play or jam with her friends' partners on many occasions. Telegram? Tell a woman..
 

Stringbanger

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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.
If you ghost people, that’s being polite?
In my book, that is being impolite!
 
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teletail

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Were you not a beginner? Of course you were! How did you learn to play?

Your Mom or Dad taught you? You are self-taught? You learned guitar in prison?

And please explain what “paying my dues” means. I have been playing guitar for 45, so you got 5 years on me, and I feel as though that I’m still paying my dues. I’m glad that you graduated!

If you are not open to jamming with beginners, then you @teletail are the guitar snob.

And, I will go back to my original opinion, that true guitar players will help, guide, or nurture those who have less ability.

Can the teacher learn from the student?

Almost 20 years ago, a neighbor across the street invited me to a jam. She didn’t play an instrument, but she knew I did.

She said that her brother was coming into town, and that he played guitar. I accepted her invitation, and her brother played “Amarillo By Morning”, and I was blown away. I had never heard that song before, let alone George Strait. He was not a great guitarist, but he turned me on to a song that will be permanently in my repertoire.
Sorry, I don’t respond To aggressive, obnoxious, rapid fire questions. I don’t OWE you any explanations. If you want a civil dialogue, then be civil.
 

DugT

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If the guy isn't interested in Jamming with you, he should have said so rather than say he wants to. Some weak people can't say no.

In defense of non-jammers, I've been pestered by a couple of guitarists that project that all guitarist should be like them and strive to be in a band. Not me. I started playing solo classical guitar and now I enjoy playing solo electric guitar. I don't know how to "Jam" with others and I don't care to learn. I don't want to learn to play music that requires someone else to sound good. If you need someone else to play with, that is not my fault and I don't owe you anything.
 

Stringbanger

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:cool:Sorry, I don’t respond To aggressive, obnoxious, rapid fire questions. I don’t OWE you anyexplanations. If you want a civil dialogue, then be civil.
No harm meant there bud, and let us move beyond that. As a peace token, send me a song that you currently love or, one that you have loved forever.
 

bottlenecker

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How did you learn to play?
I had to figure a lot out on my own, but a few unofficial teachers helped me a lot. I jammed with beginners when I was one, and jammed with better players as I got better and better players wanted to play with me. I've been fortunate enough to play with some great musicians, but no one ever owed me anything and I don't owe anyone anything but grattitude.
A couple musicians I've been doing shows with have asked for lessons, and I'm going to try to make time to oblige. They have plenty to offer as singers and songwriters and just want to understand the fretboard better. I wish I'd sought out more lessons when I was younger. There are a couple guitarists in my town I'd like to get a few odd lessons from but it's hard to find time now. The musicians I've learned from just by playing have been non-guitarists in gigging bands, who play at a level that just pulls everyone up with them, no matter what instrument.

I do remember going to a guided bluegrass jam once a bunch of years ago, because it was at a pizza place down the street from me, and I was looking to play some banjo. They were beginners, but payed a pro to guide the jam so they could all learn and improve. It was a cool thing, and I had fun playing along. I think that's a great way for people to learn, and make it worth everyone's time.
 

Sgt Pepper

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I don't know how to "Jam" with others and I don't care to learn. I don't want to learn to play music that requires someone else to sound good. If you need someone else to play with, that is not my fault and I don't owe you anything.
For real? No offense intended but you have missed out on a heck of a lot of fun. There is no other rush like playing with a good tight band for a good appreciative crowd.

You should seriously try it before you die.
 




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