Player out of tune performance

[uriah1]

I recently saw a band for a set, and the guitar player was out of tune,
pretty bad. The entire set.

I asked my wife if I should tell him. Well as a musician I usually
let the player enjoy the night, out of tune, too much distortion, or too loud, etc.
Perhaps to a sound engineer if they have one or too loud. But that is about it.
Common musician courtesty.

But what say ye..

 

[schmee]

If he doesn't realize it already, if the band doesn't tell him, I would not go up and do it.
It's unlearnable to him/them yet already.
Another possibility is he's one of those guys that pulls strings sharp out of nervousness when performing.
Newbie?

 

[Peegoo]

@uriah1

If the rest of the band doesn't fix the problem, the problem is bigger than anything you can do about it.

 

[Heartbreaker_Esq]

It depends on whether I know anyone in the band or working for the venue. If yes, I'll tell whoever I have the best relationship with at the first opportunity, so they can tell the guitarist as gently as they need to. If I don't know anyone, I'll probably just let it go. Unless maybe I see the sound man sitting around with not much to do or something. I could see maybe whispering to him that he might want to signal the guitarist to tune at some point.

 

[notmyusualuserid]

Nobody likes a smart arse.

 

[Texicaster]

That's called "The San Fransisco Sound". I think it was Jorma who said electronic tuners ruined the SF sound!

 

[badinfinities]

Yeah, let sleeping dogs lie. I'd have carpal tunnel syndrome if I told every out of tune YouTuber they need to intonate and/or tune.

 

[Mike Eskimo]

Go see them again, but before you do grab one of these or similar shirts available online.

If he is offending again, just walk up while they’re playing, stand in front of them, point to the shirt, and slowly draw your other hand across your throat.

 

[hotraman]

Having perfect pitch, that would drive me nuts.
However, I would not go up and say anything. If you can't tune up before you play, it shows me that the whole band is tone deaf or that they do this on purpose.

 

[Mike Eskimo]

That's called "The San Fransisco Sound". I think it was Jorma who said electronic tuners ruined the SF sound!

I thought it was all of their crazy way over the top (often not in time with the song) guitar vibrato. I could be wrong though. Or it could be that they were also out of tune… I don’t know, I was 3 1/2 years old in 1967.

 

[Heartbreaker_Esq]

If you can't tune up before you play, it shows me that the whole band is tone deaf or that they do this on purpose.

Not every guitar holds tune perfectly forever. The fact a guitar is out of tune in the middle of the set does not mean they didn't tune up before starting. Also, I find tuning problems as annoying as anyone, but there are plenty of other explanations besides: 1) the entire band is tone deaf; or 2) they are playing out of tune on purpose.

Maybe the monitoring is not great, so the rest of the band is not hearing the issue. Or maybe they are having issues of their own and don't have the bandwidth to deal with someone else's responsibility. Or maybe the guitar player is a diva (gasp!) and doesn't take comments like this well, so they're trying to deal with things delicately. Maybe they're waiting for a break or a spot in the set where it'll be more seamless to tune.

 

[stephent2]

I try to avoid any chance I'd qualify as a male Karen (Chad?). Unless it directly affects you there's no advantage in pointing out another's shortcomings.

 

[Holy smokes]

He might be off his meds and nobody wants to mess with a loaded gun.

 

[Dave Hicks]

I once saw a bluegrass band where the frontman was a total Bill Monroe clone - big white hat, blue suit, Gibson mandolin. He played just like Bill. Sang like him, too - but a half step off from the band and backing vocals. For the whole set.

D.H.

 

[Mjark]

I recently saw a band for a set, and the guitar player was out of tune,
pretty bad. The entire set.

I asked my wife if I should tell him. Well as a musician I usually
let the player enjoy the night, out of tune, too much distortion, or too loud, etc.
Perhaps to a sound engineer if they have one or too loud. But that is about it.
Common musician courtesty.

But what say ye..

I’d just leave.

 

[11 Gauge]

[maybe] 2) they are playing out of tune on purpose.

On purpose? I hope this isn't so!

 

[uriah1]

Ya. Like the old 3 bolt strats

 

[Highway 49]

I’d be the one on the stage, probably playing out of tune, possibly for experimental purposes, more likely for lack of competence reasons… honestly, I’d leave it alone - the player probably already has enough on their mind

 

[Trenchant63]

My first pro gigs were weddings at 19 and playing with veteran musicians. One night the band started quickly and I didn’t get to tune fast enough and was VERY slightly flat with the group but in tune with myself. On the break I got a stern talking to by one of the vets (“you were out of tune!”) with me saying “I ran outta time as they counted off first song” to which he said “I don’t give a sh*t! Tell them to stop and make sure you’re in tune so you can be professional.” Ouch!! I won’t lie it was a bit tough on the ego but I learned how to play with these “cats”.

 

[Dostradamas]

If they were a personal friend and I could let them know on a break or some way on the down low I would, politely.

Just any musician I am listening to?
Never, artists are a fickle bunch