General Music Chat

If you're still lurking about, let me just say that I have no intention of running you or anyone off. Things do get heated around here but for the most part it is done with respect and civility. So for what it's worth I invite you to stay.

I just heard a story you might enjoy. Edvard Grieg was supposed to give a concert of a piano concerto he had done hundreds of times. As he was about to begin he had a brain fart and couldn't remember a note from what he was planning to perform. But he began playing anyway and improved the entire performance. The audience didn't know the difference and I'm sure he still got paid. The point is, as a musician you must know how to improv, it can save your butt. However, you cannot get by on this alone. The most successful people plan, practice and then perform.

Jimmy I was kinda late for that party you guys were having, but when I looked at his profile it says hes only been playing for 5-6 monthes and is just looking for people to start playing with.

I went thru a period of just jamming with folks to build my chops up way back there. You know the drill play a I,IV, V progression in one key til you get sick then do it again. So I can kinda understnd where grooves was coming from. Or maybe just drone in one key for every.

I too hope he doesnt just abandon ship cause everyone has something to add.

Ah, I didn't see that and it explains a lot. I assumed from the way he was talking that he was a multi-year warrior like many of us here. Regardless, while I don't intend to run anyone off, I also will not be disrespected. I've paid my dues and try to speak only when I have something to say and it's truthful.

Regardless, while I don't intend to run anyone off, I also will not be disrespected. I've paid my dues and try to speak only when I have something to say and it's truthful.

I think that some people don't know how to take criticism about their music. If you want some...you'd better have thick skin and understand that even if you think that what you just did is the greatest thing in the world, there's others that absolutely hate it. It's never bothered me, but to some it does. If you're a metal musician you'd better get used to crappy remarks.

Disrespect...the exact reason that I refused to go back to my old band. I hear ya on that one...

[quote="jimmydanger
I just heard a story you might enjoy. Edvard Grieg was supposed to give a concert of a piano concerto he had done hundreds of times. As he was about to begin he had a brain fart and couldn't remember a note from what he was planning to perform. But he began playing anyway and improved the entire performance. The audience didn't know the difference and I'm sure he still got paid. The point is, as a musician you must know how to improv, it can save your butt. However, you cannot get by on this alone. The most successful people plan, practice and then perform.[/quote]

Well stated ... Jimmy

and to do that you need to know your instrument ... backward and forward. It's one thing to jam out in a I-IV-V progression and staying in that scale or mode ... it's quite other thing to layer a different scale or mode over top of that progression give it tension and resolve ... without fall off a cliff or having a train wreak .... or as Ed did ... fly by the seat of your pants with varying harmonic changes

So true Prevost. I'm just happy if my pants stay on while I'm playing

I'm not going to go back and re read the whole diatribe Jimmy.
But I think perhaps you may have jumped the gun a little.
Not placing any blame ol boy, just sayin.
I'm used to you and I knocking sparks.
What would one expect from flint and steel ?

IMHO and just like howard jones said: no one ever... is to blame.

I had suspected there were more people then just me ending up in internet threads that spiral into two people who both think their right and end up just hurling insults...

The fact that you would be willing to make some effort to reconcile is all that someone could ask for.

Some folks are pretty good at never shoveling sh*t back over the fence... I'm not one of those people.

Actually, Jimmy did try to approach the person respectfully, when he said:


“While I understand what you're getting at Improv, I must respectfully disagree.”


That was followed by this response:


“its no wonder you're uninspired. You aren't doing anything to inspire yourself. Cover bands are a snoooooze fest. Not only that who gives a f**k what the patrons want.. play music for you.. and the people who like it will come.”


“I don't give a sh*t what an article says.”


“Sorry that Everything in your life is Blah ... Go cut yourself and cry about it why don't you. 


If you weren't so simple minded you'd find out that I find inspiration in many forms of music that have nothing to do with jam...”



“Is that you in the picutre with a bra on? No wonder you're so pissed off.”


“The repeating mantra in all of yalls posts is.. "I GOTTA GET PAID!" 

last post here this place is a cesspool of shitties..”





Personally, I got involved because I'm sick of all the All Hat No Cattle “musicians” who talk a good game but have nothing to back it up. Coming on a networking site where people are trying to find other musos in their area to form bands with, and displaying such an attitude is a bit self-defeating, no?


Most real musicians are A-holes – myself included. The art is in not being so obvious about it.

Well thanks for summarizing that for George, 90. I always try the respectful approach first, and then if it's not returned I pull out my six-string razor. My name is Danger afterall

Well thanks for summarizing that for George, 90. I always try the respectful approach first, and then if it's not returned I pull out my six-string razor. My name is Danger afterall

try not using words like Detest, Hate, Loathe, Puke, etc when speaking about bands then.. especially ones who make more money then 99% of the bands out there wether you like em our not. because they ALL have something to teach you.

I've been playing much longer then 5-6 months.. I've only been taking lessons for 5-6 months..

There can be structured Improv.. There are LOTS of different types of improv.. Mainly Two different types though..

Type I and Type II jamming. Type I is much more structured.. it never leaves the structure of the song, but is very much improv.. You see a lot of this with the allman brothers, king crimson, etc..

Type II Jamming is another beast.. It usually comes from Type I jamming but it completely leaves the structure of the song.. going into outer orbit and landing somewhere on the other side of the moon only to turn around and come back home for a safe landing back on planet earth usually back inside the original structure. But even the best fail and Phish has this thing they do when they can't figure out how to get home I call the fizzle and I HATE IT, but I appreciate the fact that they went out there and tried. You see this a lot with Phish, TGD, Acid Jazz, etc.

You can improv/jam/etc and have tons of practice, structure, and marketability. You assume that when I say improv i mean practice free crap and thats exactly the opposite.. my issue with you is you always assume you know what I'm doing instead of asking questions to figure it out. I wouldn't go out on stage for a show with no practice.. There is structure to the "No Setlist" thing.. You have to have a leader.. Someone HAS to be able to recognize where you are and also know what songs in your catalog would best to come next.. all the while keeping the jam going.. in Phish its Trey.. He does it on the fly giving the band hands signals and speaking(literally) with the music to let them know what they're going to do next.. They created an entire language out of musical notation just to be able to speak to each other without speaking.. while jamming..

Sorry I just can't stomach playing the same song the same way twice. I have a bunch of stuff i've written and I work on different comps all the time.. Sometimes I'll change the timing and put it to a raggae beat, sometimes I'll funk it up, sometimes i'll make it classical, but its always in the same structure, same song, just a different feel.

You didn't run me off.. I just came to the conclusion that I can't find a drummer on this site(only about 8 musicians in my area on here), and i'd rather spend my time on Ugly Bass Player

Trust me, I'm a fan of structure.. I'm a bass player it is my job to provide structure and a foundation.. but I get bored easily.

Music is a beautiful thing because you're free to do what you want.. the title of the thread was uninspired.. i gave ways to inspire someone and you came in and said, "I DETEST JAMMERS" typical metal response.. I'm surprised you didn't throw in the "Kill the dirty hippies" while you were at it. Don't apologize because i'm not.. I felt you were just as direspectful to me from the get go, as I was to you.. sh*t works both ways.

How about dislike? Is that permitted? I have an opinion and I'm not afraid to express it, ever. I actually do like some GD songs, but the live footage of them I've seen is boring. Same with Phish, I've given them a few listenings and find them boring. Obviously there are people who enjoy them but I would rather spend my time and money on other music. My first love is classical music, where structure is everything. Jamming and improv is essential for writing, song development and some live performances but once the notes are written you should stick to them. Good luck finding a drummer, most of them are crazy

How about dislike? Is that permitted? I have an opinion and I'm not afraid to express it, ever. I actually do like some GD songs, but the live footage of them I've seen is boring. Same with Phish, I've given them a few listenings and find them boring. Obviously there are people who enjoy them but I would rather spend my time and money on other music. My first love is classical music, where structure is everything. Jamming and improv is essential for writing, song development and some live performances but once the notes are written you should stick to them. Good luck finding a drummer, most of them are crazy

Why is it boring because people are dancing instead of punching each other in the face? and yea you're free to dislike anything you want.. perfect word choice.. Words like Hate, Detest, Suck, etc are offensive especially when talking about someones choice of music.

Crazy is exactly what I'm looking for.. I mean Fishman wears a dress but plays a mean kit.

So Fishman can wear a dress and my singer can't wear a bra? That's a little two-faced, eh? There was a funny story that went with that but I'm afraid you wouldn't get it. For the record, I play punk and metal, and sometimes people get punched in the face. Especially dirty hippie jam bands

Come on, laugh, life's too short.