I play guitars - acoustic, electric and bass in various bands

[Firestorm49]

No matter how good I may or may not be, there are always those who are truly much better, many who think they are much better and those who will never become any better but just think they are.

I ran a business for thirty six years. There were businesses that were more successful, less successful and plain old mediocre. There was always an elitist who always wanted to dominate the narrative thinking that they were for some reason smarter or better than those who didn’t sell at least $15M a year in goods or services.

I came to DU to share my opinions which to some are valid, to some they are invalid and to others plain old meaningless.

I’m getting tired of the warfare that seems to be emerging when someone states an opinion that the
“almighty” need to grind into the ground. It was not a post of mine in particular. I just spent the last half hour or so going down the General Discussion list and getting repulsed at the “ holier than thou” responses to people’s posts. I thought we were all on the same team here but find myself having to put up with another top shelf guitar player who thinks that their chops are the only ones that count.

I enjoy DU and will continue to monitor and occasionally add my two bits, but honestly, I sure don’t need the shit that some are throwing at others for simply speaking their mind.

[Marcus IM]

1. What kind of music?

I play too.

Haven't played live since covid, for many reasons.

[Firestorm49]

4. The original band was blues/ rock for 16 years.

Then I played bass in a pop rock group until Covid hit and I’m currently playing acoustic in a three piece - two acoustic guitars and a percussionist. The latest band has expanded my horizons in that I’m playing music that I’ve never played before by artists that I’ve never heard of before and I live every minute of it.

[calimary]

20. That's gotta be SUPER fun! Especially as you okay and interpret the "new stuff".

My son had his own band and what a wild and wonderful time THAT was! He toured the country and around the world with it. I went with him til he turned 18 and we all spent New Year’s Eve at a UN installation in Kosovo, of all places!

He really made me proud.

Congrats on your own impressive journey! It’s really amazing where music can take you.

[Firestorm49]

29. Thank you

[H2O Man]

2. I have no

musical talent. All my kids do, but the closest thing I have is a massive collection of Beatles/ post-Beatles music I can listen to. I did, however, once play on stage with David Peel & the Lower East Side Gang.

I like DU, and most of the people here. Even with those I have nothing in common with, including social and most political beliefs and values, I still recognize as people who vote for Democratic Party candidates. I think that is the team that you make mention of.

In times past, this forum has had some tensions during the presidential primary season. So that doesn't apply this time, as it is obvious that forum members support President Biden for re-election. In my opinion, this is important, because I think he is the only one who will beat the defendent -- and the defendent will be the republican nominee.

Thus, the hostility that I see expressed on some -- not all -- OP/threads comes from another source. I would venture that it the effect of the national lack of mental health. I'm not saying it is mental illness. But we are witnessing some unhealthy trends.

[Firestorm49]

5. I guess that I'm just surprised at the retaliation lately.

[Tetrachloride]

18. I block a bunch of topics such as DeSantis

[calimary]

21. Well, try not to let it get to you.

You have too valuable a contribution to add in here. And always remember you’re surrounded by friends here who keep the buttheads at a safe distance.

[Firestorm49]

30. Thanks. I can certainly deal with it but I just don't see the need for some to be nasty in their cri

[Firestorm49]

35. 👍

[Firestorm49]

45. 👍

[Firestorm49]

8. People who claim to have no musical talent are often

the most appreciative people in the audience. It’s a pleasure to chew the fat with them during breaks or after a gig.

[Mr.Bill]

25. I'm that person.

Whenever I get a chance to talk to a professional musician, whether at a bar where they are playing, or in any social situation, I tell them although I can't play music no matter how hard I try, that music is still a big part of my life, and whatever kind of music you play and how well you do it, thank you for just getting on the stage and playing.

[Firestorm49]

31. Amen, Mr. Bill

[H2O Man]

39. When my older daughter

was in elementary school, the summer between 5th and 6th grades, she asked me if I minded if she played my guitar. No problem. An hour after she picked it up, the first time she ever held one, she came downstairs and played a Bob Marley song she had taught herself. These days, she records in NYC and Boston. In August, she'll be here in rural upstate NY to record some live music with some of her friends from high school and college.

Some people have that type of natural talent. Others have to put in years of practice. And still others, like myself, are best off as audience members. The only thing I had serious talent to perform in front of an audience with was the great sport of boxing. Today, my fingers are so damaged from that, that I couldn't play the simplest of songs on a guitar.

[MagickMuffin]

41. There's a lot of very good and free apps for iPads, I've been enjoying the keyboard ones

I’m not a trained musician but I compose music. I’ve gotten to where I won’t watch the notes I’m playing, kinda like blind people have to do. I’m quite surprised at the outcomes.


I record them, something I don’t have to require someone else to do for me. Lots of fun!


AudioKit Synth One is a great program totally free and worth every penny and more! I’m in the process of building my knowledge of synthesizers. You certainly don’t need to have musical talent to play around and create music.

As an extra bonus you can play around with it and your grandchild!


And congratulations to your daughter. Perhaps you could share some of her music with us.


🕯️🌹❤️

[msfiddlestix]

28. ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️

I agree. I too am a musician. Not a stellar musician, but very passionate.

During my 9 to 5 working years, I had at various points devoted my "spare" time practicing, rehearsing with various bands I performed or collaborated with. Lot of important skills developed from all of that experience, along with learning how to tap dance around various egos.

There have been periods of my life I didn't play at all. Instruments in the closet because of other things going on in my life, including mind sucking political activism at various points.

Working with certain band mates fragile egos or other emotional issues could from time to time be difficult , but I've found in political world, it goes to a completely different level of 'insanity' from time to time.

Right now, these past several years and especially during Covid, I've been practicing intensely, learning new instruments just for my mental and emotional health and of course personal pleasure. It's my "high".

In the wee hours of the morning however, I come to DU and browse the headers to check if that orange slob and his cohorts are face to face with justice and behind bars yet. I continue to be disappointed to read of his rallies and the clown show in congress.

all of these assholes need to be locked in various institutions of course, but since it hasn't happened "yet". I turn the machine off and think about what's next with my music and my grand daughters future.

[Firestorm49]

36. Dedication is all consuming.

[jcgoldie]

19. the defendent will be the republican nominee...

I don't think so. Why do none of them attack him? Especially DeSantis and Pence... they know that if they go on offense against Trump, he trashes them, and they lose Maga folks forever. But they are losing by scores and scores of points. If they treat the leader with kid gloves they are fucked... so why even run for president? Because they are waiting for Jack Smith to clear the field.

[Beakybird]

3. I play guitar too!

Sorry about your experiences! I hope you keep on sharing and keep on jamming.

[Firestorm49]

6. Thanks. I had to end the blues band because my ears ring like a bitch.

[diva77]

14. Did you see the post a few days ago about new Tinnitus therapy?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218088548

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-tinnitus-therapy-can-quiet-torturous-ringing-in-the-ears/

[Beakybird]

17. I'll have to check it out.

The tinnitus I have is from my mom screaming at me to turn it down.

[Firestorm49]

37. Thanks. Each year during my physical I ask the Dr. if there are any new developments

with regard to tinnitus. I forwarded the article to him.

[diva77]

44. Please let us know what your Dr. thinks about the article - if you're able to

Thanks!

[Firestorm49]

7. What instrument do you play and what kind of music ?

[Skittles]

9. I don't care for the insinuation that religion is needed for someone to be a good person

is that what you mean?

[Firestorm49]

10. No

[Skittles]

11. OK thanks

and I loved musicians back in the day - my grandma called them "riff raff"

[Silent Type]

13. Play too, hoping to advance to Mediocre. But, it can get tough here at times.

[yonder]

15. Its those personal digs for no reason that irritate me.

Argue an opinion, discuss options - that's what we're here for. When those arguments degrade into an ad hominem attack is when I usually wander off elsewhere.

[Clearheadsam]

16. Use to play in a 60's band ( 50 years ago )and now that i'm retired

to keep my sanity I started playing again. Finding out that 2 or 3 piece bands( or by yourself) are the way to go if you want to play out. I have over 200 songs ( classic rock) i’ve played in the past. I just have to stay out of music stores, bad habit of buying guitars.Took one out of closet, now I have eight. 😅

[Firestorm49]

32. Buying guitars. Buying guitars. Buying guitars. It's a disease.

[Jarqui]

22. I play as well - mostly guitar some keyboards

Used to play trumpet, drums, bass and did sound for bands when I wasn't playing.
I made some of my guitars. I have fun fiddling with them and the technologies, etc and getting any sound the band wants.

I'm back playing with guys I played with 40+ years ago.
I'm enjoying it.
We always got along. Never fought. And we still don't.
I guess that is because there was a lot of give and take and they're nice guys.
We're not the greatest but sometimes the sum is greater than the whole of the parts.
I'll do songs I'm not crazy about but if it puts a smile on one of the guys, I get a kick out of that.
You read enough threads here, you see some of that. Keeps me coming back.

[Mr.Bill]

23. Bravo!

[Old Crank]

24. I thought that I might be able to play

Tambourine.
Then I saw Eric Clapton unplugged and he had an orchestral percussionist behind him.

Nope. Can't play tambourine.

Perhaps Cow Bell. I might be able to play. Maybe.

My wife days I have no sense of rhythm. That might be out also...

[BlueTexasMan]

26. chops don't constitute the entirety of music

Everyone has something valid to present during their performance, even if you're playing a tin can with a nail. There's a mystical connection that we call 'the groove' kinda like when several clocks in a room come into sync with each other. It's another dimension. Another way of communicating. I've seen very basic players get swept into the groove and it wasn't their technique that got them there. It was their heart and soul and their desire to be a participant in the happening of the moment. The crowd senses this also. They may not be able to appreciate music on whatever level you do, but when you start playing and the sum is greater than the parts, you can see it on their faces and in their dancing also. I once told Bela Fleck that he made me want to quit playing, but he said, Oh no man, don't do that! Close to 80 now, I haven't done that yet. It's good to speak another language.

[Firestorm49]

34. Far out. Thanks for the reply.

[MagickMuffin]

42. The mystical aspect you write about is called Synchronization

I’m currently studying vibrations and their laws. Very interesting topic!

https://physicsworld.com/a/the-secret-of-the-synchronized-pendulums/





The fact that pairs of moving pendulums can become synchronized was first observed by the great Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens back in the 17th century. But as Jonatan Pena Ramirez and Henk Nijmeijer explain, synchronized pendulums still have today’s researchers scratching their heads

Ballet dancers moving in harmony to the rhythm of music. Violinists in an orchestra playing perfectly in unison. A school of fish swimming gracefully together in the sea.

Synchronization – two or more events happening at the same time – is one of the most common phenomena in nature. Extending from unconscious entities to human beings, it’s even an Olympic sport in the form of synchronized swimming or diving. Synchronization is essential to life too. Pacemaker cells, for example, have to fire electrical discharges synchronously to ensure our hearts beat properly.

[ProfessorGAC]

27. Musician Here, Too

I play anything you don't have to blow into. Played over 2,000 gigs over 30 years. I'm just doing the occasional solo gig with a 6 & 12 string guitar.
I didn't own a business but worked in big business for over 42 years. I get what your stressed about.
If you're interested, this is the stuff I recorded most recently.
https://SoundCloud.com/user-134084288

[Firestorm49]

33. Gracias, Professor.

[Firestorm49]

46. Hey! Thanks.

[bif]

38. I totally agree.

In fact, I've posted this sentiment before. I could post the word "the" and someone would feel obligated to attack me for it. Almost every thread has a "holier than thou" person trying to tear the original post down. It's sickening at times.

[HAB911]

40. I agree 100%

it can be tedious at times. there are some that are professional nit-pikers that live to pounce for the fun of pouncing

[Iggo]

43. K bye.