About the only thing that’s going to save here is a renewed interest in MUSIC.

let’s talk MUSIC 🎹♥️😎

Diki, I think you explained it well. Many viewers keep their thoughts silent, so not to offend anyone, or to not over glorify another. It took me a while to establish a stronger backbone and I started posting again. Hey, I have the toughest critic in the world, within my family walls. I sent my new website to my wife and she said to take down everything but my instrumental! How's that for confidence. I played a party for a dying friend yesterday. It was supposed to be for a few family members. Drove 3 1/2 hours and couldn't even find a parking place. I was not prepared for 50 or more people. They shoved me in a corner and had my speakers behind a lazy boy, on the floor. Kids were running around my equipment and the mother told me to turn it down. Luckily, I had done a few songs for my friend, but I was so upset after that comment, I turned off the keyboard and promptly left. To make the day worse, I checked my phone at 6pm and read "Jim, where are you, you were supposed to be here for the Veteran's special at 2 pm". I couldn't even sleep last night and had thoughts of selling my gear. Stuff happens, but if you like what you do and your soul enjoys the happiness that your music brings, it's all ok.

Hey Jim, sorry to hear about your gig from hell, especially, after much effort and terrible conditions. I have weathered the same elements, but not a perfect storm like you had. I have up and left a venue a couple of times due to, what I considered, personal affronts, not music criticism. I have to admit, however, that I am not thick skinned about my chosen trade, but am venturing out of my comfort zone to bring people an enhanced performance. Because of the Covid-19 hiatus, I have worked hard to improve without having to prepare for my band, Karaoke, dinners, and NH gigs.

The new me has it's inherent dangers, as well as personal rewards. The venue I played for has shut down after being there three times a week for seventeen years. I am picking up some party gigs that requires a more aggressive approach. I will put on my hardhat and steel jock strap and let her go.

I may get bruised feelings, but, like Jim, I have been around too long to fold.

My good friend Gary is partially why Synthzone meant so much to many of us.

Thing is, Gary and I are as different as two people can be....musical tastes and experience...vocation....POLITICS.

Thing is, we agree that we disagree, but concentrate on the ways we are alike (music experience, backgrounds as commercial writers, an interest in boats and more).

In the last few years, I look forward to our weekly phone calls. The internet is great, but hearing a voice is BETTER.

I'm proud to call Gary a friend.

I think putting some life back in the individual interactions here is well worth the effort.

Thanks so much,


R.

Personally I’m not very comfortable talking much about music, I guess, talking about equipment is just tempting as it is less personal and allows to distract oneself from all other bother.

I think that the average restaurant or bar audience is very similar to our membership here when it comes to feedback on our playing!

A few will come up and talk in depth about how much they enjoyed your show, a few more might just drop off a nice tip in the jar, a whole bunch of them came out for a meal or a drink, and whether you are there or not doesn’t really matter, and the very odd customer will come up and tell you that perhaps you were too loud or quiet for them, or you didn’t play enough country, or whatever!

It’s a fine line on a forum between neglect and respect… and just because a post containing a recording doesn’t generate a ton of responses, don’t worry..! It got heard, you can be assured.

The thing is, what do you WANT to hear? We’re a very diverse group, ranging from one finger beginners to full two handed pros. That, if everybody comments, generates a very wide range of opinions. Not to mention, our membership has a huge range of ages and tastes in music. Sometimes it’s difficult to separate one’s opinion of a performance from one’s tastes in music in general. I’m a bit guilty here, sometimes it’s hard to work up much enthusiasm for the decidedly light pop song selection that some of us like playing!

But we are getting older, and even as an aging 65, I get reminded from time to time that we have members that are a good 25 years my senior, so perhaps those old chestnuts are to be expected. We are also global… tastes in Europe vary wildly from the US, or Latin America. Diversity is good, but it also works against getting an enthusiastic response for a form of music few of us listen to or know much about.

Personally, I try to look for constructive criticism, and try to offer it where I think it might do good. And I generally post what few recordings I do in an effort to illustrate a particular technique that might help those looking to improve. But often I hear things that either I don’t relate to, or I have nothing constructive to offer. I’m sorry if I don’t always respond if I have little to say..!

But keep them coming… in lieu of endless arguments about features, the way forward really needs to focus more on the music we make. 🎹😎

Diki, I think you explained it well. Many viewers keep their thoughts silent, so not to offend anyone, or to not over glorify another. It took me a while to establish a stronger backbone and I started posting again. Hey, I have the toughest critic in the world, within my family walls. I sent my new website to my wife and she said to take down everything but my instrumental! How's that for confidence. I played a party for a dying friend yesterday. It was supposed to be for a few family members. Drove 3 1/2 hours and couldn't even find a parking place. I was not prepared for 50 or more people. They shoved me in a corner and had my speakers behind a lazy boy, on the floor. Kids were running around my equipment and the mother told me to turn it down. Luckily, I had done a few songs for my friend, but I was so upset after that comment, I turned off the keyboard and promptly left. To make the day worse, I checked my phone at 6pm and read "Jim, where are you, you were supposed to be here for the Veteran's special at 2 pm". I couldn't even sleep last night and had thoughts of selling my gear. Stuff happens, but if you like what you do and your soul enjoys the happiness that your music brings, it's all ok.

solojim.com

Paul, I apologize for not commenting enough for the quality and professionalism in your performances.

What impressed me was the connection to an authentic, historic genre. I thought long and hard, but decided that some here would think that leading a discussion in that direction would be jet another example of me veering off course.

Your contribution is unique, professional and should be appreciated.

Russ