Playing Guitar

Captain McDuck · 03-01-2012 08:44AM #1

So a few weeks ago in another thread someone mentioned that they could not stand people who played guitars at parties and this post received loads of thanks leading one to believe that this was a popular opinion. Only today in another thread there was some animosity towards someone who played the guitar with friends.

Now I personally cannot stand somebody who has no talent trying to be hero wrecking everybody's head but I do happen to throughly enjoy when someone talented has the balls to pick up an instrument and entertain their friends at a party.

So are the haters out there just jealous because they haven't a note in their heads or is live entertainment provided by a friend just wrong for some reason??

krudler · 03-01-2012 08:46AM

I can never hear Wonderwall enough times played at a house party, I take pictures to remember the moment forever.

Azureus · 03-01-2012 08:48AM

I reckon its because too many sessions are ruined by self important eejits who pick up a guitar and start singing their own songs that arent very good and people feel kinda obliged to listen.

I absolutely love going to sessions with a musician or three-its always great craic, but I think if you're at a party or something no matter how fantastic your original music is, do something people will know and recognise even if its your own version of it. Nothing worse that singer songwriter syndrome whining about their ex girlfirend in a corner, but nothing better than a lad with a guitar playing some Tom Petty or something. The people with animosity just have the wrong (untalented) friends :P

Chuck Stone · 03-01-2012 08:48AM

Link to post?

Frank Black · 03-01-2012 08:50AM

Usually it's some pretentious knob singing some self-indulgent ****e and bringing the mood down, or perhaps a drunk tosser belting out a rebel song.

Time to get your coat at this stage.

Captain McDuck · 03-01-2012 08:50AM

Azureus wrote: »

I reckon its because too many sessions are ruined by self important eejits who pick up a guitar and start singing their own songs that arent very good and people feel kinda obliged to listen.

I absolutely love going to sessions with a musician or three-its always great craic, but I think if you're at a party or something no matter how fantastic your original music is, do something people will know and recognise even if its your own version of it. Nothing worse that singer songwriter syndrome whining about their ex girlfirend in a corner, but nothing better than a lad with a guitar playing some Tom Petty or something. The people with animosity just have the wrong (untalented) friends :P

Completely agree with this. They have to be playing tunes everyone knows.

Will I Amnt · 03-01-2012 08:51AM

It's all about taste.
The person playing the guitar is going to play songs they like.
If everybody else has the same taste in music there won't be a problem but chances are a lot won't and will think its sh1te.

krudler · 03-01-2012 08:53AM

What wrecks my head is that you're at a party, with people, chatting, there's probably music playing already on a stereo or whatever and then this gimp starts randomly plucking away at a guitar, then kinda starts playing a song and then that forms into an actual one that everyone has heard a billion times and adds fcuk all to the party, and then I'M supposed to stop my talking to "appreciate" this buffoon and give him/her an audience. I'm sorry this isnt a paid gig that people have come to see, you've taken it upon yourself to entertain people that didnt ask to be entertained, how about you take it outside and anyone that wants to hear your crappy rendition of some horrible Frames song can follow you? cheers. dick.

Jesus Wept · 03-01-2012 08:55AM

Just no.

If it is a small group of friends who all know each other and are into that shit, okay, most parties are made up of one person who knows everyone and everyone else who knows maybe a few people.

Some tit pulling out a guitar to steal an audience just ruins the night. Go busk if you must and want an audience that bad, at least people can stop if they want to listen or walk on by if they don't. Or post on youtube, if you are any use you will find your audience, a willing one.

Captain McDuck · 03-01-2012 08:59AM

Jesus, Well maybe I'm just lucky to have some very talented friends.

Jesus Wept · 03-01-2012 09:08AM

Captain McDuck wrote: »

Jesus, Well maybe I'm just lucky to have some very talented friends.

If I want to go listen to a talented musician, I will go on youtube or go to a gig.
How long does the average person stop and listen to a busker? What does that tell you?

Honestly, people who whip out a guitar at a party full of people many of whom they don't know (friends of friends) etc - it's akin to masturbation, they may as well be sitting there pulling the lad off themselves as far as I am concerned, it's that self indulgent.

The only people who enjoy as much are the one or two incredibly drunk lushes who attempt to sing along or get them to play their favourite Rhianna umbrella related song so they can dance and sing along tunelessly in their own vain attempt and hope that someone might tell them they have a modicum of talent

This attention always delights guitar guy who says he thinks he can figure it out and starts playing G, C and D.

Feisar · 03-01-2012 09:30AM

Never mind at a house party, it drives me nuts when in a country pub and you're told to "whisht" because someone has decided to sing some awful dirge about having no potatoes.

Jesus Wept · 03-01-2012 09:32AM

Feisar wrote: »

Never mind at a house party, it drives me nuts when in a country pub and you're told to "whisht" because someone has decided to sing some awful dirge about having no potatoes.

Not a note in their head either, you couldn't even call it singing most of the time, as for the songs - 49 verses and not a single hook in the 'song'.

krudler · 03-01-2012 09:50AM

Feisar wrote: »

Never mind at a house party, it drives me nuts when in a country pub and you're told to "whisht" because someone has decided to sing some awful dirge about having no potatoes.

APPRECIATE THE MISERY!!!!

even worse are people who start singsongs at the ends of weddings, I mean really? its meant to be a celebration, stop wrecking the mood singing fcuking Danny Boy in a drunken state.

Napper Hawkins · 03-01-2012 09:55AM

Feisar wrote: »

Never mind at a house party, it drives me nuts when in a country pub and you're told to "whisht" because someone has decided to sing some awful dirge about having no potatoes.

Yeah that drives me nuts, almost as much as people giving you daggers because you won't stand for their poxy national anthem in the pub.

seamus · 03-01-2012 10:08AM

krudler wrote: »

What wrecks my head is that you're at a party, with people, chatting, there's probably music playing already on a stereo or whatever and then this gimp starts randomly plucking away at a guitar, then kinda starts playing a song and then that forms into an actual one that everyone has heard a billion times and adds fcuk all to the party, and then I'M supposed to stop my talking to "appreciate" this buffoon and give him/her an audience. I'm sorry this isnt a paid gig that people have come to see, you've taken it upon yourself to entertain people that didnt ask to be entertained, how about you take it outside and anyone that wants to hear your crappy rendition of some horrible Frames song can follow you? cheers. dick.

Feisar wrote: »

Never mind at a house party, it drives me nuts when in a country pub and you're told to "whisht" because someone has decided to sing some awful dirge about having no potatoes.

I have to say I have never experienced either of these things. I've never seen someone at a party pick up a guitar and start playing and singing unless pretty much everyone there has turned around and asked them to do so.
As a guitarist myself, I would find it very odd to start playing if no-one is listening or if most people are standing around chatting.
When I'm asked, I usually refuse to play until the "mood" is right - this is usually towards the end of the night when everyone is sitting down and chilling.

Joshua Jones · 03-01-2012 10:10AM

Haters hate because players take all their wimmins. They jelly.

jonnyfingers · 03-01-2012 10:19AM

Also as a guitar player I hate being asked to play at parties. But when I do everyone seems appreciative. I wouldn't just start in the middle of a party, unless I was in a different room or something with a small group of friends.

I wonder how many people who say they hate guitarists at parties play the guitar themselves?

homerun_homer · 03-01-2012 10:20AM

I used to love the days when this would happen when me and my friends were younger and all liked the same songs and we'd have drunk sing a longs. Then you get over it and resent anyone who picks up a guitar without being asked.

I've seen many people do it and play the same songs over and over each time and it is grating. I was at a party for NYE and the birthday girl purposefully hid the guitar knowing her ex would pick it up and start doing quirky renditions of things.
High five to her.

Kidchameleon · 03-01-2012 10:24AM

Two of my friends released albums in 2010 so I guess I never had this problem

SpatialPlanning · 03-01-2012 10:30AM

It's not that hard to learn 4 chords, lads..

homerun_homer · 03-01-2012 10:31AM

I've never gotten a girl off the back of playing guitar. I must be doing something wrong.

SpatialPlanning · 03-01-2012 10:33AM

homerun_homer wrote: »

I've never gotten a girl off the back of playing guitar. I must be doing something wrong.

You're playing Don't Look Back in Anger.

sensibleken · 03-01-2012 10:34AM

Feisar wrote: »

Never mind at a house party, it drives me nuts when in a country pub and you're told to "whisht" because someone has decided to sing some awful dirge about having no potatoes.

Is there a trad session on? If there is and you dont want to shut up while someones singing just go to a different pub?

Feisar · 03-01-2012 10:53AM

sensibleken wrote: »

Is there a trad session on? If there is and you dont want to shut up while someones singing just go to a different pub?

No, I'm not talking about that. I'm on about people spontaneously deciding to sing, fair enough I'm not that bothered but don't expect me to listen.

danniemcq · 03-01-2012 10:55AM

if its a party and its just you and a very small bunch some really nice chilled music isn't bad plucking away and not annoying anyone.

If the party is jumping and some twat turns down the music for his butchering of a song "in his style" then there are issues. and even if its just ah sure we'll have a cd on while we drink you can always chat over cds but god forgive you if you say anything while someone is singing.

as bad as guitars are though ukuleles are much much worse.

infact edit: People who bring out a ukulele at a house party should be kicked out straight away. EVEN if it is their party

Trevor Kent · 03-01-2012 11:07AM

This is a weird one for me. I play guitar in a band which is widely known amongst my friends. But I generally get asked to play at most parties I go to. Im no Andy Mckee but I can play, not the greatest singer. I dont drink so im always physically able to play as well as normal.

Sort of the same situation as "jonnyfingers" I generally dont play until im asked, most times I enjoy it, sometimes I dont.

What I hate is when im asked to play a song I dont know, and the person (Usually drunk) takes this as an insult almost that I dont know their favourite song.........**** off and go learn an instrument yourself and play it for us. I dont mind requests, but I cant just play a song I have never heard before.
Also, if its my guitar being used, It will NOT be taken by some air guitarist who thinks strumming the sh1t out of open strings is cool. People actually get pissed off when I wont let them "Play" with my guitar. Good ones cost the same as a good second hand car, gime your car keys, I want to go "PLAY" with your car.

But for the most part Its great to get a sing along going as long as everyone is happy. I try go to a different room if possible if people want a sing song.

podgemonster · 03-01-2012 11:11AM

A lot of hatred for guitar players on here. IMO it has always added to a party to have a sing song and someone blast out a few tunes whether it be guitar or on their own. Standing in a room drinking and chatting to people for a night is hardly a party.

I am all for someone horsing out a guitar and laying into some well known songs and dont mind if some people are listening or not. Now if they are playing some breakup drivel they wrote themselves or some secret hidden Radiohead track that no one has heard of, then they can get fúcked alright.

I also enjoy an old sing song in the residence bar after a wedding. Everyone is pist, you have spent the whole day with them, theres no entertainment and everyone at the weddings/parties I've been too usually has one song that they'l sing. If people don't want to listen to it (and there is never that many) then they can go to bed.

danniemcq · 03-01-2012 11:28AM

podgemonster wrote: »

A lot of hatred for guitar players on here. IMO it has always added to a party to have a sing song and someone blast out a few tunes whether it be guitar or on their own. Standing in a room drinking and chatting to people for a night is hardly a party.

I am all for someone horsing out a guitar and laying into some well known songs and dont mind if some people are listening or not. Now if they are playing some breakup drivel they wrote themselves or some secret hidden Radiohead track that no one has heard of, then they can get fúcked alright.

I also enjoy an old sing song in the residence bar after a wedding. Everyone is pist, you have spent the whole day with them, theres no entertainment and everyone at the weddings/parties I've been too usually has one song that they'l sing. If people don't want to listen to it (and there is never that many) then they can go to bed.

as poster above you said though why not go to another room for a sing song.

if you are in the main room of the "party" and people are chatting everyone feels the need to shut up and if you don't you';; either be forced to whisper or be told to shhhhhhh by someone else.

and i know some people are fantastic on guitar and i will usually end up listenin to them in whatever room they are in (or as said wedding after parties etc) but think of everyone else at the party too. if they want to hear guitar they will find you

MungBean · 03-01-2012 12:56PM

I'd listen to them if they could properly play guitar but they cant. 99% know basic chords and just sing karaoke. And most of them cant even sing that well.

You get the odd talented person who can do justice to a song but not very often, because at that stage of the night its the have a go heroes that take to the stage. Beating out 3/4 chords and wailing in time isnt singing or playing guitar. Its just being an annoying asshole.

Ficheall · 03-01-2012 12:58PM

The-Rigger wrote: »

This attention always delights guitar guy who says he thinks he can figure it out and starts playing G, C and D.

Well, he's probably on the right track. There might be an E minor in the too.

Playing Guitar

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