Playing Guitar

yupyup7up · 03-01-2012 01:00PM

I think most people get this impression of people playing guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv4ZLUEe8xw

AnonoBoy · 03-01-2012 01:06PM

Captain McDuck wrote: »

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

I've got loads of talented friends but I certainly don't want to sit quietly at a party and watch them bore everyone to death.

Giblet · 03-01-2012 01:09PM

You guys must know a lot of **** guitar players, ie: The only people with something to prove

sensibleken · 03-01-2012 01:09PM

Feisar wrote: »

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.

yeah that is feckin annoying alright

podgemonster · 03-01-2012 01:09PM

danniemcq wrote: »

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

Generally I find it is the majority of the group want a sing song. The parties i would attend (not that i am some sort of social animal) could start anytime around 8-11pm and its really well after midnight before everyone has enough dutch courage to sing a few songs or play guitar, so people really have been chatting for hours. I like my friends but after 2-3 hours of chatting i'd rather hear them blast out "Joxer goes to Stuttgart" than hear about their new bicycle/girlfriend/toaster.

A party is a social gathering and segregating those who want to sing and entertain from those who want continue talking it a bit too organised. I can't imagine someone stand up at a party and saying "Me, X,Y and Z are just heading to the kitchen to sing" join us if you like. A sing song is something spontaneous and usually encouraged by the majority there, if not then it shouldn't occur.

Laika1986 · 03-01-2012 01:14PM

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.

That happened to us christmas eve of all times!there was loads of us who hadn't seen each other in a while and just catching up, the ****er sang three songs!

Back on topic it depends on the party. I have parties where i won't play at all and then parties where the guitar goes round all night and it's great craic!depends on the mood etc

saa · 03-01-2012 01:14PM

Curious..is this just an Irish begrudgery thing, any time someone wants to perform or is alright at something there is a bit of oh look at them who do they think they are, getting up putting themselves out there, yor a shooow.

But there is a time and place for everything, house parties are not the time or place to do a set of your own singer song writer stuff (unless its that kind of event)but one song isn't a big deal I do like a good sing song... its grand as long as it doesn't take over or go on for too long.

From what I can see it is the kind of guy usually who does this that people feel animosity to, I'm thinking of many a ego driven, I try not to look like I love how I look, floppy hair, deep meaningful, middle class but poorly dressed type

And also the cut off point when everyones getting fidgety its probably time to stop.

03-01-2012 01:24PM

jonnyfingers wrote: »

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

Oh don't start that sh!te

Logical Fallacy · 03-01-2012 01:39PM

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTRrZcEsjFU

jonnyfingers wrote: »

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

Well, i can play loads of instruments and i generally dislike people playing at parties when they obviously are not very good. I quite enjoy someone with a bit of talent playing at the right time though. Personally i'd prefer to just be playing a DJ set though, or maybe a bit of live production...something with a bit of kick until the party winds down some.

Herb Powell · 03-01-2012 01:42PM

bluewolf wrote: »

Oh don't start that sh!te

Why? It's a fair enough question imo.
As a guitarist, someone playing guitar would only annoy me if they're ****, or keep playing on and on and on, with no attention to the mood of the people listening.
Someone who doesn't play may think differently, but I like seeing people play

mackg · 03-01-2012 02:04PM

Rarely been in a situation where this happened but where I have it was always enjoyable. Someone handy enough at the guitar and an all right singer leading a sing along, sounds like good craic to me. Saying that I don't really associate with the kind of people who ye all make out to be the problem.

Mickeroo · 03-01-2012 02:09PM

jonnyfingers wrote: »

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?

I play and sing but i can't stand it either. I always refuse to do it too. Its a total mood killer imo as a lot of the time (not all the time) its only a small minority who actually want the person to play.

A big old sing along is fine though.

bigbudda · 03-01-2012 02:11PM

All depends on the session, the mood and people!! If its a cosy, drinking cans, joints, low music, then a guitar and singalong is perfect.
But when everyone is buzzy and enjoying the background music then there is no need to annoy us with ur bad singing and out of tune instruments, just give it a rest!!

Last get-together i was at, we slowly started chanting under our breaths "I-pod... I-pod I-pod..." hoping the Noel Gallagher wannabe would get the hint....

JerryHandbag · 03-01-2012 02:33PM

Occasionally I get the guitar handed to me at parties/family get togethers but I always decline because (a) I can't sing, and (b) slow 12 bar blues isn't really what people want to hear :pac:

membersonly · 03-01-2012 02:34PM

Some of the best nights I've had were at sessions with someone playing guitar and a sing song, obviously the people playing knew what they were doing. It's also important that the guitarist doesn't take themselves too seriously and can put the guitar down if people are trying to chat.

Anytime I've been at a session where someone was playing who wasn't very good (too drunk to play), I found that people just started chatting and the guitarists just got the hint and joined back in with the chattin and drinkin.

Really don't see how it could create a problem or spoil a night.

MrPirate · 03-01-2012 07:05PM

Joshua Jones wrote: »

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

Totes. :P

I've no problem really about this. Usually when this happens it's the right atmosphere. As a guitar playing, usually I get a good while at it. But I HATE HATE HATE when either I hear or I'm requested to play wonderwall. As a general rule, I openly refuse to learn it, purely because it's utter sh/t.

Only time I dislike this is when someone who only knows about four chords badly and plays like the Fr Ted Eurovision episode.

For Forks Sake · 03-01-2012 07:10PM

http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2011/12/19/dinner-party-host-really-wishes-he-had-hidden-those-acoustic-guitars/

DINNER party host Gerry Lindsey said he really wishes he had hidden those acoustic guitars last night before his guests arrived.

The 47-year-old accountant told this reporter that he did not intentionally leave the instruments in the living room for people to play with, and that they really should have asked first before picking up the guitars: ”They’re there as ornaments really. I don’t play any kind of music at all.”

After finishing the meal, Mr Lindsey invited his guests, who are all work colleagues, into the living room for some refreshments while he tidied up the dining room table.

He said “Everyone was in high spirits. I made a nice big jug of sangria and left them to their own devices while I cleaned.”

Sources left in the living room claim that David from human resources was the first to pick up a guitar.

“I didn’t even notice it at first. David seemed to be strumming it lightly like he was tuning it.” said secretary Geraldine Woods.

Unfortunately for the group, David was just preparing them for what was to come next.

“Once I heard the chords I knew what kind of night it was going to be.”

“Bluddy ‘wonderwall! In the key of ****.‘” added Ms. Woods.

Upon re-entering the living room, host Lindsey was greeted with frosty stares from his guests.

“What could I do? He was already started into Green Day’s ‘time of your life’!”

“Then John from legal joined in with the other guitar. They seemed to be competing. We didn’t have a chance.” cringed Lindsey.

It is reported that after two glorious hours of fall out boy, Johnny Cash and Bob Marley, the guests decided to make their way home.

Lindsey concluded: “Theres always one ****ing guitar hero. But to get two in one night is just awful luck.”

Robdude · 03-01-2012 07:30PM

If it is *your* party - go for it.

What people find annoying is that it's a completely random, unrelated, thing to do. If you were throwing a party and I decided to show up with a full-sized art canvas and a bunch of paint and set up next to your keg and start painting....

Well - it would be like that. Only worse. Because the guitar player forces people to listen by projecting loud music at them.

I play guitar. I like listening to guitar. But I go to places with that purpose. I like lots of other stuff too - like video games. But I'm not going to show up at a house party and setup my desktop computer so I can play WoW in the middle of the party and try to get people to watch me.

03-01-2012 07:36PM

I'm a guitarist and cringe at the memories of me doing this a couple of times.. Literally only a couple thank god. The only time I ever play it now is for a Vietnamese girl who thinks it's absolutely amazing cause they aren't used to hearing it anywhere.

William_Hicley · 03-01-2012 07:37PM

Q: Whats the fastest way to shut a guitar player up?

A: Put some sheet music in front of them :pac:

JonathanAnon · 03-01-2012 07:38PM

I play guitar and sing, and I would agree with the guys above.. I wouldnt just pick up the guitar and start without being asked.. If I did I'd play something popular, not something self indulgent.. I was at a party once where a guy started singing a song that he wrote himself.. And then his brother started singing harmonies... ffs, I wanted to break the guitar over his head..

It can be cool when you have somebody play something recent from the charts, as opposed to having them blasting out of the stereo.... But playing songs like American Pie, Stairway To Heaven, Breakfast At Tiffany's, Wonderwall should be out of bounds..

Wattle · 03-01-2012 07:41PM

It depends on what's being played. If its 'American Pie' I usually head for the garden for an hour until its over. God I hate that song.

BunShopVoyeur · 03-01-2012 07:41PM

Captain McDuck wrote: »

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??

People who are actually talented playing some tunes for a sing song at a party can be good craic.

I think it's more the untalented spastics baiting the crap out of the guitar whispering some indie ballad trying to get laid that piss most people off.

Bipolar Joe · 03-01-2012 07:58PM

JerryHandbag · 04-01-2012 12:22AM

JonathanAnon wrote: »

I was at a party once where a guy started singing a song that he wrote himself.. And then his brother started singing harmonies... ffs, I wanted to break the guitar over his head..

Or you could just do a near miss :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvR6d08L3nc

Arpa · 04-01-2012 01:15AM

Jesus, seems people really have some hatred towards musicians. I play guitar and sing myself, and have played at a number of parties. Any guitarist worth their salt will be able to judge the right time to play. Usually when everyones stoned at 4am and say, "Hey man, play that song" or something like that.

If there's lots of people dancing, chatting and everyones enjoying the party, I wouldn't dare start playing. You'd look like a knobhead. Musicians love just listening to music too.

It's terrible that musicians are getting such a bad stick for this. I can honestly say that I have never played unless requested to do so, this is the rule in so far as I see it. And unless more than one person wants it too, I decline.
It's not cool to go grabbing the nearest guitar and try get everyones attention. As for the playing to get with girls...yeah it can help at times, but it usually has to be precluded by some decent conversation just like everyone else, and even then you can't just pick up a guitar and play to her. If you think that guys with guitars get girls more often, it's a fallacy...all it really is, is a topic of conversation and perhaps it can signal to a girl that 'yeah, there's more to me than what you see here'.

For the most part, I'm usually too bolloxed to play guitar at parties, but I don't see why there is so much hate towards people with some talent. I can't imagine it's jealousy. Anyone can learn guitar, trust me.

As for the guy who said, it's like taking his pc to a party and playing WoW...actually I'd rather watch that than someone fingerwanking on a ****ty acoustic.

Just last night I got a call from some mates I haven't seen in a while asking me to come to their house party before going out and play some songs for them...I had no cash, they offered to order me a taxi and supply me with free beer. I can't think people are really that opposed to musicians if I get requests like that.

I can try put it in perspective. Musicians love an audience, it allows them a chance to try things, perfect them. They are more than happy to play if requested, but will not do so/or should not do so, if it's a buzz killer.

The only reason I can think of as to why people would have such antipathy towards people who play at parties is:
a) because it's not the right time and segregating the party, which is in fact the opposite intention of music in the first place
or
b) they are utter ****e.

Seriously, if you see some poor sod making a tit of himself at a party because nobody wants to listen and he's ruining the mood...just tell him quietly maybe he should leave it till later or something. If in actual fact, it is the right time and place and the person playing is good, just be appreciative that someones putting themselves out there, it can be daunting at the best of times playing to an Irish audience. We are a nation of hecklers and smart asses, so playing in front of a group of half pissed people is not easy.

And when you think about it, we're lucky to be on this island with so many people trying to be expressive through music. You don't get it many places, where Johnny will start playin something, Paddy walks in with a fiddle and joins in, Mick grabs the bodhran and suddenly you have a full session.

I have played in Spain/France/Italy/Brazil and people are astounded by Irish people and ecstatic if you can play at their party, because usually the only live music they hear are Euro pop groups playing dodgy covers or Pedro playing Stairway To Heaven and screaming in a crappy Spanish accent. Give musicians a break and enjoy it. If you're jealous, go get a kazoo and join in at the next one.

Sky King · 04-01-2012 01:39AM

Lads, were any of you ever trying to sleep a scummy hangover off at a house party at 7am when some dick sniffing fuckbox pseudo-hippy mashed off his game on shrooms starts beating his stupid fucking bongo drum arrhythmically and refuses to shut the fuck up because he thinks it constitutes the zenith of music and creativity?

I was.

Believe me, you nay sayers would be begging for wonderwall. BEGGING.

Bongo Drums (and the tools that use them) are the real criminals here people, not guitars. You can extract beautiful melodies and harmonies from a guitar. You can extract FUCK ALL from bongo drums, except the desire to discharge a firearm into the face of the people who 'play' them.

TeddyTedson · 04-01-2012 01:47AM

So it's "guitar guy" people really seem to have a problem with.

But if it's like this, I'm sure this is allowed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCvWTGVA-QY

membersonly · 04-01-2012 01:47AM

What Arpa said. [/thread]

brummytom · 04-01-2012 01:49AM

I've been at plenty of parties where people either pick up an instrument lying around the house, or they've brought their own. It's always great craic you miserable fuckers.

Had a few tunes/songs in my bedroom on my birthday while my 'normal' friends were dancing to some dubstep rubbish downstairs. Different strokes for different folks, but I don't think you can beat a bit of live music; and if you're pissed, does it even matter if it's good?!

Playing Guitar

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