My guitar snob story... I was a busker years ago when I went into a local shop to buy strings. The staff knew me by sight, and one of them started making the distinction between buskers and "real musicians". I smiled and replied that as long as I can hang a guitar on my shoulder and make total strangers stop, listen, and have a good time, then I'm as "real" as I'm ever going to need to be.
WTF, my bra? in Australia people like this staff member aren't in guitar stores - they're in hospital in emergency🚑surgery getting their face stitched back together after a well-deserved brutally harsh beating, or perhaps let off with a light glassing? Peace, repect & be nice to ya missus - and all others. You ARE a real musician all day long mate, busking is fair dinkum cool. 🎸@Didyabringyabongalong Station🦘Central QLD🤘Australia🪃 p.s. rock n' roll 'til you're stone-motherless, brown bread.
11) The Mind. Constantly rambles on how you need to learn more theory. 12) The Soul. Constantly rambles on how you don't need theory at all. 13) The Body. Constantly rambles on what is "real music" and what isn't.
Nico Nico I still firmly believe that many mainstream bands/artists are near talentless, and are in it for the money(mostly pop and rap artists, and all of those "core" or "post" metal genres). I can respect a lot of hip hop artists and rappers though, there are plenty of them that are very talented.
JGPorcello I’ve played for 12 years now and I’m just getting into a little bit more music theory, or what have you. I’ve had so many people be absolutely snobby when it comes to my lack of knowledge in what is minor or major scales, and it just turns me off. By no means was I not dedicated to playing I was just playing what I love, and what sounded correct. However, writing music that seemed cohesive didn’t seem to work all the time. It would have been nice if someone being an asshole about it would have taken a little time to tell me what I’m doing wrong and such. So, maybe approach some these people with a little bit of care, and if they aren’t responsive then that’s there problem.
i have ,over the years, buit up a fine collection of squier guitars ... because i tried the fenders and realised it would be foolish to buy one as the high end squiers are actually superior in sound and comfort unless you want to talk high octane shit ...then i`d bail and get an ibanez !
Here is my guitar snob story: Back in the early/mid 90's, my then new band playing mostly all original music went to an open mic night (and one our first public appearances) hosted by one of the more popular local bands at the time. It was one of those deals where all the amps , drums and mics are provided- just bring your instrument. When our turn comes around, we go up the stage to plug in and tune up. The lead guitar player from the host band is running sound, and helping us find our places and get ready. He comes to me and sees I have a Squire P Bass and says "Squire? I started out on Squire too..." Then shows me the bass amp and starts explaining to me what each knob does, talking to me like I'm a complete idiot and need a explanation of all the tone knobs and what the volume knob does, really making sure I knew how to turn down the amp. I mean like he is explaining it to a toddler! We played our set to a great reception and many people loved what they heard. We hang around to catch the other performers and I was asked to sit in with a few people on bass, as was my drummer on drums. Mostly acoustic types that never really have a backing band. Later that week, the local music store owner told me that guitar player from the host band was looking for me, that he wanted to know if I wanted to join his band. He had a lot of flattering things to say about our performance to the shop owner. All I could say was "Is it ok if I show up with my Squire Bass??" I turned him down.
Not gonna lie dude. When you went in to the whole "he told me what the knobs were for" part I started seriously laughing. It's lame you were subjected to such ignorance but still pretty funny that a guy could be THAT much of a condescending punk.
roben o cara depends on your definition of "made it". I personally think I've done pretty well for myself. I've played with a lot of talentent musicians, played well over a thousand gigs, played crowds bigger than that, wrote and recorded some great tunes and have had a great time doing it. I've supported myself for some time financially doing it as well. But over all I'd measure myself as "made it" because I did/do what I love with out anyone else having to qualify what I've done. And as far as that guy, I never heard from him again or seen him around.
Boone Docker yup. I once knew a guy who Hated standard Tuning. It’s so boring he would say. Why do people even bother with that they should be more original. Lol
i got called a snob for knowing how to play in open tunings. to be fair, i got handed an upside down guitar (i'm a lefty), and seeing how i struggled playing in standard tuning, i asked to put it in open d. the owner agreed and we jammed. still got called a snob for playing by ear on an upside down open tuning when all i wanted to do was jam without struggling too much. the owner of the guitar and me had a good time, which was more important than being judged as a show-off.
With some changes in terminology, this could apply to anything. Cooks, dog trainers, computer salesman, you name it. I think your advice is very insightful, and useful. Thanks for posting!
Bryce the Guy "Feel" is a subjective concept, but the general term "feel" would originate from the blues . Anything that's is not the blues causes some guitar guys to deem someone "unmusical".
I HATE this phrase. I see it on so many shred videos as a way to demean players. “Feel” is subjective, and varies from person to person. Guys like Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert, and Guthrie Govan to me have immense technical abilities, but also put so much thought and passion into their writing, yet I always find some people in the comments somewhere that has to say it’s “Technical wankery. No feel at all. Just being a show off”. I get what people mean when they talk about feel, but I think so many misuse this word and throw it around too often. I’ve grown to hate the word now, and cringe a little when I read/hear it.
Blue Orpheus Yeah, I hear you. The term "Feel" is everywhere, but I've always like and prefer "Unmusical shred". It just gives me the same feeling a blues guy guy would feel hearing Clapton, BB King , SRV. I know there is a huge community of us shred lovers, but we are always shunned out of the crowds because of the F word: "Feel". Glad you agree.
Quinn Rollen hahahaha thats so true. In my book thats not what makes a guitar player tho. Any dumbass can learn an Em and a g chord on a shitty yamaha acoustic. A real guitarist is a guy who makes his guitar an extension of himself not a one trick pony than can only impress grandmothers at thanksgiving dinner.
Oh there it is!!!! Lead singer disorder!!!!! Holy shit!!!! Go away I'm an average singer I'd rather work a little harder singing and playing than have one more microphone holder tell me what I aught to be doing. It's kind of a shame I'm a much better back up vocalist. All they have to do is sing I'll harmonize to them and no one tells anyone what to do.
I only play Aeolian, but I like how it sounds. I got no beef with Pentatonic or any other scale. Just to clarify not all fans of Aeolian are assholes. Though I 've no doubt many ARE, lol.
How about Tommy One-Tune? After he plays the one song he knows, he acts like he’s too good to play anywhere but Carnegie Hall and puts it back in the case.
Benjamin Sendrow Tommy One-Tune 😂 That's clearly either laziness or only knowing that one song (or both), coupled with insecurity, not wanting to be seen as lazy or limited.
Yes! And never forget, that not only your own fear might skew your own perception of others and make you think they are being snob when they are not, but that THEY also might have their own fear of their own that in turn gets translated into snobbery. For example: maybe that other guitarist thinks you're great and feels intimidated by you, and thus think that YOU are being a snob, so he feels the need to belittle you as a defense mechanism. Playing music with people is really akin to relationships - and as with any other relationship: communication is key! Be confident, don't be afraid to be honest and humble, and talk, this is the best remedy to ease tensions and clear out any misjudgement!
As opposed to the gear snob, there's always the "Anti-Gear Snob." He thinks the major brands are "overrated" and "you're just paying for the name on the headstock" and that he "can make any guitar sound great." The "Anti-Guitar Snob" looks down his nose at anyone playing nice gear.
Chris Elswick there is also the shop around guitarist. It's the sort of guy who will be patient enough to shop around get to know so called inferior guitars and shut up all the so called great guitarists who call them snobs. Just saying. But I guess since your looking for a guitar who can make you look cool and give you a sound you don't have the knowledge to use you won't read this anyway.
Great video, but another perception to add came from the other side of the coin, I have a Buddy that plays very well, and at one of the venues (fund raiser for a charity) he was playing at. Another player was having problems with a riff in a song doing some warm ups, and knowing that my buddy plays that same tune at his gigs. I asked him if he was going to try and help the guy out? His response was "I don't want to look like a know it all" I know he would help anyone that asks but i think he fears the perception of being a snob more.
that is so true ... i have experience gigging and touring and teaching but im really nervous now for no real reason and i feel awkward when someone asks my advice because i feel it wont be as good or as valid as when i was gigging ... since ive retired i really just play for my own enjoyment and so far i havent recorded one note because i dont think my stuff is worthy, someone told me my playing is actually better since i stopped gigging lol and im still all nervous nancy ... i think awkwardness shows up anywhere there is pressure be it from inside or external and you just have to bite the bullet and go for it ... whats that old saying ... it's better to seek forgiveness than permission ?
This scenario reminds me of the gym scenario. Almost every gym has those people that don't use the machine/weights right. On one hand, you get criticized for noticing and not joining it out, but on the other hand you can get criticized for giving unwanted advice or instruction. All of these damn scenarios are a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario. In a situation where no help was asked, I'd say just do which ever you think is best. Help or not. If you catch flak for either choice, who cares. You can't please everyone in life.
do not stop recording and make sure you are playing your own originals not covers, you record your jams /freestyle playing or mental music theory as you play than you will recognize where you shine and where you may want to try to tighten up your line.
A related bit of wisdom I picked up years ago, "unasked advice is most often unheeded advice"...so in the scenario you describe, I agree with your buddy...he runs the high risk of coming off as a "snob" -with a low probability that the recipient of wisdom will even give a shit what he has to say. The first part (unasked/unheeded) is why I don't even bother. But if asked, I will throw my two cents into it with humility knowing damn well that what I know about riff's, theory, sound, etc is a lot less than what could be known. Humility, don't leave home without it, because Pride goeth before the Fall. ;)
I guess it's the similar to "Judge Judy", but not only clothes. Tattoos, beards/facial growth, piercings, and haircuts are also included in typical UA-cam and Guitar Center snobbery. Just play and have fun.
You forgot the Perfect Pitch snob. The guy who claims everyone is always out of tune. I swear every video I see someone claims how out of tune the player is and in most cases they are in tune.
Oh my god this gives me goose bumps, my friend would stop playing anytime someone's instrument went out of tune, also when we would be hanging out he would always comment on which note birds were making, car horns, elevator, doorbells but he would ask you which note you thought it was first so he'd get to correct you... And he did have perfect pitch so it was that much worse, haven't seen him years thank God.
There's also the "technique snob" the guy who'll tell you you're playing wrong because your wrist is ever so slightly out of place, or you're using your ring finger on that one lick when you should use your pinky, basically if you're not using his exact movements you've got "wrong technique"
When I was just out of high school I had gotten a music scholarship at a little community college to play in their jazz program. I was actually a moronic 18 year old blues "purist" and only wanted to play blues. The music director at that school actually got me a job as a janitor at a local theater and I made friends with the guitar players in the band there and actually invited him to come and play with a local artist I had met while playing at a music store. The guy I invited had already been crowned a flat picking champion at 17 years old and was unreal talented. He was WAY out of my league but I turned him on to SRV and he turned me on to Brent Mason and Eric Johnson. We NEVER tried to "upstage" each other and had a lot of fun jamming and he complimented my blues playing to different people and I told everybody how awesome he was. His name is Andy Wood and he's now the mandolin player in Rascal Flatts. Check out his guitar stuff on youtube. He's a great player and really down to earth guy. I've not seen him in years but I'm glad to know he's doing well.
So true. With 43 years of experience, I have learned that I'll never know everything, and that I learn something new everyday. Also, I believe at some point along my journey, I've met everyone of those snobs. The most recent one I've encountered is all them rolled up in one package, plus some others. In a nut shell, he repetitively plays the same songs, by the same artist and tries to emulate his persona. Trust me, it's a sad thing to see. In other words he's horrible, but not in his mind. Now, if you try to play with the anything else in his self proclaimed awesome presence, he'll throw a fit and let you know that you don't know anything about music. The only thing I can think of to call this type of snob is "The Legend In Their Own Mind".
Or FRIENDLY bragging. Tell people how cool you are, show off your skills, but also be willing to admit who's better than you - and happy to help anyone less good. Show a rhythm guitarist the techniques that make beginner soloing easier, or point out to a dude that it might be easier to play the (X) chord THIS way - though some people find it easier another way. Basically, don't be a judgmental dick.
As someone who has taken up the guitar during my retirement. I appreciate your perspective. My experience has been of feeling intimated but as I got better and also got to know a lot of guitarist and most are very helpful. I think it's also important to to play within yourself and not get in the way.
That's awesome that you picked up playing during retirement. I tell people all the time it's never too late to learn how to play and write. A good song is a good song, regardless if you are 8 or 80. Keep jamming!
Guitar snobs don't bother me because the greatest threat to my performance is my own crippling stage fright. I'm also learning the mandolin. Recently the school had a recital and I had to play Wiskey Before Breakfast and Old Joe Clark on the mandolin while my teacher played the chords on guitar. I practiced for weeks until I could play almost on autopilot. I recorded videos of myself to trigger the nervousness and learn to deal with it. I felt as ready as I could be. The night of the recital it all fell apart. The closer it got to my turn the more terrified I became. When I finally got on stage and started to play I could barely tell what song I was playing. The audience was incredibly nice about it, not a single tomato was thrown, nor was there a stampede to the exit.
Something like that happened at my first guitar recital. I was playing well and my guitar teacher threw in some chords that threw the flow of the song off on purpose to see if I had actually been paying attention during the lessons. I messed up a few times, but I had only been taking lessons for a few weeks.
I can relate to this. There is this guitar player in Portland, Oregon, Scott Pemberton, that said something that I really liked. He talked about how the brain has "rooms" and the things that he is practicing are in the "hard" room and as he practices they move into the "easy" room and he only performs things that are in the "easy" room. I really appreciate this channel and Tony's gift to guitar players. The practice with intention (focus on a certain skill) for a few minutes (or even just 60 seconds) makes a big difference. That kind of practice takes skills into the easy room faster.
Playing in front of friends or family a bunch of times before playing "out" can help conquer your stage fright. Do it as much as it takes to get comfortable. Explain to them why you need to do this and they should be grateful to help.
I was at a music gear store, and I spotted a Silvertone archtop in pretty good condition. I tuned it up and started playing Robert Johnson's Crossroad Blues on it, but I noticed that the guitar is very poorly intonated. That's normal for these old Silvertones. I decided to keep going. This guy came up to me, and said "your strings are out of tune." Then he left the store. Wonderful.
My guitar snob story happened to me at Guitar Center. I was jamming in the acoustic room throwing down some rhythm with a super good lead player that was showing me some new stuff. He and I were vibing and bouncing stuff off one another. I'm not one to get intimidated by a better guitar player thankfully. He was doing stuff I'll probably never be able to do, but still taking time to teach me some stuff. So in walks a douche wearing a shirt that said 'Rock God' on it. He sat down and started vaping then interrupted the jam cession we had going. He looked at me and yelled, 'Hey ass hole, this isn't the time or the place for that'. The guy I was jamming with and talking to said not to worry about it. The vape head douche bag grabbed the most expensive acoustic in the room and started banging on it like he was truing to hammer in a nail. I'm not the best player in the world, but he needed a lot of practice. He got mad and proceeded to tell me that my playing was shit and bragged that he's ranked as the number 4 best guitar player in the world and a world renowned drummer. He wasn't even the best guitar player in the room and I've seen better drummers than him. After that, I left the acoustic room and went to the bass section where a pretty cool jazz/blues guy showed me some stuff on bass. He was far better than me also, but he didn't rub it in. He even complimented my playing.
guitar stores are for buying guitars after exhaustively trying them out ,,, that shit aint cheap and ill be damned if im going to let my timid nature make me buy the wrong shit ... you should ignore anyone in a store apart from the guy you are haggling with for a decent price ... go to a small store and put a card in the door asking for jam partner ... that way you get control and will be happier... as a bonus you get to play in a rehearsal room or some such ay proper volume , most amps dont sound good till they are at concert volume trust me ..( church halls are usually empty and have great natural reverb ...throw them a few £ and youre good... you never know who you'll get ... i once got to jam with an acoustic guy that was amazing at fingerpicking and managed to get some really good pointers off him in return for fixing his truss rod !
@stuffyyou100 - you cant do that anymore, we have become more civilized and men arent allowed to act like men....ps, I would have done as you would have done lol
Well to be fair, the late 50s Les Paul, Explorer and Flying V are the best sounding guitars ever made by far. The 63 SG and Firebird are close seconds. I think if you consider the best guitarists in the world and the best records ever made, they were all recorded with Gibsons. Primarily Les Pauls. The average 59 Paul sells for 500k these days. On the other hand a 59 strat or Tele are about 10k.. Which essentially confirms the Fenders and other brands are shit in comparison. This is not to say guitars other than Gibson's aren't capable of great tone since they are. But lets be realistic. The 59 Les Paul is and always will be the Holy Grail.
Your description of how you felt at a bluegrass Jam is very accurate for alot of people that make their way out to them. It's how I felt when I first started. And I know I make people feel that way now completely unintentionally. In Bluegrass, ripping solo's is the way of the music. It's the Language and not everybody can do it and it's perfectly okay. The solution isn't just the newcomers perception. It's the experienced player getting up, sitting next to them, and giving them tips, not to help them be a better player, but to help them understand what is going on. Going from playing yourself to jamming is extremely difficult. Anybody can play themselves, and anybody can read a sheet in a band. But learning to pull the music out of the air, even in things such as simple as I IV I V, is extremely intimidating.
Well if you want to back those bluegrass players off just throw some jazz at them. LOL! Just kidding. Although there is some truth in what I'm saying. I always view jazz as sort of the "intellectual pinnacle" of music and figure if someone is proficient at jazz they can about be proficient at anything. I guess what I'm saying is a good jazz player might be the most "intimidating" player. Although a great classical player could probably make the great jazz player feel a little less sure of himself. Us guitar players are weird. LOL!
As I've gotten more active and knowledgeable i've come to realize some interesting Characteristics of each style. A Good Jazz player doesn't always mean a better Guitarist. The best way I can describe it is improv vs melody. Jazz vs Bluegrass Vs Irish Jazz is heavy improv, almost freeform like blues but the improv style is completely free to whatever you can make fit. No rules outside of the chords and rythm of the piece. Bluegrass loves it's improv but it also loves it's melody. The phrasing is so much different than Jazz, the rythms are simpler, chords extended duration gives better lick based improv. What works for Bluegrass, simply wont work for Jazz, and from my own experience with Jazz guitarists(GOOD Ones too) Jazz improv just doesn't do it for Bluegrass. The only other style i've seen match up well is a pumping rock and roll style of improv. And lastly Irish. A good Irish player plays the melody with embellishments and expression. Don't you ever dare fucking improv a Irish song, because a true irishman will smash your guitar. It's outright insulting to improv over an irish tune rather than play the melody with embellishment. The only excusable offense is being in a situation where you simply don't know how not rather that you didn't know at all. It is interesting however as you said. To see how we view eachother in the different stages and genre's.
I honestly believe that people who really, really, really enjoy playing and learning to play the guitar don't even notice so-called guitar snobs. Dealing with success or failure is easy if you love what you're doing. One more thing. For those of you starting out: learn music theory. I've lost count of how many posts and comments from people who have been playing for years after tabs or records, and have reached a plateau because they don't know how to read music. Really sit down and spend time with it, you won't regret it. Maybe in ten years you move to a tiny Swedish village where you are the only musician, now it's incredibly helpful if you can teach the kids music theory. Learning something so you can teach it to others is a blessing.
In the late 70s (yes I am that old) in my home country the Netherlands I once was in a Guitar shop trying out some Spanish guitars, nylon strings that stuff. Then this let me call him "guitar jock" stepped in when I played Freight train (Chet Atkins) and he right away looked very condescending at my style of finger picking which just wasn't the hot thing in that time and he just started to do his own thing, completely "over blasting" me when an other guy there told him to stop, and to my surprise he did. The other guy said to me that he my style of playing very interesting. To explain: Instead of only using my thumb for the bass/chord line like Atkins did, I use my thumb and index finger to get that sound and the rest of my right hand fingers for the melody. He invited me to play a song, and since I was still overwhelmed by the behavior of that guitar jock I could not come up with something else than "twinkle twinkle little star" which I turned in to some weird children song medley. The other guy also took guitar and he turned it in to one of the most amazing jams I ever did, he played counter melodies, harmonies it was just awesome. This "guitar jock"just stood there, and the other guy abruptly stopped and said he had to run toe get some shopping done. On my way out, I said to the shop owner "that was an amazing guitarist" he answered, "don't you know who that was ?" I shook my shoulders and answered that I had no clue. The shop owner said: "That was Jan Akkerman" And I went WOW! You maybe never heard of this guy but Jan Akkerman just was the number one Dutch guitarist of that period, one of the best in the country, he wasn't a snob in anyway, but this guitar rock was the snob, but he KNEW who told him to stop being an ass.. I never met Jan Akkerman again.. This is my story.. you can always google Jan Akkerman, he was pretty amazing ..
It definitely matters on acoustic instruments.... hence why a french polish is more highly sought after on a high end violin for instance. A shitty polyfinish can kill your tone. I mean ...go get a trash bag and put your guitar in it. since that's what polyester is. Proally one of the main reason why starts sound like shit. Consider the bolton neck, the single coil noise and a poly finish and you have a horrible tone.
Yeah, right. SRV, Hendrix, Richie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler. Should I go on? I might give you Clapton because I think he was the best on Gibsons, but he does have a signature Strat named for him. One man's shit is another's shinola, dude.
I was labeled as a guitar snob by the three guys I was in a small time band, and here’s why. I came into the band owning just a few guitars. I had an American tele with Texas special pickups, a 12 string ovation acoustic electric, my first guitar which is a no name acoustic, and a tiny little Marshall amp. I got a huge promotion at work shortly there after, was making three times more money overnight, and started buying gear left and right. I bought a counterfeit Chinese Les Paul and a Peavy bass off of the guy whose house we rehearsed in, a used Strat, a Dean accoustic electric bass, a Fender Starcaster semihollow body, an ‘82 Guild accoustic electric limited edition, a Fender tube amp, a Vox tube amp, an Accoustic bass amp, a Boss me-70, a crybaby, a tube screamer, a big muff pie, an auto wah, all within a years time. The straw that broke the camels back was when I got a Les Paul. Everyone was suddenly pissed at me. They felt as though I was rubbing their noses in my good fortune by buying this stuff. Nothing could have been further from the truth. I really never had any money in my life until then and couldn’t afford much, so when I could I sort of went nuts. I’d bring any new gear to rehearsal and let everyone play it there and even let one guy gig with my strat on number of occasions. When I bought the Les Paul I was openly ridiculed by everyone else because of my spending habits. I left the band shortly there after, and really haven’t talked to any of the other three guys for about 4 years now. My wife finally put the buying frenzy to a stop. If I’m even looking at a website where they sell guitars, she gets pissed. So a word to the wise, don’t make your band mates uncomfortable with excessive purchases they may come to resent. I’m looking around now at all this gear, but I’ve lost probably three of the best friends I’ve ever known.
After decades of stumbling around the frets, I've been THE most annoyed by people who buy THE most expensive guitars just for bragging rights. They act like just TOUCHING a mid-range or inexpensive guitar - or even a (GASP!) off-brand copy will give them cancer instantly and their hands will fall off! Sure, that's a bit extreme. But, I've seen players who looked at less expensive guitars like they were piles of dog poop on a sidewalk.
I was the guitar snob. I was in my schools guitar club and I've playedstringed instruments since I was 9. There was this girl, a freshman (I was a senior) who was sitting there and she was horrendiously out of tune. I have excellent relative pitch (not perfect, could still honestly use a lot of work TBH, I can tell when someone is out of tune.) Anyway, I ask her if she could tune her guitar so that it sounded better, it was killing me to hear it out of tune like that. She replied, I don't know how to tune a guitar. I couldn't fathom this. How could someone not know how to tune an instrument? I didn't even think of helping her, or teaching her. My adolescent brain went straight for the sucker punch "What do you mean you don't know how to tune a guitar? you turn the knobs until they match the right note on the tuner, barring that until the sound right!" she was really embarresed. I should have been too.
You were right, though. Tuning by ear is hard for a lot of people, but using a tuner is self explanatory - sounds to me like she wasn't trying. If you spoke in a rude tone then maybe that was wrong but what you actually said was common sense.
I'll be honest in saying that I used to have the same bloody problem. I used to be very lazy with tuning my guitar. Then I started to become aware of my practise sessions I sounded terrible. I now make it my mission to stay in tune constantly and have gotten much better at tuning with my ear. Now I'm almost in pitch perfect tuning 99% of the time, and I'm sure my family hella appreciate it!
I think it was very good of you to recognize and acknowledge how you handled the situation; that you realize that you could have helped her by being more understanding. That is humillity! Very good! /Erik PS I have also made a lot of mistakes, and is also recognizing this fact... so... DS
True. Also Steve Gaines is a HIGHLY underrated player. A lot of people that think of Skynyrd being "too easy" are all the people that just hear the Gary Rossington and Allen Collins solos. The Steve Gaines and Ed King stuff is actually quite "out of the box" in a lot of songs. Steve Gaines could rip that Roy Nichols stuff like a maniac and that crap is VERY hard to play.
Love your attitude mate! I play like a complete knob and am missing a ring finger I cut off when I was twenty years old. Hasn't stopped me having fun, I enjoy playing, it is relaxing, and I am not out to impress anyone, I just play for myself. Once again, love your philosophy! Good on ya!
Check out Django Reinhardt if you've never heard of him. He was missing multiple fingers but dude could absolutely blister it. Unreal good. If you determine you want to be a good player then literally hardly nothing can stop you if you have the use of your hands and at least a couple of fingers. There are things that Django could do that I will NEVER be able to do and I have ALL of my fingers!
So I play guitar, but am more into classical finger style stuff then rock or more modern stuff like that. I know the theory, but I often find myself just playing, and just having fun. Often times when I am just chilling with some other guitarist, I often feel looked down on because they don’t see my style as good enough. I play classic pieces, and arrangements, but struggle to use tabs (because classical music is on sheet music, I am used to sheet music). It stinks, and I try to learn from them, and expand my knowledge, but I always am the odd man out. So I would say that there are definitely people who look down on other guitarists because of the method they learned guitar, or there style. When at the end of the day, I just want to create music, and hang with friends
I think its important to just play what music you do because most of the time other guitarists wont care. As a metal head myself i actually find classical music to be very intersesting. If anybody doubts your classical guitar playing, just show them who yngwie malmsteem is. Also most people dont listen to classical music, so thats why you just have to expand their knowledge as they do to you. If a gutarists really cares about your playing, then theyre not gonna get very far in the world of guitar. Theyre gonna be to busy worrying about other people, rather then themselves.
I feel you man. I too am more into classical, flamenco, bossa nova, and I get looked down on because I'm not rocking out. Who cares. Play the music that moves you.
Great video as always Tony. I drove 26 miles once to share a floor spot at a folk club I had never been to before. When I arrived it was full of hard core traditional acapella singers and a couple of squeeze box enthusiasts. They all looked and me with my guitar case As though I had just crawled out of a drain. I said how many songs do I get? The head woman condescendingly said there's only time for you to do one. But I noticed everyone else did three. When I got my turn they were the most unappreciative ungracious audience I've ever performed in front of. I bet we all have the same tale. I would say it was an example of celebration of collective snobbery. I never went back.
If you fit most of these categories, you don't even have to fill out an application at Guitar Center. You're hired! I bought a Spyder practice amp recently, and after about 10 snooty, condescending answers from the kid that was part of their sales staff, I decided to buy a Spyder 30W practice amp. I made a comment that it seemed to be a good deal for a practice amp, and the kid who was my salesman said "Yeah, I guess. For the money.." while glancing over his shoulder at the other junior GC guitar God, as if I have no idea what the F sarcasm is. So, I'm like "OK, guitar expert what should I be buying other than this amp that costs about the same?" And he said "Well, I'd never be caught dead playing anything but a Marshall XXX" (I don't remember the exact model) and pointed at the amp he was speaking about. So I said "That's cool. I just asked you what you thought was a better amp for the money and you just pointed out an amplifier that costs over twice what I'm paying for this amp. Just finish ringing me up so I can get out of here."
Dude don't worry about the morons at Guitar Center. I kid you not this happened to me just last week. I went in to have a truss rod adjustment on one of my Strats and while I was just sorta hanging around I asked a girl at the counter if they had any .335's because I was just gonna sit down and noodle around on one. So she told me she didn't know what that was and asked another guy behind the counter and he ALSO didn't know what it was! AT GUITAR CENTER! SERIOUSLY! I just explained to them that it's a really iconic but expensive guitar and I just wanted to play around with one but they literally didn't know what it was! So let them roll their eyes about the Line 6 stuff but if you don't even know what a .335 is I don't think you need to be snobby to ANYone when you work at GUITAR. CENTER. LOL!
Aces! Fear and self criticism is the big hurdle. Play within yourself. The operative word is 'play' --which is supposed to be fun. Thanks for that. Cheers to you too!
You've hit the nail on the head with this one- I find certain lead singers are often like this as well. I've gotten fairly privy to many a musician who has fit each of these scenarios in one way or another. I've become absolutely selective of whom I jam with.
I feel that it's more of the people who thinks high end gear makes them a better guitar player then you. I'm very open to cheaper and different brands but there's some real haters out there
PatelSunny, every instruments are equal, and each of them are differently magical 😊, classical or not doesnt matter, go for the sound that sparks your soul, the rest will come as you go, and the thing about your brother is that hes your brother for reasons, good reasons 😊✌, peace bro and hope you work hard.
Hey! Thanks! And hey! I just remembered why my ears perked up when I heard you say "Bozeman"! It's because the water pump on my 1979 Ford pickup froze and busted and I got it replaced in Bozeman back in February of 1980. Nice town :) If I get through there again some time, maybe we can pick and grin together.
I've definitely encountered guitar snobs... 1) the _gear snob._ This guy will always notice that you got a new piece of gear. "Oh, is that a new Tube Screamer? I myself only use the _modded_ original 808s, because they have a rare chip and sound way better... what's that, an '82 Les Paul? I've got a '78 myself. It was the year that they came back to America and made wayyyy better quality guitars before they left the country and made the one you've got... Whatcha got there, a strap knob? Ya know, the ones I use...." 2) the _genre snob._ This guy doesn't like any of the albums you like, because they're not "credible" enough. "Oh yeah... that album... that's when they went 'pop.' I'm only into the first two albums because those are the only pure things they ever did. What's that? You like the _Ramones?_ They were so mainstream compared to bands like The Damned. That's what I listen to. I really only like one Ramones song off their very first album." 3) the _guy who knows the fucking names of actual chords._ Snob: "Hey man, you're playing it wrong..." Me: "Cool, what frets do I need to change?" Snob: "It's an Ursa-Major-Diminished-Lydian-Suss-9." Me: "Cool, so what frets do I need to change?"
Jesse Cole If you know the names of the chords, that's an advantage, isn't it? Not necessarily evidence of snobbery. Having said that, some chords seem to have more than one name, and who's to say which is the "official" one? I'd tell the person the name AND where to place their fingers, myself. If both stick in their mind, great.
i hate the genre snub, in my experience they are very abundant on bands, regardless the genre they play, they always go douch mode on ehen they hear me talk,play,even think, about anything different than what their band plays xddddd
Thanks for the video...I used to always feel self conscious about my playing...But I've learned to just play with your heart and ignore all the BS...there is always going to be someone who wants to put you down...
so I'm an electric and acoustic guitar player. me and my friend were playing at a Christmas party in 2017 (opening up for the band). we played "have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and Carl of the Bells". The next day both the guitar player and the piano/singer sed that "l needed lessons.(I'm self taught) I noticed parts were they messed up too so yeah they're ones to talk. P.S. I play guitar, violin, bass, and harmonica. All self taught.
Seth Fryslie just remember that no one's perfect when it comes to playing a certain type of instrument. Just have fun and be creative with whatever comes your way. If you take yourself seriously in any given situation you will be disgusted and self absorbed by your own 'ego'. Obviously playing your instruments is fun and all but dont be afraid to learn something new with it, dont just noodle around every day thinking that it will solve your problem. Search up a new song, a new technique, a new riff or melody, a new chord etc but be creative with it. Think of what you want to have in your bag of tricks.
So if my first guitar will be a Les Paul just cause I like the way it looks and since I'm a complete guitar noob I can't really tell the tone difference between guitars and also since I'm a guitar noob, tone doesn't even matter since I'll get a better guitar once I know what I'm doing, I'm a snob? Doesn't saying that make you a snob?
Waruu, he's just saying that there are a lot of Gibson and Martin fanboys who shoot every other guitarist down for disagreeing with them, not that YOU, or every person owning them is a snob. To be fair, there are immature elitists in every community, from the old good stuff like Fender to the hyper modern Music Man or Strandberg. You seem like a great person, so keep being a great person, and prove these stereotypes wrong.
This is SO true! Fortunately for me, I don't have too much of a problem with these types of people, because rarely do I ever jam with other musicians, my job doesn't afford me the time...and I don't play that great, anyway.
Love the video and inspiring positivity. I personally have more than a few stories from shopping, getting repair work done and not knowing enough terminology and felt silly more than once. It takes time but eventually you will meet those who will nurture your interest and those people like those on Tony's show make playing music and geeking out a great experience.
Luckally most people I run into in a shop are verry friendly and helpfull people, but they alway leave me in awww with the ease of their playing, most proffesional micisians are verry helpfull I noticed.
This had to be the most to the point top 10 ive seen yet on YT. You could have easily wasted our time and stretched the vid out to 10-20 mins with excessive rambling on each number...but you didnt....and THANK YOU for that.
I have experienced one type and I call them the Climber. They are the type that when you explain something like what gear you use or a riff you wrote or anything and then they do a quick little “HAH” and try to one up you with “I used that guitar when I first started” “I was writing stuff like you when I didnt know about XY thing”
Hey there I suck at playing guitar. What I am good at is in making mechanical effects on guitar. For example I use a glass slide as a pick. You can do things like strike string. Strike and slide. I can get violin effect and even do an echo plex.
Great video. I was getting a kick out of your list of guitar snobs - recognizing the types, but all the while thinking you don't really see them often - and some turn out to be not snobs after all. Then of course, that's where you ended up! I've made my living playing guitar (and banjo) for the last 20 years, and I'm still careful about playing among strangers at the music shops I visit in my travels. I don't want to BE a guitar snob - nor do I ever want to intimidate others. So I ease into it, when there are others around ... and remain mindful of how others might feel. I love sampling all the beautiful guitars at the all the great music shops - and I enjoy being a guitar geek, not a hero.
The 'no pedals' snob: "I'm just straight into the amp, bro, it's the only real sound". The 'no copies' snob: 'Well, it's not bad, but of course it's only a copy of [famous name], so what can you expect". The 'no pants' snob: "Dude, if your bare ass isn't in full contact with the seat of the chair, how can you expect to get any sustain?".
Well spoken and hilarious. I've been the victim of several forms of guitar snobbery. Later , one incident propelled me into rabid aggressive practice. His remarks also made my band mates choose me over him, and he was one of the best I've ever met. 6 months later, in a drunken moment of doubt, he said he didn't know which of us was better. Redemption. I rattled off the fact everyone is different, music is art and expression and we all paint with a different brush. Sadly my nephew has somewhat labeled me a GS lol guess I need to slow down and listen. Thanks
My late little brother was a perfect example of the monster player non-snob. Played at the Montreux Jazz Festival at 22. Never heard him diss anyone, even his incompetent older brother. Most players I've encountered have been supportive. Perhaps they know I'm no threat:-)
I know a snob that told me that pedals are just a waste of time, effort, and money. Knows nothing about guitar nor even want to know. I clearly showed him the difference by playing with my pedals for four Sundays and after that I left the band for almost 2 months. Throughout the process the church realised that the just the clean signals alone (with the worst tone I ever heard) had no feel. Some people also told me that guitar intonation, action, and strumming pattern doesn't matter. They know how to play, they only sound good when they try to use my guitar. (Please check if I have good grammar)
I ran across a good interview with Eric Johnson. He said he's given up being an snob and has recently did some recordings using a Squire and a Pignose.
I LOVE this video man!! How about this one , "The Distractor" - he's the guy who talks over your playing in an attempt to deliberately take everyone's attention off of you
Because of these last 3 minutes you got an insta sub. You being good at guitar is what draw me to this video, you being good at humanhood is what made me stay
Brilliant, sir. I have this motto on my guitar strap (in small print at the back): "pissing off snobs since wayback". Maybe I should add "...but maybe you're just insecure?" :-) First of all, I must admit: I play mostly electric, because when I play acoustic you hear my lack of skills. Or rather: I hear it myself (so I'm pretty sure others do, too). And even when playing electric, I'm not really that good - but still, I've been in bands for over 30 years now, and there have always been people willing to listen, play my songs with me, and even release some of my music on records. I'm more skilled as a bassplayer, and international bands sometimes ask me to play bass for a short tour or play festivals, I take none of this for granted, and I'm very happy with it - and in my 'own' bands I prefer playing guitar. You are absolutely right in your analysis of insecurity (and other things) often being mistaken for snobbery. I prefer Squier to Fender and Epiphone to Gibson, I love oddball '60s fleamarket electric guitars, and that's because I "make any guitar sound good" but because don't sound any better with an expensive guitar :-) I try to help young bands getting their stuff together and part of it is telling them that you do not have to start with a thousand dollar guitar to be taken seriously. But I have been accused of being a snob once or twice, too. You see - I never jam in public. I prefer writing my songs in private, then demo-ing them, and thus being in control until I can play it to my band. (They can then veto the song, of course - but then it's at least in my demo stash for 'who knows when'.) So I don't jam when I'm invited, and one time I got the response "ah, you think you're to good for us then?" My reply was simple: no, I know I'm not good enough to contribute much to a jam situation, I'm sorry. Oh. OK. So now when people invite me to jam and I turn down the invitation, I make sure to say that I'm not good enough for jamming in public. If they think that's false modesty, so be it. And hey, some people really are snobs down to the bone. They will indeed look down on those who do not own "a real Stratocaster" or "a real Les Paul". I have a day job in a rehearsal studio and I meet that type of snob every now and then. They will make nasty remarks when someone has a cheap guitar, amp, or stomp box. Can't stand that! I once told one of those types "oh yeah, you say this cheap pedal is no good because it hisses and buzzes, and yet you buy a rare vintage EHX pedal for a ridiculous amount of money and you call that authentic, but it's hissing and buzzing just as much isn't it?" Ah well, from this rant some people will deduce that I'm a hideous snob myself in some way... but I think your video is, like I said, brilliant, and insightful. Thanks a lot and I'll check out your other vids - the titles sound promising enough!
When I was 19 years old (1968) and trying out a guitar at Manny's in Manhattan.as I played a blues riff another guitarist in the next aisle answered my line. We did the "question and answer" blues riffing for a few minutes. Sometimes playing what I heard was only a close approximation because my skills were not at a high enough level. I stood up a looked around the stack of amps and there stood Eric Clapton. He was very encouraging complimenting my playing but my thinking was similar to the first time I heard Steve Morse play. I needed more practice. I play songs the way I hear them and if some snob with ocd criticizes me for it I just ignore them. I do appreciate fine guitars but believe nothing compares to my 16 year old Music Man Silhouette hardtail is one of the finest solid body guitars ever built. I actually have 2 of them. One tremolo model. Both are Black with maple fingerboards. Really great guitars. Since Roland released the new Blues Cube amps I only own 1tube amp and it didn't begin life as a guitar amp. It is an old Bogen PA head that I tinkered with to use as for low power blues tone. For gigging it's either of my Blues Cubes. Lightweight with great tone and no maintenance. I really love my Artist 212 but use the Hot more often just because it is much more compact. Back in the "old days" I used a 100 watt Plush Bass amp with 2 - 15" JBLs. Really FAT tone. I agree with your snob list but have a question. I used to play in a Blues Band as the "lead guitarist" even though I sang quite a bit. The other guitarist was the name of the band. He had a black face Deluxe and a 50's Strat (mahogany body) with most of the paint chipped off. He was always raving about tone. I thought my Mexican Strat sounded just a good. I also love my Peavey Delta Blues amp with a 15" speaker. I hated how heavy it was and how often I had to swap out the tubes but it was a great class A amp. Of course it didn't sound as good as the other guitarists Deluxe. 😎 Peace.
I'm pretty guilty of being a couple of these at least once in my lifetime playing guitar. Kinda learned that having an open mind will make your abilities grow and flourish in ways you never thought possible. It's helped a lot, wasn't easy to grow out of it, but it's helped.
Number 6 the star search number 4 the Shredder aren't guitar snobs in my opinion, as neither of them involve looking down on other players. The star search is just someone who's probably being really annoying (which doesn't make you a snob) and a shredder is just someone who plays a certain way. It's like calling a country player a snob because they play country.
My guitar snob story...
I was a busker years ago when I went into a local shop to buy strings. The staff knew me by sight, and one of them started making the distinction between buskers and "real musicians".
I smiled and replied that as long as I can hang a guitar on my shoulder and make total strangers stop, listen, and have a good time, then I'm as "real" as I'm ever going to need to be.
WTF, my bra? in Australia people like this staff member aren't in guitar stores - they're in hospital in emergency🚑surgery getting their face stitched back together after a well-deserved brutally harsh beating, or perhaps let off with a light glassing?
Peace, repect & be nice to ya missus - and all others. You ARE a real musician all day long mate, busking is fair dinkum cool.
🎸@Didyabringyabongalong Station🦘Central QLD🤘Australia🪃 p.s. rock n' roll 'til you're stone-motherless, brown bread.
11) The Mind. Constantly rambles on how you need to learn more theory.
12) The Soul. Constantly rambles on how you don't need theory at all.
13) The Body. Constantly rambles on what is "real music" and what isn't.
Nico Nico I still firmly believe that many mainstream bands/artists are near talentless, and are in it for the money(mostly pop and rap artists, and all of those "core" or "post" metal genres). I can respect a lot of hip hop artists and rappers though, there are plenty of them that are very talented.
What the hell did that hafto do with his comment lol
JGPorcello I’ve played for 12 years now and I’m just getting into a little bit more music theory, or what have you. I’ve had so many people be absolutely snobby when it comes to my lack of knowledge in what is minor or major scales, and it just turns me off. By no means was I not dedicated to playing I was just playing what I love, and what sounded correct. However, writing music that seemed cohesive didn’t seem to work all the time. It would have been nice if someone being an asshole about it would have taken a little time to tell me what I’m doing wrong and such. So, maybe approach some these people with a little bit of care, and if they aren’t responsive then that’s there problem.
So basically, Jesse Ventura.
14.) The Maestro. Rambles about how you need to learn to read sheet music, otherwise you're basic and inferior.
11. the gear nazi: when you have less than top dollar stuff that sounds great and get the "it's not a.."
druno82 yeah, I call them the "Cork Sniffers"
I always find that no matter what gear you use it's the person that makes it sound. Gear is just a matter of personal preference.
AKA those people that immediately dismiss someone because they have a line 6 product.
I don't know why people would buy gear only to impress others.
i have ,over the years, buit up a fine collection of squier guitars ... because i tried the fenders and realised it would be foolish to buy one as the high end squiers are actually superior in sound and comfort unless you want to talk high octane shit ...then i`d bail and get an ibanez !
I like this video, straight and to the point, no 3 minute sketches for each snob, just brief, well written descriptions. well done.
11.) Jazzy type Intellectual, no pentatonics allowed
dumb_dago #11*
Haha
Pentatonics are allowed as long as they aren't the pentatonic of the key you are in and you play at least 3 different ones every bar.
Axe Man Cos Musos.......
generic dopeheads revel in repetition, the more often you can play the same crap over and over the bigger the guitar god you are
Here is my guitar snob story: Back in the early/mid 90's, my then new band playing mostly all original music went to an open mic night (and one our first public appearances) hosted by one of the more popular local bands at the time. It was one of those deals where all the amps , drums and mics are provided- just bring your instrument. When our turn comes around, we go up the stage to plug in and tune up. The lead guitar player from the host band is running sound, and helping us find our places and get ready. He comes to me and sees I have a Squire P Bass and says "Squire? I started out on Squire too..." Then shows me the bass amp and starts explaining to me what each knob does, talking to me like I'm a complete idiot and need a explanation of all the tone knobs and what the volume knob does, really making sure I knew how to turn down the amp. I mean like he is explaining it to a toddler! We played our set to a great reception and many people loved what they heard. We hang around to catch the other performers and I was asked to sit in with a few people on bass, as was my drummer on drums. Mostly acoustic types that never really have a backing band.
Later that week, the local music store owner told me that guitar player from the host band was looking for me, that he wanted to know if I wanted to join his band. He had a lot of flattering things to say about our performance to the shop owner. All I could say was "Is it ok if I show up with my Squire Bass??" I turned him down.
Great story. Warm and Rich.
Not gonna lie dude. When you went in to the whole "he told me what the knobs were for" part I started seriously laughing. It's lame you were subjected to such ignorance but still pretty funny that a guy could be THAT much of a condescending punk.
Condescending. That means like, talkin' down to ya..
This story would only be cool if you made it as a bass player. and he didn't make it as a musician
roben o cara depends on your definition of "made it". I personally think I've done pretty well for myself. I've played with a lot of talentent musicians, played well over a thousand gigs, played crowds bigger than that, wrote and recorded some great tunes and have had a great time doing it. I've supported myself for some time financially doing it as well. But over all I'd measure myself as "made it" because I did/do what I love with out anyone else having to qualify what I've done.
And as far as that guy, I never heard from him again or seen him around.
Drop D Danny-a guy that thinks that every song must be played in non standard tuning.
Boone Docker yup. I once knew a guy who Hated standard Tuning. It’s so boring he would say. Why do people even bother with that they should be more original. Lol
i got called a snob for knowing how to play in open tunings. to be fair, i got handed an upside down guitar (i'm a lefty), and seeing how i struggled playing in standard tuning, i asked to put it in open d. the owner agreed and we jammed. still got called a snob for playing by ear on an upside down open tuning when all i wanted to do was jam without struggling too much. the owner of the guitar and me had a good time, which was more important than being judged as a show-off.
@Eddy Guizonde - NICE!
Oh... that's me then
Lol
With some changes in terminology, this could apply to anything. Cooks, dog trainers, computer salesman, you name it. I think your advice is very insightful, and useful. Thanks for posting!
The "Feel police" snob, the guy who can devaluate your musical taste by their perceptions of "feel".
Anthony Santiago What does 'feel' even mean?
Bryce the Guy "Feel" is a subjective concept, but the general term "feel" would originate from the blues . Anything that's is not the blues causes some guitar guys to deem someone "unmusical".
I HATE this phrase. I see it on so many shred videos as a way to demean players. “Feel” is subjective, and varies from person to person. Guys like Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert, and Guthrie Govan to me have immense technical abilities, but also put so much thought and passion into their writing, yet I always find some people in the comments somewhere that has to say it’s “Technical wankery. No feel at all. Just being a show off”.
I get what people mean when they talk about feel, but I think so many misuse this word and throw it around too often. I’ve grown to hate the word now, and cringe a little when I read/hear it.
Blue Orpheus Yeah, I hear you. The term "Feel" is everywhere, but I've always like and prefer "Unmusical shred". It just gives me the same feeling a blues guy guy would feel hearing Clapton, BB King , SRV. I know there is a huge community of us shred lovers, but we are always shunned out of the crowds because of the F word: "Feel". Glad you agree.
Anthony Santiago people who hate the word feel or style usually have neither
Dont forget the snobs that dont even play guitar but will tell you how to play your guitar hahaha
Or, they can play only one or two songs in open chord tuning.
Quinn Rollen hahahaha thats so true. In my book thats not what makes a guitar player tho. Any dumbass can learn an Em and a g chord on a shitty yamaha acoustic. A real guitarist is a guy who makes his guitar an extension of himself not a one trick pony than can only impress grandmothers at thanksgiving dinner.
Bye ....I play a yamaha
Oh there it is!!!! Lead singer disorder!!!!! Holy shit!!!! Go away I'm an average singer I'd rather work a little harder singing and playing than have one more microphone holder tell me what I aught to be doing. It's kind of a shame I'm a much better back up vocalist. All they have to do is sing I'll harmonize to them and no one tells anyone what to do.
I play the A-holian mode. Raise F#, of course -that's how heavy my shit is.
I only play Aeolian, but I like how it sounds. I got no beef with Pentatonic or any other scale. Just to clarify not all fans of Aeolian are assholes. Though I 've no doubt many ARE, lol.
It's just a play on words. As is the raise F#. (as opposed to drop D) Jokes.
How about Tommy One-Tune? After he plays the one song he knows, he acts like he’s too good to play anywhere but Carnegie Hall and puts it back in the case.
He let me look at his pick once. I wasn't allowed to touch but I did see it. Only $20
Benjamin Sendrow Tommy One-Tune 😂 That's clearly either laziness or only knowing that one song (or both), coupled with insecurity, not wanting to be seen as lazy or limited.
druno82 😂
This is great Tony! I really like how you pointed out that our perception is clouded by our own fears.
Yes! And never forget, that not only your own fear might skew your own perception of others and make you think they are being snob when they are not, but that THEY also might have their own fear of their own that in turn gets translated into snobbery.
For example: maybe that other guitarist thinks you're great and feels intimidated by you, and thus think that YOU are being a snob, so he feels the need to belittle you as a defense mechanism.
Playing music with people is really akin to relationships - and as with any other relationship: communication is key! Be confident, don't be afraid to be honest and humble, and talk, this is the best remedy to ease tensions and clear out any misjudgement!
What exactly are you afraid of?!?
As opposed to the gear snob, there's always the "Anti-Gear Snob." He thinks the major brands are "overrated" and "you're just paying for the name on the headstock" and that he "can make any guitar sound great." The "Anti-Guitar Snob" looks down his nose at anyone playing nice gear.
Chris Elswick yes!
I do think major brands are slightly overrated, but I'll be the first one to admit that I'm not worth an expensive guitar myself :-)
A good guitarist can get the most out of a crap guitar, but a crap guitar is still crap and gonna sound like crap, I don't care who's playing it.
You forgot "totally overpriced, I'd get one only if it's $50..."
Chris Elswick there is also the shop around guitarist. It's the sort of guy who will be patient enough to shop around get to know so called inferior guitars and shut up all the so called great guitarists who call them snobs. Just saying. But I guess since your looking for a guitar who can make you look cool and give you a sound you don't have the knowledge to use you won't read this anyway.
Great video, but another perception to add came from the other side of the coin, I have a Buddy that plays very well, and at one of the venues (fund raiser for a charity) he was playing at. Another player was having problems with a riff in a song doing some warm ups, and knowing that my buddy plays that same tune at his gigs. I asked him if he was going to try and help the guy out? His response was "I don't want to look like a know it all" I know he would help anyone that asks but i think he fears the perception of being a snob more.
that is so true ... i have experience gigging and touring and teaching but im really nervous now for no real reason and i feel awkward when someone asks my advice because i feel it wont be as good or as valid as when i was gigging ... since ive retired i really just play for my own enjoyment and so far i havent recorded one note because i dont think my stuff is worthy, someone told me my playing is actually better since i stopped gigging lol and im still all nervous nancy ... i think awkwardness shows up anywhere there is pressure be it from inside or external and you just have to bite the bullet and go for it ... whats that old saying ... it's better to seek forgiveness than permission ?
I understand his feeling on that. I wouldn't presume to tell any other player how to play anything unless I'm giving instruction at a lesson.
This scenario reminds me of the gym scenario. Almost every gym has those people that don't use the machine/weights right. On one hand, you get criticized for noticing and not joining it out, but on the other hand you can get criticized for giving unwanted advice or instruction. All of these damn scenarios are a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario. In a situation where no help was asked, I'd say just do which ever you think is best. Help or not. If you catch flak for either choice, who cares. You can't please everyone in life.
do not stop recording and make sure you are playing your own originals not covers, you record your jams /freestyle playing or mental music theory as you play than you will recognize where you shine and where you may want to try to tighten up your line.
A related bit of wisdom I picked up years ago, "unasked advice is most often unheeded advice"...so in the scenario you describe, I agree with your buddy...he runs the high risk of coming off as a "snob" -with a low probability that the recipient of wisdom will even give a shit what he has to say. The first part (unasked/unheeded) is why I don't even bother. But if asked, I will throw my two cents into it with humility knowing damn well that what I know about riff's, theory, sound, etc is a lot less than what could be known. Humility, don't leave home without it, because Pride goeth before the Fall. ;)
I guess it's the similar to "Judge Judy", but not only clothes. Tattoos, beards/facial growth, piercings, and haircuts are also included in typical UA-cam and Guitar Center snobbery. Just play and have fun.
You forgot the Perfect Pitch snob. The guy who claims everyone is always out of tune. I swear every video I see someone claims how out of tune the player is and in most cases they are in tune.
Oh my god this gives me goose bumps, my friend would stop playing anytime someone's instrument went out of tune, also when we would be hanging out he would always comment on which note birds were making, car horns, elevator, doorbells but he would ask you which note you thought it was first so he'd get to correct you... And he did have perfect pitch so it was that much worse, haven't seen him years thank God.
There's also the "technique snob" the guy who'll tell you you're playing wrong because your wrist is ever so slightly out of place, or you're using your ring finger on that one lick when you should use your pinky, basically if you're not using his exact movements you've got "wrong technique"
"...perception is skewed because of our own fears." Right on - thanks!
When I was just out of high school I had gotten a music scholarship at a little community college to play in their jazz program. I was actually a moronic 18 year old blues "purist" and only wanted to play blues. The music director at that school actually got me a job as a janitor at a local theater and I made friends with the guitar players in the band there and actually invited him to come and play with a local artist I had met while playing at a music store. The guy I invited had already been crowned a flat picking champion at 17 years old and was unreal talented. He was WAY out of my league but I turned him on to SRV and he turned me on to Brent Mason and Eric Johnson. We NEVER tried to "upstage" each other and had a lot of fun jamming and he complimented my blues playing to different people and I told everybody how awesome he was. His name is Andy Wood and he's now the mandolin player in Rascal Flatts. Check out his guitar stuff on youtube. He's a great player and really down to earth guy. I've not seen him in years but I'm glad to know he's doing well.
Sometimes they're just assholes.
So true. With 43 years of experience, I have learned that I'll never know everything, and that I learn something new everyday. Also, I believe at some point along my journey, I've met everyone of those snobs. The most recent one I've encountered is all them rolled up in one package, plus some others. In a nut shell, he repetitively plays the same songs, by the same artist and tries to emulate his persona. Trust me, it's a sad thing to see. In other words he's horrible, but not in his mind. Now, if you try to play with the anything else in his self proclaimed awesome presence, he'll throw a fit and let you know that you don't know anything about music. The only thing I can think of to call this type of snob is "The Legend In Their Own Mind".
Humility is so much more cooler
amen
Or FRIENDLY bragging. Tell people how cool you are, show off your skills, but also be willing to admit who's better than you - and happy to help anyone less good. Show a rhythm guitarist the techniques that make beginner soloing easier, or point out to a dude that it might be easier to play the (X) chord THIS way - though some people find it easier another way. Basically, don't be a judgmental dick.
Anti-snob snob.
true dat
As someone who has taken up the guitar during my retirement. I appreciate your perspective. My experience has been of feeling intimated but as I got better and also got to know a lot of guitarist and most are very helpful. I think it's also important to to play within yourself and not get in the way.
That's awesome that you picked up playing during retirement. I tell people all the time it's never too late to learn how to play and write. A good song is a good song, regardless if you are 8 or 80. Keep jamming!
Guitar snobs don't bother me because the greatest threat to my performance is my own crippling stage fright. I'm also learning the mandolin. Recently the school had a recital and I had to play Wiskey Before Breakfast and Old Joe Clark on the mandolin while my teacher played the chords on guitar. I practiced for weeks until I could play almost on autopilot. I recorded videos of myself to trigger the nervousness and learn to deal with it. I felt as ready as I could be.
The night of the recital it all fell apart. The closer it got to my turn the more terrified I became. When I finally got on stage and started to play I could barely tell what song I was playing. The audience was incredibly nice about it, not a single tomato was thrown, nor was there a stampede to the exit.
aw i can understand but i bet if you continue to go back you will be fine
Something like that happened at my first guitar recital. I was playing well and my guitar teacher threw in some chords that threw the flow of the song off on purpose to see if I had actually been paying attention during the lessons. I messed up a few times, but I had only been taking lessons for a few weeks.
I can relate to this. There is this guitar player in Portland, Oregon, Scott Pemberton, that said something that I really liked. He talked about how the brain has "rooms" and the things that he is practicing are in the "hard" room and as he practices they move into the "easy" room and he only performs things that are in the "easy" room. I really appreciate this channel and Tony's gift to guitar players. The practice with intention (focus on a certain skill) for a few minutes (or even just 60 seconds) makes a big difference. That kind of practice takes skills into the easy room faster.
Overcome stage fright one way or the other, it really is an important thing to do
Playing in front of friends or family a bunch of times before playing "out" can help conquer your stage fright. Do it as much as it takes to get comfortable. Explain to them why you need to do this and they should be grateful to help.
I was at a music gear store, and I spotted a Silvertone archtop in pretty good condition. I tuned it up and started playing Robert Johnson's Crossroad Blues on it, but I noticed that the guitar is very poorly intonated. That's normal for these old Silvertones. I decided to keep going. This guy came up to me, and said "your strings are out of tune." Then he left the store. Wonderful.
I love the sentiment here---don't let this kind of stuff get in the way of being a better player. Drop the judgement and roll with it!
joeb2665 i agree
Some good advice going on here.
My guitar snob story happened to me at Guitar Center. I was jamming in the acoustic room throwing down some rhythm with a super good lead player that was showing me some new stuff. He and I were vibing and bouncing stuff off one another. I'm not one to get intimidated by a better guitar player thankfully. He was doing stuff I'll probably never be able to do, but still taking time to teach me some stuff. So in walks a douche wearing a shirt that said 'Rock God' on it. He sat down and started vaping then interrupted the jam cession we had going. He looked at me and yelled, 'Hey ass hole, this isn't the time or the place for that'. The guy I was jamming with and talking to said not to worry about it. The vape head douche bag grabbed the most expensive acoustic in the room and started banging on it like he was truing to hammer in a nail. I'm not the best player in the world, but he needed a lot of practice. He got mad and proceeded to tell me that my playing was shit and bragged that he's ranked as the number 4 best guitar player in the world and a world renowned drummer. He wasn't even the best guitar player in the room and I've seen better drummers than him. After that, I left the acoustic room and went to the bass section where a pretty cool jazz/blues guy showed me some stuff on bass. He was far better than me also, but he didn't rub it in. He even complimented my playing.
guitar stores are for buying guitars after exhaustively trying them out ,,, that shit aint cheap and ill be damned if im going to let my timid nature make me buy the wrong shit ... you should ignore anyone in a store apart from the guy you are haggling with for a decent price ... go to a small store and put a card in the door asking for jam partner ... that way you get control and will be happier... as a bonus you get to play in a rehearsal room or some such ay proper volume , most amps dont sound good till they are at concert volume trust me ..( church halls are usually empty and have great natural reverb ...throw them a few £ and youre good... you never know who you'll get ... i once got to jam with an acoustic guy that was amazing at fingerpicking and managed to get some really good pointers off him in return for fixing his truss rod !
thelittlest potato sounds as I'd this Guy wasn't right in the head maybe some under lining problems
+thelittlest potato "vape head douche bag." Best thing I've seen all day.
Bet he was #1 at that.
Hey didn't you graduate number one in my Navy Seal's class?
@stuffyyou100 - you cant do that anymore, we have become more civilized and men arent allowed to act like men....ps, I would have done as you would have done lol
Lord the brand snobs...
Jacob Reece Gibson is best ever 😥😥😥😥😥😥 if you don't buy them you're just poor and stupid 😥😥
I hate to say it but I’m an extreme brand snob
Well to be fair, the late 50s Les Paul, Explorer and Flying V are the best sounding guitars ever made by far. The 63 SG and Firebird are close seconds. I think if you consider the best guitarists in the world and the best records ever made, they were all recorded with Gibsons. Primarily Les Pauls. The average 59 Paul sells for 500k these days. On the other hand a 59 strat or Tele are about 10k.. Which essentially confirms the Fenders and other brands are shit in comparison.
This is not to say guitars other than Gibson's aren't capable of great tone since they are. But lets be realistic. The 59 Les Paul is and always will be the Holy Grail.
fucking digital troll
Implying monetary value is innately reflective of actual value
Implying your views are the correct ones
Yup, there's your problem
Your description of how you felt at a bluegrass Jam is very accurate for alot of people that make their way out to them. It's how I felt when I first started. And I know I make people feel that way now completely unintentionally.
In Bluegrass, ripping solo's is the way of the music. It's the Language and not everybody can do it and it's perfectly okay.
The solution isn't just the newcomers perception. It's the experienced player getting up, sitting next to them, and giving them tips, not to help them be a better player, but to help them understand what is going on.
Going from playing yourself to jamming is extremely difficult. Anybody can play themselves, and anybody can read a sheet in a band. But learning to pull the music out of the air, even in things such as simple as I IV I V, is extremely intimidating.
Well if you want to back those bluegrass players off just throw some jazz at them. LOL! Just kidding. Although there is some truth in what I'm saying. I always view jazz as sort of the "intellectual pinnacle" of music and figure if someone is proficient at jazz they can about be proficient at anything. I guess what I'm saying is a good jazz player might be the most "intimidating" player. Although a great classical player could probably make the great jazz player feel a little less sure of himself. Us guitar players are weird. LOL!
As I've gotten more active and knowledgeable i've come to realize some interesting Characteristics of each style. A Good Jazz player doesn't always mean a better Guitarist.
The best way I can describe it is improv vs melody. Jazz vs Bluegrass Vs Irish
Jazz is heavy improv, almost freeform like blues but the improv style is completely free to whatever you can make fit. No rules outside of the chords and rythm of the piece.
Bluegrass loves it's improv but it also loves it's melody. The phrasing is so much different than Jazz, the rythms are simpler, chords extended duration gives better lick based improv. What works for Bluegrass, simply wont work for Jazz, and from my own experience with Jazz guitarists(GOOD Ones too) Jazz improv just doesn't do it for Bluegrass. The only other style i've seen match up well is a pumping rock and roll style of improv.
And lastly Irish. A good Irish player plays the melody with embellishments and expression. Don't you ever dare fucking improv a Irish song, because a true irishman will smash your guitar. It's outright insulting to improv over an irish tune rather than play the melody with embellishment. The only excusable offense is being in a situation where you simply don't know how not rather that you didn't know at all.
It is interesting however as you said. To see how we view eachother in the different stages and genre's.
I honestly believe that people who really, really, really enjoy playing and learning to play the guitar don't even notice so-called guitar snobs. Dealing with success or failure is easy if you love what you're doing.
One more thing. For those of you starting out: learn music theory. I've lost count of how many posts and comments from people who have been playing for years after tabs or records, and have reached a plateau because they don't know how to read music. Really sit down and spend time with it, you won't regret it. Maybe in ten years you move to a tiny Swedish village where you are the only musician, now it's incredibly helpful if you can teach the kids music theory. Learning something so you can teach it to others is a blessing.
HAVE FUN PLAYING WITH THE TOOLS YOU HAVE AND KEEP SEARCHING FOR MORE TOOLS TO PUT INTO YOUR TOOLBOX.
Sound advice sir!
i think the tools in the toolbox are skills. tks and best rgds
In the late 70s (yes I am that old) in my home country the Netherlands I once was in a Guitar shop trying out some Spanish guitars, nylon strings that stuff.
Then this let me call him "guitar jock" stepped in when I played Freight train (Chet Atkins) and he right away looked very condescending at my style of finger picking which just wasn't the hot thing in that time and he just started to do his own thing, completely "over blasting" me when an other guy there told him to stop, and to my surprise he did.
The other guy said to me that he my style of playing very interesting.
To explain: Instead of only using my thumb for the bass/chord line like Atkins did, I use my thumb and index finger to get that sound and the rest of my right hand fingers for the melody.
He invited me to play a song, and since I was still overwhelmed by the behavior of that guitar jock I could not come up with something else than "twinkle twinkle little star" which I turned in to some weird children song medley.
The other guy also took guitar and he turned it in to one of the most amazing jams I ever did, he played counter melodies, harmonies it was just awesome.
This "guitar jock"just stood there, and the other guy abruptly stopped and said he had to run toe get some shopping done.
On my way out, I said to the shop owner "that was an amazing guitarist" he answered, "don't you know who that was ?"
I shook my shoulders and answered that I had no clue. The shop owner said: "That was Jan Akkerman" And I went WOW!
You maybe never heard of this guy but Jan Akkerman just was the number one Dutch guitarist of that period, one of the best in the country, he wasn't a snob in anyway, but this guitar rock was the snob, but he KNEW who told him to stop being an ass..
I never met Jan Akkerman again..
This is my story.. you can always google Jan Akkerman, he was pretty amazing ..
The only time I went to the Cavern ( in Liverpool ) was to see Focus, in October 1972.
Normans rare guitar players that go to get famous
Ohhh boy....this is veeeery true!!
And play out of tune. Ouch!
Thomas Pick sounds like out of tune snob😂
that one is a home-run
Bottom line.... Everybody is a guitar player lolololololol 🤣😂
I really appreciate you laying out your own experiences to show that it can be a perception issue as well.
11. Rich Ripper - Rips on people that made the rookie mistake of buying a B.C. Rich because they thought it looked cool... Guilty! ✋😅
Loved this video. Loved your approach to guitars, and how uniting guitar players was important! I love the message. You got a new sub
The real #1 who thinks Nitro finish has effect on tone.
"How can I play my guitar well, if it doesn't look good while I'm doing it?"
It definitely matters on acoustic instruments.... hence why a french polish is more highly sought after on a high end violin for instance. A shitty polyfinish can kill your tone. I mean ...go get a trash bag and put your guitar in it. since that's what polyester is. Proally one of the main reason why starts sound like shit. Consider the bolton neck, the single coil noise and a poly finish and you have a horrible tone.
I was selling my Fender with nitro finish, and the guy who was interested said that it does not sound like a nitro finish and left.
Yeah, right. SRV, Hendrix, Richie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Mark
Knopfler. Should I go on? I might give you Clapton because I
think he was the best on Gibsons, but he does have a signature
Strat named for him. One man's shit is another's shinola, dude.
Reek Reeker wtf? That's so stupid.
I was labeled as a guitar snob by the three guys I was in a small time band, and here’s why.
I came into the band owning just a few guitars. I had an American tele with Texas special pickups, a 12 string ovation acoustic electric, my first guitar which is a no name acoustic, and a tiny little Marshall amp.
I got a huge promotion at work shortly there after, was making three times more money overnight, and started buying gear left and right. I bought a counterfeit Chinese Les Paul and a Peavy bass off of the guy whose house we rehearsed in, a used Strat, a Dean accoustic electric bass, a Fender Starcaster semihollow body, an ‘82 Guild accoustic electric limited edition, a Fender tube amp, a Vox tube amp, an Accoustic bass amp, a Boss me-70, a crybaby, a tube screamer, a big muff pie, an auto wah, all within a years time. The straw that broke the camels back was when I got a Les Paul. Everyone was suddenly pissed at me. They felt as though I was rubbing their noses in my good fortune by buying this stuff.
Nothing could have been further from the truth. I really never had any money in my life until then and couldn’t afford much, so when I could I sort of went nuts. I’d bring any new gear to rehearsal and let everyone play it there and even let one guy gig with my strat on number of occasions.
When I bought the Les Paul I was openly ridiculed by everyone else because of my spending habits. I left the band shortly there after, and really haven’t talked to any of the other three guys for about 4 years now.
My wife finally put the buying frenzy to a stop. If I’m even looking at a website where they sell guitars, she gets pissed.
So a word to the wise, don’t make your band mates uncomfortable with excessive purchases they may come to resent. I’m looking around now at all this gear, but I’ve lost probably three of the best friends I’ve ever known.
Thanks for the great video. I think you nailed it. Keep a sense of humor.
After decades of stumbling around the frets, I've been THE most annoyed by people who buy THE most expensive guitars just for bragging rights. They act like just TOUCHING a mid-range or inexpensive guitar - or even a (GASP!) off-brand copy will give them cancer instantly and their hands will fall off! Sure, that's a bit extreme. But, I've seen players who looked at less expensive guitars like they were piles of dog poop on a sidewalk.
The unjustified egotist
Tony you're the man appreciate you my brother for all your input and your humble attitude from one guitargeek to another keep rocking
I was the guitar snob. I was in my schools guitar club and I've playedstringed instruments since I was 9. There was this girl, a freshman (I was a senior) who was sitting there and she was horrendiously out of tune. I have excellent relative pitch (not perfect, could still honestly use a lot of work TBH, I can tell when someone is out of tune.) Anyway, I ask her if she could tune her guitar so that it sounded better, it was killing me to hear it out of tune like that. She replied, I don't know how to tune a guitar. I couldn't fathom this. How could someone not know how to tune an instrument? I didn't even think of helping her, or teaching her. My adolescent brain went straight for the sucker punch "What do you mean you don't know how to tune a guitar? you turn the knobs until they match the right note on the tuner, barring that until the sound right!" she was really embarresed. I should have been too.
You were right, though. Tuning by ear is hard for a lot of people, but using a tuner is self explanatory - sounds to me like she wasn't trying. If you spoke in a rude tone then maybe that was wrong but what you actually said was common sense.
The guy who has to tell everyone how long he's been playing is special type of "snob"
I'll be honest in saying that I used to have the same bloody problem. I used to be very lazy with tuning my guitar. Then I started to become aware of my practise sessions I sounded terrible. I now make it my mission to stay in tune constantly and have gotten much better at tuning with my ear. Now I'm almost in pitch perfect tuning 99% of the time, and I'm sure my family hella appreciate it!
Alan Agazarian it was relevant to the stoty
I think it was very good of you to recognize and acknowledge how you handled the situation; that you realize that you could have helped her by being more understanding. That is humillity! Very good! /Erik
PS I have also made a lot of mistakes, and is also recognizing this fact... so... DS
As a drummer, I relate to every kind of snob you just named. Such a great contribution. Thanks!
At risk of being called a music snob, I'd just like to point out that Skynyrd and Neil Young were actually good friends.
True. Also Steve Gaines is a HIGHLY underrated player. A lot of people that think of Skynyrd being "too easy" are all the people that just hear the Gary Rossington and Allen Collins solos. The Steve Gaines and Ed King stuff is actually quite "out of the box" in a lot of songs. Steve Gaines could rip that Roy Nichols stuff like a maniac and that crap is VERY hard to play.
You are absolutely correct! Surely no snobbery can be perceived by that statement of fact.
Wow "snob"
Love your attitude mate! I play like a complete knob and am missing a ring finger I cut off when I was twenty years old.
Hasn't stopped me having fun, I enjoy playing, it is relaxing, and I am not out to impress anyone, I just play for myself. Once again, love your philosophy! Good on ya!
Check out Django Reinhardt if you've never heard of him. He was missing multiple fingers but dude could absolutely blister it. Unreal good. If you determine you want to be a good player then literally hardly nothing can stop you if you have the use of your hands and at least a couple of fingers. There are things that Django could do that I will NEVER be able to do and I have ALL of my fingers!
So I play guitar, but am more into classical finger style stuff then rock or more modern stuff like that. I know the theory, but I often find myself just playing, and just having fun. Often times when I am just chilling with some other guitarist, I often feel looked down on because they don’t see my style as good enough. I play classic pieces, and arrangements, but struggle to use tabs (because classical music is on sheet music, I am used to sheet music). It stinks, and I try to learn from them, and expand my knowledge, but I always am the odd man out. So I would say that there are definitely people who look down on other guitarists because of the method they learned guitar, or there style. When at the end of the day, I just want to create music, and hang with friends
Bob Dylan wouldn't be the world's greatest guitarist,but that didn't stop him.
I think its important to just play what music you do because most of the time other guitarists wont care. As a metal head myself i actually find classical music to be very intersesting. If anybody doubts your classical guitar playing, just show them who yngwie malmsteem is. Also most people dont listen to classical music, so thats why you just have to expand their knowledge as they do to you. If a gutarists really cares about your playing, then theyre not gonna get very far in the world of guitar. Theyre gonna be to busy worrying about other people, rather then themselves.
You just gotta find the right people to jam with really. Dont let the guitar snobs get to you. Just focus on the important things.
Just ask them to read if theyre being mean
I feel you man. I too am more into classical, flamenco, bossa nova, and I get looked down on because I'm not rocking out. Who cares. Play the music that moves you.
Great video as always Tony.
I drove 26 miles once to share a floor spot at a folk club I had never been to before. When I arrived it was full of hard core traditional acapella singers and a couple of squeeze box enthusiasts. They all looked and me with my guitar case
As though I had just crawled out of a drain. I said how many songs do I get? The head woman condescendingly said there's only time for you to do one. But I noticed everyone else did three.
When I got my turn they were the most unappreciative ungracious audience I've ever performed in front of. I bet we all have the same tale. I would say it was an example of celebration of collective snobbery. I never went back.
Both my folks have degrees from MSU. Greetings to Bozeman.
Great job going positive at the end Tony, nicely tied together
If you fit most of these categories, you don't even have to fill out an application at Guitar Center. You're hired! I bought a Spyder practice amp recently, and after about 10 snooty, condescending answers from the kid that was part of their sales staff, I decided to buy a Spyder 30W practice amp. I made a comment that it seemed to be a good deal for a practice amp, and the kid who was my salesman said "Yeah, I guess. For the money.." while glancing over his shoulder at the other junior GC guitar God, as if I have no idea what the F sarcasm is. So, I'm like "OK, guitar expert what should I be buying other than this amp that costs about the same?" And he said "Well, I'd never be caught dead playing anything but a Marshall XXX" (I don't remember the exact model) and pointed at the amp he was speaking about. So I said "That's cool. I just asked you what you thought was a better amp for the money and you just pointed out an amplifier that costs over twice what I'm paying for this amp. Just finish ringing me up so I can get out of here."
Dude don't worry about the morons at Guitar Center. I kid you not this happened to me just last week. I went in to have a truss rod adjustment on one of my Strats and while I was just sorta hanging around I asked a girl at the counter if they had any .335's because I was just gonna sit down and noodle around on one. So she told me she didn't know what that was and asked another guy behind the counter and he ALSO didn't know what it was! AT GUITAR CENTER! SERIOUSLY! I just explained to them that it's a really iconic but expensive guitar and I just wanted to play around with one but they literally didn't know what it was! So let them roll their eyes about the Line 6 stuff but if you don't even know what a .335 is I don't think you need to be snobby to ANYone when you work at GUITAR. CENTER. LOL!
Aces!
Fear and self criticism is the big hurdle. Play within yourself. The operative word is 'play' --which is supposed to be fun.
Thanks for that. Cheers to you too!
Rob Chapman?
You've hit the nail on the head with this one- I find certain lead singers are often like this as well. I've gotten fairly privy to many a musician who has fit each of these scenarios in one way or another. I've become absolutely selective of whom I jam with.
A guitarist will be at his best when he focuses only on what works best for him/herself, not what other guitarists do or have.
Splendid lesson, Tony!
I feel that it's more of the people who thinks high end gear makes them a better guitar player then you. I'm very open to cheaper and different brands but there's some real haters out there
I’m glad I waited to the end to comment. You surprised me. Thanks for that much needed reminder of the fellowship of music.
My brother told me I shouldn't play guitar because it's not for classical music. He's never held a guitar...
PatelSunny, every instruments are equal, and each of them are differently magical 😊, classical or not doesnt matter, go for the sound that sparks your soul, the rest will come as you go, and the thing about your brother is that hes your brother for reasons, good reasons 😊✌, peace bro and hope you work hard.
PatelSunny yngwie would slap your brother with one hand and play neo-classical with the other xD
Isn't there a classical guitar though? lol
What brother don't know ain't gonna hurt him a bit.... I bid you happy jamming friend!
Is he stupid? Classical music is old, not everyone wants to play it. He sounds very pretentious...
Hey! Thanks!
And hey! I just remembered why my ears perked up when I heard you say "Bozeman"! It's because the water pump on my 1979 Ford pickup froze and busted and I got it replaced in Bozeman back in February of 1980. Nice town :) If I get through there again some time, maybe we can pick and grin together.
I think i might be a guitar snob cus i constantly deride Modern Metal tone....cus it objectively sounds like ass.
Leonidas Diamandopoulos we both may be snobs then. Haha
I ran into all of these snobs in my 50 plus years playing. Thanks for bringing them to life.
I've definitely encountered guitar snobs...
1) the _gear snob._ This guy will always notice that you got a new piece of gear. "Oh, is that a new Tube Screamer? I myself only use the _modded_ original 808s, because they have a rare chip and sound way better... what's that, an '82 Les Paul? I've got a '78 myself. It was the year that they came back to America and made wayyyy better quality guitars before they left the country and made the one you've got... Whatcha got there, a strap knob? Ya know, the ones I use...."
2) the _genre snob._ This guy doesn't like any of the albums you like, because they're not "credible" enough. "Oh yeah... that album... that's when they went 'pop.' I'm only into the first two albums because those are the only pure things they ever did. What's that? You like the _Ramones?_ They were so mainstream compared to bands like The Damned. That's what I listen to. I really only like one Ramones song off their very first album."
3) the _guy who knows the fucking names of actual chords._ Snob: "Hey man, you're playing it wrong..." Me: "Cool, what frets do I need to change?" Snob: "It's an Ursa-Major-Diminished-Lydian-Suss-9." Me: "Cool, so what frets do I need to change?"
Jesse Cole
If you know the names of the chords, that's an advantage, isn't it? Not necessarily evidence of snobbery.
Having said that, some chords seem to have more than one name, and who's to say which is the "official" one? I'd tell the person the name AND where to place their fingers, myself. If both stick in their mind, great.
Lmao, love a good Ursa Major chord
Knowing the names of chords is not snobbery - it's a sign of a working brain. It's not even that complicated.
i hate the genre snub, in my experience they are very abundant on bands, regardless the genre they play, they always go douch mode on ehen they hear me talk,play,even think, about anything different than what their band plays xddddd
Tony Bates looks like we've found a touchy chord snob...
Thanks for the video...I used to always feel self conscious about my playing...But I've learned to just play with your heart and ignore all the BS...there is always going to be someone who wants to put you down...
so I'm an electric and acoustic guitar player. me and my friend were playing at a Christmas party in 2017 (opening up for the band). we played "have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and Carl of the Bells". The next day both the guitar player and the piano/singer sed that "l needed lessons.(I'm self taught) I noticed parts were they messed up too so yeah they're ones to talk. P.S. I play guitar, violin, bass, and harmonica. All self taught.
+Seth Fruslie Keep doing what you do. They don't matter, it's your
music that matters.
thanks
Seth Fryslie just remember that no one's perfect when it comes to playing a certain type of instrument. Just have fun and be creative with whatever comes your way. If you take yourself seriously in any given situation you will be disgusted and self absorbed by your own 'ego'. Obviously playing your instruments is fun and all but dont be afraid to learn something new with it, dont just noodle around every day thinking that it will solve your problem. Search up a new song, a new technique, a new riff or melody, a new chord etc but be creative with it. Think of what you want to have in your bag of tricks.
Sharing the positive side of the acoustic experience! Thanks again Tony!
Love the beard. :) (Love the channel)
"Bass? We don't need a bass I can play it on my guitar..."
worst guitar snobs; les paul owners 1. Martin owners 2
I have a les paul it's my least favourite guitar though lol
True
So if my first guitar will be a Les Paul just cause I like the way it looks and since I'm a complete guitar noob I can't really tell the tone difference between guitars and also since I'm a guitar noob, tone doesn't even matter since I'll get a better guitar once I know what I'm doing, I'm a snob? Doesn't saying that make you a snob?
I own a martin lolz
Waruu, he's just saying that there are a lot of Gibson and Martin fanboys who shoot every other guitarist down for disagreeing with them, not that YOU, or every person owning them is a snob. To be fair, there are immature elitists in every community, from the old good stuff like Fender to the hyper modern Music Man or Strandberg. You seem like a great person, so keep being a great person, and prove these stereotypes wrong.
This is SO true! Fortunately for me, I don't have too much of a problem with these types of people, because rarely do I ever jam with other musicians, my job doesn't afford me the time...and I don't play that great, anyway.
Doesn't making a video calling other players snobs make you a snob?
Doesn't calling someone a snob for calling other players snobs make you a snob?
hahaha touche
I commented part way through it
wait a second... We're all snobs lol
Did you listen to what he said after the last snob
Love the video and inspiring positivity. I personally have more than a few stories from shopping, getting repair work done and not knowing enough terminology and felt silly more than once. It takes time but eventually you will meet those who will nurture your interest and those people like those on Tony's show make playing music and geeking out a great experience.
You seem to be a really nice level headed person. I enjoy your advice.
"share a smile and unite"...good advice. Thank you.
Luckally most people I run into in a shop are verry friendly and helpfull people, but they alway leave me in awww with the ease of their playing, most proffesional micisians are verry helpfull I noticed.
Wow, I had no idea I was actually being the guitar snob those few times I got in a tiff. Really good video my dudes, keep your fears in check.
Humility will take you far. There is something to be learned from everyone. Listen as well as hear. Don't ring your own bell, let others do it.
This is great!
Awesome tips, what’s your go to electric guitar?
This had to be the most to the point top 10 ive seen yet on YT. You could have easily wasted our time and stretched the vid out to 10-20 mins with excessive rambling on each number...but you didnt....and THANK YOU for that.
I have experienced one type and I call them the Climber. They are the type that when you explain something like what gear you use or a riff you wrote or anything and then they do a quick little “HAH” and try to one up you with “I used that guitar when I first started” “I was writing stuff like you when I didnt know about XY thing”
Hey there I suck at playing guitar. What I am good at is in making mechanical effects on guitar.
For example I use a glass slide as a pick. You can do things like strike string. Strike and slide. I can get violin effect and even do an echo plex.
cant believe i actually watched all of this. your voice is like a lullabye
Great video. I was getting a kick out of your list of guitar snobs - recognizing the types, but all the while thinking you don't really see them often - and some turn out to be not snobs after all. Then of course, that's where you ended up! I've made my living playing guitar (and banjo) for the last 20 years, and I'm still careful about playing among strangers at the music shops I visit in my travels. I don't want to BE a guitar snob - nor do I ever want to intimidate others. So I ease into it, when there are others around ... and remain mindful of how others might feel. I love sampling all the beautiful guitars at the all the great music shops - and I enjoy being a guitar geek, not a hero.
The 'no pedals' snob: "I'm just straight into the amp, bro, it's the only real sound".
The 'no copies' snob: 'Well, it's not bad, but of course it's only a copy of [famous name], so what can you expect".
The 'no pants' snob: "Dude, if your bare ass isn't in full contact with the seat of the chair, how can you expect to get any sustain?".
Well spoken and hilarious. I've been the victim of several forms of guitar snobbery. Later , one incident propelled me into rabid aggressive practice. His remarks also made my band mates choose me over him, and he was one of the best I've ever met. 6 months later, in a drunken moment of doubt, he said he didn't know which of us was better. Redemption. I rattled off the fact everyone is different, music is art and expression and we all paint with a different brush. Sadly my nephew has somewhat labeled me a GS lol guess I need to slow down and listen. Thanks
My late little brother was a perfect example of the monster player non-snob. Played at the Montreux Jazz Festival at 22. Never heard him diss anyone, even his incompetent older brother. Most players I've encountered have been supportive. Perhaps they know I'm no threat:-)
I am actually all ten of those, but there is a ten step snob program I just started.
I know a snob that told me that pedals are just a waste of time, effort, and money.
Knows nothing about guitar nor even want to know. I clearly showed him the difference by playing with my pedals for four Sundays and after that I left the band for almost 2 months. Throughout the process the church realised that the just the clean signals alone (with the worst tone I ever heard) had no feel. Some people also told me that guitar intonation, action, and strumming pattern doesn't matter. They know how to play, they only sound good when they try to use my guitar.
(Please check if I have good grammar)
Great video Tony! That beard is becoming EPIC!
I ran across a good interview with Eric Johnson. He said he's given up being an snob and has recently did some recordings using a Squire and a Pignose.
I LOVE this video man!! How about this one , "The Distractor" - he's the guy who talks over your playing in an attempt to deliberately take everyone's attention off of you
Because of these last 3 minutes you got an insta sub.
You being good at guitar is what draw me to this video, you being good at humanhood is what made me stay
Brilliant, sir.
I have this motto on my guitar strap (in small print at the back): "pissing off snobs since wayback".
Maybe I should add "...but maybe you're just insecure?" :-)
First of all, I must admit: I play mostly electric, because when I play acoustic you hear my lack of skills. Or rather: I hear it myself (so I'm pretty sure others do, too).
And even when playing electric, I'm not really that good - but still, I've been in bands for over 30 years now, and there have always been people willing to listen, play my songs with me, and even release some of my music on records.
I'm more skilled as a bassplayer, and international bands sometimes ask me to play bass for a short tour or play festivals, I take none of this for granted, and I'm very happy with it - and in my 'own' bands I prefer playing guitar.
You are absolutely right in your analysis of insecurity (and other things) often being mistaken for snobbery. I prefer Squier to Fender and Epiphone to Gibson, I love oddball '60s fleamarket electric guitars, and that's because I "make any guitar sound good" but because don't sound any better with an expensive guitar :-)
I try to help young bands getting their stuff together and part of it is telling them that you do not have to start with a thousand dollar guitar to be taken seriously.
But I have been accused of being a snob once or twice, too.
You see - I never jam in public. I prefer writing my songs in private, then demo-ing them, and thus being in control until I can play it to my band. (They can then veto the song, of course - but then it's at least in my demo stash for 'who knows when'.)
So I don't jam when I'm invited, and one time I got the response "ah, you think you're to good for us then?" My reply was simple: no, I know I'm not good enough to contribute much to a jam situation, I'm sorry. Oh. OK.
So now when people invite me to jam and I turn down the invitation, I make sure to say that I'm not good enough for jamming in public. If they think that's false modesty, so be it.
And hey, some people really are snobs down to the bone. They will indeed look down on those who do not own "a real Stratocaster" or "a real Les Paul". I have a day job in a rehearsal studio and I meet that type of snob every now and then. They will make nasty remarks when someone has a cheap guitar, amp, or stomp box. Can't stand that! I once told one of those types "oh yeah, you say this cheap pedal is no good because it hisses and buzzes, and yet you buy a rare vintage EHX pedal for a ridiculous amount of money and you call that authentic, but it's hissing and buzzing just as much isn't it?"
Ah well, from this rant some people will deduce that I'm a hideous snob myself in some way... but I think your video is, like I said, brilliant, and insightful. Thanks a lot and I'll check out your other vids - the titles sound promising enough!
I get it and read the whole thing, bud! Thanks! Enjoy my goofy guitar vids if you want!
Man, there's nothing snobbish about sharing your experiences with fellow musicians. That's just who you are! Peace brother.
Another great video. Okay I subscribed finally looking forward to seeing your stuff more often.
When I was 19 years old (1968) and trying out a guitar at Manny's in Manhattan.as I played a blues riff another guitarist in the next aisle answered my line. We did the "question and answer" blues riffing for a few minutes. Sometimes playing what I heard was only a close approximation because my skills were not at a high enough level. I stood up a looked around the stack of amps and there stood Eric Clapton. He was very encouraging complimenting my playing but my thinking was similar to the first time I heard Steve Morse play. I needed more practice. I play songs the way I hear them and if some snob with ocd criticizes me for it I just ignore them. I do appreciate fine guitars but believe nothing compares to my 16 year old Music Man Silhouette hardtail is one of the finest solid body guitars ever built. I actually have 2 of them. One tremolo model. Both are Black with maple fingerboards. Really great guitars. Since Roland released the new Blues Cube amps I only own 1tube amp and it didn't begin life as a guitar amp. It is an old Bogen PA head that I tinkered with to use as for low power blues tone. For gigging it's either of my Blues Cubes. Lightweight with great tone and no maintenance. I really love my Artist 212 but use the Hot more often just because it is much more compact. Back in the "old days" I used a 100 watt Plush Bass amp with 2 - 15" JBLs. Really FAT tone. I agree with your snob list but have a question. I used to play in a Blues Band as the "lead guitarist" even though I sang quite a bit. The other guitarist was the name of the band. He had a black face Deluxe and a 50's Strat (mahogany body) with most of the paint chipped off. He was always raving about tone. I thought my Mexican Strat sounded just a good. I also love my Peavey Delta Blues amp with a 15" speaker. I hated how heavy it was and how often I had to swap out the tubes but it was a great class A amp. Of course it didn't sound as good as the other guitarists Deluxe. 😎 Peace.
I'm pretty guilty of being a couple of these at least once in my lifetime playing guitar. Kinda learned that having an open mind will make your abilities grow and flourish in ways you never thought possible. It's helped a lot, wasn't easy to grow out of it, but it's helped.
Thanks Tony-Some great advice. No one is perfect even if they think they are.
Number 6 the star search number 4 the Shredder aren't guitar snobs in my opinion, as neither of them involve looking down on other players. The star search is just someone who's probably being really annoying (which doesn't make you a snob) and a shredder is just someone who plays a certain way. It's like calling a country player a snob because they play country.
The recording engineer world has similar shades of snobbery.