Andrew
1018 posts
Jun 16, 2010
11:09 AM
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Chris, there is something interesting happening and I wonder if you are aware of it.
You are aware that your internet persona and your private persona are different (it's the same with everybody).
Yet when someone attacks your internet persona, you seem to take it very personally, i.e. as an attack on your private persona, which of course it isn't and can't be. Is that something you had thought about?
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Kinda hot in these rhinos!
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Joe_L
381 posts
Jun 16, 2010
11:11 AM
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Fred - Keeping working at it. It'll come. Three years is not a long time.
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waltertore
664 posts
Jun 16, 2010
11:28 AM
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"Chris, there is something interesting happening and I wonder if you are aware of it.
You are aware that your internet persona and your private persona are different (it's the same with everybody)." - Andrew
Andrew: I am the same on the net as I am in person. What you are refering to is what makes me want to quit the who forum thing on a regular basis. I stick at it because I continue to meet some really nice people and actually it has led to many in the flesh meetings, which I prefer over cyberspace. Walter
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walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year.
" life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
2,000 of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
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Buddha
2064 posts
Jun 16, 2010
12:06 PM
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@andrew, actually I am very much the same but how I am gets put in perspective and it doesn't seem so harsh. That's what I think....
On the internet, I'm generous and helpful, I'm the same way in person. In person, if you're annoying, I'll tell you. I do the same on the internet. The big difference is, in person yu get to hear me laugh and you quickly understand that while I'm a pretty intense person, I'm happy and not so serious as I appear on line. It easy to think I'm a negative person on-line but I'm not that way in person.
I also hate typing and sometime I type with one hand which is why my responses tend to be short and curt. In person, you can hear me talk and explain things differently. You also get to hear me sing and whistle all the time which is something that will never come across the internet.
I think I have issues with you guys because I take the position of teacher and teach... if you look at me that way online then things will sit with you all differently. That doesn't mean, I'm condescending or am disrespectful, I'm just spouting lessons whether or not you want them or not, which I suppose is an issue.
Anyway, I don't roam the forums to make friends or gain customers or fans, I do what I do to help others. There are a lot of little things that I feel I have figured out along the way and I'm just trying to save a lot of you guys time and wasted energy.
When I get attacked, I don't stand there and take it. I spent much of my childhood getting beat up for not being white and it sucked. That part of life has turned me into a person with a very quick trigger to be defensive. As much as I try, I can't help it.
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"Musicians are the architects of heaven"
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Andrew
1019 posts
Jun 16, 2010
12:07 PM
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Walter, that's not sufficient reason to quit!
It's possible that when I say everybody, I mean 99.9% of people, or it's possible that you assume that the differences have to be great. For example, I assume you plan never to swear here, but it's likely that you swear occasionally in real life. That would constitute two different personae.
Chris seems to want us to believe that he's a teddy bear in real life, but here he's Buddha with knuckle-dusters (why am I thinking of Oliver Stone?). But he seems to be denying this in his latest posting, unless by his internet presence he means everywhere else but here, but I only skimmed that posting because I'm busy. I'll check it out in more detail later.
In real life I'm the stuttering, spoonerism-uttering son of a Cro-Magnon man who preferred fists to words, as long as his combatant was smaller than he was, and I spent 14 years with a woman and her stepdaughter who never let me finish a sentence, so here I'm attempting the eloquence that I'm never given a chance to exercise in real life, for the record.
At school I was bullied, so I like to laugh at my attackers. In fact I find bully-baiting fun, but I'm aware that there lies the road to masochism, a tendency I haven't picked up in any real sense, thank God. When I first read Chris's stuff, I found it fun to bait him. I guess my initial impression of him was that he was a bully.
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Kinda hot in these rhinos!
Last Edited by on Jun 16, 2010 12:22 PM
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isaacullah
1023 posts
Jun 16, 2010
1:08 PM
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If you will take my word for it (which, I'm not sure how much weight it carries on this forum anymore, but it used to carry at least a little), Chris is the one of the most generous dudes you are going to meet in the world of professional-level musicians. Ain't too many other folks that got the skillz and connections that he has that will take the time he does with an absolute beginner, or a part time blower. Period.
He's also a funny dude. It took me a little to get over his internet stylings, but it's simply that his brand of humor (which is hilarious when you "get it") simply does not translate well in to printed form. No amount of emoticons is gonna make up for that either. Once you realize that most of his post contain such comedic content, you realize that you ought to be laughing instead of getting riled up.
Chris will not mince words, however. If you ask a direct question (ie. Am I any good?), or if you present yourself as a pro or an advanced player, well then you had BETTER got the chops to back it up. If you do, he will praise. If you don't, then he WILL let you know where he thinks you ought to improve. Do not get offended. He is right. He knows what he is talking about. It may be blunt, but IMO such directness is infinitely better than having someone blow the proverbial smoke up ones' harmonica-loving ass. How else is one to improve if those who know are unwilling to tell you where/how out of fear of damaging your ego? Your ego is likely over-inflated anyway.
Regardless of how much Chris might get in your face, at the end of the day he is a good dude. On one occasion (quite recently) I saw him publicly thank a last-minute replacement for coming in to play guitar with him, even though that person had clearly and grossly over-stated their abilities. Sure, Chris may have gotten in his face the day before at rehersals, but that was to make the dude play as best as he could. And he did so. He wasn't all that fantastic, but he was much better than he would have been if Chris had not done anything. And Chris did not let the audience know a damn thing about that. That's pro.
Okay, the OP: I will say that I am good for the amount of time that I have been playing, but that I want and need to get much much better. Then I point them to Jason/Brandon/Adam/Chris/etc, and I say "Now THAT'S good harmonica playing!".
PS. Even though I am on a self-proclaimed "vow of MBH celibacy" for a week or so, I am posting because I'm waiting in the Savannah airport where, due to the inanity of airport shuttle scheduling, I've had to arrive three hours early for my flight, but where luckily they have free public wifi, and beer.
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View my videos on YouTube!"
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rpoe
171 posts
Jun 16, 2010
1:25 PM
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Not sure if this one was used. I didn't read the entire thread.
I am better than I was yesterday but not as good as I will be tomorrow, what's it to you? :)
In regards to online persona being different than your private persona, I agree to some extent. I think it depends on the individual. I don't think we can help from showing some of our true colors if not most.
Walter, I would bet, is in person the same as he is on this forum. Adam is as well(met him at HCH). Both welcome in my home.
Of course youtube helps bridge the gap some between forum and in person.
A few of the folks off this forum I met at HCH also came across as I would have expected. All, I'd be happy to call friends.
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Rob
Rob's Tube
Last Edited by on Jun 16, 2010 1:41 PM
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Greg Heumann
547 posts
Jun 16, 2010
5:59 PM
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There are examples of asshole egomaniac great musicians. Buddy Rich, James Brown and Jimmy Smith were all notorious.
But in my experience, the vast majority of great musicians are humble, polite, kind, fun, nice people. Guarded? Yes - they have to be. Don't conclude someone is a butthead because he doesn't have time to talk to YOU. But given that both kinds of personality types can clearly be successful - which would you rather be? You do not HAVE to be a putz to have a successful music career.
Just in case I get misconscrewed here, I'm NOT calling Chris a butthead OR a putz - my statement above is about the subject at hand, not about Chris.
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by on Jun 16, 2010 6:03 PM
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Buddha
2069 posts
Jun 16, 2010
6:20 PM
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What the hell Greg? It's always about me! I mean it has to be or my narcissism gets out of control.
I will say this... I think Greg is a helluva guy and if I had to define humility I would cite him and his actions.
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"Musicians are the architects of heaven"
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Joe_L
385 posts
Jun 16, 2010
6:21 PM
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I agree. Greg is a helluva guy!
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Buddha
2070 posts
Jun 16, 2010
6:24 PM
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I'm flattered but get your own opinions please.
thanks!
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"Musicians are the architects of heaven"
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rpoe
175 posts
Jun 16, 2010
6:24 PM
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....and he makes some damn nice mic's. If I weren't married...
Nice meeting you at HCH Greg. See ya next year :)
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Rob
Rob's Tube
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Buddha
2071 posts
Jun 16, 2010
6:25 PM
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"....and he makes some damn nice mic's. If I weren't married..."
And and if I weren't broke.
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"Musicians are the architects of heaven"
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rpoe
176 posts
Jun 16, 2010
6:28 PM
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Broke and married go hand in hand don't they? :)
Just kidding honey (just in case she's watching me)
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Rob
Rob's Tube
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Buddha
2072 posts
Jun 16, 2010
6:31 PM
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LOL
try being broke and being a musician who builds harps go hand in hand.
just sayin....
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"Musicians are the architects of heaven"
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MP
473 posts
Jun 16, 2010
7:43 PM
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Buddha, don't you mean hand to mouth, rather than hand in hand?
back on topic.
you can fool some of the people, some of the time...and those are the ones you need to concentrate on.
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Mojokane
44 posts
Jun 16, 2010
8:59 PM
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I amaze even myself...and when I get a sincere compliment, my head explodes!
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scojo
41 posts
Jun 17, 2010
12:08 PM
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I had a blast hanging out with Greg at HCH. Great guy, great player, unreal fount of knowledge.
As for Buddha... first off, he customizes my harps, does a fabulous job, is a total pro and a good guy all around. He's direct... get over it. That doesn't mean he's always right, but here's my second point...
I worked in the internet / new media business for a long time and have spent way too many thousands of hours sending and receiving emails... am also a professional writer (still) in addition to having a full-time music schedule. If there's one thing I've learned from all that experience, it's this:
I know of NO form of communication that is more easily misconstrued than email. Hands down.
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2010 12:09 PM
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Greg Heumann
554 posts
Jun 17, 2010
7:51 PM
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Boy, Scojo, ain't that the truth. I was also in high tech and was an email user since about 1982. That's long before there was internet mail. Email was largely something inside your own company - then we had MCI and Compuserve email addresses for talking with others but at first they couldn't talk to each other. There was no standardization of email addresses either. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT, CHILDREN?
OK, so I've been around the email block longer than most. Online communication, which is often expressed without any knowledge of those you're communicating with and is always absent facial expression and vocal inflection... is fraught with danger. Let's just say I learned a few important lessons early on. Almost lost my job.....
To be read with a fake british accent, I think... : One must be extra careful to intuit the potential reaction of one's readers. It is vital to understand the ramifications of variations in human psyche - and make one's best effort to ensure that one's meaning is clear while at the same time leaving the least possible ambiguity regarding one's intent.
Or something like that.
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/Greg
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captainbliss
179 posts
Jun 17, 2010
8:19 PM
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@Greg Heumann:
/To be read with a fake british accent, I think/
How about a genuine British accent quoting some other fellow called Buddha?
"Nothing brings joy as does a tamed, controlled, attended and restrained heart."
EDIT @scojo, @Greg Heumann: what you say about emails is spot on.
xxx
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2010 8:46 PM
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kudzurunner
1601 posts
Jun 17, 2010
10:30 PM
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Brag about the things you can't do well and downplay the things you can do well. That's my motto.
I think that it's important for every creative artist to find a way of feeling really good about, really immersed in, his or her art at the particular place where it finds itself.
I had extended periods, fifteen years ago, where I knew I was writing the great American novel.
I was wrong, it turned out. But I'm glad I had that feeling.
None of it matters in the long run. Just do the work and keep trying to grow. They may get it while you're alive, they may not. You may die happy, you may not.
Little Walter and Big Walter died unhappy.
Cotton's having a pretty good time right now.
Some of them go mad, some don't.
Clapton and B. B. King have had pretty good lives.
Earl Hooker never really got the adulation he deserved, and there are lots of blues guys like that. Jazz guys, too.
Scrapboss is exactly right: Have fun and play music.
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2010 10:35 PM
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MP
489 posts
Jun 18, 2010
3:44 PM
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@ captainbliss,
"Nothing brings joy as does a tamed,controlled,attended and restrained heart"
is the author...
Buddha, Bertrand Russel, Nabakov, Emily Dickenson, Screamin' Jay Hawkins or refrigerater magnet?
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captainbliss
205 posts
Jun 18, 2010
4:03 PM
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@MP:
/is the author.../
It's usually Oscar Wilde, isn't it?
The Anguttara Nikaya
xxx
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MySpace | Facebook | Calendar | YouTube | My Main Gig
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MP
491 posts
Jun 18, 2010
4:29 PM
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bliss,
yes, Oscar Wilde more often than not; but i was betting on Screamin' Jay because the quote is rather nice and thoughtful.
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captainbliss
206 posts
Jun 18, 2010
4:46 PM
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@MP:
/rather nice and thoughtful./
The passage I quoted from can be found here in its (very short, dozen lines or so) entirety, if you'd like to read it.
xxx
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MySpace | Facebook | Calendar | YouTube | My Main Gig
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MP
493 posts
Jun 18, 2010
5:02 PM
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@bliss,
got my Buddhas mixed up, didn't i?
if i had made a serious guess it would have been Kabir or Rumi or Hafiz.
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