"What kind of music do you play?" and other pet peeves

[catmandu2]

But many Morris tunes are great fun to play : )

[fatt-dad]

when you are alone in your house, it doesn't matter what language you speak. There's no communication!

The question, "What kind of music do you play" is like asking, "What language do you speak?" Now, we have to answer a different question. If you liken the mandolin to your voice box, we can all make random sounds and make up any genre we want. If we are going to communicate, it's nice to have some basis to know where that could go. . . For me, my answer would be, "Old-time, Irish, Celtic, and a bit of classical." Now all you all would know pretty quickly I didn't mention bluegrass or jazz and the like. Other than a classical rehearsal, I think I could join a session on the others and have fun with any of you all. Maybe just sit on chords if I don't know the melody.

If you don't know how to answer the question, maybe you are still figuring it out. That doesn't mean the inquisitor is off base to ask. In the spirit of love, I'd just give them some sense of how I use my mandolin.

f-d

[catmandu2]

If you don't know how to answer the question, maybe you are still figuring it out.

And it's not like postmodernism hasn't provided enough genre/style labels for us ; )

[mandocrucian]

Morris Dance taken to its logical conclusion as a weapon dance:

Dance, Dance, Dance, my 'ittle Droogies!

[JeffD]

For me, my answer would be, "Old-time, Irish, Celtic, and a bit of classical." ...
If you don't know how to answer the question, maybe you are still figuring it out.

You have to separate having a real answer, and giving someone a real answer.


A friend of mine, not in the music and not particularly interested in the details, but friendly in a salesman kind of way, would hear your answer like:

"old yada yada and old"

And he would answer, "oh cool. It must take years to be able to play all that. How long have you been playing the mandolukey ?"

[Bren]

There is a popular basketball team called the Boston Celtics, pronounced Sellticks.......

I'm guessing there are a lot more basketball fans than mandolin players, so that is what you are up against, at least in the USA......

or a lot more people who have heard of the Boston Celtics than have heard of Celtic music....

There is also a popular Scottish football team called Celtic, pronounced Selltick, so don't count on every Scots person saying "keltic" either. Or Irish. Glasgow Celtic FC are very popular in Ireland too.

[Ron McMillan]

My pet peeve is people who seem to think that avoiding the use of capital letters is somehow cool. But as it's a pet peeve, and not pointed at anyone in this thread, I don't expect anyone to agree.

[Charlieshafer]

My pet peeve is people who seem to think that avoiding the use of capital letters is somehow cool. But as it's a pet peeve, and not pointed at anyone in this thread, I don't expect anyone to agree.

i'm not sure we think it's cool, we're just too lazy to have to use the shift key at the same time.besides, e. e. cummings started it, and he's long gone, so the cool bus left town 50 years ago

[mandowilli]

A simple inquiry being a "pet peeve" says more about the questioned than it does the questioner.

[Astro]

Progressive, Indie, Soulful, Post-Modern Americana, with a twist of lemon.

[Bill Cameron]

Usually, I used to grab my instrument and play to anyone who'd listen, thinking they wanted to hear original compositions, my pet peeve I suppose is that no one seems to care about original music unless you're already famous. It really let me down, another one is people talking over the music.

Well, with respect, "original" is not synonymous with "good", and the latter term is not entirely subjective. If you can give a compelling performance of good original music, you will get a good reaction, at least from some folks, or else you're playing in the wrong room. Keep practicing. Cheers.

[fatt-dad]

after I get a good bit of typing inertia, I'll use the cap key. I never bat 100 percent!

f-d

[Bob A]

Ineffable.

[catmandu2]

Nice

[JeffD]

Ineffable.

You nailed it!!

[JeffD]

My pet peeve is just getting older, and being reminded of it.

"What kind of music do you play?"

"Old time music."

"Oh, you mean like The Doors?"

[Matt DeBlass]

Of course, another pet peeve of mine used to be people looking at my mandolin and saying, "oh, is that a ukulele? Play that Tiny Tim song!" I got over it. Then I got an ukulele. They're fun too. I still won't sing "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" though.

[Bertram Henze]

A simple inquiry being a "pet peeve" says more about the questioned than it does the questioner.

"simple inquiry" really means "the questioner expects a simple answer from you and will make you wish you'd never been born if you fail to provide it", but the questioned knows this expectation cannot be met. Most so-called simple answers are really
- lies, or
- truth, cold, rude and unwelcome.

Sometimes we must be allowed to be just tired of this fight. After all, we play for fun, not for being punished.

[soliver]

My pet peeve is when people park their really fancy expensive car in 2 parking spots, but that's for a different thread in a different forum.

I like to play Mandolin kind of music

[FLATROCK HILL]

After all, we play for fun, not for being punished.

...hence the chicken wire.

[Austin Bob]

I play both types of music, Rock and Roll.

[Mark Gunter]

...hence the chicken wire.

LOL

[Mark Gunter]

A simple inquiry being a "pet peeve" says more about the questioned than it does the questioner.

Pretty much any interaction between two people speaks volumes about both individuals - not than any observer can understand it all.

[JeffD]

I play both types of music, Rock and Roll.

Both Country and Western

Both Rhythm and Blues

[Joel Glassman]

Not at all. It gives me an opportunity to tell them about the music I love.

...does anyone else get a little tired or annoyed when people ask "What kind of music do you play?" Anybody else have trouble with this?