Clones

[floaded27]

How do you guys respond to people who you know are better skilled than you are and you listen and watch them for tips/insight/ideas, but seemingly they want you to play EXACTLY like they do (whether intentionally or not)?

For me i like to get insight on ideas and techniques and creatively use them in a way that reflects my style, but unfortunately when people try to give me advice but want me to be a clone, i instinctively reject what they are saying. I have the concern that if this is a common mentality among higher level musicians, this may be detrimental to my growth.

[under13]

I would have thought that it would be the opposite. Why would a musician want others to sound like them? Unless they dot want you to sound better than them

[dhagler]

It seems that the best strategy might be to accept what they are offering, thank them for it, then go home and make it your own.

Also, some people are not "teachers" in the sense of being able to show you something then talk about what lies beneath. Most of those folks were unfortunately taught the same way they are trying to teach you, which is mimicry.

[dremy2006]

Doc... that happen to me last week.. hooked up with this Pastor that plays both bass and lead, been playing for years... he has played for Al Greeen and other Foks..but any who, was down at his church and was going over some songs..just playing around..*smilin* so he started to play "lead on me" so I started the song in ah major scale pos... (with my middle finger) so i would not have to shift my hand..as I was playin the song... he was like...NO THATS NOT RIGHT I WILL NOT LET YOU PLAY THE SONG WRONG..!!... now mind you, his whole thing for jump; was to play the song without shiftin my hand going from on note to the next... so I was like ..oook... He wanted me to start in the minor pos...fine with me.... so I played it in that position,and I was just gonna leave it at that... you know, His ah pastor, played with all types of fok.. but in my spirit I was like nawww I have to let him see that this is "wrong" or I should say wrong for me.. in that key and way he was showing me how to play the song..any who, it got ah lil heated..but he seen tha light...and was like "ok"....

[floaded27]

I would have thought that it would be the opposite. Why would a musician want others to sound like them? Unless they dot want you to sound better than them

think of it like you driving with someone or giving them a ride and when you find out the destination, you go the way you know how to go or the way you feel comfortable. Then you hear "why didnt you go this or that way? why didnt you take so-and-so street? Thats the way i always go!" no discussion or thought why you take the route you do. its automatically felt by them that they way they go or do things or think is the only and right way to do/go/think. so because you dont do it their way, they have this feeling that you wrong rather than just simply you!