If you don't play keys dont tell me how to play!!

[cwgolden99]

Just venting but why is it every week I have the same somebody telling me what how to play keys or what chords to play.  The thing is he is a singer and has no clue to what he's talking about.  Like I told him a couple weeks ago, if you think you can do it better be my guest!  I guess my whole point is to stay in your own lane.  If you are a cook and I'm a mechanic, why are you trying to tell me how to fix cars??   

[Mysteryman]

Yeah that can be annoying. I usually do one of two things.  I will either keep playing or I will stop and get up to let someone else play.

[sistagurl]

Temperamental musicians.... . 



 

[spider5]

Yeah man,
      This happens to I think every musician somewhere down the line. I think you did the right thing by telling him to put up or shut in a mild mannered way. I hope he got the picture.

    I had that happen to me before and it got on my nerves really bad, I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to cause confusion, but at the same time she was causing me problems, and I had to do what I had to do. I followed the necessary professional steps, and now I am not bothered. Some people though just always have something negative to say and will try to hurt you before they encourage you. Stay up and continue to do the Lord's work.   

[Incognegro]

Yes, it's VERY annoying.

This is what I do.  I practice this.  I study this.  This is my craft.

Your knowledge of music is just about zero, and you're trying to tell me how my chords sound too "dark"/"weird"?

Go have a coke and a smile Sparky.  I got dis.   

It's kinda like some ordinary guy walking up to an NFL QB (ANY NFL QB) and giving advice.

"You're standing in the pocket too long.  You have to get that ball out faster."

Yea, ok Joe Schmoe.  I've been playing and studying this game since I was 10 years old.   You're a decent Madden player, and watch Sportscenter, so you think you're an authority?

[Incognegro]

Just this past Sunday:

God is moving in the room, I'm playing some nice worship chords on the Organ, which is helping to facilitate that atmosphere.  People are worshipping, hands uplifted, travailing...and some knucklehead looks at me and says "You have to play a song.  Play something the people will understand."

Me: "No."

[emusicme28]

Just this past Sunday:

God is moving in the room, I'm playing some nice worship chords on the Organ, which is helping to facilitate that atmosphere.  People are worshipping, hands uplifted, travailing...and some knucklehead looks at me and says "You have to play a song.  Play something the people will understand."

Me: "No."

Nuff said!! 

[syddie]

I'm a singer and I am guilty of this!! (But I am taking keyboard/piano lessons, so I won't be annoying too much longer ).  It never occurred to me that my "suggestions" could be annoying.  I find myself asking, okay, telling (*must do/will do better*) our musicians to give me a minor chord here or invert there, etc.  The truth of the matter is I cannot play like they can. I need them to interpret what I'm hearing. Sooooo, how should I approach musicians when I hear something I'd like them to try?  I don't want to offend...

And why is it that many instrumentalists (keyboardists, bassists, leads, drummers, etc) feel the voice is not an instrument?  Vocalists are musicians, too!!  Kim Burrell is a musician! (I know she plays too, but her voice alone is clearly a beautiful instrument and she is a vocal virtuoso). 

[cwgolden99]

I guess this dude thinks cuz he has a cd out that he knows EVERYTHING about music.  I'm like dude you are a singer not a musician.  I had to tell him once that unlike you I can grab a mic and learn your part and sing it the next day.  Lets see you come back here, learn all 3 parts, plus all the other stuff that goes with it by the next day.  It AINT HAPPENING CHIEF!!

The thing that really bugs me about him is his arrogance! 

[under13]

And why is it that many instrumentalists (keyboardists, bassists, leads, drummers, etc) feel the voice is not an instrument?  Vocalists are musicians, too!!  Kim Burrell is a musician! (I know she plays too, but her voice alone is clearly a beautiful instrument and she is a vocal virtuoso). 

Maybe because singers dont practice for hours each day for years to be good. It doesent take all that much to be a good singer, but it takes a whole lot to be a good musician,

[Incognegro]

Maybe because singers dont practice for hours each day for years to be good. It doesent take all that much to be a good singer, but it takes a whole lot to be a good musician.

U done did it now.

[under13]

U done did it now.

yeah I know......

 Not to belittle professional singers who really study to perfect their craft, but there is a reason why singers outnumber musicians like 10:1

[cwgolden99]

I'm a singer and I am guilty of this!! (But I am taking keyboard/piano lessons, so I won't be annoying too much longer ).  It never occurred to me that my "suggestions" could be annoying.  I find myself asking, okay, telling (*must do/will do better*) our musicians to give me a minor chord here or invert there, etc.  The truth of the matter is I cannot play like they can. I need them to interpret what I'm hearing. Sooooo, how should I approach musicians when I hear something I'd like them to try?  I don't want to offend...

Dont get me wrong I'm all up for suggestions.  But don't come to me during rehearsal trying to re-arrange a whole song with your chord suggestions that sound like crap and really serve no purpose for the song other

And why is it that many instrumentalists (keyboardists, bassists, leads, drummers, etc) feel the voice is not an instrument?  Vocalists are musicians, too!!  Kim Burrell is a musician! (I know she plays too, but her voice alone is clearly a beautiful instrument and she is a vocal virtuoso). 

Vocalist are instrumetalist also.  As U13 said, it takes time and preparation for musicians.  Whereas vocalist it is more of a natural ability.  As I stated earlier, I may not be the greatest singer but I guarantee you if I had to sing a part tomorrow I can hold my part down and sound somewhat decent.  I would love to see a singer (not a singer/musician) learn a song short notice and get behind a keyboard, organ etc.. and attempt to play!

[syddie]

YOU DONE DID IT NOW!!!!  :-). I practice daily.  I listen to many different genres and artists to hone my craft.  The main reason I'm taking piano lessons is to better train my ear!  I'm dedicated to improving my skills just like you. 

[Incognegro]

OK I'll take the other side. It was not a fan who asked for a change but the singer. The lead singer who is the quarterback because he speaks the common language that the church congregation does. The keyboard player is the offensive line. While the quarterback may let the center make the specific line calls the quarterback, well the offensive coordinator now, makes the strategic call of pass blocking, delay for a draw, pulls, traps and drives for what he needs.

No matter how much skill we may or may not have the accompainist is there to support. And it is possible to overwelm the person you are to support rather then help him/her.

The better analogy, if we're using Quarterbacks and Offensive Lineman, would be if the Quarterback went to one of his lineman and proceded to critique him.

"Dude, I need you to get a little lower to get some leverage.  Drive through your hips.  Keep your arms inside his shoulders."

 

Bro, you play QUARTERBACK.  We're playing the same sport, but I've been playing my position for 15 years, and you know little-to-nothing about it.  I'm not telling you how to play your position.  Don't tell me how to play mine.   

[betnich]

Oh, no - you done did it now!!! 

Soon drummers, bass and guitar players will be weighing in on this thread with their 'don't tell us how to play!' rants. 

Okay, some may be well-deserved, but there's been times when I have been playing softly in worship and the drummer goes pound, pound, POUND!!!

One time we were doing a CCM song (I had changed some of the chords) and the lead singer turns and says "Is that _______'s version?" I told her that if she wanted _______'s chords, they should hire  _______ to do it...

[Rshay]

It's just the difference in people.  If a singer finds out that a player doesn't want or doesn't appreciate him schooling him then he should quit it.  But it depends on if the individual understands and can endure. Sometimes I be playing for rehearsal and the choir singers be telling me how to play the song, and so forth. And so of them doesn't know 'abc' about the piano.  But I can take it, so I just listen and obey.     But if you don't want them telling you nothing....then tell them in a nice way. *Hey, back off - I may have this betta than what your knowledge can comprehend. LOL*

[T-Block]

I get a little annoyed as well. Sometimes, singers know what they want to hear, but can't use the musical terms to convey that to the instrumentalist.

Whoever said that singers are musicians too are correct. Since singers are musicians, then they should be able to speak the same lingo as any instrumentalist. And there in lies some of the grief.

Maybe because singers dont practice for hours each day for years to be good. It doesent take all that much to be a good singer,

Totally disagree. However, I do understand the sentiment.

[sistagurl]

Maybe because singers dont practice for hours each day for years to be good. It doesent take all that much to be a good singer, but it takes a whole lot to be a good musician,

You obviously know NOT what you speak of!!!

  ........I'm just gone keep on walking.....just gone keep on walking....

 !

[under13]

You obviously know NOT what you speak of!!!

  ........I'm just gone keep on walking.....just gone keep on walking....

 !

lol...

love them glasses on you...