Do you ever feel like you have run into a guitar snob? It can be pretty scary. In fact, I would tend to believe it is a guitar geek’s biggest fear.
You know, that one person that seems to know it all or at least act like they do. The type that can make you feel like you don’t belong. If you happen to ever need a guide to figure out what type of guitar snob you are dealing with, last week I released a video that shares the top ten types of guitar snobs, and I think you will be very surprised what they all have in common. Not only will their shared trait be a shock, but I also share a wonderful way to deal with them. So be sure to watch, you won’t want to miss this one.
Tony, I know EXACTLY what you mean when talking about guitar snobs. I’ve been playing for 60yrs now and STILL feel inferior. That’s mainly because I am but it prevents me from playing in front of anyone apart from a few friends, though they aren’t players so they are impressed by practically anything. The last time I played in public in a folk club was 35yrs ago. I go to a folk meeting in the bar of a local pub when it meets on the third Monday each month. For months now I’ve been intending to take my guitar and do a couple of tunes, but chicken out at the last minute. There’s a guy there that is a good player but bursting with self admiration and conceit. He’s obviously got money as he plays high-end guitars (Collings and Huss & Dalton). I suppose my real problem is that over my life I’ve admired players like Buddy Guy, Chet Atkins and Martin Simpson and I know I’m not fit to lick their boots. If I live to be a 100 I’ll never get anywhere near their standard but sadly it’s their standards I judge myself by. My ability is partly limited by the fact that I have very short thick fingers and have problems with barre chords. Anyway, thanks for the vid and the encouragement you show on all your videos, (I’ve watched AT ever since episode one and download them so I can watch them over and over. The reason I haven’t joined you classes is that I’m now 75 and live on a limited pension income. I’ve also come to realise that a crucial necessity to improvement is to play with other people so you can bounce off each other and learn stuff you hadn’t thought about. I don’t have anyone to play with and so I tend to keep playing the stuff I know rather than stuff I don’t know.
Hey George,
I hope you read this and go play somewhere. Maybe not at a guitar player gathering, but maybe volunteer for free a a church pancake breakfast or a local coffee shop where they don’t normally have entertainment. Build your confidence there. Let me know if you do.
God bless you,
Brian
Hey George – you are among many that feel this way, as I am one. But realistically, it is a path I did not put much effort in taking and walking down where it led me. I often say, I missed my hearts calling, but yet here I sit at 69 and as you am stilled very nervous or scared enough of being embarrassed that I still do not play with or seek out playing with other people. I have an entire basement band setup. Guitars, drums, keyboards, harp(s), Jam track equipment, Music recording computers and equipment, etc. Haha, enjoy that you can even play, whenever you want, right?
Please my friend,
Come out and play, those folks that are negative with all the best gear are usually pretty crappy players. If they were as good as they think they are they would be on the road with a band or a session musician. I have worked with both and they are usually kind, understanding, great humble people.
Teachers who throw scales at you every week. When you want to learn how to strum in Rythem to songs.
I liked it. Fortunately I have not run into that many.
John, I am, admittedly, a Martin guitar “snob”, and have been for more than 50 years! I have been involved in a discussion on a purely “subjective” topic: Martin guitars versus Taylor guitars;, specifically the way the neck is joined to the body. We all, “PRESUMABLY”, can agree that the traditional dovetail joint is superior to the mortice & tenon joint, for joining the neck to the body of an acoustic guitar. Many people agree that having the neck joining the body in a dovetail & glue joint can add more resonance to the sound of the voice of the guitar. I’ve been searching for some kind of prove through physics and math to prove my case. My contention is that, prior to 1998, Taylor used the same type of method of joinery. Then, in 1999, they announced a “new technology for neck joinery-the bolt on acoustic guitar neck. I have played older Taylors that have “aged in”, opened up, and sound as good as many Martins. From 1999, however, I feel that a 20 year old Taylor sounds pretty much the same ACOUSTICALLY, as it did the day it came out of its box. I feel that part of this situation is dictated because the neck is joined with a bolt, and the guitar loses the help it would receive from the neck joint in coloring and adding to the voice and resonance of the instrument. Do you have an opinion on this question? I will agree that the subject is QUITE subjective, and that my observations are based upon my experiences with both brands of guitars. I also have to add, that, Taylor guitars sound great when amplified through a PA or an onstage amp, but lack the body and balance of a Martin when played acoustically. This all being said, the popularity of both brands speak well for each, as well as each brand, in current time, owe each other some kudos for innovation. So. I await you opinion, although I have no argument if you fall on one side or the other. Again, a SUBJECTIVE topic!
I have both a Collings and Bourgeois small body guitars and a Taylor 12 string. They all have bolt on necks. I don’t feel any resonance difference on them versus my old Gibson HB. The real difference is the 50 plus years of aging on the HB. I read somewhere that 75 percent plus of the sound comes from the top. There best is spread to the neck, bridge, bracing etc. Who can really say, though? I think Martin and Gibson stay with the dovetail design because they have the machinery and skill set to cut it and have had so for many years. The big advantage to the bolt on neck is if/when it needs a reset. The surface area of the neck joined at the body seems about same either way. The big difference, if any, may be the effect of the bolts. I think ,though, if you like the sound of a particular instrument, what difference does it make ?
That is excellent advice. Look around and check out your own perception before you judge or react. That applies to everything in life.
Tony- truer words could not have been spoken! Fortunately, I play with folks who are generally a self-deprecating bunch. Funny fact- I play a Martin d18 GE that I love to bits, but my son inlaw- a former touring pro in a blues band has this old beat up Yamaha that has a live sound better than mine! That’ll keep my own gear snobbery at bay!
Anyways Tony…keep up the awesome work and keeping acoustic music real for the rest of us!
Tony,
Your forgot the Taylor vs Martin vs (fill in you favorite) crowd.
If you like this or that…play it and be happy. You will have a devil of a time selling a Taylor to a Martin player no matter what you do, so why go to the trouble?
Hi, I want offer some quick non-snob advice to those who might read these comments. .
I play all the time, literally my days are spent practicing, rehearsing and playing out… There are better guitar and bass players than me, but I take pride in the fact that people want to play with me, because I play musically… it is all about how you fill the space and not if you play faster. Technique does matter… listening to what is going on around you is key when filling space…
BE GENEROUS!!! Everybody learned sometime, once you are proficient and beyond, don’t look down on players who are not as adept… encourage them, and help them with welcome advice, which means don’t sound like you are telling them what to do… they are nervous enough…. Maybe a “have you ever tried…”
As for acoustic guitars, my main advice is to play a good guitar, it will help you become better faster… but beyond that, buying an acoustic guitar is a totally personal experience, that relies on your musical taste, playing preferences, and your own personal body. I flat pick, but I am way more accurate when I finger pick…I use my fingers and not finger picks… I do not use my finger nails. I have big palms with shorter fatter fingers…. This produces as softer bass sound… to compensate I play two guitars that have a nice treble high end and that evens out the bass and treble when I finger pick… As I have said there are many who play better, but those who I play with like the way I sound… Gibson small jumbo’s (yes an oxymoron for sure) have a really nice treble sound, I play a J160, and a J35…. You can argue as much as you that there are better guitars (These are very good guitars), but the only thing that matters is that these are the guitars that are right for me and help create the sound I am looking for…
BTW, Tony your Acoustic Life world is excellent!
There are snobs in every walk of life. Guitar snobs, car snobs, clothing snobs, watch snobs, restaurant snobs, dog snobs, political snobs…people snobs! If you get caught up in trying to gain acceptance from them, you’re never going to feel like you “measure up”, because they won’t let you. You don’t have to be the worlds greatest player, you don’t have to own the absolute best brand of guitar, you just gotta he good enough for you! So the guy at the open mic night is arrogant and full of himself? OK, let him be. You’re not the only one who noticed it, and there are guys like him at every gathering, whether they are showing it or not. Secret snobs exist too. Who cares?! But don’t let it keep you from doing what you love! Keep in mind, Elvis barely knew 4 chords, but when he started out, he played those 4 chords with passion, and literally changed the world with his rudimentary strumming of that A chord.on That’s Alright Mama. No one is ever going to say Bob Dylan is the guitarist that Tommy Emanuel is, but he was good enough for Bob Dylan. Johnny Cash and Luther Perkins could barely play when they started recording at Sun, yet those records STILL inspire! You don’t have to be good enough for the snobs, you just gotta be good enough for YOU! You wanna see real snobs? Go to a karaoke bar and watch some of these “singers” pass judgement on the other “singers”…it’s actually hilarious! I’ve been playing professionally for 30-plus years, and I’m nowhere near being as good as I want to be, probably never will be, yet I’ve hired some of the biggest snobs to back me at events, clubs, casinos, etc, Yeah, I hired THEM! So let them be snobs, we need snobs, we just don’t have to become snobs!
Don’t we geeks know excatually what you mean Tony. I always tried to make fellow geeks comfortable enough to join in. I myself learned tons just from sitting in and watching better players. When I go into a guitar store it seems there is always one of those dudes playing loud and fast and the clerk can hardly hear what you request is. Back years ago there was the Pequea (peck-way) Inn along the Susquehanna River here in south east Pa. I went there one Saturday morning at 10:30 with my guitar and left Sunday morning at 3am. Geeks kept coming in with their instruments and we jammed the entire time. We had 5 guitars, two fiddles, a upright base two banjos and few mandolins. It was a place where Harley guys and college professors hung out and all was a blast. Steve the bar owner gave us free drinks and had a killer stake dinner for 5 bucks, at least to we musicians. Everyone was encouraged to play and asked to do their favorite song and we’d all follow. Again, I learned much from those guys and some who had been playing since the thirties. True Geeks, especially Acoustic Life Geeks have notice for snobbery! Learning, playing and playing with others is a Joy. So the snobs can kiss my bumper sez me. See you later today. iTS TUESDAY ON ALTV!
DaveyJO in Lancaster Co. Pa.
Is an inexpensive piece of equipment inferior ? I just started playing 2 months ago, and I keep hearing the term ” beginner” guitar. So I have did some studing, and came to the conclusion my solid top is just as good as yours
Superior message of Positivity! Great “ Tony Message!”
Tony,
It’s not just guitar creeps that pull their shoulders back, get stiff and make faces, then perform to completely shame lessor ability players of musical instruments.
My wife and I were invited to dinner at a very accomplished piano player after he was asked if he would help me with a piece I was working on with my guitar. After dinner he asked me to play what I had to see if he could add to it. I went out to my truck and returned with my guitar. As I walked back into his home and started to open the case to play, he quickly moved over to his baby grand and began playing an absolutely amazing concerto he had written for a popular play once performed in England. When he was finished he sat down with his narcissist ego dripping on the floor between his legs and ‘told’ me to show him what I had.
Completely intimidated and deeply hurt I began playing the piece we had discussed he might add a piano part to. After less than a minute into it he stopped me asking; “what is that, what am I supposed to do with that?” And continued ripping it apart. My wife and I could only leave immediately. A few says later he invited us over again and asked me to bring my guitar again.
This time, in his studio, I played it for him again. This time, even after telling him the key and the chords it contained, he was unable to follow what I was playing. It is a rock tune and he turned out being 100% classical, he just couldn’t get it. He tore it to shreds again without compassion. I almost quit playing. It took my wife and others a few months later to even want to open any of my guitars and play again.
My advise for anyone having these experiences is to simply let it go. After looking at the situation it was realized that my “ego” was wounded by his actions and I allowed that to almost ruin many years on my path of playing guitar.
It was a powerful lesson for me, one I will never forget.
Thank you for bringing this up because at one time or another we all experience different levels of the same stuff. The question then becomes this; “Do we stop and consider others with less experience than we have, or do our musical ego’s take over?”
Looking back, I saw I had it coming. I walked out of a 9 year old boy’s debut, the first time he ever played his harmonica in front of non-family members because I was there to do something else and wanted to get started. The boy put his harmonica down and has never played it again. I caused this and many years later still feel bad for what I took away from him. He could have been great.
Karma is what I received afterwards, well deserved. I feel it from both sides and it is fugly at best.
John
Karma has many ways…
Thank You so much for your deep, personal honesty, John.
Sadly, by the time most of us learn that humility is our best accompaniment,
and that the “always a beginner” attitude and spirit will inevitably help make anyone
a better player and team-mate.
That, and tons and tons of practice by yourself and with trusted, like minded, like spirited
guitar students, (we’re ALL students).
Perfect Tony I have been trying to memorize the fretboard diagram since I purchased your instructions. No more with your great lesson how to find any note/
Thanks Much!
Simon
Oh man, you missed the Self Taught snob. I’m not sure how anyone earns this “staus” but they look down on anyone who’s ever taken a lesson. Apparently they learn every scale and chord all by themselves while sitting in their bedroom and then emerge the next Eric Clapton.
Great Video Tony, I think the GEAR SL*#S may have been left out, and the jam band masters that think music theory is a waste of time. My heart goes out to those players that don’t play because of these people. I have been playing 35 + years. I teach, gig, do clinics and SO WHAT! I take more pride in being kind to others whatever their level is. I too stopped going to a local open jam, not because I felt less talented, because the hot shots were mean. Someone said in my ear “hey Loren, let it rip” I did. They got real quiet and one guy even said to me “you don’t belong here” one of the hot shots. He had a used 7000.00 dollar Alembic guitar, more pedals than I could count. When he didn’t know the Mixolydian mode, he looked at his guitar for blame. (Just like you stated). Wanted to know how I got that amazing Fender tone. I said, “well, I plug a Fender guitar into a Fender amp and turn it on”. Thank you, please players not all guitarist that know what they are doing are mean, so please come out and jam. PLEASE! We want and need you to join the jam.
Hi guys would love to know when your guitar show is on, I’m from Geelong, Victoria, Australia, so times could be in the we hour’s here. I would still love to know as I could be awake to tune in
‘m 65 yrs I have been playing for about 50+ Yrs. I love to play but I have never dun anything with it. I was in a band back in school, We knew 3-4 cords. Not munch better then that. I want to get a lot better but, I get board fast. I want to find some one to play with. My brother in law has been in a lot of big bands here in out town, BUT! He’s all you guitar snobs! I’m retired, on a fixed income & I don’t have the money to buy your program so I’m mercy of the E-web. I commend you for your task
I sent my friend the links to a Gibson J-200 and a Martin HD-28. All he did was diss the moustache bridge and the pickguard on the Gibson and the herringbone on the Martin. I told him it only matters how they sound. Of course, his guitars are the best and nobody can have anything better than his.
The worst guitar snob to me are those that claim everyone should play guitar right handed because you use both hands anyways. Awesome. Write your name left handed as neatly as you can right handed and then come talk to me.