Dealing with praise after a gig....?

Danny1969

If someone tells me I'm great after a gig I say I should be ...... I've been doing it long enough !

Phil_aka_Pip

I have been complimented in the past. My usual response is one of

You're too kind but Thank You anyway
Thank You, I'm glad you enjoyed it

I don't usually expect it to be the start of a conversation. tbh, I'd prefer it not to be.

ESBlonde

Thank them politely and if you have the time inquire about there own musicians journey, it's likely they play even if at a very modest level (we've all been there). It completes the gig experience for many punters. Be careful not to puncture the illusion that we are all gods and live a simple life of just being on stage with none of that reality/money/gear lugging bollox.

monquixote

I think it's important not to do any kind of daft false modesty especially when you are talking to a learner as it just perpetuates the myth of talent.

If you rip out a note perfect Eruption solo at a gig and then say "Oh me, I hardly practice, I'm rubbish really" it's leaving the guy who's spent 2 months learning to get through the Smoke on the Water riff feeling like he might as well give up.

hotpickups

Lap it up. It's what all want isn't it ? Just make sure it doesn't go to your head too much and you develop an ego etc. There will be plenty others who would love to strip you off that perch if you did

Cirrus

Phil_aka_Pip;364790" said:

I don't usually expect it to be the start of a conversation. tbh, I'd prefer it not to be.

I think English people more than most view conversation with strangers as some kind of ordeal to get through, which is a real shame. You're missing out on some gems!

- The sexy girl who inexplicably claimed I was a guitar god.

- The guy who pointed to the pedal trays in my rack and asked if they were my spare pedal boards.

- The guy who asked how many watts my ac30 was and simply didn't believe that it could be 30.

- All the people who have likened my playing to bands I've never heard of and subsequently discovered I hated.

mike_l

Cirrus said:

 You're missing out on some gems!

- The sexy girl who inexplicably claimed I was a guitar god.

I hope you told her "I'm a sex god too, and I'll prove it".......

 

bluechargeboy

I just say "hey, thanks, man!" and mean it.

Our drummer says "hey thanks, man, we've got CDs for sale!"

Cirrus said:

- The sexy girl who inexplicably claimed I was a guitar god.

This statement usually comes from male guitarists in my case. Probably for the best.

Handsome_Chris

@Cirrus, how do you handle compliments on your insanity wolf t-shirts?

Cirrus

Handsome_Chris said:

@Cirrus, how do you handle compliments on your insanity wolf t-shirts?

I murder a baby and drink its blood.

thecolourbox

To echo others, when receiving compliments after my piano playing, I normally say "thank you, it means a lot", then you are kind of returning the positivity in a way

If anybody says it about my guitar playing, I usually laugh it off by saying "thanks, though I understand <insert relevant guitarist name> Wasn't available", as like others it's usually somebody who tries to play a bit and they usually play for the same reason - because they are striving to be influenced by somebody

thomasross20

"Give me some sugar, baby"

Not really lol..

frankus

... is the Nuno Bettencourt answer if J-Mo's stroy is true.


The thing is it's easy as a bedroom guitarist to judge others and yourself too harshly... giving praise is a really good way of breaking that cycle. Most of the excellent amateur guitarists I know spend as much time going to see live bands as they do practising... as a result they're generous with praise and their breadth of musical knowledge is good and they seem more alive than mister cloistered-corpse guitarist.

If you can't let love out to others what is the point of picking up a guitar? What do you think it is meant for?

digitalscream

frankus said:

... is the Nuno Bettencourt answer if J-Mo's stroy is true.

To be fair, I think he's grown up a lot since then. Not a trace of that when I (briefly) met the guy.

frankus said:

If you can't let love out to others what is the point of picking up a guitar? What do you think it is meant for?

Picking up chicks?

Seriously, though, this thread has actually been pretty useful. I usually dread finishing a set because of all this, but there are some good alternate approaches/mindsets here. Thanks, guys

ThePrettyDamned

HOLY SHIT DAT SOLO @digitalscream

digitalscream

ThePrettyDamned said:

HOLY SHIT DAT SOLO @digitalscream

...is this a test?

samzadgan

if a would be fan walks up to compliment you...this is what you say as you walk past...

"dont talk to me...dont touch me...you talentless fan-boy PEASANT"

then put on some sun glasses and call over the "drink boy" to get your order of Whiskey sour...which you know will not be good, but its the shit you have to put up with whilst among the common folk.

randomhandclaps

When people give you compliments they are probably trying to strike up a conversation which more often than nope will lead to an inappropriate grope.  To avoid this if you like neither social interaction or physical contact then a stock response is probably best practiced.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/a1dceb65ef8940cebdad21b21f06c2b6/tumblr_inline_n6p23rngzF1rj4vbo.gif

jd0272

Cheers fella. Generally does me. Or a well fit mate (not) screeching "He's fuckin married, he's got a ring on!" to a thing. In something awfully awful. In which case I run.