Who's opinion do you value more? Musicians or Non-musicians?

[Eye_Of_The_Liger]

It's always nice to hear anyone congratulate you and your band on a well-played set, but I personally value the views and opinions of the other bands/musicians that I'm playing with, just because they can relate more, and I can get into the stuff that I really wanna talk about (gear, musical stuff, what goes on onstage, etc) that I can't bring up with a non-musician.

 

I honestly don't think that's right though. I mean, to entertain the audience is one of the main reasons why I'm playing in the first place. And if the "average joe" digs the {censored} out of our set, then who's to say that he relates any more or less to the music? And who cares about the nitty gritty details?

 

I guess I do.

 

What do y'all think?

[Zeromus-X]

I trust the opinion of someone in the bar over another musician at the show. Musicians complimenting each other more often than not just to network with other bands; if someone comes up unsolicited from the crowd at the bar we're playing to talk and says something, I'll definitely make note of it.

 

This is especially true if you're a "bigger" band in the area -- when we were playing out, had a song or two on the radio, etc, I noticed a lot more musicians coming out to the shows. Maybe they just liked the music, but it always seemed to be a bunch of compliments ending with a business card or a phone number for them to open for us.

[BlueStrat]

I agree. Compliments from people who don't have a dog in the hunt mean more to me.

[elbow]

I usually listen to both.. other musicians and non musician audience members. They each can have different perspectives on your sound and performance.

 

A musician can appreciate what you are doing, even admire it technically, but not like your music style. I support musicians that I see (and hear of course)... but it is not unheard of for me to make a suggestion as well. Just a "for what it's worth" thing. It has always been taken by the performer as something that was genuinely meant to be constructive.

 

The non musician audience member is there for the show and sometimes the technical part of your performance doesn't mean much. I could not tell you how many times we've played a sloppy song and after the set someone will come up and tell us how it was "killer".

[Eye_Of_The_Liger]

 

Originally posted by Zeromus-X I trust the opinion of someone in the bar over another musician at the show. Musicians complimenting each other more often than not just to network with other bands; if someone comes up unsolicited from the crowd at the bar we're playing to talk and says something, I'll definitely make note of it. This is especially true if you're a "bigger" band in the area -- when we were playing out, had a song or two on the radio, etc, I noticed a lot more musicians coming out to the shows. Maybe they just liked the music, but it always seemed to be a bunch of compliments ending with a business card or a phone number for them to open for us.

 

 

When you think about it, they wouldn't come out to see your band at all if they didn't like your music in the first place. At least my band wouldn't. Sure, networking is a big part of it, but we'd much rather network with bands that we're actually into. But I do see your point. You just have to try to discern the honest ones from the asskissers, I guess...

[Blackwatch]

I try not to listen to either, especially those giving me compliments.....Although those are so few........

[Beachbum]

Everybody loves compliments.

 

I usually place the most emphasis on feedback (compliments and complaints) from regular non-musician people who pay to see/hear the show.

 

They comprise 95% of my audiences, and they're paying the way, I'm really performing for them, so they're most important to me.

[GCDEF]

I prefer non-musicians. That's who we're playing to entertain and they outnumber musicians by 10 - 1 at least in the audience.

[squealie]

I value MY opinion most. When I suck, I know it. When I do OK, I know that too. Thankfully, the band as a whole (or hole ) rarely sucks, and I'm perfectly aware of that.

 

I want the crowd to have a good time, drink, and party. It's nice to get compliments, but they mean little to me. When I talk to folks in the audience, I never ask... 'whaddaya think of the band?'...I always ask....'are ya having fun?' That's what means the most to me at the level we're at, right now.

[Outrider]

Listen to the civilians for an overall impression of how you did.

 

It's nice to hear compliments from musicians you respect, but those compliments don't mean much unless you really know the person.

 

The musicians are always the ones who sit through the show with their arms folded over their chests implying, "OKay...impress me." Then, they will either tell you it was great (true or not) or offer "suggestions" which often just point out the screw-ups you're already painfully aware of.

 

The best musician feedback I ever got was from a friend (the best keyboardist I've ever known) who would come to a gig and honestly, effusively praise specific aspects of the show (great tone, good arrangement, nice mix, etc.) What you had to work on were the things he didn't mention...and you had to figure them out for yourself. He implied them without being obvious or critical...or coming off as a know-it-all who wanted to throw his opinion around to make himself feel better than you. Genuinely appreciated.

 

(R.I.P. Kent!)

[-=Pennywise=-]

Originally posted by squealie I value MY opinion most. When I suck, I know it. When I do OK, I know that too. Thankfully, the band as a whole (or hole ) rarely sucks, and I'm perfectly aware of that. I want the crowd to have a good time, drink, and party. It's nice to get compliments, but they mean little to me. When I talk to folks in the audience, I never ask... 'whaddaya think of the band?'...I always ask....'are ya having fun?' That's what means the most to me at the level we're at, right now.

 

 

+1

 

I rarely mingle with the crowd, but I when I do, I don't ask what their opinion of the band is. If they pass a compliment my way, then it just makes my day a bit better.

[THX1138]

For me it depends on the person individually. There are some musicians I know who's opinion I value, and some that I think are wasting air that the rest of us could be better utilizing. Same goes for the average person in the crowd.

[jackcheez]

What do y'all think?

I'm with you. I care about both. Mostly though, I have a pretty good idea at the end of the evening whether we sucked or shined.

[Beachbum]

A lot of times it can be a good indication you're doing well when some fantastic looking chick you've never seen before blows you duing your break.

 

Sometimes this type of subtle hints can keep one wanting to play.

 

[zookie]

I play folk and traditional music. The community of musicians who do this is relatively small. Many of us know each other, but we don't regularly attend each other's gigs.

 

While it's a kick to be recognised by your peers when you're on a roll, the real joy to me is meeting people after a performance who maybe are not familiar with the songs and hearing that they were moved by such a song or had never heard a fully acoustic arrangement

[Roy Brooks]

It depends on the individual making the observation regardless of whether he is a musician or not. I am more likely to appreciate an intelligent observation. Though I actually dig it when anybody digs what I am doing.

[Mr Bliss]

Non musicians all the way. I know when my old band played with crap bands & their members asked me how I thoiught they were I usually lied & said they were great.

 

People out for a good nbight have nothing to earn from complimenting you.

 

To my eternal shame, a girl came up to me after one show & complimented me on our cover of Helter Skelter - our only cover in a half hour set - I was pretty annoyed by our collective performance, but mostly mine, & verbally cut this girl down by questioning why she didn't rate our original material. I shrink at the thought, shameful behaviour. . .As if my humble little Belfast band could better the Beatles in the songwriting stakes!?

 

It's all about perceptions, & the audience usually vote with their claps.

[Eye_Of_The_Liger]

I find it hard to take a compliment from a non-musician when I know I played {censored}ty. I still appreciate it, and I thank them, but I still feel like I don't deserve it. I guess that's why I like it more when a fellow musician compliments me. It's more meaningful, and usually you can kinda tell if they're bull{censored}ting you or not.

 

But again, I also realize that it shouldn't make a difference. If the music's good, the music's good, no matter who's listening.

[DanteRTS]

Good Thread.

 

I take something from both. Musician to Musician, take it for what it is. Compliment a lick? Cool. Nice tone? Cool.

 

But, musicians make up . 5% of the audience. Depending on what you're in the game for, that may not mean squat int he big picture.

 

Some members in our band sometimes for killer licks (or ear candy) into songs just to do it. That's fine, sometimes. But we'd rather have "general people" bob their head, than watch them try to figure out the 19/16 riff we just forced into the bridge.

 

We've all given emptly compliments. We can only expect the same in return.

[ColorfulQuiet]

Hello all,

 

I am new to this forum, but long time reader/observer of all things HC.

 

This topic caught my attention because I am currently at the point where I have finished my first "album" so to speak, self-produced, etc. and have been trying to get some feedback going. I have written a lot over the past several years, but kinda took a few detours with a divorce, remarriage, 2 new kids, 3 moves and a new job, so the last 4 months or so I finally had a break enough to work on recording.

 

I have been trying to get opinions on this from both musicians and non-musicians, mostly just to see what a broader base of folks think about it.

 

I value non-musicians' opinions for many of the same reasons you all have listed here, because they react more emotionally, etc. and I value musicians' opinions because they tend to be more familiar with more things 'music'.

 

So, all that to say, "hello!" and would you mind taking a listen to my stuff and giving me some feedback?

 

Thanks-

 

www.myspace.com/thecolorfulquiet

[mrcpro]

Non-musicians for song selection,volume, overall vibe.

 

Musicians for the technical stuff... instrument balance, PA setup, EQ.

 

Like all I appreciate compliments, but value constructive criticism just as much.... if it comes from a friend. If a drunk says "You sound like {censored}"... well you know what I'm sayin'...

[worthyjoe]

Non-musicians.

 

In some ways, non-musicians are not at all helpful. Like if you go to a friend after a set and say "how was the sound? is the guitar loud enough?" etc etc. They almost always say they thought it was fine.

 

But on the other hand, when it comes to song selection and things like that - they are great. I love getting feedback from my gf because she is just your typical chick who likes to see live bands and dance. She fits the demo we are going for. She knows nothing about music. So I like to run song ideas by her and take he comments as far as what is currently hot on the radio, etc.