Ok I meant to write this post a couple of days ago but I was still so angry that I couldn't....they would have had to add more moderators in order to edit the post I'm sure
Anyways I'm a bit more calm about the whole thing now...kind of...so here goes.
This past weekend I attended a christmas party. It was at a local pub and was kind of a private party thrown by a friend of mine. There were a couple of guys there I didn't know who were playing guitar. One on electric and one on electric-acoustic. They weren't horrible but they weren't that great either. The type of guys who get better the more drinks you consume if you know what I mean. Anyways after about a half hour they decided to take a break, however they said if anyone knew how to play they were more then welcome to do so. This is where all the fun started....
My friend came over to me and said I should get up and play. I usually don't play in front of anyone as get nervous but I had consumed a few bottles of liquid courage so said why not
Well the boys were just putting the guitars away and talking to a few folks when I approached the "gentleman" with the acoustic-electric (Oh I use the term gentlemen very very lightly...I'm just trying not to curse.) I asked him if I could play a few songs while he was on break. Well this "gentleman" first looked at me like I had just slapped him in the face and then stole his car, before getting the most smartass smirk on his face. He turned to his buddy whinked and said...and this is pretty much an exact quote..." well sweetheart we don't want to hear any of that Celine Dion crap here. These folks want rock music so why don't you go back to your shirley temple and let the men play the songs. Besides I wouldn't want you to break a nail while playing this guitar." The two had a pretty big laugh.
Well none of you really know me, only from the forum and a few chats, but I'm a pretty happy go lucky type of person. Nothing really bothers me all that much and MOST stuff will wash right off my back with maybe only a sarcastic comment just to get a dig in. But that comment had me so angry that words can not really discribe it. I don't know what made me more mad, the fact that he assumed I couldn't play or the fact that he figured all I knew was wuss rock cause I was a girl...besides I have no nails to break...I play to many sports where nails get in the way
I sort of stood there for a moment with a flabergasted look on my face as it turned a very dark shade of plum according to a friend. The juke box came on as they walked away still laughing to themselves about the funny joke they made. I walked away still a bit in awe about what had just happened when rage struck me like a ton of bricks. My friend tried to calm me down but I wanted blood. My boyfriend decided that this was a good time to take me home so we left. Well actually we just went outside until I calmed down a bit.....then I went back in.
The boys got back up a few minutes later as people wanted them to play some more...I moved up front. Well this is when the "gentleman" decided his joke would be more funny if he shared with the crowd. Well there were a few laughs but a couple people said to let me play. He agreed...as he figured I'd be booed off the stage. I'm not the greatest guitar player by any means and I didn't play anything to technical but I did prove my point. I grabbed the "gentlemans" guitar...held it the wrong way on purpose....then kind of laughed as I corrected my hold and played the opening bit of Gabriels Muse lesson to warm up before jumping into "Over the Hills and Far Away" Wasn't the best version of the song as only one guitar but it was enough to impress the crowd and leave the "gentlemans" mouth wide open. I followed with Wonderwall, Laid, Cecilia, Nautical Disaster by the Tragically Hip, Everlong and Creep. My last 2 songs were A**hole by Dennis Leary and Bitch by Meredith Brooks just because I thought it was fitting. I put the guitar on the stand and flicked the pick at buddy as I walked by...I left right after. He caught up with me though in the parking lot while I waited for my cab and apologized....a bit late but life is too short. But it did take me a few days to calm down
I think a lot of people may be able to relate to this story as I'm sure more then a few of us have been stereotyped in our lives. I mean this guy had no idea who I was but figured it was better to act big in front of his friends instead of just letting me play when I asked. I didn't play anything difficult but I did enough so he looked the complete idiot. Like I said I'm not a great guitar player but I know the crowd liked what I played and I played it well.
Does anyone have a similar story of how you were stereotyped when it comes to playing guitar...or even the music you listen too? I posted this in the ladies forum as I know I've had a lot more sterotypes thrown at me for being a women then anything else.(and I'm sure some of the ladies can agree to this) Please keep things friendly as I'm not intending this to be a flaming thread or hurtful towards anyone. And also please keep this a music/guitar related topic.
Thanks for letting me babble with this very long post
rok
PS: Gabriel I've had about 20 people ask me about your Muse lesson. I gave them links to Cirse and also told them they should join GMC
EDIT: I also wanted to add that if it wasn't for this site and all I've learned the last 9 months or so I never would have agreed to get up in the first place let alone do what I did. Gabriel and all the other instructors thanks for being here and thanks for all the wonderful lessons you produce for us to learn.
And Kris well what is there to say...the biggest thanks goes to you for this site and everything it offers.
You are at GuitarMasterClass.net
Don't miss today's
free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with
free content!
This post has been edited by rokchik: Dec 13 2007, 03:42 AM