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GMC Forum _ CHILL OUT _ Why Is It Acceptable To Hate Country Music...
Posted by: unclemeat Jan 12 2013, 05:27 AM
...but not the blues? I frequently hear people say that if you don't like the blues, it's because you don't understand it or something like that.
If someone says they don't like country, you never hear anyone go "Oh you don't get the history in it" or "you need to listen to Jimmy Bryant" or even "You hate America!" No, it's just treated as an opinion. If you say you don't like the blues, it seems to stir up argument.
Just an observation. Not sure if maybe a while back there was some sort of decree that stated you must appreciate blues music.
Posted by: BlackViper Jan 12 2013, 05:41 AM
If someone says they don't like country, you never hear anyone go "Oh you don't get the history in it" or "you need to listen to Jimmy Bryant" or even "You hate America!" No, it's just treated as an opinion. If you say you don't like the blues, it seems to stir up argument.
Just an observation. Not sure if maybe a while back there was some sort of decree that stated you must appreciate blues music.
It's mostly snobbery. There are a lot of blues, classical, and jazz players who like to think that their genre of music is superior just because it is the root of other genres. I went to a jazz show at Lincoln Center and if you suggested that jazz or blues were anything but the greatest thing to ever grace mankind, the people would laugh at you and say that "you just don't get it". Not to say that this attitude does not appear in other genres of music, it's just those three genres of music seem to be filled with those types of snobs who ruin the music with their terrible attitudes.
Posted by: PosterBoy Jan 12 2013, 07:36 AM
Now I like Country music but there are many disclaimers I have to attach to that statement. The main one being I don't like the majority of Modern Nashville Country Music.
Country music has always been for the common people, the blue collar working class. My biggest gripe is the lyrics especially nowadays it's all overly patriotic, guns, beer, whiskey, pickup trucks, broken hearts, high school sweet hearts etc They are cheesy full of clichés.
The Modern country music is nothing but 80's radio rock with a twang and cowboy hats. When I can get over that, with guys like Keith Urban then the banal lyrics hit me.
Country music has always moved with the times to be commercial.
It went from Old time Carter Family etc Chet Atkins brought in the strings etc in the 60's, it changed again in the 70's becoming a bit more rock and pop, 80's again became more pop, with a 'New traditionals' backlash (Steve Earle, Dwight Yokam etc)
90's and present's it turned into a diluted Bon Jovi type rock.
There are exceptions and definitely worth seeking out, as is the whole Alt. Country genre
On a side note I'm really enjoying the Tv show Nashville, I've seen session guitarist Tom Bukovac on there, Buddy Miller (who has also done some of the writing), both firm favourites of mine.
Oh and I don't like blues (most of it anyway)
Posted by: mroberts70 Jan 12 2013, 08:29 AM
I think honestly to grow as a musician/artist one should be open to all forms of music. I have found interesting bits in all types of music... now mind you it may not be something that I would say that I particularly liked in terms that you would find it in my mp3 collection, however... bluegrass music... love it or hate it, but those bluegrass pickers are some fast and accurate players and I've heard a run or two that is interesting.
Blues music again love or hate, there is some real feeling in that music. Lots of opportunities for bends and vibrato to be learned.
Here's one for ya, Classic childrens songs, would you sport that on your iPod? Probably not, however if you listen to some of those little tunes you will find that they are cut from the same scales as some of the classical music such as Beethoven or Bach and so forth. So yea, I find myself running some of those little tunes across my fret board when I'm practicing and it has helped my pick up my speed and accuracy and learn those scales a bit more.... plus I have kids so I can play that all I want.
Rap music.... hmm that's a tough one but for me it is, maybe not someone else. You can definitely pull rhythm and interesting beat patters from that. I've heard some cool meshing of Rap and Guitar... Aerosmith and Run DMC or Onyx and Biohazard... again like it or not... it sold records. You Maybe could even learn how to shoot a glock 9mm sideways and how to say a string of curse words in succession in a rhyming pattern. Anyhow...
Point is, you don't have to like any type of music, but try not to be close minded to it either. It just may have that one tiny thing that you could use in your playing that would set you off different from the other guy playing similar music.
So keep an open mind friend... 
You can put more things into something that is open rather than closed. You don't always have to like things to learn from them.
Regards
Posted by: klasaine Jan 12 2013, 06:26 PM
That's an excellent observation 'unclemeat' (I find it's accepted to not dig Zappa - even as a musician ... weird right?).
With the country thing it may be regional. Oddly, here in L.A. where a lot of country is recorded as well as it's close proximity to Bakersfield, folks don't slag country music. It might also be a 'superiority' thing - "country and western is played (and liked) by white trash hillbillys". Totally untrue of course - would you call Chet Atkins white trash? He lived and worked in Manhattan part of his life, lol!
I used to watch 'Hee-Haw' as a kid and it was one of things that really focused me towards guitar.
As for it not being OK to dislike the blues ... probably exactly the opposite. No one wants to potentially be thought of as not understanding and/or appreciating the basic roots of american popular music. Some folks may go so far as think they'd be thought of as racist if they don't like blues - ?
It's all silliness.
Posted by: mroberts70 Jan 12 2013, 06:52 PM
With the country thing it may be regional. Oddly, here in L.A. where a lot of country is recorded as well as it's close proximity to Bakersfield, folks don't slag country music. It might also be a 'superiority' thing - "country and western is played (and liked) by white trash hillbillys". Totally untrue of course - would you call Chet Atkins white trash? He lived and worked in Manhattan part of his life, lol!
I used to watch 'Hee-Haw' as a kid and it was one of things that really focused me towards guitar.
As for it not being OK to dislike the blues ... probably exactly the opposite. No one wants to potentially be thought of as not understanding and/or appreciating the basic roots of american popular music. Some folks may go so far as think they'd be thought of as racist if they don't like blues - ?
It's all silliness.
Nice music there sir!! I liked it...
HeeHaw... LOL.. me too. I watched that with my mom and dad, however I'm not sure I would make it through an episode now. Roy Clark can pick a mean banjo though...
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 12 2013, 07:16 PM
haha that's curious, but i think that it must be because there are much more blues lovers than country lovers. Also Blues seems to be more global, while Country seems to be more related to a specific places and people. However I disagree with that statement that says, if you don't like blues, it's because you don't understand it... People has different musicals tastes and opinions and everybody should respect each other...
Posted by: mroberts70 Jan 12 2013, 07:26 PM
Agreed, everyone will have their own view on how something should look or sound. That is why we have different genre's of music. If you don't like it don't listen to it, but don't judge or hate on it either. Seems that people would rather focus on spending their time on the negative and hating which to me takes more energy then to just accept and be happy
For instance, some folks like pink curtains as a back drop in their v-chat. May not be for everyone, but don't hate. Just make fun....
Posted by: TK Major Jan 12 2013, 09:28 PM
There are all kinds of musical bigots.
Over the years I've run into folks who seem to feel the need to define themselves by hating country, blues, classical, rap/hip hop, reggae, metal, pop, electronica, pretty much you name it.
Me, I like a little of all of it, but, hey, about 90% of everything sucks, right?
Now, there's also the phenom of good natured kidding. I own a banjo but every once in a while, I like a good banjo joke as much as the next guy or gal. Ditto fretless bass. In the classical world, cellos and French horns are frequent objects of ribbing. I don't think most classical insiders actually dislike those instruments. And then there's the oboe.
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 13 2013, 02:19 AM
Who would do a Vchat session based on British Metal and use Pink Curtains???
Posted by: mroberts70 Jan 13 2013, 02:41 AM
Only the coolest of people...
Posted by: jstcrsn Jan 13 2013, 04:08 AM
I agree, only one secure in his manhood
Posted by: PosterBoy Jan 13 2013, 08:58 AM
A bit of country shred for y'all
Posted by: jeffmatz Jan 14 2013, 05:06 AM
I'd like to go on record as saying that loud, overdriven, rock-ish blues is my least favorite kind of music. There, I said it, and I feel much better.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 14 2013, 09:48 AM
I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC and blues too, but honestly, I think I like country more
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 14 2013, 03:55 PM
hahaha
Posted by: Matt Warnock Guitar Jan 14 2013, 09:14 PM
I like a lot of the classic country players, Jerry Reed and Albert Lee for example, those guys could/can really play. Even some of the modern guys like Brent Mason are serious players. Just not a big fan of the modern radio-country stuff.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 15 2013, 08:44 AM
Do you like Brad Pasiley's playing?
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