why do all the musicians wanted/available ads...

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MeYatch
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why do all the musicians wanted/available ads...

Post by MeYatch »

...say "no ego" or something along those lines.

Have you ever met a musicians that truly had no ego at all?

discuss....
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VENTGtr
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Post by VENTGtr »

I think this could spawn a good discussion as far as what should go into a
"looking for" post.

How about WHERE you're from, HOW FAR you'd be willing to travel, etc. As
much into specifics as possible. I've seen a good many that say something
like

"Lead didgery-doo player looking for serious, all original project".

OkEE, GREAT, we've been looking at goin' into a didgery-doo direction for
some time. Where are you? To what kind of music would you like to lend
your didgery-doo skills? How often are you looking to play your didgery-doo
a month? And whatever else comes to mind.

Some guys use a lot of time trying to find the right people for projects and
finding out you're ONLY willing to play didgery-doo in a psychedelic, electric triangle-based trio within a 5 mile radius of Drain Lick would save those
people a lot of time in seeing if you're right for them.

If you don't know, etc. that's fine, just some specifics can be of help.

Oh, MeYa...

"Have you ever met a musicians that truly had no ego at all?"

mmm...don't think so, no.
DaveP.

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SpellboundByMetal
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Post by SpellboundByMetal »

I think every musician has somewhat of an ego. those who say they dont are lying.
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Post by MeYatch »

hello, my name is _____, and I play the _____. I'm looking to get involved in a ______ type of project, for the purpose of ________. I'd like to play out _____ times a month. I'm located in _______, and I'm willing to travel ______ miles from there. I have ____ equipment, and I am at a ____ level of playing ability, with _____ level of vocal ability.



Hello, my name is _____ from _______. We are a _______ band, and we are looking for a _______. We typically play out ____ times per month, and we practice in the ______ area. We typically practice _____, but we are/are not flexible in that area.


just for starters.
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Post by skipisode »

I believe that any musician must have some type of "ego" to perform on stage. If you didn't, you wouldn't have the balls to do so! Nothing wrong with a good ego, as long as it can be contained within the context of what you plan to do with your music (i.e. play locally, tour, just jam around, etc,
etc.). I think most of these ads pertain to "delusions of grandure" when they refer to No Egos.

I also agree with Dave in stating that you really should put more specifics
in your ad to note your style, influences, genre preferred, how often you want to play out (if at all), availability, location, and the list goes on!

I wish all those searching Good Luck! It's hard to get a group together,
let alone a group you can actually work with.
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Post by bryankish »

I think a better way to put it is, "Don't act like a self-centered dick," basically. Anyway, I think that most people have some kind of ego, and it's not always a bad thing within a band. For instance, if someone in the band is confident in themselves and has a charismatic personality, it will probably work in the bands' favor. What never works, though, is when a band member thinks they are "all that" and disregards the concept of "playing with the band."
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Post by RobTheDrummer »

I think if other people give you the ego, that's good! If you give yourself the ego, that's bad! Everyone has some kind of ego, but it's all in what kind of ego you have.
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Post by bassist_25 »

Dave, your post cracked me up. I do get a kick out of some of the musicians wanted ads. I think that there's a fine line though. You want to weed out certain types of people (i.e., people with substance abuse problems, people who have been playing six months and think that they're already rockstars, etc.), but on the other hand, you don't want to be too limiting or come off as a jerk. I'd stay away from such limiting factors as age, gender, etc. I think that stuff's more superficial. It's been a while since I've had to look at classifieds for a band, but there were always some red flags that I would watch for. I'd never respond to any posts/ads...

1. That over-hype some band that's never made it out of the garage with phrases talking about reinventing the scene, changing the face of music, or becoming stars. I've been wrong about things before, but I doubt that any of the three or these things are going to happen.

2. Any ad that has negativity in it, whether it's against a former member, the local scene, or how the dude at the supermarket gave you wrong change.

3. Any ad that has the words "label interest." Obviously, if it's an established band that has built a reputation, then the label interest may not be total BS. On the other hand, I'm sorry, but your buddy saying that he'll record you on his 25 year old dusty Peavey mixing board in the basement is not label interest.

4. Ads that spend three or four paragraphs waxing philosophy about music. Quit with the pretentious bullshit. If I want philosophy, I'll read some Descarte. Tell me what your goals for the band are.

5. Ads with profanity in them. C'mon, be professional!

There were a few more, but I can't think of them right now.

Oh, and to the original question. There's a quote from Donald Trump that I've always liked: I've never met a successful person who didn't have an ego.

There's a difference between having an ego and an ego problem.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
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Post by MeYatch »

damn right paul.


another thing I dislike:

ads with like two lines of text with "call or email or PM for details"

why? Is it your fondest desire to talk to 45 people that are totally incompatible for every 1 person that is interested in playing the same type of music, and lives close enough to practice/gig/whatnot?
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Post by Klamachpin »

To play in a professional band & perform in public for any & everyone, you have to believe that you're good enough to do so. A player must have a certain degree of self-confidence. That right there signifies that you've got an ego. It's not a bad thing. What's bad is a person that's a jerk & believes that he or she is better than you. A person with a piss-poor attitude. A know-it-all. I hate that breed. Some players may be more talented/blessed/gifted that others but we are all human & that means we all make mistakes. I hate making mistakes but it's part of the game of life. So what I think everyone is really looking for is a band member that will show respect & in turn will receive same. That way, each person can work together as a team to make the band a smooth running success.
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Post by VENTGtr »

Paul,

Agree totally. And...
bassist_25 wrote:1. That over-hype some band that's never made it out of the garage with phrases talking about reinventing the scene, changing the face of music, or becoming stars. I've been wrong about things before, but I doubt that any of the three or these things are going to happen.
'At's just funny. There have been a couple times where I'll check out someone's site who may be looking for someone. Even if I'm not looking,
just to see who's playing, etc. The post will have something like "PA's
Hottest New Party Band" or something. Go to their page...and they've
never played ANYWHERE and aren't even a full band yet.

Your point should very much be remembered by future posters.
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Post by BDR »

bassist_25 wrote:There's a difference between having an ego and an ego problem.
I don't know what more can be said about the topic other than players with self confidence, goals and determination are oftentimes accused of having an ego problem.

These accusations are generally made by those who lack one or all of these three traits.

r:>)
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Post by Banned »

What I don't get about the "no ego" thing is this . . . who honestly thinks they have an ego problem? If you are walking around worrying that you have an ego problem, you most likely DON'T have an ego problem. Is anyone reading those ads thinking, "I hope I can find a band that wants a self-centered jerkwad"?

Asking someone to rate their own ego is like asking them to describe their body type. Let's face it, when someone says they have an "average" body type, it means they are significantly overweight. You aren't fooling anybody. And "a few extra pounds" really means "I'm so morbidly obese I can barely lift a finger to click this mouse button, someone come in here and light my goddamn cigarette for me". :shock:
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Post by MeYatch »

Jimi Hatt wrote:What I don't get about the "no ego" thing is this . . . who honestly thinks they have an ego problem? If you are walking around worrying that you have an ego problem, you most likely DON'T have an ego problem. Is anyone reading those ads thinking, "I hope I can find a band that wants a self-centered jerkwad"?
Thats why I brought this up. I'd be playing in twice as many bands if it wasn't for the no ego thing. It seems nobody wants a self-centered jerkwad who's the best bass player in the history of time.

:lol:
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Post by BDR »

MeYatch wrote:It seems nobody wants a self-centered jerkwad who's the best bass player in the history of time.

:lol:
Dammit, had I known you were a self centered jerkwad who's the best bass player in the history of time, Paul may not have faired quite as well at his audition ...

Sonofabitch ...

r:>)
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Post by songsmith »

I think honesty's a plus in the ads, but not too much. Mine would read:

"Profoundly annoying dumpy guy who talks incessantly seeks incredibly talented musicians to cover up my own lack of ability. I'm lazy, clueless, and manipulative, and I'm habitually late. I have a serious cold or other life-threatening malady about 65% of the time, and use cheat sheets because of bean-induced short-term memory loss. My gear is questionable at best, and I perspire like I'm about to catch fire.
I have a small PA, practice space, and a dependable pickup truck."

As for ego, I think it's an absolute necessity. If I'm going to show the inside of me, I have to be pretty confident there's something interesting there to see. Most people wouldn't sing a note over a microphone without the crutch of the karaoke/booze excuse ("I was drunk, it was for fun."), but we relish it. I'm much more comfortable with 100 people than 3, in a performing situation. Now, if you're playing music that isn't what most locals are listening to, like extreme metal or bluegrass, you really need to have hair on your sack.
I first noticed the whole attitude when I was fresh out of high-school... I was every girl's "friend," and noticed that the girls I wanted were attracted to... well... pricks. So, I talked louder, became the alpha male, and pretended that I didn't care if chicks liked me or not. It worked. The little quiet milquetoast started getting laid a bit more regularly. I applied that to my little rock band, and boom, people paid attention. I think it's that people extend your perceived "success" into their own lives, they take a little piece of that cockiness for themselves, as a form of escapism. It's Saturday night, it's hot chicks and booze and loud music, it's about forgetting that there's work on Monday morning. Performers have to be cocky to carry that off.
I try not to let it carry me away, but if I play a good dobro solo, or really plug my harmonica into the heart of the song, I feel pretty good about myself for a moment. It's ego.-------------->JMS
Last edited by songsmith on Tuesday Feb 27, 2007, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by ToonaRockGuy »

Just reading Songsmith's post, it hit me. Something that's (to me) just as annoying as a huge overbearing ego...

Lack of one.

I've told you before, Johnny, and I'll tell you again...quit selling yourself short.

End of rant.
Dood...
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Post by MeYatch »

very good point. A player that's constantly down on themselves isn't helping anyone.
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Post by johnliebal »

i agree with keith...every muscian has somewhat of an ego
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Post by SpellboundByMetal »

and for my ego, another song started today. "The Beauty Of Fire"

www.myspace.com/VigilanteProductionsPA
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Post by songsmith »

Hey, I'd have more of an ego, but I jam with enough guys who are REALLY good, that when I really throw down, there's always somebody to pull the breeze from my sails. And so it should be. I feel like I'm always sitting on a little pile of stuff I can do, and staring at a huge mountain of stuff I can't. I connect pretty well with the music usually, but I look stage left at guys like Felix, or Marc Prave, or Sir Barney, and I know there's another level I can reach.
Incidentally, per where my ego does rear it's ugly head... when Barney's not in town, and you wanna cut heads on blues harmonica... eat a good hearty breakfast, 'cause I'll steal your lunch. :roll: ------>JMS
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Post by ToonaRockGuy »

That's more like it, Johnny!! :lol:
Dood...
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Post by Mistress_DB »

you guys are confusing Ego with confidence.

When people say they want no ego, they don't want someone who's conceited and self centered. Basically nobody wants to work with someone who acts like they're god's gift to the stage.
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Post by VENTGtr »

M-DB. You are correct.



"god's gift to the stage."

MeYatch? Comments?

Looking for a good one buddy!
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MeYatch
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Post by MeYatch »

one person's confidence is another person's ego (problem)

it just seems like "no ego" isn't the best way to convey what they are looking for. Everyone has an ego.

People should be saying "no self-centered jerkwads"

even though they might be missing out!
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