Praise for new Member Daddy Flip

[Big Poppa]

Guys here are two things that one of our Knewest Knuckleheads Daddy Flip wrote and I think they are worthy of a separate thread....

This one is in response to a lame ass UK review.....

"What they could have said that would have been more appropriate was...

"The 25th we reviewed retains the traditional and ubiquitous single humbucker near the bridge that has defined the MM sound for over 30 years. But don't let the single pickup fool you into thinking this is just another run of the mill Stingray. The addition of the mahogany toneblock, 18v preamp, series and parallel switching for the humbucker coils and the 4-band EQ increase the versatility of this bass far beyond previous offerings. Want even more versatility? Throw in the ability to bypass the active electronics and run in passive mode with volume and tone controls only. Yes, you heard right; a passive MusicMan! While some of this electronic wizardry might scare off some traditionalists and may offer only subtle changes in tone, one cannot deny the art and science that went into providing those with the scratch a bass that will allow them to tweak their tone until the cows come home"

THis was in response to my latest blog. There are now two knuckleheads at or near midlife that started playing because of GUitar Hero Our new man MR Chedda is the other

I'm almost 40 and have no musical background. I would not have taken up the bass had it not been for Rock Band (EB is represented there, too). Purchased the game for teen daughter and mastered the bass on expert playing with her. It was so much fun, I wanted to do it for real. Because F*nd*r was the major brand represented in the game, that's what I planned to buy. However, I'm old enough (and I'm in sales) to believe a good dealer is still important. I went to see Brandt at TPB and chose MM after he held my hand three hours straight, letting me play anything and everything I wanted. I agree with BP; the next half generation and beyond will care less and less about dealers for their equipment.

One dealer nearer to me than TPB (no MM there) has Rock Band in the store. They let younger brother or sister play the game while older brother or sister is taking a real lesson- prepping the next generation. In addition, I'm told by another dealer/instructor that novice guitarists/bassists tend to concentrate too much on left hand technique and the game forces a balance between the two hands. These are just two examples of traditional B&M dealers embracing the new technology as an advantage, rather than calling it the enemy.

In my opinion, kids today don't care about music like I and those older than me used to. BP, they want less than just the single these days; they really just want the ring tone. I wonder if live music will one day become irrelevant?

[paranoid70]

Live music will never be irrelevant. I can see recorded music on hard copy media (i.e. records, tapes, CDs) going away. But, live music? I don't see that happening. If anything I think it is as popular now as it has ever been.

[bkrumme]

Thanks, Poppa.

I haven't played the 25th Bass, but if it's anywhere near what the 25th guitar is then it's got to be amazing.

It's great that someone with no music background can aspire to become a musician because of a video game.

[radrock]

I agree with BP; the next half generation and beyond will care less and less about dealers for their equipment.

What does this mean exactly?

[cm_17]

Back in the day, we taped cardboard "pickups" and fake fretboard markers onto old tennis rackets - to play more sophisticated air guitar. That got me into playing real guitar .

Guitar Hero is just the much more fancy version of that. And I guess even more fun (if you can play it - I sucked in the few attempts I tried, lol).

[Big Poppa]

Radrock could you elaborate or maybe just stick with the new yorkese. The dealers not being prepared or involved with the products or customers will make themselves irrelevant.

Live music is less popular that ever. There are fewer venues to play and most music is made inside the house.

[thefallenangel]

I don't see as said "hard copy media" fading away.
Personally... MP3 is ok but if I am actually buying something I want to hold it!
It is the same with what they are proposing to pay for movies etc... no chance I will never be happy paying money for something I can't keep and feel.

Which is also similar to the reason real instruments and music wont disappear.

What would have been interesting was that the guy who picked up the bass after guitar hero maybe started to realise there isnt 5 coloured buttons to press.

[metalmarty]

Live music will never die. I love going to concerts, (almost) everyone I know does. Hearing a great album followed by the anticipation of seeing your old or new heroes onstage. Do they come close to the recorded stuff or fall through? Do they eclipse it (yes, it happens)? The problem, at least here, is the unreasonable prices for tickets. 10 years back I went to a gig every single weekend for 15 euros (no euros then but you get my drift) a pop. Maximum was $40 for a monster band in a really big venue. Now that same monster band costs 80!!! euros ($120) to see! We can't afford it anymore. Three, four per year is the max. It's unreal. The Eagles did a show here 2 years back with standard tickets going for 150 euros a piece. And those weren't black market prices...

BTW, I will never ever pay for MP3's. It's acceptable for my mp3-player, but the quality just plain sucks on a nice audio-system.

On the matter of rockband/GH: I know at least 5 guys who took up guitar or bass because of those games. Don't know if it has the same effect on the young ones though.

[the24thfret]

Live music is less popular that ever. There are fewer venues to play and most music is made inside the house.

I'd love to hear you expand on this a bit with your experience and insight. Maybe the next blog entry if you don't have time to write it up here right now?

[Colin]

if you are a gigging musician now compared with 10 20 years ago you'll no doubt agree with the above statements. the scene is changing as is the venues for live music. I'm glad I had the 9 years gigging fulltime but I can't imagine doing it now.

[Big Poppa]

T Bone Burnett the incredible producer said he made music for people that hated music.

[jamminjim]

I guess my thoughts would be, why would he say that?

BTW his latest with Plant and Krauss isn't exactly what I expected .....

[beej]

Those are both great quotes, and food for thought.

Every week my group of friends & wives get together for dinner & games. Lately it's been Rock Band ... as much as it's not my thing, they all love playing it. My wife can't stop singing, and two of my non-musical buddies are really bugging me to come over and play on the drums & bass. I've lent another one a guitar and showed him some basic chords. I never would have believed it, but it is seriously getting people interested in playing an instrument. Wild.

I was watching "Glee" last night with the wife, thinking about how much has changed. As BP pointed out in his blog post, the music industry has really been turned on it's ear by changes in technology and a real lack of wanting to face reality (understatement). In addition to Rock Band et al, you've got shows like Idol, Glee, etc, making a serious cross-over from TV to selling music. It's just such an interesting time to be an observer. Probably scary as hell to be in the industry. (Esp if you're an accountant running a music-based company.)

[radrock]

The dealers not being prepared or involved with the products or customers will make themselves irrelevant.

Just curious how you think this would apply to online stores. Like for Musician's Friend or Music123, are you saying they will eventually become irrelevant because they aren't really hands on with the customers?

[Big Poppa]

I dont think that people use mf or those sites for enightenment or involvement I think its fufillment with good return policies