Question: What is proper guitar store etiquette ?

[radrock]

I'm truly amazed that somebody would give it that much thought. I usually plug in he guitar and start noodling, just like at home. What people think or like/dislike is unimportant to me. It ain't a gig.

But hey, whatever makes you comfortable is fine with me.

[TNT]

Truthfully, they're just jealous!!"Most" guys can't even play stairway "correctly" in the first place, especially the ones who may say something or snicker!!

My only complaint is, just keep the volume down so that you don't disturb anyone else playing. Because in a public music store the "louder" you play - the "worser" you are!!

[Spudmurphy]

Further to my earlier post - I love encouraging "kids". I also do it around my mates workshop. When I stopped in the guitar shop on the way home I was talking to this "kid". He was a student who wanted to get a Blackstar. He was quite open about not having the money just yet and I was discussing with him the merits of Combos V Head/cab. Nice kid great attitude and discussed the matter really well. I thought it was great when he started talking to me about sweep picking and showing me - now the shoe was on the other foot so to speak. I just want to make it clear that I wasn't dissing his playing just (initial knee jerk reaction) initially thought his lick playing was nothing special and neither was mine at his age.
I also encourage kids along to local jam nights - the look on their face when I tell them that they have just shared a stage and played with Van the Mans ex musical director or hired gunslinger guitarist Pete Mathison who played with Ray Davies. Once I was able to introduce a young student who played blues harp to one of the finest harp players in the UK - it was great to see them interact. The kid was like a sponge. I had encouragement in my younger days and we need to pass the baton on. I believe live music in the genre that we all seem to like here has wanned a bit for many years and I want to see the Next Dream Theater/Foo Fighters /Who, emerge onto the scene.

[jvh]

In order:
Stairway to Heaven
Wild Thing
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smoke on the Water
Lastly any Limp Bizket song should suffice

These songs are the epitome of proper etiquette. Be sure to crank the amp to 7... You need to drive those tubes to play the song properly to increase the enjoyment of everyone around you. Be sure to wear your pink polo shirt, because noone likes an unkept musician. Remember that you're one bad mofo and not many people can play these songs. Go get em!!!